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Hey everyone, I’m thinking of switching from the 991.2 C4S to a 981 Cayman S or GTS. I’m disappointed with the turbo and I also don’t love the rear engine feel. I used to own a 987 Boxster and that felt much better to drive, only problem it was a bit underpowered. Has anyone made the switch from 911 to Cayman (or vice versa)? how did that work out? Thanks!
I went from a 997S to a 981BS and have no regrets. I have nothing against the 991S except that in my case the 991 isn't worth the $30K premium over the 981. Of course I would like the additional 70 HP of the 991, but I console myself by having the extra $30K in my bank account.
I have both the 981 GTS and 991.2 C2S - whilst the 981 is a great car and lots of fun the 991.2 C2S blows the doors off it. In fact, if you specced RAS, the 991.2S is pretty much on pace with the 991.1 GT3.
The torque curves above are good for some perspective
Thanks guys. I did get RAS. 991.2S torque is pretty sick and it's almost too much power for the street (I know, no such thing ). Cayman much more balanced. I just don't know how much I'd miss the power. After a test drive I "thought" turbo would be fine, turns out I dislike it. So don't want to rely on test drives, hoping to get some long term experiences here.
randr, which set of keys do you find yourself reaching for more often?
I have both the 981 GTS and 991.2 C2S - whilst the 981 is a great car and lots of fun the 991.2 C2S blows the doors off it. In fact, if you specced RAS, the 991.2S is pretty much on pace with the 991.1 GT3.
The torque curves above are good for some perspective
Originally Posted by LaCienega
Thanks guys. I did get RAS. 991.2S torque is pretty sick and it's almost too much power for the street (I know, no such thing ). Cayman much more balanced. I just don't know how much I'd miss the power. After a test drive I "thought" turbo would be fine, turns out I dislike it. So don't want to rely on test drives, hoping to get some long term experiences here.
randr, which set of keys do you find yourself reaching for more often?
If the primary goal is ultimate speed then most car enthusiasts that could afford it would be driving a GTR or a 911 TT. But the reality is that crazy acceleration isn't everything and in fact we have now gotten to a point with technology that the cars that can achieve stratospheric acceleration and ultimate speed aren't necessarily that exciting. Many prefer driver involvement and an overall feeling that you are working with the car to achieve speed based upon your skills.
The reality is that ultimate speed and acceleration has limited application on the street and it's far more exciting to push a "slower car" even if it's not really that slow relatively speaking.
Choose what you like and don't look back. Ultimately one car will speak to you more than the other.
If the primary goal is ultimate speed then most car enthusiasts that could afford it would be driving a GTR or a 911 TT. But the reality is that crazy acceleration isn't everything and in fact we have now gotten to a point with technology that the cars that can achieve stratospheric acceleration and ultimate speed aren't necessarily that exciting. Many prefer driver involvement and an overall feeling that you are working with the car to achieve speed based upon your skills.
The reality is that ultimate speed and acceleration has limited application on the street and it's far more exciting to push a "slower car" even if it's not really that slow relatively speaking.
Choose what you like and don't look back. Ultimately one car will speak to you more than the other.
+1. I had an F80 M3 and, although fun on a track, it was boring as hell everywhere else considering it was such a fast car. The car that makes you want to drive it on a random Wednesday night is the one I'd go with, as it points to the one that you find most exciting/fun (budget permitting, of course). See if you can get a sense of that when test driving such cars within your budget.
I'm keeping my eye out for a 991.1 C2S, 991.2 C2, and 718 Cayman S on Turo to get some extended seat time before honing in further.
randr, which set of keys do you find yourself reaching for more often?
911 much more planted and sharper through the corners with RAS and ballistic out of them
Originally Posted by Marine Blue
The reality is that ultimate speed and acceleration has limited application on the street and it's far more exciting to push a "slower car" even if it's not really that slow relatively speaking.
If that were the case you would simply buy a Miata or BRZ
Originally Posted by Reno 911
+1. I had an F80 M3 and, although fun on a track, it was boring as hell everywhere else considering it was such a fast car.
M cars have been ordinary for a long time................
For me, the 981 is much more of a sports car. When I had a 991, it felt like a nice Mercedes. Fast, but boring.
I'm guessing you had a 991.1...........the .2 is quite different.
I purchased my 981 GTS in preference to a 991.1 base/S. Make no mistake, the .2 is a step up in handling, balance, feel and acceleration - particularly if key performance boxes are ticked.
The handling of the .2 series is right up there with the best of the best - RAS is a game changer on the Carreras (available on the S and GTS)
The OP may well prefer the smaller, intimate size and feel of the 981/718 - I get that and like that intimate "small" car feel, but for me, the 991.2 C2S is in a different league (particularly with RAS). I did note, the OP had the 4S - its possible the AWD is giving him the heebie jeebies e.g. extra weight and loss of cornering feel
To the OP, I am one who jumped over from two 997.1's (C2S and a TT) into a Boxster Spyder and then recently into a BASE (yep) 981 Cayman. There are so many things I love about the 981. It's superbly balanced, has an excellent interior on par with the 991, same wheel base length as the 997, a wonderful snotty little 2.7 small bore, short stroke "atmospheric" (to quote the Germans) engine that generates enough power (if you wring it out) to get yourself in trouble with the local authorities and impounded for a week.
Does it need more power? In comparison to the TT, which when you wanted more power you simply punched the gas pedal, the 981 requires rapid down shifts and then the throttle. It's more engaging in many aspects than it's more powerful cousins.
But each to his own, right? We are all fortunate to be able drive raceable cars on a daily basis. My bit of advice? Go drive a bunch of different cars. There's lots to chose from. Keep us posted!
Is there a sizable group of owners that feel 911's are more fun (engaging, etc.) than a Cayman, excluding Turbo & GT models? My test drives of Caymans and 911s can't compare to actual ownership, hence the question.
As I'm looking at "most fun" in the Porsche range (which is subjective, of course), I don't much care about practicality, etc.
It's pretty subjective.
For me, the two most fun Porsches I've owned have been the Cayman R and GT4. The 987 Boxster Spyder is also right up there.
A pretty close second is the 997 GT2. That's an incredible machine!!
Notice a theme? Most are mid-engine. None are AWD. Only one has a turbo.
04-02-2017, 04:22 PM
991 to 981 Cayman?
). Cayman much more balanced. I just don't know how much I'd miss the power. After a test drive I "thought" turbo would be fine, turns out I dislike it. So don't want to rely on test drives, hoping to get some long term experiences here.
much more planted and sharper through the corners with RAS and ballistic out of them 
