Ghost Ryder

Hi all, I currently have a C2 997.2 PDK. I'm thinking about trading it in for a 981 MT. I've been dying to get back to a manual before they become extinct. Have anyone gone from a 997 to a 981? What are your thoughts?

saabin

I've kinda done similar, from a 997TT 6MT to a 981CS PDK. Still have the turbo, but it sees less and less road-time.. Really loving the 981 with a PDK.. a 981 6MT would be great fun, too.

vbb

I had a 997.2 PDK and after that a 981 Cayman 6MT. The Cayman is the more "pure sports car" of the two. It feels (and is) lighter and more precise with its steering. The turn in around corners is amazing. And yes, rowing your own gears is a lot of fun. On the other hand, the 911 feels more planted and like it has higher limits. It's more comfortable for a longer trip or a daily drive. The PDK is an awesome transmission and for me, didn't really take away from the driving experience.

Now that I don't have either anymore, and looking back on what I miss, I'd have to say that I probably liked my 911 just a hair more than my Cayman, but it is close. Very close. I think the 981 looks a little better and is more fun at legal speeds, and the 911 is more special (especially the 997 body style, which I think is going to be a classic) and is the car I'd want to put more miles on. The dream spec for me would be a 997.2 GTS in manual. This is really one of those times where you can't go wrong though.

garfunkle

Have a 991.1 and a 987.2. The 987.2 is pretty heavily modded at this point but even stock - its more of a fun toy. Next to the 991 the size really is negligible and actually the 987 is taller! Interior space is much better designed in the 991 but more "racecar" ish feeling in the 987. I am glad I got the 987 but if I can have only one its the 991.

Budget an extra 1,000 for numeric shifter and cables.

vbb

The OP wasn't asking about it, but since you brought it up, the 987 in my opinion drives better than the 981. Maybe it's the steering feel alone, but it feels way more analogue and direct. The 981 has better looks, better tech, and better performance, but the 987 is the better drive.

981- Looks, tech
987- Feel, drive
997- Performance, right sized
991- Daily driveability (and yes, will out perform a 997)

Porsche has a great lineup of vehicles. Having driven and owned several different models, I actually think the feel of the 987.2 is just the best if you're simply looking for a weekend toy. What I'd want in my garage as a 2nd (or 3rd) vehicle would be either a 997.2 GTS or a 987 Cayman R.

garfunkle

You're right and different generations of Porsches are wildly different experiences.

I'd have loved a cayman R or spider but although my lowly S will never be as special to a collector it is even more raw now and a more extreme analog experience thanks to aftermarket.

OP the 981 is better in every way than the 987. I still wanted a 987 The 981 has the updates trickled down from a 991 and is a newer gen than your 997 so should be expected. Outside of a manual, what are you looking for from the experience?

hf1

^ Agree on 987 > 981 for feel and drive. I was looking for a 981 and ended up getting a 987. Sort of coming back a full circle — a new 987.1 Box S was my first Porsche.

oofie810

Interesting that I'm in the same situation right now. I have a 997.2 C2 with PDK and I've been looking at 981 with the 6spd transmission. I only drive it on the weekends as I take public transportation and work from home. I found 2 981s within reasonable distance but was too late and was somewhat hesitant giving up the 997 for a 981. I like the cabin space of the 997.2 especially that we have two dogs that can be relegated to the back, not so much with the 981. However, I feel like the 981 will be a better/more engaging weekend car and autocross car.

I think my next step is to look for a 6spd 997.2 and see if that would be a good middle ground between the two options. Would love to hear more opinions from here though.

Tom R.

Look up the sales figures for the 987.1 and 987.2. Remember the .2 with the PDK that everyone had to have and the great recession came to the US at the same time.

garfunkle

I also looked at 997.2's and 981's when I got my 987.2. The interior is much more utilitarian with the "back seats" in the 997. The 997 is more planted and does have better traction than a 987 but I think it may be pretty even vs the 981. The 981 chases is light years ahead of the 987 in terms of capability but it also feels way less connected, perhaps it will also feel much less connected than your 997. PDCC, PASM, PTV, dynamic engine & trans mounts etc make a huge difference. My 987 has none of it and is beautiful for it! A 981 with all of the things will be a better performer but at the cost of not feeling as connected.... if that even makes sense.

oofie810

It does make sense. That's one of my hesitations with the 981, it might feel a bit less engaging even with the 6spd. My biggest gripe with the 997.2 is that it was too quiet in the cabin, but an x-pipe and muffler somewhat solved it, but I heard that the 98x platform might sound better inside the cabin because the engine/intakes are right behind the driver.

Was also looking at 987.2 but the S prices are around $30-35k for the 6spd variant...

garfunkle

If you want a 987.2 w/ a 6 speed then you need to be ready to buy fast when you find the right one. I had to have mine shipped from Seattle to Charlotte!

My 991 has a sick exhaust and headers (also a plenum and BMC filters). It sounds amazing. My 987 has a plenum, GT3 throttle body, filters and headers (stock exhaust). The induction noises are pretty crazy above 5K. Way more intense in the cabin than what I get in the 991. Going from a 997, the 987 will seem familiar to say the least. Getting out of a 991 and into a 987 makes the 987 seem like a really old car. The 981 will seem like a leap in terms of modernizing. If you want a primitive, analog feel then think of a 987 like bringing the engine in your 997 closer and amplifying the induction sound. The mid engine balance is nice but the compromise in not having a 911 is the suspension isn't as sophisticated so in the hands of a pro driver, on a track a 911 of the same gen will always be the better performer. Unless you're making money from lap times though....

Age old thing - really drive them back to back.

I Love my 987 but if I could only have one sports car it would be my 991. If I couldn't swing the 991 then it would be a 981. IMO (especially with my build which exaggerates this) a 981 is a better second car and a 987 is a better 3rd car. YMMV.

legin

I went 997 GTS 2wd coupe manual to 981 spyder to 987,2 s boxster manual. Like them all in different ways but the best was the 981 spyder no question.

The 997 steering over rated imo and pasm not that great. I have also driven the 981 boxster manual and yes the steering is behind the 987 and spyder but the chassis stiffness of both the 997 and in particualar the 987 boxster is behind the 981 in any variant and by some margin. The Spyder only really has the silly gearing holding it back as it has the 718 steering, sublime passive suspension and as an event was way beyond the 987 and 997 GTS.

What I would say is I personally found the 981 pdk didnt do it for me even though a manual in non s form was exciting.

Ghost Ryder

Thanks for all the replies. I didn’t consider the 987 because I felt the interior and front was too much like my 997 and if I was to change cars I would want something a little more different. I do think the 987 cayman has the best lines though.

I had had a supercharge Miata many moons ago and still remember it as the most fun car I’ve had including the 997. It was fast enough but raw. It felt on edge. Whereas my 997 just feels planted. The 997 scares me because I don’t know it’s limits other than it’s much higher than what I’m willing to test on the streets or canyons.

GT4John

I didn't have a 997...but going from a 987 Base Cayman to a 981 Base Cayman, for me there were two major changes: The loss of steering feel in the 981 and the stunning chassis rigidity in the 981. Lot's of other little things, but those were the two slap-in-the-face differences for me. Best of luck to you.