Dream has been to own a 911. Neighbor has a 2009 997.2 S with 6 speed manual that I drove today. Car was incredible but exterior has a few ding and scratches that will need attention. Happened to go by local Porsche today and test drove a 981 S and what a fun and surprising drive that was. So, do I go with a 9 year old 997 with 22,000 miles and no warranty or a 2015 981 with PDK and CPO warranty good until 8/2022. Both have Sport Chrono and other goodies making them both faster than bats out of hell. Difference is $'s is 997 is $3k cheaper. Any comments appreciated. Thanks

 

For what it's worth I switched from a 991.1 C4S to a 981 Cayman S, and my only regret is I didn't do it sooner. 991 was, and felt heavier, and the lack of low end torque, along with the PDK hesitation made it feel genuinely un-special. The Cayman platform is so much more responsive, and after replacing the stock headers with Fabspeed's, I gained low end torque. I think the 991.2 with the turbo's is probably worth considering, but I found the 911 to be uninspiring at low speeds. I know the C4S would brutalize my cayman on the track, but in terms of daily driving, no regrets, except of-course not switching sooner.

 

Personally I would go for the 997.2 over the 981 but I’m sure I’ll be in the minority. 997.2 are very rare and finding one in good condition with fairly low miles isn't easy. They are the last of the hydraulic steering and raw feeling 911’s. But if the 911 has been neglected mechanically I would pass.

 

Negotiate the price down with your neighbor and get the 997!

 

Dude. You really are asking about a 9yo vehicle vs brand new? A 911 with tech and chassis architecture that dates back to 1999 vs state of the art mid-engine technology? There's a reason you liked the way the car drove, and there's a reason the car mags rate it so highly. Trust your gut.

 

It's not a matter of technology, it's a matter of desire, only you know if your Dream has morphed. It's a nice place to be though, one way or the other you get an awesome toy.

 

I'd say the 981 .. however.. if your dream is to own a 911 are you going to be satisfied with anything else? Can't answer that one for you.

 

Are you sure you want PDK? Other than that it’s hard to beat the newer, excellent car with CPO.

 

Assuming the 997.2 has been well maintained, I wouldn't give it much more thought.

Realize your dream. If you end up deciding it's not the car for you in a few months/year then you can most likely sell it without much (if any) depreciation.

 

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I began my Porsche search by focusing on the 997.2 S and 991.1 S...specifically Cabs. One day, while in a Porsche dealer, a sales consultant encouraged me to drive a 981 Boxster GTS...and it totally changed my perspective on what I wanted. After additional test drives of both the 987.2 and 981 Boxster S, I narrowed my search to 987.2 Spyders...and that's where I eventually landed. As I've mentioned in a previous post, it came down to me really thinking through the type of experience I wanted to have with the car...and my primary interest was/is in having fun on twisty roads in SoCal. The 911 platform might offer a broader range of driving experience...just a function of your driving priorities.

 

I always dreamed of owning a 911...until Porsche introduced the Cayman!

 

Yes, the age old rear Vs. mid-engine debate. To the Original Poster (OP), welcome to the best Porsche Forum where you'll get a whole selection of experienced opinions! Like many of us here on this mid-engine forum I've run the complete gamut of Porsches, from 997's, to 987's, to 981's and finally settled back in again on a mid-engine 987.2 Spyder. Why the 987.2? Because the steering is sublime and something that is sadly missing in the 981 and the 718' ( Read this latest review of the 718 GTS - https://www.motoring.com.au/porsche-...-review-110066 "The engine isn’t the only downgrade from the old Boxster, but it’s almost as critical. The steering has lost its intimacy and its nuance. It’s accurate and beautifully weighted and its rack ratio is perfectly chosen for the rest of the chassis’ performance, but its feedback is boring and minimised, where it was once detailed and full of nuanced detail..." ). And yes the 981 has a nice upgraded interior and the exterior styling is beautiful but IMO for the best driving experience the 987.2 Spyder delivers in spades.

Now with ALL this being said the bottom line is that there really is no bad Porsche. The truth of it is that we're really splitting hairs They're all exceptional cars. Period. My simple advice is to go and drive as many Porsches as you can so you can see and feel the differences. And then you'll find yourself drawn back to one over and over and THAT'S the one you should get. Forget about what's the better deal for the money, the status of the 911 etc... Go for the car that when you finish driving it and are leaving the lot you look back at it with a grin on your face.

Have fun and keep us posted.

 

If 997 is manual transmission, and assuming it’s a decent color and build with low miles and god consition, get the 997.

The manual transmission will make it a more engaging driver’s car despite the 981’s inherent mid engine balance advantage. And you’ll also do a lot better on depreciation vs a nearly new 981.

If both PDK then get the Boxster. There won’t be much demand in market in future for classic 997 with PDK, and PDK has improved since then in newer cars.

Having said that, I agree the 981 Boxstsr S is surprisingly good. But there’ll always be lots of them to choose from to buy. 997’s not so much.

 

Well, You and I have had similar dreams. When I was building my 981 Spyder a couple years ago I was also building and dreaming about a 991.1 with a Pwrpkg and Ducktail and I still am. I almost traded one of my spiders for a 991.1/991s last quarter but I hesitated and it sold quickly and I actually didn't regret letting it go.

Like you, now I'm think older classic 911 or even 356. IMHO the modern everyday 911 just got a little bloated - and this isn't a slam against the 911 but really about how good the 981 turned out to be. I still want a 991.1 911 but not at the expense of giving up my 981 spyder because it really is something special.

Yesterday, drove to Los Angeles to see a movie and attend a party, and the Spyder performed like dream and made the ride an experience-in-itself.