Which Cayman to buy??
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 12
From: Rhode Island
The 981 Caymans are brilliant cars and a blast to drive. If you do a lot of city driving or going to track the car, PDK is fantastic and its the best automatic transmission I've ever experienced. That said, the manual is pure joy to use, and I don't regret choosing the manual. Whichever model of Cayman or options you choose you really can't make a mistake...its tremendous fun. Wishing you luck with whatever you decide.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Not to hijack but hopefully to help in your search. I'm in a similar boat but am waiting on my 991 GT3RS. I can't figure out whether to get a Cayman R or a 981 GTS as a "summer" car while I wait on the RS. I recently sold my 991 GT3. I definitely want a manual and am leaning toward the R because I think it will hold it's value better plus it's lighter with hydraulic steering.
What do the experts think?
What do the experts think?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 12
From: Rhode Island
Not to hijack but hopefully to help in your search. I'm in a similar boat but am waiting on my 991 GT3RS. I can't figure out whether to get a Cayman R or a 981 GTS as a "summer" car while I wait on the RS. I recently sold my 991 GT3. I definitely want a manual and am leaning toward the R because I think it will hold it's value better plus it's lighter with hydraulic steering.
What do the experts think?
What do the experts think?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
From: Germany - Frankfurt area
@RossL: You need to try yourself. Both cars are superb, but I got a Cayman R because interior was more old school - in a positive way - and the entire car felt more special to me. 981 platform admittedly the more modern car, but left me cold. Sense a GT4 would change that...
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
@RossL: You need to try yourself. Both cars are superb, but I got a Cayman R because interior was more old school - in a positive way - and the entire car felt more special to me. 981 platform admittedly the more modern car, but left me cold. Sense a GT4 would change that...
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: OH
To OP:
I picked up my new GTS about three weeks ago (Carmine red with black wheels) and just love it. I went manual. I love the involvement of the manual and, on top of that, it seems like it may become harder (if not impossible) to get in ten years, so why enjoy the manual while I can? I've found that even on Sport Plus the ride is excellent and all the little extras make it a great car for long excursions.
I picked up my new GTS about three weeks ago (Carmine red with black wheels) and just love it. I went manual. I love the involvement of the manual and, on top of that, it seems like it may become harder (if not impossible) to get in ten years, so why enjoy the manual while I can? I've found that even on Sport Plus the ride is excellent and all the little extras make it a great car for long excursions.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 248
Likes: 14
From: Northern NJ
i might be a bit biased as a Cayman R owner, but i'd say go Cayman R. better steering, more rare, will hold its value better. think about this, you'll pay less for it now and likely sell it for more down the road than the GTS. can't beat that, and boy does it get looks, if you're into that sort of thing. start searching for a good example and see where you end up, but please do drive both
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Tarpon Springs, FL
That's my thinking. The 981 looks a lot better but it's bigger, heavier, and has electric steering. So hard to decide between 2 excellent options. I'm hoping to drive an R tomorrow and an S with x57 Saturday so we'll see. From a resale I'm guessing the R will retain better than a GTS but am not sure.
FWIW, get the 981. It's a much better car.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Verdad Gallardo
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Verdad Gallardo
6 Convertible Top MYTHS Most People Don't Understand!
Michael S. Palmer
2026 Porsche 911 Club Coupe is Spectacular, And Everything Wrong with the Porsche Market
Joe Kucinski
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Verdad Gallardo
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
I still haven't driven the R but did drive the GTS and S with X73 and they are both great cars. The GTS's exhaust note is soooo much better though! The pops and burbles are awesome. They are excellent cars but way too hard to decide.