Spyder versus Cayman S/GTS as a DD?
 

I'm hoping a post here could help out. I'm considering buying my first Porsche and trying to decide between a used 987 Spyder and a used Cayman S/GTS. I figure this is the best chance I have to own either, since I'm still a few years away from having kids. The caveat is that it's primarily going to be a daily driver, and I'm not sure whether the Spyder would get too tiring. Has anyone had experience using one as a DD?

Hi there,
I have both a Cayman GTS and a 981 Spyder. I use the Cayman as my DD and the Spyder
for weekend duty. However, I see no problems with someone using the Spyder as their dd.
They are both excellent cars and you cannot go wrong with either one.

Is the Spyder a 981 or a 987? The 3.8 in the 981 is worth it, if you can figure out a way to live with that top.

Sorry, should have been clear. 987 Spyder.

If you can afford a spyder you should consider a better daily driver. The car is too small to carry anything such as grocery, purchased items or etc. Not to mention road noise. The 987 has a top that doesn't work on the expressway. Will probably fly off at over 70mph.

You should try a BMW M2 Or Porsche Macan or something if your area snows and want a sporty drive. The M2 is actually a very good drive. I was shocked and was expecting a M4 type feel and thankfully it wasn't.

I had a 987 spyder. Great weekend car but too low up front and scrapes. The driving experience is excellent. Great steering, brakes, precision and etc. I almost bought the new 981 version but decided against it since I already have a GT4.

I have a BGTS. I would have loved a Spyder or GT4, but the GTS seemed to make more sense as a daily driver.

1. Price - I paid at least $20k less than I would have for a similarly equipped Spyder (981).

2. PDK - I love manuals, but PDK is so good, it just works better for me 7 days a week.

3. Power top/trunk space - Love being able to put the top down at 30mph, and the extra trunk space has proven useful many times.

The 987 Spyder is a great daily driver.
Sure, it's a little noisier than a luxury sedan, but it's a sports car. And, one of the best driver's cars ever made. Ample storage room with two trunks.
After a couple tries, if it takes you longer than one minute to raise or lower the top, you are doing something wrong.

Get one - it's a future (and current) classic!!

You said DD so 981 GTS gets my vote, the top is easier to live with. I can't imagine having to stop the car, get out and manual operate the top. What a PITA if I had to do this daily.

981 Spyder would be fine as DD, drove a friend's Spyder earlier today, fantastic car. 987 Spyder too cumbersome and roof not really good in bad / cold weather. Would vote for a 981GTS, unless you can find yourself a 981 Spyder...

981 spyder is a great car for daily driver. Top you'll get used to but there can't be a better way to go to/from work. My only thought is if you have a lot of traffic - stop and go - you should consider a PDK car for practicality purposes. If not, manual and spyder is the way to go IMO

Given that the OP is choosing between a Boxster Spyder and a Cayman S/GTS as set forth in the original post, I agree that either the Cayman S or GTS would be a satisfying daily driver. Personally, I would lean toward the S.

I would get the 987 Spyder. It is a fun car and fills your goal of getting something fun before you have kids. Also, it should hold its value pretty well. It sounds like this isn't a long-term investment, so when you get tired of it, you can get a Macan, which is the best DD!

The 987 is an easy daily. The top is a piece of cake. I don't get all the anxiety about the top. A minute and it's done, really easy. Oh and it won't blow off at 70 MPH, I assume that was a joke. I had the car at 115 the other day and rock solid, the top,was just fine. It's a firm ride, but I assume that's what you want. It's probably the best car I have ever driven, and I've driven hundreds. It's all that!

I opted for the Cayman GTS with PDK, PTV and PASM - its flexible, comfortable and fast (and if track performance matters the 981 GTS is quicker than the 987 Spyder).

However, I really love the look of the 981 and 987 Spyder and as others have said the 981 Spyder would be the pick over the 987 Spyder.