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I've owned a 2004 996 C2 for about 6 years. The experience has been everything I wanted it to be. The car looks great, sounds great, and feels great. It's slightly lowered on ROW M030 suspension, has Fabspeed mufflers and cats, IMS upgrade, X51 oil pan, fancy brakes - I've done what I can to make it a great driving car and occasional track car.
Now that I've had two kids, moved the suburbs and bought a kid/gear hauler (2008 Cayenne S...I'm loyal I guess), I'm tempted to move out of the 996 and into something smaller, lighter, more focused. The 996 can be transformed into a track beast, but it would take a ton of money and the result would be likely highly compromised.
I'm pretty sure the next step is a 987.2 Cayman (likely a base, to keep the swap economics closer to even). I love the durability of the DFI motor, and the interior upgrades make a difference (specifically, the PCM w/ iPod integration). I think that with some good seats, a harness bar, and maybe some Bilsteins, the car could be exactly what I'm looking for. To be specific, the car would get me to and from the train station a few times a week, I would go on some longer fun drives a couple times a month, and I would do about 10-15 days on track per year.
It would be helpful to see if anyone on the board has made this transition before. I'm not looking for confirmation of a decision I've already made - I would love to hear anyone's opinions, pro or con (I'm sure there are plenty of both).
I just purchased a 987.2 S 6MT to be used as my daily driver.
I'm familiar with 911's, and even though I don't plan to track my car....I can say with confidence that if you do, you're going to instantly love the mid-engine layout!
987.2 base is NOT DFI. Not sure about the number of scavenging pumps.
Does wrenching on your car bring joy to you? If it's a secondary concern, I would shop for a slightly built out track car. It would be cheaper that way and more of a turn key solution.
If you're looking to attend 10-15 track events a year, hell maybe consider a Lotus?
Absolutely correct Fuego. I've just gotten used to referring to all 9A1/MA1 motors as DFI, my mistake. To your other question, I am comfortable doing some wrenching work on my cars, and I'm sure I will do some on the Cayman. I'm looking forward to installing the seats (likely a PITA), suspension, etc. But I would love to avoid touching the engine aside from oil changes and maybe mufflers/cats to make it sound frisky.
Finally, regarding the Lotus idea, I think you've been reading my mind. That seems to be a pretty attractive option, except that is seems to be a pretty awful non-track car. Guys on the Lotus forums are talking about ear plugs for highway driving. And they're not joking!
And just to clarify, I'm targeting 10-15 days on track, not 10-15 events. Probably equates to 5-7 events. Most of the time, this will need to be a road car that can get me and my wife to dinner or whatever without people asking what's wrong with me why can't I just drive a normal car...
I've owned a 2004 996 C2 for about 6 years. The experience has been everything I wanted it to be. The car looks great, sounds great, and feels great. It's slightly lowered on ROW M030 suspension, has Fabspeed mufflers and cats, IMS upgrade, X51 oil pan, fancy brakes - I've done what I can to make it a great driving car and occasional track car.
Now that I've had two kids, moved the suburbs and bought a kid/gear hauler (2008 Cayenne S...I'm loyal I guess), I'm tempted to move out of the 996 and into something smaller, lighter, more focused. The 996 can be transformed into a track beast, but it would take a ton of money and the result would be likely highly compromised.
I'm pretty sure the next step is a 987.2 Cayman (likely a base, to keep the swap economics closer to even). I love the durability of the DFI motor, and the interior upgrades make a difference (specifically, the PCM w/ iPod integration). I think that with some good seats, a harness bar, and maybe some Bilsteins, the car could be exactly what I'm looking for. To be specific, the car would get me to and from the train station a few times a week, I would go on some longer fun drives a couple times a month, and I would do about 10-15 days on track per year.
It would be helpful to see if anyone on the board has made this transition before. I'm not looking for confirmation of a decision I've already made - I would love to hear anyone's opinions, pro or con (I'm sure there are plenty of both).
The 987.2 Cayman platform is superb (just get a 3.4L haha). I have had plenty of seat time in most all various Porsches in my position here at Fabspeed, and was able to make a very educated decision on purchasing a 987.2 Cayman R several months ago.
The driver's connection of the car is superb, and the balance of the car is incredible. It is more lively on acceleration than the 911 due to it's lighter and smaller configuration. It is much more track oriented than a 911 save for the GT3 due to it's mid-engine layout and overall handling capabilities.
Drawbacks are not to be compared to the 911 as the 911 has the same if not more severe drawbacks, but in factory form the 987.2 is rather lethargic below 4500rpm, the sound is nonexistant IMO, the brakes do not stand up to track abuse, and all regardless of tires they should be upgraded to something stickier for the track. It has a little front end push as well (more so in autocross than on road course). All are relatively easily improved upon as the car has a boatload of potential.
I would recommend getting PSE if possible as the potential sound combined our Race Headers is glorious and the majority of the power gains are located in upgrading the restrictive factory headers. I gained 27whp from just Race Headers and Protune, and pulls like a freight train from 2500-redline. Not GT4 power by any means, but for less half the price its well more than half the car.
For the brakes, I wouldn't hold back with the amount of track use you intend on doing. Rotors could benefit from upgrade to slotted (drilled ones have a tendency to start cracking), Pagid/Ferodo Pads (I can help you figure out which ones), Castrol SRF Fluid, GT3 Brake Master Cylinder, and Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines.
Realizing i'm going off on a tangent here, just know that you are choosing to go to a heck of a car and it has incredible potential although it is already a step above the 911 IMHO in regards to a pure enthusiast driving style.
Please feel free to give me a call anytime at the shop (just ask for John Gaydos) and i'd be happy to educate you on the 987.2's potential and give you some comparison between different Cayman/911 models if needed. We can also get to know each other a bit for possible future work. That is also an open invitation for everyone else, I love chatting with fellow petrolheads haha
I went from a 996 to a 987.2 s a couple of years ago and only regret not doing it sooner. I do a moderate amount of track work and I've never had a better balance of daily drivability and track ability. I made some minor upgrades for the brakes/cooling and haven't touched a thing on the engine. I've put about 25k miles on it since then and haven't had any issues on the track or the street.
Thanks for the input guys. I guess part of it is all of the (overblown) doom/gloom on the 996 board, makes me want to figure out the potential "gotchas" in the 987 space. The Cayman platform does seem pretty well-suited to the kind of use I have planned for it.
Great to hear your experience has been positive Uber.
Not exactly the same but I moved from a 997 C2S to a 987.2 2.9 and no regrets. Currently have a Cayman R. Agree on pads and fluid change needed for track. Also GT3 brake ducts are cheap and easy. For 10 or so days a season you probably want to align the car to max out neg camber in the front. Likely about -1 deg. For more track work you might consider GT3 LCAs or camber plates. On the suspension if you want to stay oem and simple you can retrofit the Cayman R suspension. For seats the GT2 sport buckets are great for street + track as you can keep the 3 pts and airbags for the street and have the 6 pts for track. But as you may know they are stupid expensive. For harness bar I've seen the B-K "truss" style bar in a few cars. I ended up going with the Hergesheimer roll bar. Best of luck in the search. Great car.
Finally, regarding the Lotus idea, I think you've been reading my mind. That seems to be a pretty attractive option, except that is seems to be a pretty awful non-track car. Guys on the Lotus forums are talking about ear plugs for highway driving. And they're not joking!
I owed a Lotus Elise...it is definitely not a DD car. Have you tried getting in and out of one? Requires a bit of gymnastics and not the easiest if you're over 25. the 987 is a much better all-around.
What's the consensus view (if there is one...) on mileage with these cars? For example, I know that many people would say that anything with a Mezger motor will run well for years and years (ancillaries aside). The 9a1 seems to have proven pretty reliable. If the choice was between an older lower mileage car and a newer higher mileage car (assume price is equal), what is the right move?
What's the consensus view (if there is one...) on mileage with these cars? For example, I know that many people would say that anything with a Mezger motor will run well for years and years (ancillaries aside). The 9a1 seems to have proven pretty reliable. If the choice was between an older lower mileage car and a newer higher mileage car (assume price is equal), what is the right move?
high miles: make sure prior owner loved it and gave it anything that it needed...all paperwork and records are a must. Don't be afraid of this, because with a Porsche, there is an exponential premium for lower miles. Great deals out there for higher mile cars!
So I finally made the move to a 2010 black/black 2.9L Cayman. Pretty much zero options, as close to a stripper as you can get on a modern Porsche. Perfect.
Added PSS9s, Girodisc rotors, Yokohama AD08s. Picked the car up last Wednesday, headed to DC on Thursday then down to Virginia on Friday. All the way to VIR.
Ran three sessions in hurricane weather on Saturday (see below), and four sessions in perfect weather on Sunday.
08-15-2016, 11:30 AM
Considering a Change - 996 to 987
