2013 981 S, silver, manual transmission, Bose, Sport Chrono package, sport wheel. Big smile every time I drive it. Just replaced the engine mounts, an unfortunate common problem. Bought it used after searching six months online in 2015. Still looks and drives like a new vehicle. Feels refined. I don’t think I’ll ever sell it. No turbo lag!
I bought my base 981 almost a full year ago. Ive already put 10,000 miles on it. For the price this is probably the best classic philosophy sports car you can buy and daily. Insane level of competence. I have the exact same interior spec as that guy. Ppl love the two tone
@@esvignettes7592 Must be getting old cuzzy The stock is just perfect 130+ past 7k Then pretend it was the infinity/Subaru/whoever tried it behind me ;) About to hit the morning commute/ run the gauntlet I’ll have to check it out. GodSpeed 🤙
I had a 718 Boxster (base PDK) a couple years ago as my first Porsche and fell in love. I knew I was missing out not being able to row my own gears and the 4cyl sounded bad. Traded up to a 981 Boxster GTS and it is my only car. My daily fun car. 6SPD manual, X73, PTV, etc - and I absolutely love it. It sounds incredible and is the best weekend early morning top down driving experience that I have ever had!
Same here, after a bunch of BMWs many thoughts were made about what would be the best first Porsche. Ended up being a 981 Boxster GTS as well and I absolutely love it. I have driven many cars in my life but none fits me better than this
Used to own a 981 boxster GTS 6MT in sapphire blue, also with X73. Such a wonderful car to drive, I still can't believe how rowdy the factory PSE and tuning is with all the crackles off throttle. The accessibility of performance made me feel like a superhero behind the wheel haha I believe less than 500 manual 981 boxster GTS were made for US markets. Hold on to yours!
981 is one of the best values in the Porsche world. Adding the GT3 steering calibration (dealership can code it for an hour of shop time) and swapping for a 360mm “GT Sport” wheel is transformative. For anyone thinking about a manual, go for a 2014 or later model year with Sport Chrono if you also want rev matching.
@@Jay-xr3sb no, the Sport Design wheel is an older design going back to the 997/987. The GT Sport steering wheel is the newer wheel design from the 918 Spyder, Macan, 991.2, 718, etc. It was also used on the 981 with the GT4 (so it’s still period correct if you care about such things). It's an excellent wheel and the smaller diameter has a better feel than the older Sport Design wheel. Additionally, if PDK, the paddle shifters are SO much better on the newer style wheel because they're positioned better, have a better tactile feel, and shorter throw to active shifts.
@@Jay-xr3sbI aim for every 5k miles but the longest I have ever let it go was 7500 miles. I’m using redline oil so I never worry too much about 7500 oil change intervals as it’s a very high quality oil
@@Jay-xr3sb WOW, 2 years or 20K miles...that's crazy. In the USA they recommend 1 year or 10K miles, but even the independent shops will tell you 10K miles is too much and why be cheap with oil any way.
@@thespectralsorrows most cars manufacturers I've had say 10k/1 year, even porsche do in some markets. I can only think that modern oil does a better job and the 981 has a very large oil capacity. I've had a mechanic talk me out of a 1 year change with only 4k miles in 12 months.
I have had a 981s for 5 years. I do 4-6k miles a year and the oil gets changed each MOT as long with whatever service the car needs. It’s an extra £100 a year but I think it worth it
A few thoughts in no particular order... - The 981 generation of Boxster/Cayman is still the sweet spot. Looks, build quality, performance, sound, practicality, everything. - When I moved from my old 981 Cayman GTS to my current GT4 RS, I knew I would miss the exhaust note of 981 PSE. The 981 sounded downright exotic. Plus its (relative) lack of power meant you could really experience it on the road. I still miss it. - X73 is the shit. Perfect compromise between autocross/track performance and street comfort. Go out and hassle all the fancy GT cars in a car that costs much less :). - There are much better 200tw options than the Kumho V730's, wet roads or no... Glad to see another 981 on the channel!
@@teddyframhein totally agree on all points. I’ve been eyeing the GT4 RS as a track day car but just can’t bring myself to give up my 981 Spyder for all the reasons you stated above. Probably the biggest is the exotic exhaust note that even the GT4 RS can’t replicate. It’s a Goldilocks car that isn’t too fast for the road and still gives you that raw experience.
@@teddyframhein can't argue with any of that except... I love V730 because they're cheap and only about a second slower than the super 200TW options on most tracks
@@Zygrene Totally fair. I've gone all the way down the ridiculous path of 'tires are the cost of doing business' to a point where the difference in cost ends up being irrelevant. But that mindset isn't right for everyone.
@@tomgarland5114 I really don’t understand why anyone would buy a base 992 convertible as a weekend car when the Boxster Spyder exists for the same price.
I’ve had 2 981 Caymans, a base model and an S. Both manuals. They’re just pure sports car, and a wonderful reminder that you absolutely do not need 400+ HP to have a fantastic sports car that will put a smile on your face every time you drive it. Btw I reckon the manual boxes on these are pretty much perfect. Loved your video and love the channel
Hi Paul, which one would you recommend? 2.7 or 3.4? Did you also drive the 987.2 S and how does it compare to the base 981? Thx! Ps. I am preferring a GTS, but prices are quite high and very close to a Spyder, which I in that case would probably take with a minimum of options.
Hey cuzzo 2.7 pdk cayman Thinking of going boxster next Any incantations of advice regarding the fine points of the 2.7 vs 3.4 debate would be greatly appreciated. Having previously restored an e90 bmw with the addition of a b12 cup kit. I can see the 981 has something to be desired in the suspension design. Overall outstanding experience. Happy Motoring from down south 🇺🇸
@@mr.midknight_6 I actually came from an e92 335i, lowered on kw coils and tuned in GA, so similar boat. I test drove an S and found it very fun. I simply got my base 2.7 because it had a rare color (aqua blue metallic was only made for one year in 981 and 991 before becoming a PTS color that you had to pay like $6k for). The 2.7 imo is fun to wring out, when you adjust to the lack of low down torque, you're gonna love revving it all the time. For suspension, coming from a lowered e90, I tested base, pasm and x73. All feel very much improved coming from coilovers. There's no crashing vertically or bottoming out, on a smooth road it feels just as smooth as the engine. The suspension (base) on my particular car is my favorite thing about it on the daily.
The 981 is the best modern Porsche sports car imo. Just enough power to attack a road, excellent balance, PDK or manual, accessible pricing, a soundtrack that they don’t make anymore due to regulations. I don’t care which other Porsche you compare it to the 981 holds up in the fun factor. I own the Boxster Spyder version and it takes everything great about this and pushes it up to 11. The Goldilocks car. So many other Porsches have gotten too big and fast. Maybe there’s a place for that in some places. Maybe a GT3 can be more impressive and scare you with speed. But on public roads like this that we have in the bay, top down, this is the best experience you can have in a Porsche and you can feel great that you didn’t overpay for it. That said, I also own a 987.1 and it’s more fun at moderate speeds. It’s more mechanical, less refined, and almost classic feeling. The steering and chassis move around on you even when you’re doing the speed limit. It’s more engaging at regular road speeds and I find myself daily driving it more often because it’s just better when stuck behind other cars.
Bought a 981 Cayman S 6sp about a year ago. So much fun! Gotta keep the revs high in this engine to get the most out of it, but man does it sound good. Looking to get a Soul exhaust on mine probably this year. Great to see the 981 get some attention. 😀
To me, the 981 and 991.1 is the last true 2 seater Porsche that kept the Porsche spirit when excluding GT series models. The GT cars nowadays are still amazing. But fallen out of love with 911s and 718s since 2017
This was the first nice car I had the pleasure of driving when I was in college when my friend's family leased it. One of the best driving cars I've ever driven. Glad you reviewed it
Acquired a 2014 BS w/5k on the clock in July 2020 and currently have 145k on the clock. It's the 3rd Porsche I've owned and will drive it until the dynamic mounts fall off of it, lol! Came w/sport chrono & PDK, I actually had Gaudin Porsch in Vegas install the x73 kit several months ago. I only paid 45k for her 4.5 years ago and she's worth EVERY penny! I fitted a Borla exhaust and Cobb stage 1 tune🤘😁🤘
@@Zygrene Yeah man, 110k of those miles was done when living in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, I've been back in SoCal for about the last year or so.
Great review and 100 percent agree with all the it all, positives and the couple of slight negatives ie the gearing is a bit long and the steering doesnt have as good a feel as the hydraulic 987. Ive had a boxster 981 s for nearly 4 years and it puts that smile on my face everytime I put my foot down. Its just a great car.
I have a Soul cat-back on my 987.2 Cayman S BE. The 9A1 sounds downright exotic with that system just like you mentioned. I can only imagine how good it sounds without a roof. I drive with the windows down almost every single time I can and its my daily. I have a short dyno video of my car on my profile if anyone is curious. It has a high pitched scream near redline. It has a similar pitch to a GT3 imo
Your car sounds (and looks) better imo. I owned a 997.2 C2 and a 981 BS - while the 981 is PHENOMENAL and is certainly one of the loudest non-GT water-cooled Porsches, I prefer the smoother tone of the 9x7.2. And the lack of bullshit pops and crackles. So happy to be done with the pops and crackles.
@@ohmyggg thanks! I absolutely love that my car doesn’t burble and pop after every shift. It sounds way more mature because of it. Every once in a while I’ll get a nice pop from the exhaust but because it is so rare it just feels more authentic. It’s a keeper for sure. It’s also the best looking Cayman ever, no question.
@@Kakoriat absolutely! The .2 Caymans are really beautiful and your Black Edition makes it even more special. Fully agree on the more authentic feel of a pop/burble that’s random or that you have to work for. The 981 burbles are so contrived. I’m surprised Porsche programmed them that way. You can get an ECU tune to eliminate them, which is what I would have done if I had kept my 981.
I just bought a similar spec Cayman S on New Year's Day. Grandpa owned, and the specs and options were so good that I bought it sight unseen and had it delivered to my house. I owned a base 987.2 in the past and had a lot of fun in it, so I knew I was going to enjoy this one as well, despite never having driven a 981. Now I've driven GT3s, Ferraris, Corvettes, and I've never giggled to myself as much as I did on the drive home. PDK, PSE, PTV, and PASM are a MUST on these specific cars. Coupled with the NA flat 6, this car just sings and snares when you floor it. I will never sell this car.
I bought mine four years ago and yup, it’s amazing. Very practical as a daily and so much fun in the mountains of western NC. I put the Soul exhaust on mine as well and it turns heads everywhere we go. I also added X73 and there’s no other car I’d own, except the 981 Spyder and I’m getting one next year or so
I was thinking of buying one of these the other day. Ended up buying a cheap 987.1 Base 5 Speed manual. The 987 was local to me (Adelaide - South Australia), had great history and lots of recent maintenance. But when the right 981 Boxster S shows up locally. I will be going straight for a test drive. I previously had a 981 Cayman Base PDK and it was excellent. There does seem to be a healthy supply of 981 Boxsters available on the market too. So the cars might depreciate a little bit more. Or simply flatten out. Edit: For reference. In Australia The 987.1 Boxster Manual with equivalent kms is roughly half the price ($30,000 AUD) compared to a 981 Boxster base PDK ($60000+ AUD). But I totally agree. If you can afford to spend a bit more. The 981 Boxster is the safest purchase. It is definitely better value for money compared to a 987.2.
The 981 w/ PDK weighes about 3,100. I’ve had mine for four years and yes, imo it’s the best value there is. I added the X73 and it’s a bit stiff, but this car has amazing, neutral handling. The 3.4L engine sounds better than anything around with an exhaust but beware, I have the SOUL exhaust and it’s LOUD. Not a problem at all where I live but it’s not subtle. This runs 12.5 1/4 mi and 0-60 in 4.5 w/ PDK as tested by several magazines. A software tune takes it to 350 hp. Porsche tuning shuts the throttle body down over 6,000 rpm. This is 60% 911 parts for 30-40% less momey, and is actually a superior car.
Bough my base 981 2.7 with FI exhaust. No doubt, it best and underrated sport car for NA. Everyone just go for turbo and forgot the power and sound of NA. Personally, i love NA and would think to have 991.1 3.8 NA too. We cant drive fast in public road but can enjoy the sound that make us feel fast and the enjoyment 😊
The sound quality was completely fine in this video, btw. I remember previously you wouldn't get the roof down not to compromise the sound quality of the video. Please always take the roof down for convertibles in the future-- it's part of the experience! :)
Awesome review, as always 👏 FYI, 981 uses the same steering rack as the GT3 and the steering software can be coded over which would address your biggest gripe with it. Also, there is a software update to the PDK that smoothes out the shifts to address your other gripe 😉
Great vid. I have that interior in my 14 base with soul headers, PSE, x73 and tune. Sounds amazing, drives great, likely the best canyon carver at these prices. Do the GT3 steering calibration and it helps with feel.
I plan to buy a Boxster one day. I am really looking forward to that open air experience again. I used to have a Jeep Wrangler and loved being able to take the top and the doors off. I wish a sports car had that ability to take the doors off, I think that would be awesome. Sadly Jeeps don't handle very well on the road :)
I would add it looks a lot better than the 987 also. I don’t agree that Porsche’s are “clinical “. I had a 1996 C2 that makes me smile on every drive. So much fun.
I bought my 2013 Boxster S 6-speed in January 2017 for $45K with 38K miles on it as a CPO. I now have 83K miles mine and the only repair was replacing both of the active engine mounts which are part of the Sport Chrono package. The first thing I did upon buying the car was replace the headers, exhaust, plenum and throttle body then add a custom Cobb tune. These cars are fine stock, but so much better with some investment. The sound is so more sportscar and the 370HP is a huge jump over the stock 315HP.
The S isnt a torque monster, plenty of chance to rev it out, max torque is around 6500 and the pdk is geared the same between the 2.7 and 3.4. The 3.4 has the option to use lower and mid torque, in the 2.7 you have to revs the nuts off in most cases, even a small incline, in the 3.4 you have the choice. I find both cars have a long warm up cycle, so sub 3k rpm still deliver until engine is at temp. Lastly, the 3.4 is a detuned carrera, you can jump from 315bhp to 355bhp with a simple ecu tune. 2.7 sound a bit better, but hard to tell without them back to back. Have tried the GT3 steering software on yours?
I agree. Definitely an example of more fun to "drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow". I bought an S, but I knew I would be tracking the car where I can use all of its power and cornering abilities.
I had the S and would consider dropping to the 2.7 if I ever got back into a 981. I never felt that the 3.4 was the strong point of that car and the 2.7 is a better value, plus it sounds every bit as good as the 3.4. X73 and GT3 steering calibration are non-negotiable though.
@@jimmyliew7994 Can't speak for the suspension but the steering calibration is definitely a big change - there are others too - I am running the GT3RS coding at present.
The 981 Cayman/Boxsters with PSE or an aftermarket exhaust are some of the best sounding cars you can get below 100k. On some days I might even prefer the sound to a GT3/GT4.
Mine is stock Appear valveless although tone is noticeably better in all measurements in sport mode My findings are such that the 2.7 is less raspy overall, higher pitched from 6 to 7 k I’m inclined to believe the power characteristics of the 3.4 favor the chassis weight of 3700 lbs roughly. I imagine closer to 4 fully loaded. However on my commute home this evening I was joined in my swim by a lovely sq5 four ringer. Once I relinquished lead position. Couldn’t seem to get away ;) top of third mostly 4th gear My channel I’ve posted runs of 7k pulls going thru gears :) enjoy
100% agree it's a great car. I tried looking for a clean one also, but with so many people looking to buy this car, it became cheaper to just get a 997.2 C2S Cab.
Best under 50k? NO BEST SPORTS CAR EVER? Yes I let everyone that asks drive my car and they can’t believe how good it is or how good it sounds being 11 years old now. For a daily driver, it’s perfection. For a weekend blast, it’s even better. There is no substitute for what this car can do IMO.
If I'm not mistaken, the steering feel can be adjusted/tuned. You can flash a 911 gt3 steering tune to tremendously increase steering feel. I'm not an expert so someone can correct me in the comments I'm sure
@@maximus9401 I’m not an expert on it either because my Spyder already had it from factory but I believe it’s from the 911 turbo, not the GT3. It’s good and very precise but still doesn’t replicate the feedback from the 987 generation. It feels much more capable and modern than the old hydrologic system but lacks the feel. I have both but can’t tell you which is better. They’re different and the electric steering does suit the more modern feeling of the 981.
You are correct, going to do mine. There are a number of steering maps already loaded in the ecu, the gt3 is most hydraulic like, the gt4 is a tad lighter. Just need a prosche speaclist to plug in pwis
A lot of 981 owner in the comments - I’m also one 😅. I bought mine about 5 years ago and I honestly can’t find anything to upgrade it to without going 3x the price (some might say GT4, but 2x the price and still maintaining that long gearing, no thanks).
X73 suspension is sooo much better than PASM imo. The exhaust is nice too. I have a K&N exhaust on mine. Honestly don’t think a valved exhaust is necessary on these, you can control the volume with your foot, its not super loud under 4000 rpm.
@@tobiaskolb9011 The pasm cars I've driven (mostly 991 911's), I feel like I don't notice the difference between pressing the button or not, and they occasionally need to be serviced/repleaced earlier. x73 is a tiny bit stiff but it doesn't crash nor does it get "stiffer" under certain movements. The height is perfect on 981 x73 too. It is also cheaper if you are retrofitting. It feels like a perfect suspension to both daily and track (I have no track experience though)
For me, the hydraulic steering in the 987.2, (along with the more classic styling and cheaper price), was enough for me to purchase over the 981. If this were my only car that i had to daily, then I'd probably go for the 981. Anyway, the X73 suspension, I think is a moot point. There are probably few, if any, 987s that are on its original suspension and don't need replacement yet. There's plenty aftermarket suspension offerings that are as good or better than the X73 package. The only reasons to get a 981 over a 987.2 is the updated interior/infotainment and the difference in styling if you prefer the 981 look.
@@Jay-xr3sb True, but it's not exactly cheap either. I could be wrong, but I recall it being $2-$3k for the software and paying a shop to perform the update.
@@heelntoe3982 if you want to buy a plug in PWIS computer to keep, then it costs a few hundred. Go to a porsche specialist and they'll do it for £30 in the uk
Man, a couple months ago i got for high-40s a well optioned base 718 cayman (6mt, pasm, pse, sport chrono and PTV) and while I love the car, every time i hear a flat six I get a bit jealous. I wonder driving wise how my car would compare to this. 🤔
We lack the torque of our turbo siblings We embrace the spine tingling of natural aspiration I have some decent runs on my channel if interested Happy motoring cuzzo 🤙
This is the second time you’ve commented on this generation of PDK feeling its age on the 1-2 upshift because of the jerk. That’s because you’re always driving in Sport Plus, which gives you that artificial ‘kick’ in the 981 generation that I never liked in my GTS. If you switch to Sport, the downshifts and upshifts become seamless.
Hopefully they stay at this price point for a while (wishful thinking). I have a 996, wife has a 987, but we’d like to trade her up to a 981 in the future.
UA-camrs and long gearing. All Porsche sports cars have long first and second gears as do all Porsche GT3 Cup cars. Road going Porsche Sports cars are designed from the ground up to be track capable.
4:54 that pdk seems slow and sluggish as heck, You can see and hear when he pulled the paddle, and how long it took for the revs to begin falling. I tried to see how many frames at 60fps it took, and it seems to be ~400ms for the revs to BEGIN to fall. Not great. A manual is the way to go. Edit: 10:09 Seems to be about the same. Just under 0.4 Seconds to start dropping. Almost like rev hang.
At low speeds it maybe. For me it's too small, doesn't sound as good, works more as a third car rather than a second car that can also fill GT duties (weekend away with the mrs). They may be cheaper, but as a third care its more. The build of the 981 is was better, its the 911 crowd that are overpaying
Extremely reliable, the only real major known issue is the active engine mounts will fail at some point as cost about $2000 each to replace...these are only on the cars with the Sport Chrono package, you'll know if the car has a Sport Plus button and timer clock.
tbh... the best value isn't buying one now. It's buying it when it was new. What other cars can you name that you can drive for fun and still be worth over half as much as what you paid for, 10 years down the road? Something similar is happening with the C7 corvette too. Again, you could have bought one for 70k some 10 years ago, and now it would still be worth 35k. That is amazing value considering most cars lose 1/2 of their value in just 4-5 years.
@@thespectralsorrows I optioned one with all the bells and whistles and it was still under $95k... Buying a 10 year old car for $45k, doesn't mean your car costs $45k. by no means am i saying it's a smart choice to buy a $95k new cayman right now. I'm saying it WAS a great deal for those who bought a Cayman in 2014, cuz the MSRP on that car was probably around 65k. Driving a sports car for 10 years and still having 2/3rds of the value to sell, is absurdly incredible. The 718 will not pull the same thing because it's a turbo charged car that sounds nowhere as nice as well it's governed by so many pesky government mandates
@@DonLee1980@DonLee1980 You are 100% correct! I bought my $73K msrp 2013 Boxster S in Janaury 2017 as a CPO for...$45K, 8 years later with 83K miles its still worth at least $35K.
I test drove one of these about 5 years ago with the intention of buying it. But after the test drive I was extremely underwhelmed. So numb but not as numb as the 718 I drove after. The chassis was impressive but lacked excitement and the engine was just ok
@@Zygrene sure, I can understand that sentiment if you're looking for a better all around car. The newer one is nicer, easier in traffic around town and on the highway, better to live with. But if it's a 2nd or 3rd car, and it's just for blasting around backroads, and doing an autox/trackday here and there... Even a base model 2009 987.2 with a few typical upgrades: wheels/tires/pads/coilovers/sway bars/shifter/exhaust is probably MUCH more pleasurable. Just a working hypothesis.
So stupid of porsche having put such long gearing on a low torque vehicle. It could have been a frantic car to drive. It’s still amazing, but you always get frustrated by that gearing
The Porsche is cool and all but the best used sports car under 50K is the Corvette C6 Z06 in my opinion, handles like it's on rails and you get 500+ HP and gobs of torque from the 7L V8 (Nothing beats the sound of the LS7).
I'm guessing you prefer the torque over the flat-six sound? That's fine, but most here prefer the thrill of winding out the flat-six to redline. The turbo-4 sound just ok at best, imo.
2013 981 S, silver, manual transmission, Bose, Sport Chrono package, sport wheel. Big smile every time I drive it. Just replaced the engine mounts, an unfortunate common problem. Bought it used after searching six months online in 2015. Still looks and drives like a new vehicle. Feels refined. I don’t think I’ll ever sell it. No turbo lag!
I bought my base 981 almost a full year ago. Ive already put 10,000 miles on it. For the price this is probably the best classic philosophy sports car you can buy and daily. Insane level of competence. I have the exact same interior spec as that guy. Ppl love the two tone
Couldn’t agree more
14 cayman 2.7 pdk here
All stock
HooRah
💯
@@mr.midknight_6throw a borla exhaust on it and you’ll be in heaven
@@esvignettes7592
Must be getting old cuzzy
The stock is just perfect
130+ past 7k
Then pretend it was the infinity/Subaru/whoever tried it behind me ;)
About to hit the morning commute/ run the gauntlet
I’ll have to check it out.
GodSpeed 🤙
@ definitely do. I put a borla on mine and my whole PCA asked me what it was because it sounds so good
I had a 718 Boxster (base PDK) a couple years ago as my first Porsche and fell in love. I knew I was missing out not being able to row my own gears and the 4cyl sounded bad. Traded up to a 981 Boxster GTS and it is my only car. My daily fun car. 6SPD manual, X73, PTV, etc - and I absolutely love it. It sounds incredible and is the best weekend early morning top down driving experience that I have ever had!
Same here, after a bunch of BMWs many thoughts were made about what would be the best first Porsche. Ended up being a 981 Boxster GTS as well and I absolutely love it. I have driven many cars in my life but none fits me better than this
Used to own a 981 boxster GTS 6MT in sapphire blue, also with X73. Such a wonderful car to drive, I still can't believe how rowdy the factory PSE and tuning is with all the crackles off throttle. The accessibility of performance made me feel like a superhero behind the wheel haha
I believe less than 500 manual 981 boxster GTS were made for US markets. Hold on to yours!
Sweet specs Porsche players 🤙
Think I need a drop top next
981 is one of the best values in the Porsche world. Adding the GT3 steering calibration (dealership can code it for an hour of shop time) and swapping for a 360mm “GT Sport” wheel is transformative. For anyone thinking about a manual, go for a 2014 or later model year with Sport Chrono if you also want rev matching.
Is that the same as the 981 sports design wheel with full paddles?
@@Jay-xr3sb no, the Sport Design wheel is an older design going back to the 997/987. The GT Sport steering wheel is the newer wheel design from the 918 Spyder, Macan, 991.2, 718, etc. It was also used on the 981 with the GT4 (so it’s still period correct if you care about such things). It's an excellent wheel and the smaller diameter has a better feel than the older Sport Design wheel. Additionally, if PDK, the paddle shifters are SO much better on the newer style wheel because they're positioned better, have a better tactile feel, and shorter throw to active shifts.
Good info. I hate those weird ugly thumb shifters .
This is good info. I have a 2013 boxster s and I don’t have rev matching all though my last car was an e46 so I am used to doing it myself
Perfect comment
My 981 Boxster S has 110k miles on it and it’s been mechanically bullet proof. Just an excellent car all around.
@@yamman93 how often do you change the oil? Porsche recommends every 2 years or 20k miles in the uk
@@Jay-xr3sbI aim for every 5k miles but the longest I have ever let it go was 7500 miles. I’m using redline oil so I never worry too much about 7500 oil change intervals as it’s a very high quality oil
@@Jay-xr3sb WOW, 2 years or 20K miles...that's crazy. In the USA they recommend 1 year or 10K miles, but even the independent shops will tell you 10K miles is too much and why be cheap with oil any way.
@@thespectralsorrows most cars manufacturers I've had say 10k/1 year, even porsche do in some markets. I can only think that modern oil does a better job and the 981 has a very large oil capacity.
I've had a mechanic talk me out of a 1 year change with only 4k miles in 12 months.
I have had a 981s for 5 years. I do 4-6k miles a year and the oil gets changed each MOT as long with whatever service the car needs. It’s an extra £100 a year but I think it worth it
A few thoughts in no particular order...
- The 981 generation of Boxster/Cayman is still the sweet spot. Looks, build quality, performance, sound, practicality, everything.
- When I moved from my old 981 Cayman GTS to my current GT4 RS, I knew I would miss the exhaust note of 981 PSE. The 981 sounded downright exotic. Plus its (relative) lack of power meant you could really experience it on the road. I still miss it.
- X73 is the shit. Perfect compromise between autocross/track performance and street comfort. Go out and hassle all the fancy GT cars in a car that costs much less :).
- There are much better 200tw options than the Kumho V730's, wet roads or no...
Glad to see another 981 on the channel!
@@teddyframhein totally agree on all points. I’ve been eyeing the GT4 RS as a track day car but just can’t bring myself to give up my 981 Spyder for all the reasons you stated above. Probably the biggest is the exotic exhaust note that even the GT4 RS can’t replicate. It’s a Goldilocks car that isn’t too fast for the road and still gives you that raw experience.
@@teddyframhein can't argue with any of that except... I love V730 because they're cheap and only about a second slower than the super 200TW options on most tracks
@@Zygrene Totally fair. I've gone all the way down the ridiculous path of 'tires are the cost of doing business' to a point where the difference in cost ends up being irrelevant. But that mindset isn't right for everyone.
@@Huub1e If i ever decide to upgrade from 981 Cayman S it will absolutely be a 981 Spyder.. Such an epic car.
@@tomgarland5114 I really don’t understand why anyone would buy a base 992 convertible as a weekend car when the Boxster Spyder exists for the same price.
I’ve had 2 981 Caymans, a base model and an S. Both manuals. They’re just pure sports car, and a wonderful reminder that you absolutely do not need 400+ HP to have a fantastic sports car that will put a smile on your face every time you drive it. Btw I reckon the manual boxes on these are pretty much perfect. Loved your video and love the channel
Hi Paul, which one would you recommend? 2.7 or 3.4? Did you also drive the 987.2 S and how does it compare to the base 981? Thx!
Ps. I am preferring a GTS, but prices are quite high and very close to a Spyder, which I in that case would probably take with a minimum of options.
@@frs2080get the 981 S is you can afford it.
wish i had a second boxster lol. I would love a 987.2 s to compliment my 981 base
Hey cuzzo
2.7 pdk cayman
Thinking of going boxster next
Any incantations of advice regarding the fine points of the 2.7 vs 3.4 debate would be greatly appreciated.
Having previously restored an e90 bmw with the addition of a b12 cup kit.
I can see the 981 has something to be desired in the suspension design.
Overall outstanding experience.
Happy Motoring from down south 🇺🇸
@@mr.midknight_6 I actually came from an e92 335i, lowered on kw coils and tuned in GA, so similar boat. I test drove an S and found it very fun. I simply got my base 2.7 because it had a rare color (aqua blue metallic was only made for one year in 981 and 991 before becoming a PTS color that you had to pay like $6k for). The 2.7 imo is fun to wring out, when you adjust to the lack of low down torque, you're gonna love revving it all the time.
For suspension, coming from a lowered e90, I tested base, pasm and x73. All feel very much improved coming from coilovers. There's no crashing vertically or bottoming out, on a smooth road it feels just as smooth as the engine. The suspension (base) on my particular car is my favorite thing about it on the daily.
Absolutely love my 2015 Cayman - I smile every time I go driving! Good seeing lots of other 981 fans! Nice video!
Thank you for the work you’ve put in regarding the non 911 platforms. Much appreciated 🤙
As a former 981CS owner and current 718 CGTS owner I will say that you are 💯 right.
The 981 is the best modern Porsche sports car imo. Just enough power to attack a road, excellent balance, PDK or manual, accessible pricing, a soundtrack that they don’t make anymore due to regulations. I don’t care which other Porsche you compare it to the 981 holds up in the fun factor. I own the Boxster Spyder version and it takes everything great about this and pushes it up to 11. The Goldilocks car.
So many other Porsches have gotten too big and fast. Maybe there’s a place for that in some places. Maybe a GT3 can be more impressive and scare you with speed. But on public roads like this that we have in the bay, top down, this is the best experience you can have in a Porsche and you can feel great that you didn’t overpay for it.
That said, I also own a 987.1 and it’s more fun at moderate speeds. It’s more mechanical, less refined, and almost classic feeling. The steering and chassis move around on you even when you’re doing the speed limit. It’s more engaging at regular road speeds and I find myself daily driving it more often because it’s just better when stuck behind other cars.
I agree with everything you said. But the gearing is honestly too long. It could have been a frantic car to drive with shorter gearing…
Bought a 981 Cayman S 6sp about a year ago. So much fun! Gotta keep the revs high in this engine to get the most out of it, but man does it sound good. Looking to get a Soul exhaust on mine probably this year. Great to see the 981 get some attention. 😀
To me, the 981 and 991.1 is the last true 2 seater Porsche that kept the Porsche spirit when excluding GT series models. The GT cars nowadays are still amazing. But fallen out of love with 911s and 718s since 2017
991.1 aren't 2 seaters but I know what you mean!
I love the 981! I raced a 981 Cayman GTS on track and loved every minute of it. Great video 👍
This was the first nice car I had the pleasure of driving when I was in college when my friend's family leased it. One of the best driving cars I've ever driven. Glad you reviewed it
Acquired a 2014 BS w/5k on the clock in July 2020 and currently have 145k on the clock. It's the 3rd Porsche I've owned and will drive it until the dynamic mounts fall off of it, lol! Came w/sport chrono & PDK, I actually had Gaudin Porsch in Vegas install the x73 kit several months ago. I only paid 45k for her 4.5 years ago and she's worth EVERY penny! I fitted a Borla exhaust and Cobb stage 1 tune🤘😁🤘
That's INSANE mileage for 4.5 years. Legend.
@@Zygrene Yeah man, 110k of those miles was done when living in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, I've been back in SoCal for about the last year or so.
incredibly based. cars were meant to be driven, doubly so for cars that were meant for fun
Fkn based
What difference did you notice after the Cobb Tune? I have a 981 Cayman S and I’m trying to get the most out of the 3.4L flat 6.
Great review and 100 percent agree with all the it all, positives and the couple of slight negatives ie the gearing is a bit long and the steering doesnt have as good a feel as the hydraulic 987. Ive had a boxster 981 s for nearly 4 years and it puts that smile on my face everytime I put my foot down. Its just a great car.
I have a Soul cat-back on my 987.2 Cayman S BE. The 9A1 sounds downright exotic with that system just like you mentioned. I can only imagine how good it sounds without a roof. I drive with the windows down almost every single time I can and its my daily. I have a short dyno video of my car on my profile if anyone is curious. It has a high pitched scream near redline. It has a similar pitch to a GT3 imo
Your car sounds (and looks) better imo. I owned a 997.2 C2 and a 981 BS - while the 981 is PHENOMENAL and is certainly one of the loudest non-GT water-cooled Porsches, I prefer the smoother tone of the 9x7.2. And the lack of bullshit pops and crackles. So happy to be done with the pops and crackles.
@@ohmyggg thanks! I absolutely love that my car doesn’t burble and pop after every shift. It sounds way more mature because of it. Every once in a while I’ll get a nice pop from the exhaust but because it is so rare it just feels more authentic. It’s a keeper for sure. It’s also the best looking Cayman ever, no question.
@@Kakoriat absolutely! The .2 Caymans are really beautiful and your Black Edition makes it even more special. Fully agree on the more authentic feel of a pop/burble that’s random or that you have to work for. The 981 burbles are so contrived. I’m surprised Porsche programmed them that way. You can get an ECU tune to eliminate them, which is what I would have done if I had kept my 981.
I just bought a similar spec Cayman S on New Year's Day. Grandpa owned, and the specs and options were so good that I bought it sight unseen and had it delivered to my house.
I owned a base 987.2 in the past and had a lot of fun in it, so I knew I was going to enjoy this one as well, despite never having driven a 981.
Now I've driven GT3s, Ferraris, Corvettes, and I've never giggled to myself as much as I did on the drive home. PDK, PSE, PTV, and PASM are a MUST on these specific cars. Coupled with the NA flat 6, this car just sings and snares when you floor it.
I will never sell this car.
Sweet spec
Base 2.7 one owner as well
Myself being the second
Never sell
Just get another one 🤙
I bought mine four years ago and yup, it’s amazing. Very practical as a daily and so much fun in the mountains of western NC. I put the Soul exhaust on mine as well and it turns heads everywhere we go. I also added X73 and there’s no other car I’d own, except the 981 Spyder and I’m getting one next year or so
I was thinking of buying one of these the other day. Ended up buying a cheap 987.1 Base 5 Speed manual. The 987 was local to me (Adelaide - South Australia), had great history and lots of recent maintenance. But when the right 981 Boxster S shows up locally. I will be going straight for a test drive. I previously had a 981 Cayman Base PDK and it was excellent. There does seem to be a healthy supply of 981 Boxsters available on the market too. So the cars might depreciate a little bit more. Or simply flatten out.
Edit: For reference. In Australia The 987.1 Boxster Manual with equivalent kms is roughly half the price ($30,000 AUD) compared to a 981 Boxster base PDK ($60000+ AUD). But I totally agree. If you can afford to spend a bit more. The 981 Boxster is the safest purchase. It is definitely better value for money compared to a 987.2.
My dad just bought a near-identical 981 to replace both his 986 and 996. It's such a great car at so many things!
The 981 w/ PDK weighes about 3,100. I’ve had mine for four years and yes, imo it’s the best value there is. I added the X73 and it’s a bit stiff, but this car has amazing, neutral handling.
The 3.4L engine sounds better than anything around with an exhaust but beware, I have the SOUL exhaust and it’s LOUD. Not a problem at all where I live but it’s not subtle. This runs 12.5 1/4 mi and 0-60 in 4.5 w/ PDK as tested by several magazines. A software tune takes it to 350 hp. Porsche tuning shuts the throttle body down over 6,000 rpm. This is 60% 911 parts for 30-40% less momey, and is actually a superior car.
Shhh… don’t spill all the beans and drive the price up. It’s true. Most parts are 991.1 parts.
The soul exhaust makes it sound like a 981 GTS to me but louder
Bough my base 981 2.7 with FI exhaust. No doubt, it best and underrated sport car for NA. Everyone just go for turbo and forgot the power and sound of NA. Personally, i love NA and would think to have 991.1 3.8 NA too. We cant drive fast in public road but can enjoy the sound that make us feel fast and the enjoyment 😊
We will enjoy the 2.7
Let them eat turbo
The sound quality was completely fine in this video, btw. I remember previously you wouldn't get the roof down not to compromise the sound quality of the video. Please always take the roof down for convertibles in the future-- it's part of the experience! :)
Awesome review, as always 👏
FYI, 981 uses the same steering rack as the GT3 and the steering software can be coded over which would address your biggest gripe with it. Also, there is a software update to the PDK that smoothes out the shifts to address your other gripe 😉
the timing on this is incredible I was thinking this and looking them up yesterday :D
Great vid. I have that interior in my 14 base with soul headers, PSE, x73 and tune. Sounds amazing, drives great, likely the best canyon carver at these prices. Do the GT3 steering calibration and it helps with feel.
I plan to buy a Boxster one day. I am really looking forward to that open air experience again. I used to have a Jeep Wrangler and loved being able to take the top and the doors off. I wish a sports car had that ability to take the doors off, I think that would be awesome. Sadly Jeeps don't handle very well on the road :)
I would add it looks a lot better than the 987 also.
I don’t agree that Porsche’s are “clinical “. I had a 1996 C2 that makes me smile on every drive. So much fun.
I have a 15 cayman s pdk pse with fabspeed tune. 350hp runs 0-60 3.8 and quarter in 12.2. Best car I’ve ever owned
I bought my 2013 Boxster S 6-speed in January 2017 for $45K with 38K miles on it as a CPO. I now have 83K miles mine and the only repair was replacing both of the active engine mounts which are part of the Sport Chrono package. The first thing I did upon buying the car was replace the headers, exhaust, plenum and throttle body then add a custom Cobb tune. These cars are fine stock, but so much better with some investment. The sound is so more sportscar and the 370HP is a huge jump over the stock 315HP.
To be honest, this car is simply amazing. I also want to have one
@4:33 Did I just hear the ghost of Thomas from Throttle House?! _Sooo precise_ (That's a compliment, by the way!)
love the 2.7 had it for over a year 9k miles, the higher pitch and need to rev the 2.7 makes it underrated imo. everyone drives the S
The S isnt a torque monster, plenty of chance to rev it out, max torque is around 6500 and the pdk is geared the same between the 2.7 and 3.4. The 3.4 has the option to use lower and mid torque, in the 2.7 you have to revs the nuts off in most cases, even a small incline, in the 3.4 you have the choice.
I find both cars have a long warm up cycle, so sub 3k rpm still deliver until engine is at temp.
Lastly, the 3.4 is a detuned carrera, you can jump from 315bhp to 355bhp with a simple ecu tune.
2.7 sound a bit better, but hard to tell without them back to back.
Have tried the GT3 steering software on yours?
I agree. Definitely an example of more fun to "drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow". I bought an S, but I knew I would be tracking the car where I can use all of its power and cornering abilities.
I had the S and would consider dropping to the 2.7 if I ever got back into a 981. I never felt that the 3.4 was the strong point of that car and the 2.7 is a better value, plus it sounds every bit as good as the 3.4. X73 and GT3 steering calibration are non-negotiable though.
Worth to have 2.7 install the GT3 calibration and X73?
@@jimmyliew7994 Can't speak for the suspension but the steering calibration is definitely a big change - there are others too - I am running the GT3RS coding at present.
The 981 Cayman/Boxsters with PSE or an aftermarket exhaust are some of the best sounding cars you can get below 100k. On some days I might even prefer the sound to a GT3/GT4.
Indeed 2.7 truly sings 🤙
@@mr.midknight_6 Always wondered how different they are, but from watching videos the 2.7 sounds almost the same as the 3.4
Mine is stock
Appear valveless
although tone is noticeably better in all measurements in sport mode
My findings are such that the 2.7 is less raspy overall, higher pitched from 6 to 7 k
I’m inclined to believe the power characteristics of the 3.4 favor the chassis weight of 3700 lbs roughly. I imagine closer to 4 fully loaded.
However on my commute home this evening I was joined in my swim by a lovely sq5 four ringer. Once I relinquished lead position. Couldn’t seem to get away ;) top of third mostly 4th gear
My channel I’ve posted runs of 7k pulls going thru gears :) enjoy
Riding since 01/20 - best pre Covid purchase ever
100% agree it's a great car. I tried looking for a clean one also, but with so many people looking to buy this car, it became cheaper to just get a 997.2 C2S Cab.
Thank you for mentioning the 987.2
Best under 50k? NO
BEST SPORTS CAR EVER? Yes
I let everyone that asks drive my car and they can’t believe how good it is or how good it sounds being 11 years old now.
For a daily driver, it’s perfection. For a weekend blast, it’s even better. There is no substitute for what this car can do IMO.
I'm actually shopping this directly against an ND2 Miata. Same price range! Haven't made up my mind yet - opinions welcome.
If I'm not mistaken, the steering feel can be adjusted/tuned. You can flash a 911 gt3 steering tune to tremendously increase steering feel. I'm not an expert so someone can correct me in the comments I'm sure
@@maximus9401 I’m not an expert on it either because my Spyder already had it from factory but I believe it’s from the 911 turbo, not the GT3. It’s good and very precise but still doesn’t replicate the feedback from the 987 generation. It feels much more capable and modern than the old hydrologic system but lacks the feel. I have both but can’t tell you which is better. They’re different and the electric steering does suit the more modern feeling of the 981.
You are correct, going to do mine. There are a number of steering maps already loaded in the ecu, the gt3 is most hydraulic like, the gt4 is a tad lighter. Just need a prosche speaclist to plug in pwis
Correct. I had it done to my 981 GTS. SOME improvement noted.
@@ERDoc741 what was the cost?
@@nelson1525minimal but it was done an an independent shop…. Not at the stealership. 😜
A lot of 981 owner in the comments - I’m also one 😅. I bought mine about 5 years ago and I honestly can’t find anything to upgrade it to without going 3x the price (some might say GT4, but 2x the price and still maintaining that long gearing, no thanks).
X73 suspension is sooo much better than PASM imo. The exhaust is nice too. I have a K&N exhaust on mine. Honestly don’t think a valved exhaust is necessary on these, you can control the volume with your foot, its not super loud under 4000 rpm.
Seems I need to order the x73
Why? Please explain!
@@tobiaskolb9011 The pasm cars I've driven (mostly 991 911's), I feel like I don't notice the difference between pressing the button or not, and they occasionally need to be serviced/repleaced earlier.
x73 is a tiny bit stiff but it doesn't crash nor does it get "stiffer" under certain movements. The height is perfect on 981 x73 too. It is also cheaper if you are retrofitting. It feels like a perfect suspension to both daily and track (I have no track experience though)
I've seen these for sale in the low $20K range, insane bargain!
@@WasiTechie that's outrageously cheap if clean title and good mechanical condition
If you're in the US, there's no way unless it's not a clean title.
Low $20k sounds more like 987.1 territory tbh - 2 generations off
For me, the hydraulic steering in the 987.2, (along with the more classic styling and cheaper price), was enough for me to purchase over the 981. If this were my only car that i had to daily, then I'd probably go for the 981. Anyway, the X73 suspension, I think is a moot point. There are probably few, if any, 987s that are on its original suspension and don't need replacement yet. There's plenty aftermarket suspension offerings that are as good or better than the X73 package. The only reasons to get a 981 over a 987.2 is the updated interior/infotainment and the difference in styling if you prefer the 981 look.
The 981 steering software can be updated to that of the gt3, it mimics hydraulic steering, a stonger return to centre and loads up more under stress
@@Jay-xr3sb True, but it's not exactly cheap either. I could be wrong, but I recall it being $2-$3k for the software and paying a shop to perform the update.
@@heelntoe3982 if you want to buy a plug in PWIS computer to keep, then it costs a few hundred. Go to a porsche specialist and they'll do it for £30 in the uk
My dad has a 981 boxster with manual trans and I have a 981 cayman with manual trans. You cannot find a better car for what we paid.
Engine's more reliable than a 987? Not my 987.2 S model. It also has the same 9A1 engine as the 981. I know you know that. Just wanted to clarify 😉
Thanks. I enjoyed that. Good video.
Man, a couple months ago i got for high-40s a well optioned base 718 cayman (6mt, pasm, pse, sport chrono and PTV) and while I love the car, every time i hear a flat six I get a bit jealous. I wonder driving wise how my car would compare to this. 🤔
We lack the torque of our turbo siblings
We embrace the spine tingling of natural aspiration
I have some decent runs on my channel if interested
Happy motoring cuzzo 🤙
The 718 flat 4 has more low end torque due to the turbo. Just love my 981 Cayman S, especially as it revs up past 4k RPMs!!
981 Base next for comparison would be cool
Where is the phone mount from please?
To think I almost got a hellcat
“You coulda had a v eigh-
FLAT SIX 🤙
i love john !❤
I haven’t seen the sun in months….whats that like?
I was watching this in the background while at work and you sound A LOT like ProZD
This is the second time you’ve commented on this generation of PDK feeling its age on the 1-2 upshift because of the jerk. That’s because you’re always driving in Sport Plus, which gives you that artificial ‘kick’ in the 981 generation that I never liked in my GTS. If you switch to Sport, the downshifts and upshifts become seamless.
This is my dream car
Hopefully they stay at this price point for a while (wishful thinking). I have a 996, wife has a 987, but we’d like to trade her up to a 981 in the future.
I want one what’s the best place to get a warranty for it? Don’t want to worry about it breaking!
A dealer can offer you one that is CPO: Certified Pre-Owned that comes with a warranty backed by Porsche.
Breaking it?? Too funny. This car wants to be driven hard. Speaking from experience. Solid engine.
UA-camrs and long gearing. All Porsche sports cars have long first and second gears as do all Porsche GT3 Cup cars. Road going Porsche Sports cars are designed from the ground up to be track capable.
Not sure how close you are to the fires, but wishing you well and safe prayers
Northern California, 200+ miles away.
4:54 that pdk seems slow and sluggish as heck, You can see and hear when he pulled the paddle, and how long it took for the revs to begin falling. I tried to see how many frames at 60fps it took, and it seems to be ~400ms for the revs to BEGIN to fall. Not great. A manual is the way to go.
Edit: 10:09 Seems to be about the same. Just under 0.4 Seconds to start dropping. Almost like rev hang.
Yeah bud it's from 2014, it still beats out some cars today lol
I have a 981 Cayman S and the PDK shifts pretty quick. No issues here.
@@marcosvaldes8910 Same, I’ll take a PDK over a ZF8 as well, no matter how superior it is
For sub $50k would you take this over a civic type R?
@@laysimaly7234 as a pure weekend car, yes
@ oh wow great to know. I’ll keep this in mind when cross shopping sub $50k sports car. Keep up the great videos 😀
C6 vette with package of your choice
Absolutely. Get a Cayman dude. Not even as a weekend car, this is perfectly daily drivable.
why would you take a 4-door sedan over a sexy convertible?
C6 vette with money to spare for goodies is a competitor to this
Great car - lose the Rice wheel nuts
The real question is: is this more fun than an ND Miata?
At low speeds it maybe. For me it's too small, doesn't sound as good, works more as a third car rather than a second car that can also fill GT duties (weekend away with the mrs).
They may be cheaper, but as a third care its more. The build of the 981 is was better, its the 911 crowd that are overpaying
ND2/ND3 are fun at low speed but I'd take 981S 9/10 times
Thx!
Thanks for the review! I am very interested in getting one. Can anyone chime in about the reliability and potential major issue? Appreciate everyone.
Extremely reliable, the only real major known issue is the active engine mounts will fail at some point as cost about $2000 each to replace...these are only on the cars with the Sport Chrono package, you'll know if the car has a Sport Plus button and timer clock.
tbh... the best value isn't buying one now. It's buying it when it was new. What other cars can you name that you can drive for fun and still be worth over half as much as what you paid for, 10 years down the road? Something similar is happening with the C7 corvette too. Again, you could have bought one for 70k some 10 years ago, and now it would still be worth 35k. That is amazing value considering most cars lose 1/2 of their value in just 4-5 years.
a brand new 718 Boxster S is now over $100K...if you only have $45K you can still get 90% of the performance in basically the same car.
@@thespectralsorrows I optioned one with all the bells and whistles and it was still under $95k... Buying a 10 year old car for $45k, doesn't mean your car costs $45k. by no means am i saying it's a smart choice to buy a $95k new cayman right now. I'm saying it WAS a great deal for those who bought a Cayman in 2014, cuz the MSRP on that car was probably around 65k. Driving a sports car for 10 years and still having 2/3rds of the value to sell, is absurdly incredible. The 718 will not pull the same thing because it's a turbo charged car that sounds nowhere as nice as well it's governed by so many pesky government mandates
@@DonLee1980@DonLee1980 You are 100% correct! I bought my $73K msrp 2013 Boxster S in Janaury 2017 as a CPO for...$45K, 8 years later with 83K miles its still worth at least $35K.
@@thespectralsorrowsand it sounds better than the 718
Yup it’s the budget 911
Foolish comment. If you know, you know. A base 911 (991.1) of the same generation, does not handle the same as this baby.
'Rio Reminds Me Of Sterling!' t rex traitor ?
Quit it, you’re gonna drive prices up, man!
I test drove one of these about 5 years ago with the intention of buying it. But after the test drive I was extremely underwhelmed. So numb but not as numb as the 718 I drove after. The chassis was impressive but lacked excitement and the engine was just ok
@@andrewrossnagel9433 I think it needs a few choice mods. Most stock non-GT Porsches are underwhelming IMO
Wonder if the 987.2 with the hydraulic steering might be the one to get for driving pleasure?
@@colinbowman8816 987 steering feel js better but everything else is significantly better in the 981. To me it's worth the one sacrifice
@@Zygrene sure, I can understand that sentiment if you're looking for a better all around car. The newer one is nicer, easier in traffic around town and on the highway, better to live with.
But if it's a 2nd or 3rd car, and it's just for blasting around backroads, and doing an autox/trackday here and there...
Even a base model 2009 987.2 with a few typical upgrades: wheels/tires/pads/coilovers/sway bars/shifter/exhaust is probably MUCH more pleasurable.
Just a working hypothesis.
So stupid of porsche having put such long gearing on a low torque vehicle. It could have been a frantic car to drive. It’s still amazing, but you always get frustrated by that gearing
Just needs more power to offset that, my 981 Boxster S has 370HP with 6-speed and I love it.
My 986 is still fast
I would personally still rather just get a Miata
The Porsche is cool and all but the best used sports car under 50K is the Corvette C6 Z06 in my opinion, handles like it's on rails and you get 500+ HP and gobs of torque from the 7L V8 (Nothing beats the sound of the LS7).
Like the look but that torque is terrible. Rather have the low end from the 4 cylinder.
You might be watching the wrong channel then bud
I'm guessing you prefer the torque over the flat-six sound? That's fine, but most here prefer the thrill of winding out the flat-six to redline. The turbo-4 sound just ok at best, imo.
Try an EV for torque
Not sure about those engines but at least the 9A2 has enough to get around. And it's more fun to wring it higher the rev range anyway