Drove a 2014 981 Cayman S, now I am conflicted

[///M///]

Happened to get a longish test drive on a base 981 Cayman S (NA) with PDK through some really nice roads with twisties and I have to admit that car really impressed me especially how it handles the curves and elevation changes I was honestly not expecting to love it that much. Surprisingly the car didn’t feel too slow either. I wish I would have had the opportunity to mash the pedal on a straightaway but there weren’t any nearby. Am thinking that’s where I would have felt the difference from my M3. Few things that really stood out for me in that car compared to mine were.....

Handling
Grip
Low seating position (loved this)

Now the question I am asking myself is if I should test those waters? Practicality of 4 doors aside, will I regret getting a 981 Cayman S? I honestly hate the backend of the Cayman’s especially the taillights But that can be fixed by adding some to add the GT4 parts.

Ideal build for me would be a White Manual with black interior, sports Chrono, 20” wheels and PASM.

Any thoughts by those who have gone this route? 718 is not an option so please don’t recommend that

Thanks.

[nicknaz]

GT or bust

Get a 981 gt4

[Humdizzle]

why would you regret it? you can always jump back into an M3 pretty easy. and its not like a 2014 cayman is going to depreciate a ton.

[Darth One]

You already have a good idea of the pros and cons. It will be slower in a straight line than the M3 - if you care about that a lot, then that will be your prime regret if you switch.

A few more things -
Is your bmw manual? Porsche manuals are a lot better than BMW so if you're a manual enthusiast that will be a big plus point

981 Caymans sound great when you uncork them with exhaust mods. Another thing the M3 can't hope to match.

The rest you already know - bmw wins on practicality, etc etc

[///M///]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

GT or bust

Get a 981 gt4

Sadly way out of my budget

[FormulaMMM]

Cayman enthusiasts some of the most die-hard that I've come across. And many (probably most?) came from higher horsepower cars.

Was in a run group with a track-prepped 981 GTS last time out. Sounded absolutely amazing, plenty quick.

So, your test drive perceptions probably legit -- I doubt your enjoyment would be fleeting.

[BimmerMan33]

If you have access to twisty roads on a regular basis & don't need 4 doors, then go for it!. Do remember that most NA engine cars need to be revved out to feel powerful, so may not be as fun in city driving as a turbo engine car (F8x M3). In the twisties, Cayman would be definitely more fun than M3 due to being 500 lbs lighter and mid engine placement.
For most people Porsche is the natural progression from an M3.
I'd say get the Cayman, experience it for a year, then go from there...

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by BimmerMan33

If you have access to twisty roads on a regular basis & don't need 4 doors, then go for it!. Do remember that most NA engine cars need to be revved out to feel powerful, so may not be as fun in city driving as a turbo engine car (F8x M3). In the twisties, Cayman would be definitely more fun than M3 due to being 500 lbs lighter and mid engine placement.
For most people Porsche is the natural progression from an M3.
I'd say get the Cayman, experience it for a year, then go from there...

I tend to agree about NA cars vs. our amazing DI twin turbo S55, but I'll say that the PDK is so quick to drop it right into the powerband that this is really a non-issue. By the time you recognize that you started from a low engine speed the car is already in it's powerband making glorious sounds.

[hellrotm]

Now find a 981 GTS to buy and enjoy.(forget about the 718, unless it is a GT4)

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by hellrotm

Now find a 981 GTS to buy and enjoy.(forget about the 718, unless it is a GT4)

Interesting perspective on the 2 here

[M3_WC]

LOL, people take Farah's opinions seriously.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

LOL, people take Farah's opinions seriously.

As seriously as any other yahoo with a subjective opinion on cars. It’s not particularly serious subject matter. Why do you devalue his? Is he a part of the 981 propaganda machine?

[jmg]

I've been in the same boat for months now. I test drove a 981 S and left with a similar impression. I also wished I had wound it up more but the city test drive didn't allow for it. I'm also considering a 997.2 GTS or S. Same updated interior as the 981 but with a bit more power. I haven't driven one yet though, hoping to do that soon. I've never driven a 911 so I'm not sure how I will like the rear engine config.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by jmg

I've been in the same boat for months now. I test drove a 981 S and left with a similar impression. I also wished I had wound it up more but the city test drive didn't allow for it. I'm also considering a 997.2 GTS or S. Same updated interior as the 981 but with a bit more power. I haven't driven one yet though, hoping to do that soon. I've never driven a 911 so I'm not sure how I will like the rear engine config.

Try a 991.1 GTS if you get the chance. Not that much more than a 997 version. Last of the n/a "normal" 911s and highest spec. Sweet car, no-brainer buy in the 80s, imo.

[///M Ryder]

OP, the weight savings will negate most of the HP you'll give up. As you have noted, the handling and overall driving experience is unmatched by the M3. As someone who drove highly modified M cars I too thought about the HP drop. Trust me, you'll forget all about it once you have some serious seat time in the 981...….Phil

[brava09]

Test drove one 981 S when I had my E92 M3, and I liked more the E92 M3. Better sound, more powerful, V8 NA, handling not far off and overall faster

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by ///M Ryder

OP, the weight savings will negate most of the HP you'll give up. As you have noted, the handling and overall driving experience is unmatched by the M3. As someone who drove highly modified M cars I too thought about the HP drop. Trust me, you'll forget all about it once you have some serious seat time in the 981...….Phil

Horsepower the most overrated aspect of modern performance cars. Limited contribution to enjoyment over long-term ownership.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Try a 991.1 GTS if you get the chance. Not that much more than a 997 version. Last of the n/a "normal" 911s and highest spec. Sweet car, no-brainer buy in the 80s, imo.

I still see those going for closer to $100k+.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by jmg

I still see those going for closer to $100k+.

Nah... 80s and 90s with reasonable miles. >100 is exception. 997 version is not much less. Check cars.com. Talking model years '15 and '16.

[///M Ryder]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Horsepower the most overrated aspect of modern performance cars. Limited contribution to enjoyment over long-term ownership.

Agree 100%......it's more fun to drive a lower horsepower car fast than to drive a high horsepower car slow...…...Phil

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Horsepower the most overrated aspect of modern performance cars. Limited contribution to enjoyment over long-term ownership.

Hi, I think for a street only car, horsepower is a big part of where the fun is at.

I know I personally leave a safety margin when driving on public roads (even canyons), and don’t enter into corners at max attack with the rear end moving around from trying to max the corner entry speed with aggressive trail braking. Lol

Bias disclosure: I’ve track and street driven 997.2 c4s and found it underwhelming and picked euro delivery f80 over 981 S back in dec 2014

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Horsepower the most overrated aspect of modern performance cars. Limited contribution to enjoyment over long-term ownership.

Agreed. I’ll take the “slow” car fast approach over fast car slow approach any day. As much as I loved my 991.2S the 991.2T is even better to drive to me.