Greetings everyone. I typically don't like to post the question-type-threads, but felt there may be others that have been in my current situation and thought this thread may become a more popular topic as all of these cars values start to come down even more in the coming years.

To start off, I'm in the market for my next Porsche. I owned my 2009 997.2 C2 for 2 years, but it's now time for something different. I have the track/HPDE bug and have decided to upgrade. I've had some high modified BMWs, including an E92 M3, but after I jumped to the darkside of Porsche, there literally is no substitute. The 997.2 C2 I bought was just too good of a deal, which is the only reason I didn't get an "S." After suspension, brake upgrades and an exhaust, the car felt just as fast as an S, at least in reality at the track, so I want something with a bit more power or "oomph", so the 997.2 C2S is not in the running as it just wouldn't feel like a change. I typically change cars every 2 years, but am hoping to keep the next one for 4 years.

I always thought and dreamed a 997 GT3 was going to be my next car, but then they all had to increase in value to over $100k over the past several months... Not cool!

I have come up with 3 contenders that fit my budget, which is between $65k-75k:
1) 2007 997.1 911 Turbo, 6MT
2) 2014 981 Cayman S, PDK
3) 2012/13 991 Carrera S, PDK

This new car will be my weekend/ fun-car that would maybe get 6k miles/ year (probably not even that). The car will be built for the track but street legal; Roll-bar, harnesses, seats, coilovers, exhaust. I don't need back seats and likely will not take the car on trips.

My pros and cons lists are as follows:
1) 2007 997 Turbo: (the ones in my budget are $68k-75k)
Pros: Very fast, hand-built Mezger Engine, a Dream 911, 6MT (I love a manual on the street), lots modifications easily available, I have my 997 Roll bar, I have 997 track wheels/ tires already, an ECU tune turns this into a beast
Cons: Out of warranty; Mileage (most have around 40-60k mi), 6MT (I haven't driven a manual car on the track; I know I can learn it, but after my BMW M3 having DCT and my 997.2 having PDK, I know there will be a learning curve for proper heal/toe), dated interior, expensive compared to the others for a car that is already 8 years old

2) 2014 981 Cayman S: (most are typically $67k-75k)
Pros: New, in warranty, low miles, very fun to drive on the street or track, most affordable, interior and technology are updated
Cons: Going to depreciate faster than a 911, Not a 911 (I know I would love the Cayman, but I know when a 911 would pass me, I'd likely question my decision, just being honest), not the power upgrade that I originally was looking for (GTS are stupid expensive and I'm not buying new, the GT4 is not attainable and out of my budget right now)

3) 2012 991 Carrera S: (several in my budget at $68k-75k with more miles)
Pros: Very fast, updated PDK, interior, very capable on the track, likely some warranty left, current body style
Cons: At the top end of my budget, modifications will be more expensive at this time

I know that it's all my personal subjective decision, but I figured I'd open it up for some commentary. The main problem is that I keep rationalizing which one would be the best for me... Every other week I come up with why one is superior to the others. One thing for sure, they are all amazing cars in their own right.

I hope I'm not comparing too much "apples to oranges" on these 3 cars too, but if I am, help me knock one off the list.

I've seen some 997 Turbos sell for what I can get a 981 Cayman S for. That makes it almost seem like a easy decision, but then when I think of the 991 being so close in price (for another $7-8k) it seems like the easy winner.

I do appreciate advice or comments, so thanks in advance.

 

I went through this process last year. I considered a 997.1 TT, a 997.2 GTS, a new Cayman S or GTS and a new 991 C2 with very few options. They were all nice, and they all drove beautifully.

Ultimately, the 997 turbo was the right car for me. Mine is more of a weekend driver and occasional daily driver. I haven't taken it on the track. The combination of performance and luxury offered by the TT put it in a class above the others. I think you need to drive them all and then decide.

I do not regret choosing the 997.1 TT.

 

If on-track thrills are what you seek, the Cayman S is hard to beat.

Two weeks ago I was invited to Thompson Speedway for a Porsche driving experience. In addition to driving my 997.1 C2S 6MT hard on the track I got to really test out a 2015 C4S PDK and a 2015 Cayman S PDK; both with a lot of optional goodies; the Cayman S was effortlessly fast and the most smooth/balanced car of the bunch. It made my 997 feel slightly antiquated (although with an instructor piloting a base Cayman ahead of me I was just able to just barely keep up with him). The 991 C4S was good but I wasn't personally a fan of the AWD; I got used to it by the second lap but it wasn't personally my favorite.

The PDK in these new cars is staggeringly quick and sharp; makes a strong argument for just having two pedals. In my manual car I found that coming out of some banked curves I had a bit of a hard time shifting to the next gear efficiently, believe it or not! The PDK in sport plus mode with manual operation felt great.

I haven't driven a 997TT so I really can't compare, but I recall reading about them being more of a highway/straightline cruiser than a track machine (this can of course be altered with enough time/$$)? It would definitley offer the most potential for high-horsepower numbers but if you're relatively new to the track, it might be best to start with a lighter, sharper, RWD car with less power and hone your skills from there. Starting with something like a 997TT, GTR or other hi-po AWD car doesn't really teach you to be a skilled driver.

Hope this helps a little? Your best bet is to drive them all and make a decision from there!

 

I was in the same situation like you last year, my candidates are 997.2GTS, 991S, 997.1TT manual, F430 and Jag F Type. I bought 997.1TT Manual for Mezger engine with good maintenance history. Love my Turbo so far, If you worry about handling get a set of Bilsten suspension and you have a GT3 handling with Mezger engine and Turbo to boost. Best of everything.... Good luck hunting

 

I had a similar list of cars and the 991c2s spoke to me. The asthetics of the car and the effortless ability to push it (without loosing control) were two characteristics that were high on my list. I drove the PDK and was sold.

I would look at Caymans if you are interested in tracking periodically. The 997TT is great but I could not stomach paying approx 60-70k for an 8 year car with much higher miles. And, the sound on NA car provided a great aural experience!!

 

Thanks for the quick feedback guys

I failed to mention that I have been in or driven all 3 cars (I know that's not the same, but that's how they all made my list).

The Turbo experience was actually my PCA instructor's car, and I'll still never forget that feeling... I too thought the AWD would be a turn off for track driving, but I honestly see a good amount of turbos at PCA track events.

I've driven the new Cayman S, but not in a track setting. Honestly, I love the Cayman. I am really only worried I'll get buyer's remorse, leaving a 911 and knowing my other options were 911s... I know I'll get flamed for that, but I'm being honest. I'm scheduling a lengthy test drive with my local P dealer once they get another S in stock (they are actually harder to find then I'd ever have thought!). If Porsche wouldn't have made the 981 look so awesome, it would be easy to cross it off my list!

I have driven a 991 Carrera GTS 6MT but it was a quick drive. If anything, it was my friend's car and it was near impossible to keep up with him on the track; in the straights he was just gone... That track event was actually what led me to be in this situation

By no means am I an expert driver at the track, but I am in the faster solo groups depending on what organization I'm with. My 997.2 has been a terrific car to learn track driving, but it's obviously very hard for me to keep up with the newer 991 and Turbo cars after they get out of the corners.

So +2 for the turbo, and +1 for the Cayman and +1 for the 991. This thread may make this decision harder than I thought...

 

I agree on the styling of the 981. The older Cayman was off my list because of its fairly awkward shape. I understand the stigma of going from a 911 to a Cayman, also. It's like the "baby" Porsche, so to speak. My planned 911 replacement is an Aston Martin DB9; I can't go with a Vantage despite its superior handling and manual gearbox availability; I want the "big-boy" Aston. Maybe by then I can find room for both the big DB9 and a Cayman S in the garage

 

It's an easy choice for me, do you need the backseats, yes, it's the 991 or 997, if no, then it's the 981 Cayman, IMO, the 981 looks better than the 997 and 991. The engine is in the right place, it's easier to drive fast, but since you are in the 997 section, most people's reply will be it's not a 911, 991 is a grand tourer and not a real sports car and looks awkward. I say go with your gut, sounds like it's a the Cayman S.

 

OP, you say that you drove a 2012 "991 Carrera GTS 6MT". The 991 GTS did not exist then, it didn't arrive until 2015. You must have been driving a 2012 997 GTS, right? (Which BTW, many consider to be the best of the 997 models)! If it was an S, then it could have been a 991.

 

Thanks for catching that, but I didn't say it was a 2012; it was the new 2015 991 GTS. I was just saying I have driven a 991 (although not specifically the 991 C2S that I am thinking of buying). Sorry, I could have been more clear on that, especially with 2012 being the last year they made the 997 and they made the new 991.

Thank you all for the feedback, I do appreciate everyone's opinions. I'm truly not trying to troll everyone, this is just helping me get some more perspective on the cars I'm seriously looking at. As we all can see, different strokes for different folks; all of these cars are great... Perhaps I'm realizing this is maybe apples to oranges?

 

if u caught the bug and want to track regularly, Cayman S would be ur best bet. But I find em too small for daily use


if u want to track occasionally, AND want the comfort and style of 911, 2012 991S PDK seems to be ur best bet


personally I would stay away from 2007 Turbo.


funny... cause I would recommend 2007 GT3. LOL

 

Curious, why would you recommend for OP to stay away from the 07 Turbo?

 

Right you are! I got the cars in your first post and second post mixed up. Sorry about that.

I think you are clearly correct. These are distinctly different cars that all have their strengths and weaknesses. It all come down to which strengths you are looking for and weaknesses you want to avoid. Instead of the apple and oranges thing, to me its more like comparing the country song at the top of the charts, the pop song at the top of the charts, and the rock song at the top of the charts. No one can clearly say any one of those is better for everyone, we'll all have perfectly good opinions, but it's up to you to go with the choice that is playing the music you want to hear.

Good luck! It is good to be in a position to make a choice from such a strong set of winners.

 

I literally meant that I would stay from 07 turbo.


Only because its 8 years old on a boosted engine..


07GT3.. yeah I just love me some gt3.. 8 years old or not


but I'm saving for 991 GT3

 

Sometime I really wonder if you can actually get accurate information or just bunch of BS. 993 Turbo on boost engine for almost 20 years and people still paying 6 figures for it. Come on man stop feeding crap on here