2014 Porsche 981 Cayman Review - Better than the 987 Cayman S?

In my opinion, the 981 gen Cayman is much better to look at than the 987. But is it any better to drive? I took Andrew's PDK equipped base model for a spin to find out.
See how I rank the 981 and 987 in the Zygrene Performance Index (ZPI):
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Instagram: / zygrene

[@peted5039]

Both great cars, and review as well. I had 987.1 for 6 years, and now 981 for almost 2 years. Both great cars, and here is first hand comparation Exterior: Subjective, I like 981 better, mainly due to doors and air intakes. Interior: 987 have better quality interior, only downside are sticky aircon buttons as car ages. 981 have poor quality plastic, and door panel wraping issue. 981 interior looks more modern, and cabin is bigger in general, but it doesnt have proper place to put cellphone, unlike 987 where you can put cell beneth aircon. Engine: 981 engine(ma1.23) is one of most reliable engines, unlike m96/97 engines which are most unreliable engines porsche ever built-if IMS doesn't kill it, bore scoring will for sure after enough time. 981 revs upto 7600rpm, (or 8000rpm after remap) , while 987 cuts fuel at 7000. Also 981 have tunning potential, with remap and headers you can bring it up to 370hp, and less than 10s from 100-200 kmph. Transmission: Gear ratios are terrible, both manual and pdk, although pdk is bit better. 987 has solid manual transmission, as you would expect. 981 has lighter flywheel, and little tap on throttle pedal will launch engine over 3000 rpm, and when you liftoff - rpms will drop instantly. 987 looks like slowmo when reving compared to 981. Handeling: Both gens are really good handeling cars. 981 have longer wheel base and are bit more stable. 987 have hidraulic steering. Both gens don't have LSD, which is the shame and big downside if you track it. In general, great cars. 987 feels more raw and more engaging, worse sound isolation meaning more engine noise in cabin. 981 is more modern and step up in all aspects. There is a reason in holds value so well. Looking forward buying 718 GTS 4.0 when time comes, and removing OPF filter ofc :).

[@knn3th]

Just a small correction (7:16): The 987.2 base 2.9L is not a DFI engine, the 987.2 S 3.4L is a DFI. Both new engines lost the IMS-bearing. In the 981 the base model has a new 2.7 DFI engine. The 981 S has the same 3.4L as the 987.2, but with some small improvements.

[@thedudeabides1443]

Nice review. I had a 987.1 Cayman S and now have a very highly optioned 981 Cayman S, both in manual transmission. And yes, manual is THE way to go with these cars. My 987.1 was a good car but the 981 is better in every way: looks, engine, brakes-everything. And after 22,000 miles, the 981 has been rock solid, not a single issue. Can’t say the same for the 987.1. The ONLY nod I’ll give to the 987.1 over the 981 is the hydraulic steering, but even the electric assist on the 981 is very good. And , the 981 is the same weight as the 987, despite being a slightly larger car. The 987.1 has slightly better steering, but the 981 is the superior product, hands down.

[@hammychan1]

Adoring my 2.7 strippie 981. Modern build, old school dimensions. Nothing sounds like a tiny flat 6.

[@UTECHPIA]

YES!!! I've been waiting for this one!!! Thank you, Zygrene!

[@verdict1163]

Very interesting comparison. Not enough reviewers ask whether the new model is actually an improvement over the outgoing model. Glad there is still at least one relatively light analog car in the Porsche range.

[@xplane7523]

Nice video man. I just got a 987.2 S and love it.

[@opnarth]

Great review! Now you need to review a 718 GTS 4.0 with the flat 6.

[@anthonyjaswinski5732]

I owned both and the 987 S just kills it with respect to raw power, fun and steering. I had a 2006 so it was a diamond in the rough, but I never felt closer to the road and the sheer zen of driving.

[@swanblake]

Great video! I actually like the 981 more than the 718.

[@Zygrene]

So do I. The base 718 Boxster I drove absolutely crushes the 981 in acceleration but that's something I'd gladly exchange for that 7800 rpm flat 6 howl.

[@marianellosello8198]

same, my favorite porsche are 987 and 981, still like the 718 but not that much

[@KosmicKitchen]

This was interesting, particularly the comparison of the steering feel.

[@frankcusmano1357]

I have a 987.1 S with only 37K miles. I agree, that the 981 base is the better touring car, but if you really want to get after it on an occasional track day or twisty road, the 987 S is the way to go. Lighter, hydraulic steering, and if you add some good tires like a Michelin PS4, you can do some amazing things. If I upgrade, I'd have to go Lotus Evora or a Cayman GT4 because I am now addicted to that race car feel, which just isn't quite there in the base 981. Yes, I know the price difference, but I see no reason to pay another $20k for a 981S, when it doesn't offer that much in return comparatively. It's better, not that much better.

[@MadelnMachines]

Isn't the 981 lighter than the 987 even though it's more bulky looking? I'm wondering whether I should consider the 987.2 S as I didn't really get that sports car feeling from the 981 base apart from the sound, open air experience and more power than i'm used to. It felt like just a luxury car like a BMW or something at normal revs. Saying that I didn't really get that feeling from the 987 S either but the test drive guy was boring and it was a tiptronic.

[@MrRoyck10]

The 981 is 30 kg lighter than the 987, the 981 has a wider track, longer and lower. In summary the 981 is far superior to the 987 like a rabbit is to a rat. I own and love both, the 981 has a modern chassis that is still use as of today, even some enthusiasts say 981 is better than the 718. Well that’s not true, Porsche has never made a new model that is not far better than the one model, you can criticise the flat 4 but it is a better car to the 981.

[@FL981S]

Nice comparison. I had a 2010 Cayman base with catless headers, exhaust, intake and custom dyno tune, coilovers and 18" Fuchs style wheels. Like a Miata on steroids. Now driving a 2015 981 Boxster S on H&R springs with a Cobb ECU and PDK tune(my car doesn't have Sport Chrono) along with GT4 front bumper assembly, GT4 rear diffuser and Boxster Spyder ducktail. Basically a humpless Spyder. 987 is definitely more 'raw' whereas the 981 feels more refined and the 981 interior is definitely a step up.

[@yueibm]

Having recently moved across the country, I took my 997 and long hood 912, leaving my 986 Boxster behind. After doing some research and watching your video, I think I'll get a 987 instead of a 981, for the fun factor that I just don't get from the 997 and 912. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but yes, amphibian is what my brain was thinking with the 987 Cayman.

[@maximus9401]

I've always secretly wondered if a base model Porsche is better than an S model. I'm using the term "better" dubiously, but a slower car can be pushed harder and that's a perspective that appeals to me

[@512TXSDIY]

I like Base models. My Cayman and Cayenne are both Base models. More reliable. If you add money to your cars, put it in the suspension.

[@thedudeabides1443]

On both the 987 and 981 Caymans, the S models are much better. But if your budget is stretched, go for the base model. Both are great, the S is just better. Anyone who claims otherwise is delusional.

[@parvinkukar1259]

Interesting review and very honest I’ve got a base 987 cayman and I think I would prefer the 981 but the difference in enjoyment would be less than 5% if at all there is a difference but the price is then double, so definitely stick with 987 for bang for buck ratio. Also my cayman only has 60k miles and in very good condition so should last me until the end as I only do around 6k miles a year in my daily commute

[@thedudeabides1443]

Once you drive a 981 S there will be no going back.

[@nikosdimitriadis9987]

Finally someone comparing the 981 base to 987 S. When I did the test drive the S is always the better option, mainly because of torque (the same in the case of 987.2 base vs987.2 S). Seems 987.2 S is the best combination of reliability and performance (but prices are still in high 30k in Germany)

[@Zygrene]

987.2 prices in the US are high too. Production numbers are much lower compared to 987.1 and a lot of them are PDK.

[@upperleftnorthwest4278]

I would add an NR auto GT4 bumper & some different wheels. It would give off a gt3 touring look & make the front end more aggresive

[@DirtDude117]

I still prefer the 2.9L 987.2 the most. It's very similar but hydraulic steering and the Port Fuel Injected 9A1 sounds better

[@bladezero25]

Picked up a 2012 base pdk with 40k miles for 24k last month. Agreed, the perfect sweet spot. Best bang for buck in the porsche world.

[@gb6281]

@@bladezero25 best bang for buck is a 981S with a $1000 tune - 360BHP and 300 lb ft

[@bladezero25]

@@gb6281 that'll cost ya ALOT of bucks :-)

[@IS300Spartan]

I disagree on the roofline styling! I think the 987 had beautiful curvy hips, and then the 981 just smoothed everything out. Much like the steering and handling feel, which are now softer and arguably “better” but lacking feel. To me, the best looking Cayman is the 987.2, with the curvaceous body but with updated lights. You get to keep the old school driving feel and styling while modernizing it, and do away with the IMS issues. Perfect package, except for the price. Awesome review by the way, I wish we could have seen some more Cayman action :( not many daily/track Cayman channels out there, I was really looking foward to more!

[@Zygrene]

And that's why styling is subjective! I love the 987 from certain angles but I think the 981 looks a lot more upscale overall. No more Cayman content but I'll keep the spirit alive with the 997.1 Carrera :)

[@thedudeabides1443]

The 987.2s are nice. But when I jumped from my 987.1 S to my 981 S with X73 suspension (car lowered by 20mm), I was blown away. The 987’s have a bit better steering feel but the 981s have a better engine, brakes and IMO, looks. And the X73 suspension on my 981 is OUTSTANDING. In all ways save steering-and its close even there-the 981 is a better product.

[@ae981s]

You need to drive a 981 S w/ sports suspensions and sports exhaust. They're totally different compare to the base 981.

[@dp2901]

I’ve got a 2014 981S MT with Sport chrono, PASM, and sports exhaust. Still think it’s better than the 987S and 718S.

[@josephlim8941]

IMS Bearing is exaggerated. There are 3 gens of IMS. 97-00; 01-05; 06-08. The middle one has the highest rate of failure. 987.1 received the 3rd gen which is largest in diameter and sealed. By design, it’s not to be swapped out. Basically Porsche is saying do not touch IMS. Chances of failure is < 1% and if you do, I’d contact Porsche.

[@zguy95135]

Heh I thought those roads looked familiar, 4:48 I totally recognize that house. My favorite route if you have the time is to go east on 130. You get the nice hill climb and then the other side all the to the end of Mines is just glorious. I've been thinking about a 987.1 S to go with my 986, they're beautiful and the price isn't bad. The dream would be a 981 Boxster S with the manual and PSE though... But they are pretty pricey and hard to find without the PDK.

[@Zygrene]

130 to Mines is a fun route but long and tiring. Love how empty it is though. If you're in the bay I'd love to film your 986. Shoot me an email if interested! [e-mail]

[@jeffsnavely588]

Agree that you won't laugh out loud with joy driving the 981 like you do with a Miata. However, I appreciate both and love the serious feeling of unlimited capability in the 981.

[@odinikita4821]

They're both beautiful cars

[@pauljoyquilter359]

I like the 981 look a lot more than the 987, and chose to buy a 981 for that reason.

[@machineslave3]

The 981 base models don’t have bore scoring do they? I thought it was just the S models.

[@MadelnMachines]

Which cars do you think are more fun / exciting? M2 Comp? MX-5? 981 is the best looking generation in my opinion. Maybe you'd find the Boxster more fun with the top down. Do you think the 981 S is worth it for road use?

[@boredalchemist]

nice review the 987 just looks better especially with the factory aerokit, the 981 rear end just looks trash imo

[@eds8633]

981 looks never grows old almost exotic and improved 9A1 engine over 987.2

[@jiveturkeyintheriboflavin]

This comment isn't aimed at the video presenter as he's a Cayman guy so he gets it. The only transmission that should have been available in the 981 base 2.7 is a three pedal manual. Any way you cut it, the car is "slow" by today's standards. But that's not what this car is about. If you have a micropenis, go get a cheap car and throw forced induction on it and win all the stoplight races you want. The PDK on the base removes that driver engagement which accentuates how relatively slow it is. I've owned cars with double the horsepower and torque and I'd gladly give them up everyday of the week and twice on Sundays for the 2.7 manual. If you're lacking power in the real world (i.e.not on track), you're in the wrong gear. Plain and simple. I dream about this car and it's constantly in the back of my mind all day. I can wring the car out and not get into take me straight to jail officer category. The PDK in the S/GTS is totally fine if you're into that type of thing. Love your videos!

[@agency_editor]

Still doing my research. I'm finding that the Caymans are great for daily driving. But I don't the electric steering and some other funky decisions. Looking at the Z or Lotus or McLaren. 🤔

[@floodtheinbox]

I agree about the shifter. I thought out of any company porsche would get that shifter right. Also, they need to fire whoever came up with the paddles on that steering wheel. I can't count how many times i've nearly moneyshifted my car pulling on the right paddle for an upshift and getting a downshift. I hate it. Besides that stuff though, the car is absolutely magical.

[@shughes911]

Good review! I prefer the looks of the 981! However when you said it didn’t light your hair on fire gave me a pause! Maybe the s is where it’s at! Man I recently drove a gt350 and let me tell ya, it light my hair on fire! Lol . I just can’t afford one!

[@drbilly5133]

Shame it doesn’t have paddles. Love mine with PDK

[@marsarmory6236]

981 S is not 40k it’s a lot more. You can barely get a low mileage 981 manual 2014+ for low 40’s, the S models go for a lot more, they really hold their value

[@kevinwong5284]

Porsche should let you change the ability to switch around the +/- for the pdk.

[@patrickbateman7122]

Great review. I'm in the UK and own a 19 BRZ. Had a GT86 before that. I shouldn't have bought the BRZ as i never fell in love with the 86. Both cars have never given me a lol feeling. I just find them numb but capable handling machines so never understand all the fan boys saying their so fun. I guess the same as you feel about the 981. Do you think a late 987 Cayman would be more fun than an FT86 car due to better engine, hyd steering, mid engine? Or are the caymans too competent and clinical the way i feel about my car..

[@Zygrene]

I think the BRZ/GT86 is easier to drive quickly but that's largely due to its lack of power. The 987 S has the perfect balance of power to chassis, so in a way it's more fun. It's just harder to exploit its capabilities unless you're on a track.

[@patrickbateman7122]

@@Zygrene Thank you!

[@TXTundra-ex8bw]

987 looks too dated unless you track your car the 981 base is more than sufficient for daily driving save your money for maintenance lol great review

[@kellygregg3688]

Yes, i had both. But i love looking and driving my 981 far better 🤙

[@seekuncertainty]

40k for a 981 Cayman S in 2022, That would be awesome! haha

[@Swolecat17]

Lol that’s what I paid for a base 981 cayman

[@seekuncertainty]

@@Swolecat17 Paid 47k for my base 981 :P

[@Swolecat17]

@@seekuncertainty mine was about 44k with taxes had 60k miles on the clock, I’m in love with it but I sometimes do regret not getting the S.

[@jamesadey8744]

The 987 has hydraulic power steering while the 981 has electric steering. The hydraulic steering gives more feel than electric which can feel a little numb, so that's why you prefer your car's steering.

[@jsracs]

987.2 S is quite a lot faster than 987.1 S Even on paper, 0-60 time is 0.6 or 0.7 second faster with pdk (0-60 4.4 second for pdk car) And manual to manual is still 0.4 faster I believe. Once you drive it, .2 is like AP2 the low end tq is much better and pick up or getting out of corner with the power you need And it is probably the best of both world, newer engine 981 s/gts engine. With hydraulic steering rack. My 2 cents.

[@Zygrene]

Didn't know the extra 25hp made that big a difference. Would love to try a 987.2 as it seems to be the perfect combination of driving dynamics and reliability.

[@davis1761]

@@Zygrene Not sure where you’re located, but if your in the San Francisco Bay Area I just picked up a 987.2 S a few weeks ago you could try :) My friend has a 981 base and I much prefer the rawness of the hydraulic steering of the 987 over the 981.

[@Zygrene]

@Davis I'd be super curious to try your 987.2 S. Can you shoot me an email? [e-mail]

[@wernerschwarz7596]

Probably the 981S is the best selevtion ever for a Cayman. The successor 718 with the downsized engine surley is not.

[@CarYenta-1]

981 Cayman GTS with LSD for a more comfortable daily, and Cayman R if you wish the GTS had more feel.

[@misterkim4524]

well, i drive a 981 base. love it! god like handling but lack of power . if anyone decides to get a 981 , my suggestion is to get something like a S and above.

[@thedudeabides1443]

Could not agree more. Plus with the S, you can tune it to have the same hp as the base Carrera of the same generation-which makes an already fast, awesome handling car just insane.

[@Baerchenization]

@@thedudeabides1443 Tune it to make 10 hp more? You mean by getting high octane fuel? ;)

[@thedudeabides1443]

Baerchenization don’t think that would help! : ) But there are ECU tunes that you can do (various companies) that will allow the throttle body to open more and will net about another 30-35hp. Then add aftermarket headers and you’ve got a car with the same hp as a base Carrera from that same year (350hp). I have several friends who have done pre and post dyno testing and it proves it can be done. Makes for base Carrera power in a much better handling car!

[@danieleregoli812]

All true. However. The 987 LOOKS better!!! ( I love my 987 Cayman!)

[@marianellosello8198]

the 981 looks awesome but if i have to give a vote to each of them, i would give a 9 to 987 and a 8.5 to the 981

[@LilTaco777]

Does the 981 have oil starvation?

[@Baerchenization]

Why would a Porsche flat 6 of all engines suffer from oil starvation?

[@mattyp3119]

Really enjoyed this comparison. I think there are more reasons for why 981s are the best retaining value caymans, its not just the ims bearing that impacts the price of the 987 compared to 981s. Its also that the design is aging on several fronts: both outside and in and I'm saying this next part with most love for the car: aging badly in some ways. The way I look at it is: more rattle prone inside, with outdated interiors (ie:far away from classic but not modern awkward teenage years) old-school driver feel (there are good and bad things about that), overall less well "put together". Then I agree, design wise its subjective, but I would argue that the way in which the side vents look compared to modern and past where it gets dated again, the flatness of the rear hatch, the way the lines are less crisp, the wheel designs and fender gap all outdated outdated. Then lastly its that everyday ride performance, the suspension/chassis is just better, lighter, more forgiving yet able to handle just as well. Anyway it may see like I'm hating on the 987 thats really not the case I love the car I think its genius, but there are some things that are compromised in the older car.

[@A04694996]

dont know what you are talking about in terms of pricing. 987.1 are going for $25-30k, 987.2 are all well above $32k with under 50K miles

[@uselessoldman7964]

since I am not a midget being 6 2 and a half the 987 is not an option since its too damn small

[@johnob1824]

ims is very rare, the internet made it worse, but the 987.1 is a drivers car

[@Fee.1]

What did yours rev out to

[@Zygrene]

7200 redline but I usually shifted around 6600 to avoid over stressing the internals

[@Fee.1]

@@Zygrene I had that same problem so I bought a CBR600RR And now I CANE everything

[@doctorferdinand1003]

My dad just traded his 981 Cayman 2.7 for a 718 S. The 981 was a great car but with the 6 speed manual, the gearing just doesn't match the engine at all. 30-35 mph corners in 2nd gear at 3kRPM just left so little power on the table. There were many corners where my 9th gen civic Si had much better power on exit. The 718S is a completely different animal though.

[@Zygrene]

Gearing is a real problem on manual equipped 981 Caymans, even on the GT4

[@thedudeabides1443]

Did your dad drive a 981 S? If he didn’t he made a huge mistake. The 718s are good cars but they sound like crap because you have a turbo 4 rather than the proper flat 6. They sound like my Subaru Outback. And the 718s won’t hold their value nearly as well as the 981s.

[@BubuBarong]

981s owner here, so much better than the predecessors (which I owned). Bigger and better built, yet lighter. If you tried an S with Sport Chrono and put it in Sport Plus... Man, a totally different animal, and prices reflect that, as you pointed out. Cheers from Italy! P.S. shifting with the buttons on the wheel is much much better and safer than through the odd-set-up lever!

[@Aiken47]

I think you’re not driving it hard enough - it’s refined = drive it harder

[@tomzphone]

for an S with a stick you are looking closer to $50k

[@apolloandratti7922]

Yep, now they have gone up even more: 55K -60K+ for a 981S. Still a lot of car for the money as 981s will hold their values more than the 718 4 bangers.

[@d.nakamura9579]

I’ve just heard so many stories of base Caymans being dogs in terms of acceleration. Really lacking torque

[@lowcountrydawg2525]

The 987 is the better looking car.

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

if it's not lighting your hair on fire, drive faster....

[@tonyvo656]

987 sucks

[@davidpineda645]

Infiniti g37 can smoke both of em with a tune and its half the cost. You can get a v10 m5 or e46 m3 also with a tuned g37

[@doctorferdinand1003]

What a fatuous comparison. Sure and you can go get a B Body impala for 10% of the cost and throw a blower on it and smoke all of them. Acceleration is easy.

[@jklok]

Wow you’re so insightful!

[@Sicolirics]

Porsche vehicles are driven from the heart, the sound of a Porsche 981 in a Boxster giving you the air in front of you has no comparison with any vehicle invented to date. those who speak with those words know little about this brand, possibly due to its youth, where there is a Porsche everything gets out of its way There is nothing that overshadows it simply because it has not yet been invented

[@hoen2009]

V10 M5 has got the be one of the biggest money pits you can buy.

[@johncary4302]

Maybe, but let's not forget the weight either. G37s are actual boats around 3800-4000 pounds which makes almost an 800-1000 pounds difference. Plus a Cayman handles around a corner and a G37 doesn't as easily. It's not all about acceleration 100% of the time.

[@Brad_Pittstop]

987 has the ugliest rear of all porsches, ever!!