PORSCHE CAYMAN S 981 REVIEW | Better Than a 718?

[@martinc4251]

The 981 is the ultimate sports car if you like proper revving and roaring atmospheric engine. tried to 718S, will never swap my 981 for it! even the new NA GT4 does not sound as good as the 981. nothing like flooring it in second gear and feeling the pull from 4k RPM onwards

[@Jay-xr3sb]

And losing your license. You either rev in 1st or break the speed limits in 2nd. There is no usable low down torque, so the gts/gt4 4.0 is the king. Just get the exhaust tweaked. Same gearing issues but more torque and everything else is improved.

[@rossyannis3000]

@@Jay-xr3sb My 981s had ecu remapped by a racing tuner.to 364hp, 420Nm 0-100km 3.89sec.... All for around AU$2K....

[@Jay-xr3sb]

@@rossyannis3000 don't get me wrong, yours sounds great. I would still take the 4.0 gts first, and if the price is right a 981. Not sure how long your engine will last tuned that high. Enjoy it!

[@rossyannis3000]

@@Jay-xr3sb Low down torque enhanced, really flies over 3500rpm. Wrt engine longevity, I don't use sports plus mode... too vicious on gear changes, but your point is taken.

[@benbansal]

Hey mate, was considering an older Audi rs7, but looking how the 981 is a well priced great looking porsche, I am starting to look into these, I wanted a roaring V8 but from what I hear the sound on the v6 981s are good? Does one need to get the 981S as it has a sports exhaust? It's acceleration is 0-100 km in 5.6 secs which is the same as a Audi A7 which I currently have but I imagine they are not comparable on handling and aerodynamics?

[@mrbagitos]

I always check the brand of tyre on whatever used car I’m looking to buy. If there decent then chances are it’s been looked after, not always the case but worth noting as you said.

[@BobC59]

Mine were original to the car - 9 years old! I replaced them immediately

[@koreanstallion]

i have the exact same options on the buttons. No gps . Great car to take wifey to go shopping.

[@andrewbrown5636]

Had my Manual 981 for 3 yrs, fantastic car, only thing I didn’t like was the the tall gearing. Now have a 718S PDK

[@Angry-Lynx]

Is pdk shorter, feels better acceleration? Can't.compare 718 because turbo ofc

[@Jay-xr3sb]

Do u miss the sound?

[@VishalGupta-od5mf]

Love the tan leather.

[@nielskjr5432]

Is this my favorite Porsche? I think so. From behind it looks very elegant. Nice beige interior. 👍

[@adamgreen7291]

I think the 981 Cayman (2.7 or 3.4) will be the Cayman that everyone wants in years to come. Still N/A but shrugged the dated looks of the 987. Prices are all ready going back up on these 🤨

[@keviiinisnt]

I think these will gain value in the future, however, right now used car market is up across the board. So while these may go up, right now they are up because of other reasons.

[@CesarMartinez-gl9ko]

@@keviiinisnt sadly you are right. As I am just waiting to find one at the right price

[@stefanolaporta7649]

I think the 987 will age better than the 981 due to the more classic styling, more distintive rear end/hips, slightly smaller dimensions and hydraulic power steering.

[@xplane7523]

987.2 S with same engine is sweet spot hydraulic steering feel and price value wise.

[@erichnolan43]

The lack of a hand brake is the worst thing about the 981. Then again, if that's the worst thing it must be a pretty nice car, eh? :)

[@knn3th]

It has an electric parking brake just under de steering wheel (that operates automatically when you put it in Park, but can be used manually as well)

[@Baerchenization]

What do you want with the handbrake? This is so much better than a traditional one. If you want a drift car, get yourself one off Ebay... PS You cannot over-rev a PDK car. Just stepping on the pedal won't do it due to the rev limiter and with downshifts, the gearbox will not perform a downshift if that would result in over revving the engine.

[@Jay-xr3sb]

@@Baerchenization sound goods

[@BobC59]

THIS is the driver's Porsche to own - maybe even THE driver's car to own - period, maybe more for years to come than even now. I'm also biased, having just picked up a 2014 S in manual. I am blown away by everything -and I do mean everything - about the car, from it's drop-dead good looks (mine same color as the one in this video - sinister-looking with it's dark gunmetal wheels and darker interior - to the way it drives, sounds, feels behind the wheel or in the passenger seat, the comfort and relative quiet for an incredible mid-engine sports car... Okay, I'll say it: I call my new-to-me Cayman a "junior Ferrari". On flaw I am shocked about where Porsche really dropped the ball was by not doing the dash in a darker color on the lighter interiors. Be sure to have polarized glasses for daytime driving! (starting at 6:52, look at that glare!). Do I have a point here? Only that I am disappointed to have never explored Porsches earlier in life - - - oh wait, I couldn't afford then anyway, and they all looked like elongated Beetles anyway - something I could and would have been fine with had I ever gotten behind the wheel of one! I took a HUGE risk getting one on Bring-a-Trailer (online auction site in the U.S.), though it had very low miles and seemed reasonably well vetted. I'm going to ignore the $2,000 PADM repair its in the shop for after a few hundred miles. The seller had one of the two dynamic "mountings" replaced, then garaged it for almost 6 months. Praying that repair and the $2,000 US for new Michelin Pilot 4S's will be all besides gasoline while I drive the wheels off it this Spring and summer. Anyone else here stupid-giddy with new-to-you Porsche fever?

[@karlhurn]

Thanks Bob 🙏 I agree about the dash, I think BMW have the right idea when they have a dark dash and doors with light seats and door cards. Your Cayman sounds great 👍 Best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧

[@joeharris3810]

Yeah it’s been 3 years now does it ever go away hope not what a thrill

[@BobC59]

@@joeharris3810 Im not surprised. I’ve had mine just over a year and can’t imagine what other car I could want that doesn’t cost double, triple, or more… with one exception: Another 981, but with sport suspension - maybe in GTS spec.

[@scottsmith7337]

The 981 looks and sounds better and this is better

[@kaidoi888]

The Sport Plus button for the Sport Chrono option does not mean the Sport Exhaust is included. The PSE option (with the corresponding button can be specified with or without Sport Chrono.

[@kaidoi888]

Great video.

[@JamesDThomas1981]

This is true as I have Sports Chrono without Sports Exhaust. I did install a Soul Performance exhaust.

[@zagawrx]

Nice comprehensive review!

[@miked4973]

Love my 981S

[@VishalGupta-od5mf]

I would love to have a look at this car if available for sale?

[@karlhurn]

This one is long gone I’m afraid. But check out @quorn_sports_classics on Insta to see what they have.

[@VishalGupta-od5mf]

@karlhurn Checked Insta, nothing suitable. When I'm in the position to buy, maybe you can approach the buyer of this car? I want black with tan leather with PDK. Would like extended leather, sports exhaust and elec seats.

[@simonf7623]

nice review and content - but I'd never spec a porsche with tan upper dashboard even if the interior is tan - as the dash surface reflection in the windscreen on a sunny day is a very dangerous and majorly obscures the drivers vision! always opt for the black dash top!!

[@karlhurn]

I agree, although it’s not as much of a problem here in the UK where it’s rarely sunny! The alcantara dash of the GTS Cayman hit the spot for me 👌👍

[@noandrewhere]

I drive an anthracite brown gts with full tan interior and owned a gt4 until last year as well. Both dashboards reflect in the windscreen. The Luxor beige is maybe a bit more visible but it’s not an issue at all. The beige interior makes the car look/feel more luxurious and even bigger. It changes the characteristics somehow. Using the car as a daily driver I appreciate driving an elegant looking car in town and having the opportunity to transform it into a fun car with superb sound in rural situations.

[@odinikita4821]

Oh boy what a nanny.

[@YouCantSawSawdust]

More than 15 minutes without one expletive. Well done, Gordon. 🫵👍

[@jdavis3055]

Like your B&R too

[@zaink7037]

I hope I can afford this car in my life. Just finished uni and coronavirus ruined the economy and now unable to get into the job I studied in as there's barely any trainee vacancies. Hasn't stopped me pursuing other avenues

[@ZeanLim]

Got a big opportunity for you, if you wanna know details can dm me. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@pedropeixoto3539]

As a daily car, is good?

[@karlhurn]

Yes. I would say so.

[@pedropeixoto3539]

@@karlhurn thanks

[@marcusgeorge9140]

Obviously it’s better, it has the right amount of cylinders….

[@marcusgeorge9140]

Really like the car but …. Would never buy it with the interior in that colour

[@drdavidrose4]

One thing you didn't mention is the lack of a handbrake and a dipstick.

[@karlhurn]

Yes, I found the lack of handbrake on the 911 992 also a bit unsettling when it rolls slightly when you are on a hill when you switch off.

[@knn3th]

It actually does have a handbrake, but unfortunately is electric (the handle is positioned slantwise under the steering wheel)

[@Baerchenization]

@@karlhurn There are no cars without handbrake by law. Because it is not a "hand" brake after all, it is a secondary emergency brake primarily. And so of course the 992 has a handbrake ;)

[@rico000plusone]

What not state what year the vehicle is?

[@karlhurn]

Sorry, its a late 2013 example.

[@rico000plusone]

@@karlhurn Thx. I am a member of the Cayman Group on FB and people show photos and model number but rarely the year...

[@MKitson]

The windscreen reflection from that interior is horrendous!

[@stumccloy]

I can't see this car on their website, or any others for sale. Can we view this car online (apart from on this video of course lol)? Thanks.

[@karlhurn]

This one has now sold. But its worth contacting Nathan as they have new stock in all the time.

[@stumccloy]

@@karlhurn OK, will do. Thank you.

[@johnob1824]

nope, had both,,718s a great car..faster,,beeter handleing,and the sound is not that much different.still sounds awsome.

[@EnglishSpitfire]

Get the 981 Boxster (S, with PDK/Chrono is best), probably the best sports car ever made. It is dentical to the Cayman, but you get to put the top down - IE it's a proper sports car. (BTW - I've driven loads of Caymans/Boxsters back to back at Porsche Silverstone over the years, and there is absolutely NO noticeable difference between a 981 Boxster or a 981 Cayman. The Cayman is just a Boxster with a roof added.. IE the Boxster is not a Cayman with the top cut off - they feel exactly the same, other than when driving the Cayman there are soooooo many occasions when you just want to get the top down and feel the wind in your hair).

[@Angry-Lynx]

I and all purists despise cabrio with passion 😂

[@adamgreen7291]

😂

[@lordmaster5522]

The 981 Boxster is not as nice as the Cayman because it has a slight detuned engine with 10hp less and 700RPM lower rev.

[@knn3th]

That shiny steering wheel looks horrible, filled with other people's body fluids and oils... A clean leather steering wheel looks mat. Otherwise a great car. I love my 981!

[@karlhurn]

I’d swop it out for a nice paddles conversion 👌

[@leonardoluc6362]

Thanks for review its appreciated nice car so are all Porsches but omg a 718 is a way better car as in Porsche revolution all newer cars/model range are better, faster and also better looking.

[@gordongekko7789]

The engine type is BOXTER not flat-shit bullshet!!! This engine is symbolic for Porsche brand, its a LEGEND!!! When somebody says "Porsche" the first think that comes to a mind is The BOXSTER ENGINE - just learn it the Fu*kin' name of 'em goddamn it!!!

[@davidhill9071]

Ehhh……I think it’s called a Boxer engine Gordon. The Boxster name comes from the amalgamation of two words, Boxer and Roadster.

[@gordongekko7789]

@@davidhill9071 You know what I've mean.

[@shadowkillz9606]

​@@gordongekko7789says the subbie fan boy

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

IMO, they ruined the looks of the cayman starting with the 2012 model.

[@julian987r4]

Agree, the 987 is far more beautiful and becoming a classic. I have a 987 R so I am biased!

[@knn3th]

I think the 981 is far more sports car agressive ans sleek than the 987

[@Cookie_boi316]

Subjective. I have a 981 and I feel that the 987 looks ugly. To each their own.

[@pcarobsessed9778]

981 looks way better bro u dont know what u talkin about

[@kellygregg3688]

I had both, and by far I like my 981 way better- looks/drive/inside/everything!!!🤙