Might try to buy this 981 Cayman. Advice?

[JST]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...elCode1=CAYMAN

I like this black better, it has the right transmission, no accidents, more miles, but less $$$?

That vehicle's been in inventory for more than a year?

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by Theo

So if you are considering a Dual Clutch then why not test out the RS3 sedan or TT-RS when they both get here this year?

400hp Quattro and probably less then the P-Car new to new.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...d-more-feature

because nose heavy fwd biased awd car?

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Theo

So if you are considering a Dual Clutch then why not test out the RS3 sedan or TT-RS when they both get here this year?

400hp Quattro and probably less then the P-Car new to new.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...d-more-feature

Wow that RS3 is going to be a badass car ... I know how fun to drive my sons A3 is and this RS3 takes it to a completely different level.

Also love the new TT ...

[Alan]

I am not sure if PDK would work for Matt ... I love my R Tronic transmission in my R8 (single clutch like Bren's car) and think the DCT I drove in the M4 was pretty awesome but I know some of you here will only drive a Manual transmission and Matt is a die hard Manual guy.

With that said buying a car that is a few years old is a good way to test it out ... this way if you can't stand it you won't lose too much.

Matt ... what is making this particular car so good that you don't want to find one with a manual ... is it because it is local or you want to try out a PDK? If because it's local keep in mind you can always find a Cayman online and have a local dealer check it out for you. My Brother in law bought a used Panamera from a used car dealer a few states away and he had the local Porsche dealer check it out for him ... they were extremely thorough to the point that some things had to be fixed before he agreed to the purchase and the mechanic sent him an entire video on the car.

[equ]

As the 981S owner on the board, perhaps I should comment. I now have 5k miles on mine.

I love DBM, had my 997.2 in that color. The spec is great other than PDK. Last year, I drove a whole bunch of porsches, caymans, boxsters, 991's, 997's. I always came back to the 981S. Even after (brief) GT4 stewardship, that was the sweet spot for me. Yes, the gearing is long and you wait a moment to rev it up, but the sound and chassis are delightful. They feel as fast in a straight line (if not faster) than the base 991 and the chassis is "funner" for me. PASM, PTV and either the 14 or 18-way seats (because I need lumbar) were my requirements, so I think the spec is great.... Except PDK is a no go for me, personally. The shifting on this car is delightful and smoother than the 987.1 or 987.2, both of which I have owned. Perhaps the smoothest/lightest shifting porsche manual ever. The only slight minuses with respect to 987.2's are slightly taller gearing (same box/final but taller tires :wtf ) and reduced steering feel. These are overcome by availability (the window for finding the perfect 987.2 has come and gone except for unicorns), still high prices, not as good chassis, brakes, interior and stock, non-PSE sound.

The chassis is awesome and the increased front grip over the 987 is apparent. The 987 drove like a trapezoid, the rear of the car felt noticeably wider. The 981 is much wider up front, noticeably so. The brakes feel better finally.

With partially worn Pirelli's the car can actually rotate too much on tight turns with 2nd gear throttle. Sure if I were auto-x'ing, more alignment would be necessary.

Once in a while I get back in the rock/paper/scissors of boxster/cayman/911. Caymans are awesome and I'd have one in a heartbeat, after having spent six years in them, I'm happy to have something different with the drop top, with 98% of the dynamics.

One big minus for a cyclist, is that 981 cayman cannot take roof racks while 997, 991 and 987 caymans can.

[Jeff_DML]

I agree with AF, find the one you want even if that requires shipping. A New York car scares the hell out of me

>>>>>

I take it

986 == 996
987 == 997
981 == 991

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

because nose heavy fwd biased awd car?

First time I heard this, did they create a new awd for the rs? I thought haldex would overheat when biasing to the rear.

Under normal conditions, around 80 percent of output heads rear*ward.

finally

That’s why it’s been allowed to develop a new, all-aluminum version of its five-cylinder turbocharged engine,

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by AF

Matt ... what is making this particular car so good that you don't want to find one with a manual ... is it because it is local or you want to try out a PDK?

I think I was somewhat enamored by the PDK I drove. Combine that with this one showing up down the road in the color I like and options I want.... I was ready to jump.

I'm still considering it, but currently leaning toward letting it go.

Thanks for all the discussion.... again!

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

Under normal conditions, around 80 percent of output heads rear*ward.

Whoa, that changes things..

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

I agree with AF, find the one you want even if that requires shipping. A New York car scares the hell out of me

>>>>>

I take it

986 == 996
987 == 997
981 == 991

I'd like to agree with you except you added that last part ... a NY car scares you ??

Why ??