981 Boxster owner husband wrote this article. Please take a look if you’re interested.

New 718 or Used 981?

Many people struggle with the choice between buying a brand-new 718 Boxster/Cayman or a used previous-generation 981 Boxster/Cayman.

So, from my perspective as a 981 Boxster owner, I’d like to organize information about the 981 used Boxster/Cayman and share advice and key points when buying a used one.

981 Boxster/Cayman

The 981 model was introduced in 2012, but most of the cars imported to Japan are from the 2013 model year onward. You can choose between right- or left-hand drive, and either PDK or manual transmission. However, manual transmission models are much rarer, and as of writing, only 16 out of 69 Boxsters listed on Car Sensor are manuals, so if you’re after an MT, it’s best to decide quickly when you find a good one.

The grades offered are the base Boxster and Cayman, and their respective S versions, making two grades with the main difference being the engine. The base has a 2706cc engine, while the S has a 3436cc engine.

Here are the engine specs for each:

Looking at these, the Cayman has slightly higher output than the Boxster. At the time, Porsche positioned the Cayman above the Boxster in the hierarchy, which explains this difference. (From the 718 onwards, they are equal.)

Differences Between Cayman and Boxster

The biggest difference between these two is open-top versus closed-body design. The 981 Cayman’s torsional rigidity is said to be 40,000 Nm/degree, compared to 17,000 Nm/degree for the Boxster, so the Cayman has the advantage in rigidity.

Porsche Cayman GT4

If you’re considering track driving, I recommend choosing the Cayman, but for mainly street use, the Boxster is more than enough. As a Boxster owner, I can confidently say I don’t feel any looseness in the body. It’s more solid than any other car of the same class I’ve driven from other manufacturers.

Plus, the extraordinary feeling of driving with the top down can only be experienced in a convertible. Even traffic jams become enjoyable when the roof is open. That’s the true joy of an open car.

GTS, Spider, and GT4

In 2014, Porsche released the GTS model, which is a more powerful version of the S, and in 2015, the top grades were introduced: the Boxster Spider and the Cayman GT4.

The GTS features exclusive front and rear aero parts, the Sport Chrono Package, sport exhaust, PASM lowered by 10mm, Alcantara and leather interior, 20-inch Carrera S wheels, and sport seats as standard.

The GT4 is a track-focused model developed by Porsche’s GT team. It features large brakes borrowed from the GT3, a chassis lowered by 30mm, additional air outlets on the front of the engine hood, and a rear wing.

The Spider is basically the same as the GT4 but designed for street use. It comes with a completely new sports suspension and does not have PASM. Unlike the regular Boxster, it has a lightweight manual soft top that folds into a dome-shaped trunk behind the seats.

Late Model Special Edition “Black Edition”

The Black Edition was released in 2015, late in the 981’s production. It’s based on the 2.7L base model with black-themed interior and exterior.

Available for both Cayman and Boxster, it comes standard with auto-dimming mirrors, rain sensors, cruise control, front and rear park assist, sport design steering wheel, 20-inch Carrera Classic wheels, bi-xenon headlights with PDLS (Porsche Dynamic Light System), two-zone climate control, and seat heaters.

It’s a great value as it adds comfort options to the base model. Resale value is also slightly higher, so if you find a good one, this grade is highly recommended.