Buyer's Guide to Used Porsche Boxster/Cayman (Type 981)
Published on Sep 15, 2020
Features of the 981, the difference between each grade and the options you may want to have with it.
The 981 Boxster and Cayman are characterized by the following featuresLast model with NA engine as regular modelThe engine of each model runs superbly and has a beautiful voice. Anyway, the engines of all the models run superbly and have beautiful voices.
The bare 2.7L has a pleasant high note that can only be achieved with a small displacement, the Spyder and GT4 have the powerful sound pressure of the 3.8L, and the 3.4L in the S and GTS is somewhere between the two and delights with its well-balanced exhaust note.
Therefore, theFor those who care about sound, the sport exhaust on this model is a must-have!It is. The sport exhaust can be retrofitted, so even if the used car does not have it, it can be installed later if necessary.Sports exhaust is standard on GTS, GT4, Spyder, etc.When turned on, it clearly changes the volume and sound quality.
The loudest I've experienced so far is the Spyder/GT4.The GTS is as loud as the GTS, but with the added sound pressure from the additional displacement. On the other hand, the "Pang! BANG! afterfire sound when the accelerator is released is the sole domain of the GTS. The Spyder and GT4 have less of this sound compared to the GTS.
Perhaps the GTS is tuned to produce this sound on a dare. Incidentally, even with the S and the bare metal, if you change to a sport exhaust system, the volume becomes considerably louder and flashier, but this afterfire sound does not seem to be as loud as that of the GTS. This is one of the major characteristics of the GTS.
in any eventThe 981 sports exhaust version of the car has quite a loud soundThe 981s are louder and louder than the 911GTS, 718GTS4.0, and 718 Spyder/GT4, but I think the 981s are the loudest Porsches of the last 10 years or so.
The 981 model is recommended for those who like high tones.
As for the ride quality, I think it is safe to say that it is quite "good".Of course, you should not imagine the fluffy type like a domestic luxury minivan, etc.Firm and firm while moistThe suspension is what I often refer to as "Sanuki Udon" type. The suspension is very calm on the road surface and handles large inputs from the road surface in a way that the occupants never feel any direct unpleasant vibrations.
incidentallyThe successor, the 718, seems to add a bit more rigidity to this ride quality.The 718 has a more upright feel to it, and the 718 has a more upright feel to it. And there is no difference that the 718 is better in terms of driving performance, as the rear feels more stomping and even the Boxster has a Cayman-like hardness to it. However, you can't tell the difference in normal driving, so I don't think you need to worry about it that much.
By the way.I often get questions about the bare bones grade, but I think it is most enjoyable to drive on small winding roads like Ashiu.Because that is the power to step through.
For example, my GT3 and Panamera Turbo have too much power to go full throttle on a small winding road like this. Even if I could, it would only be for a moment. Therefore, most of the time I am forced to drive at low and medium RPMs, so I sometimes lose track of what I am doing (laughs).
On the other hand, a bare-bones Boxster/Cayman, for example, can be driven with the engine revving at full throttle because it does not have that much power. If you are looking for speed, you can go for an S or a GTS, but if you want to go fast, you can go for an S or a GTS.We confidently recommend the bare-bones grade to those whose main goal is to enjoy driving.
Boxster Black Edition (special edition of the bare-bones 2.7L grade)
As for optional recommendations.PASM, Sport Chrono Package, and Sport Exhaust are recommended for those who value driving.However, of these, the Sport Chrono Package and Sport Exhaust can, at worst, be retrofitted, so it is possible to purchase a vehicle without them and add them later. (The Sport Chrono watch itself cannot be retrofitted.)
In addition, the(In the Sport Chrono Package version of the MT, the auto-blipping function can be used when the Sport Plus mode is selected.So, this is very pleasant and recommended. However, early models around 2012 and 2013(Not sure exactly. Depends on model year rather than year)does not have this auto-blipping feature, so be sure to check it out before you buy.
The others will be comfort and appearance related, so it is completely a matter of taste, but I really like the fact that the Boxster's roll bar is a body-color option. I also like the fact that theSeat ventilation should be present, as it is useful in summer.This is an option I regret not adding.
981 Boxster GTS
Finally, my personal recommendation for the Spyder/GT4 and GTS would be the Spyder/GT4 and GTS. This is because they have by far the best resale value and can be driven at a substantially lower price. Besides, theThe new 718 GTS 4.0, Spyder, and GT4 will be on the market from now on, so the 981 model will probably drop a bit.That's the place to buy.
And then...After a few years to a decade or so, there will come a time when the 981 market will be reevaluated.This is because I believe that it will be reviewed in terms of sound and feel as the last Boxster and Cayman of the era when volume and environmental regulations were still less stringent. (This is just my personal prediction, so purchase at your own risk)
For many people, the 981 is a good car to buy. It has a high level of balance between practicality and sportiness, and even sensuality, making it a super versatile sports car. I am very happy with my 981 Boxster GTS, and even after 5 years and over 40,000 km, I am still impressed every time I drive it, as if I am driving a new test car.
We hope that those who are currently considering purchasing a 981 will find a great car, a wonderful 981.
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Mina.
I don't know yet if the 981 will be the last entry-level NA, but I too think that it will never surpass it in terms of sound. The Ferrari is better in terms of sound level, but it is too much for my heart and ears to drive with that irritating sound all the time. The stimulating sound of a Ferrari is just right to listen to when being overtaken from behind, while the horizontally opposed 6-cylinder NA sound of a Porsche can be listened to for a long time while maintaining a certain level of calmness when driving by myself. I hope that the 981 will be like the Ferrari F355.
I have owned seat ventilation once, and the 981's ventilation was intake-only, so I think it had less impact than the ones used by Lexus and others that have airflow, but thinking back, after 10 or so minutes of driving, the ventilation was turned off, which means the back of the seat was cooled. I recalled that I had turned off the ventilation after 10 minutes or so of driving, which means that my back sweat had receded or the back of the seat had cooled down, which I thought was evidence that it was effective. However, I have rarely seen used ones with ventilation, so I don't think anyone looking for a 981 in the future needs to be concerned about this option.
Mr. Ishi.
Thank you for everything!
The 981 sounds really great... even better with the Spyder, as I may have mentioned before.
I like the sound of the 981 Spyder the best out of all the cars. It was the first car that gave me goosebumps while I was listening to it.
It's hard to find a used 981 with seat ventilation.
Are there fewer and fewer good used cars in 981 itself?
I hope we can take good care of our Boxster even more so.
I always enjoy reading your articles.
I am a 981 Spyder owner.
I have never driven a GTS so I don't know how it compares. I have never driven a GTS so I don't have a pure comparison. I don't know if there are any individual differences or changes depending on the mileage.
As for the Spyder's recommendations, its ride height is 1 cm higher than the GT4's!
This 1cm makes a big difference when going down a hill at a gas station or car wash. The current 718 Spyder/GT4 has the same ride height (lower) and no front ride height adjustment, so I honestly think the front lip is slipping.
Keep up the good work!
diluted nitrogen-potassium acid
Thank you for visiting my blog!
The 981 spider is really loud ^^;.
But I like the sound of the 981 Spyder better than any other car and was very impressed when I heard it up close.
I always envy the owners because I don't see them around town very often.
>As for recommendations for the Spyder, the ride height is 1cm higher than the GT4!
This point is pretty big!
As you say, this 1cm changes whether you do or not, and I think I hear a lot of people talking about GT4 doing the front.
My pleasure, and I look forward to continuing to work with you!
I am a 981spyder rider.
The content was very well done.
I tried the 718boxster-s on a test drive, and the difference between the 981 and the 718 is that they feel so different that I wonder if they are the same Porsche.
I guess it's a preference, but by far the 981 gives me more adrenaline. Especially in the tunnel, it releases a lot every time.
Due to various regulations, I believe that Porsche engineers had to work very hard to finish the 718.
Those who have been tamed by 981 cannot shed their skin easily. Maybe they will never shed their skin.
Mr. bricoleur.
Thank you for visiting our blog.
I think it must be really difficult for developers, because as the years get newer, various environmental regulatory issues become more stringent.
>Those who have been tamed by 981 cannot shed their skin easily. Maybe they will never shed their skin...
My husband says, "I'm so impressed with the 981 every time I drive it, I can't let it go." I can't let go of it.
Thank you for providing this information as soon as possible.
I think it is a true bible for those who are looking for a 981, because it is a compact compilation of information that I had to painstakingly research when I bought it.
In my case, since I had a closed body, I was not so interested in ventilation. If I had chosen ventilation, I would have had leather seats, and I didn't like the "sagging" that would have been noticeable compared to the leather and Alcantara seats. Also, I was not going to go to the race circuit, but was using the car for "city driving + occasional buoyancy on mountain slopes," so I thought it would bother my neighbors. I chose PASM for comfort rather than exhaust (I chose Sport Chrono for occasional "buoyancy").
Sanuki udon" is "Oh! I didn't know there was such a thing! I thought "It's a Porsche, so it must be uncomfortable to drive," and when I tried it, I found that it was more comfortable than a bad sedan, with a "moist but firm feeling," and I thought it was a "truly great car" (effect of PASM?) that I could drive on the street without any pain. I thought it was a "truly great car" (effect of PASM?) that can be driven in town without any pain.
The 981 definitely "sounds" better anyway, and "From now on, the new 718 GTS 4.0, Spyder, and GT4 will be on the market, so the 981 model will drop a bit. That's when it's time to buy", so I think I'll wait and see for a while while I gather more information about the 4.0 GTSPDK.
I hope to be able to buy a 981GTSPDK in the low 7 million yen range with commissions after 5 years.
Former 981 Cayman S PDK driver.
Thank you for reading my article!
>I thought that the ride quality must be bad because it is a Porsche, but when I tried it, I found that the ride quality was better than that of a bad sedan, with a "moist but firm feeling," and it was a "truly great car" (effect of PASM?) that I could ride without any pain even in city driving. I thought it was a "truly great car" (effect of PASM?) that can be ridden in town without any pain.
I, too, had an image of Porsches and sports cars being uncomfortable and wobbly to ride in.
I was surprised at how flexible it was.
For a former 981 Cayman S PDK rider.
May you meet the 981GTSPDK that rings a bell!
Thank you for your continued support.
The exhaust sound of the 981 series Boxster GTS and others is not natural at all, but artificially created for the American taste. It is an unnatural and cheap sound. They use gasoline to make that sound (laugh), and it goes against the environment. In my opinion, Porsche has done a bad job. The 981 series has an uncomfortable exhaust sound comparable to that of AMG. True Porsche lovers all say that they want the 981 series to be eliminated.
Also, if you are going to upload a video, I would like to see it in heel-and-toe or toe-and-toe mode at least, and not in fast forward. Please forgive me for writing whatever I want, but it is my honest opinion.
Hello.
I'm K, a Porsche revivalist, after reading your blog here.
I drive a bare-bones 981 Cayman MT, and sometimes I'm so happy I want to shout, "This is it, this is it!" Sometimes I am so happy that I want to shout "This is it!
I've driven a 911 (993) and a Cayenne, and all cars are fun in their own way.
Many people have different opinions, but I always enjoy watching them.
Good luck!
K3
Thank you!
981 manuals, great ^_^.
I'm itching to get on one myself for the first time in ages!
And I hope I can continue to discover the charm of various cars.
Thank you for your warm words.
Thank you for your continued support!
Living in an apartment in the city, I was not allowed the luxury of having multiple cars, so I had no choice but to switch cars, but I have had a Japanese turbo car, a convertible that cruised like a mizusubashi even though it was so inefficient that it was left behind by a mini car when going uphill, a quattro coupe that I could cruise at high speed in all weather conditions without any worries, and a 981 Cayman that was my first Porsche. The Quattro coupe, which I could cruise at high speed without anxiety in all weather conditions, and my current 2.7 981 Cayman, my first Porsche, are all "beloved cars" that I have a lot of affection for, despite my worries that the gear ratio does not match the Japanese downhill roads.
Some people put in the work that bothers them, some customize their homes in a fashionable way, some like it so much that they start a club of like-minded people, and others show their "love" in various ways, but I think we can all empathize with them if we can feel their "love.
I look forward to your continued thoughtful and loving blog updates.
Mr. Tap.
Thank you for everything!
I've only owned one car myself, but even so, I have so many fond memories of
It was not a perfect car by any means, but it was a lovely car, and I loved it.
Mr. Tap has driven many different cars and knows about the personalities of various cars.
That is why I was reading this book, imagining that no matter which car becomes your partner, you are always enjoying your car life.
I'm sure the article will continue to be full of our own subjectivity as well (laughs).
Thank you for your continued support!
I currently drive a 981 prime model PDK, used, 986 Boxster, 987 Canaan.ND Roadster. This is my current car. After switching Boxster and Cayman.
I switched to ND, but was dissatisfied with the weak cornering. TEIN coilovers. Knuckle support. Fujitsubo muffler. Tuned up. But he was not satisfied. our side
I am a senior citizen, so I often see people my age. I still couldn't forget the fun of Porsche, so I bought one. Anyway, it's great. I immediately lowered the car. I have completed the senior specification. Sport mode. Sport mode and sport exhaust. It's perfect. The power is good. The last thing in life is a Porsche.
guardian (e.g. of a child)
Thank you for your comments.
Oh yes!
I have not had much experience with cars yet, but I still wonder why Porsche cars are so much fun to drive.
I am already really happy and enjoying the ride and want to ride it more and more.
I, too, want to improve myself so that I can become a person who looks good in a Porsche as I get older.
Thank you for your continued support.