{"id":37638,"date":"2020-09-15T06:00:36","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T21:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=37638"},"modified":"2021-06-01T23:10:50","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T14:10:50","slug":"we-want-to-get-cayman-and-boxster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/we-want-to-get-cayman-and-boxster\/","title":{"rendered":"Buyer’s Guide for Used Porsche Boxster\/Cayman (981 Model) Prospective Buyers"},"content":{"rendered":"

981 Boxster owner husband wrote this article. Please take a look if you\u2019re interested. <\/p>\n

New 718 or Used 981?<\/h3>\n

Many people struggle with the choice between buying a brand-new 718 Boxster\/Cayman or a used previous-generation 981 Boxster\/Cayman.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, from my perspective as a 981 Boxster owner, I\u2019d like to organize information about the 981 used Boxster\/Cayman and share advice and key points when buying a used one. <\/p>\n

981 Boxster\/Cayman<\/h3>\n

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.<\/strong> However, manual transmission models are much rarer,<\/strong> and as of writing, only 16 out of 69 Boxsters listed on Car Sensor are manuals, so if you\u2019re after an MT, it\u2019s best to decide quickly when you find a good one.<\/p>\n

\"Boxster<\/p>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are the engine specs for each: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Grade<\/th>\nMax Power<\/th>\nMax Torque<\/th>\nNew Car Price
\n(final PDK model year)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Boxster<\/td>\n265PS\/6700rpm<\/td>\n28.6kgm[280Nm]\/4500-6500rpm<\/td>\n6,870,000 JPY<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boxster S<\/td>\n315PS\/6,700rpm<\/td>\n36.7kgm[360Nm]\/4500\u20135800rpm<\/td>\n8,430,000 JPY<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cayman<\/td>\n275ps\/7400rpm<\/td>\n29.6kgm[290Nm]\/4500\u20136500rpm<\/td>\n6,780,000 JPY<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cayman S<\/td>\n325ps\/7400rpm<\/td>\n37.7kgm[370Nm]\/4500-5800rpm<\/td>\n8,440,000 JPY<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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.) <\/p>\n

Differences Between Cayman and Boxster<\/h3>\n

The biggest difference between these two is open-top versus closed-body design.<\/strong> The 981 Cayman\u2019s 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Porsche

Porsche Cayman GT4<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re considering track driving, I recommend choosing the Cayman, but for mainly street use, the Boxster is more than enough.<\/strong> As a Boxster owner, I can confidently say I don\u2019t feel any looseness in the body. It\u2019s more solid than any other car of the same class I\u2019ve driven from other manufacturers.<\/p>\n

Plus, the extraordinary feeling of driving with the top down can only be experienced in a convertible.<\/strong> Even traffic jams become enjoyable when the roof is open. That\u2019s the true joy of an open car. <\/p>\n

GTS, Spider, and GT4<\/h3>\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Grade<\/th>\nMax Power<\/th>\nMax Torque<\/th>\nNew Car Price
\n(final PDK model year)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Boxster GTS<\/td>\n330ps\/6700rpm<\/td>\n37.7kgm[370Nm]\/4500\u20135800rpm<\/td>\n9,660,000 JPY<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boxster Spider<\/td>\n375ps\/6700rpm<\/td>\n42.8kgm[420Nm]\/4750\u20136000rpm<\/td>\n10,120,000 JPY (MT only)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cayman GTS<\/td>\n340ps\/7400rpm<\/td>\n38.7kgm[380Nm]\/4750\u20135800rpm<\/td>\n9,790,000 JPY<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cayman GT4<\/td>\n385ps\/7400rpm<\/td>\n42.8kgm[420Nm]\/4750\u20136000rpm<\/td>\n10,640,000 JPY (MT only)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The GT4 is a track-focused model developed by Porsche\u2019s GT team.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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

\"\" <\/p>\n

Late Model Special Edition “Black Edition”<\/h3>\n

The Black Edition was released in 2015, late in the 981\u2019s production. It\u2019s based on the 2.7L base model with black-themed interior and exterior.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Boxster<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a great value as it adds comfort options to the base model.<\/strong> Resale value is also slightly higher, so if you find a good one, this grade is highly recommended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next page \u2192 Features of the 981, differences between grades, recommended options<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

Features of the 981, Differences Between Grades, and Recommended Options<\/h3>\n

The defining feature of the 981 Boxster and Cayman is that they are the last regular models equipped with naturally aspirated engines.<\/strong> Every engine model revs beautifully and has a distinctive, pleasant sound.<\/p>\n

The base 2.7L has a high-pitched tone unique to smaller displacement engines, the Spider and GT4 have a powerful 3.8L sound pressure, and the S and GTS 3.4L engines offer a balanced exhaust note somewhere in between.<\/p>\n

Therefore, for those who care about sound, the sports exhaust is a must-have for this model.<\/strong> Sports exhausts can be retrofitted, so even if a used car doesn\u2019t have it, you can add it later. GTS, GT4, and Spider models come standard with sports exhaust.<\/strong> Turning it on clearly changes both volume and tone.<\/p>\n

The loudest exhaust I\u2019ve experienced is probably the Spider\/GT4.<\/strong> The GTS is similarly loud but with an added sound pressure from the larger displacement. The distinctive \u201cpop! crackle crackle!\u201d afterfire sound on throttle lift-off is unique to the GTS. The Spider and GT4 have this sound more subdued.<\/p>\n

I believe the GTS is deliberately tuned to produce this sound. Even the base and S models become louder and more aggressive with the sports exhaust, but the afterfire isn\u2019t as pronounced as the GTS. This is one of the GTS\u2019s big characteristics. <\/p>\n