2013 Porsche 981 Cayman S - The Best Not-A-911? 

The 981 is now synonymous with an infamous youtuber 😏

I own a 981 cayman s manual and it is something else. Everytime I drive it, it's like the first time I ever drove it. Always puts a huge smile on my face.

718 spyder and gt4 are 6 cylinder. The 981 has to be one of the best cars ever. They will hold their value and be worth something in years to come.

Purchased a lovely 981 cayman GTS last month. Incredible car, and feel very lucky every time I drive it.

I absolutely loved my 981 and miss it very much. However, my current 911 has the backseats and my kids love riding with daddy.

Great honest review as ever. I have a 981 (GTS) and it’s the most wonderful balanced drive. Less visceral and slower than a later model 911 but smaller and much more placeable and I’d argue on typical tight Southern UK roads. Scotland would be a different matter. Image continues to hold it back , perpetuated I think by folks who have never driven one. But the Porsche DNA is evident everywhere. Not so much a poor mans 911 as a thinking mans Porsche.

I love everything about my 2014 Boxster 981 S. Absolutely delightful in every way

Best car I ever drove was a manual 2007, Cayman 987 S. An Incredible handling and well balanced ride; with the perfect amount of power. If you find a clean one in good condition buy it!!!👍🏻😊

981 GTS is simply an amazing car.. no need to compare it to a 911...It stands alone.

I had a 2015 Cayman. I loved it and I miss it. I might get another one soon. It feels like exactly my kind of car. It’s not too showy, it’s daily drivable and it’s a lot of fun. I think it’s one of the most beautiful car designs ever and the 718 was a step in the wrong direction not just for sound but also for style.

Had a Cayman S Grown up Exige S! Wonderful car

The 981 holds its value really well

Had a 981 Boxster S and it was a fantastic car. Nice review!

Cayman always looked and felt more evisceral than the 911 as most people would agree Mid engine is superior to Rear engine if you only need a 2 seat sports car

Just got a 2013 Boxster S. Having transitioned from a 987.1 Cayman S to this car, I can confidently say that the 981 series is truly one of the best driving experiences I’ve ever had, a high water mark for Porsche. I love it!

My 981 Boxster S has the X73 (sport) suspension and it’s FANTASTIC. Highly recommended if you are thinking about one of these wonderful machines!

Jayemm,...Great review here, you make a refreshing change from the gurning overblown child-like presentation styles of JC, RH, JM, VBH, JP and TN. I drive a Manual 08 model 987.1 S and it's the best car I've ever owned. It's covered 91K miles and coming up to 12yrs old but it looks and drives like a 3yr old 30K miler. I sometimes hanker for the kudos of owning a 911 but I know it won't give me any more pleasure and fun than my Cayman. Keep up the good work,...I've subscribed.😎

Got myself a ‘14 S. Sport Seats, Sport Exhaust, Sport Suspension (non adaptive), with the 6 speed. It’s brilliant, it’s fast enough to have fun, handles exceptionally well, and is big enough to hold a passenger and things. I even got 32mpg on a 200 mile highway stint! Every drive is an occasion, and I’ve actually grown to appreciate the gearing, it really gives some satisfaction to getting to redline. Though, were it my choice, I’d definitely shorten it. 6th I actually find to be a bit short given 2nd maxes out at 81 mph

I have the 981 Boxster S with pdk, sport chrono, padm, pasm and pse. Sounds amazing. Brilliant car.

Excellent review on an excellent car! Just wish it could carry a spare! (actually the wheel you take off when you put a space saver spare on!) Keep it up - when’s your Top Gear interview?

After a LOT of research got myself a 987.2 Boxster S pretty recently and I have to say, it may well be the best sports car I've ever owned. And I've had a few.... I was also quite shocked how easy basic maintenance is, and by the quite reasonable insurance costs. Really, none of the used Boxster or Caymans can be beat right now for what you can get for pretty reasonable money.

I own a pretty identical spec'd Cayman S, with PDK, Sports Exhaust etc and LOVE it!!! The sound is insane, this vid doesn't do the sound quite the justice it needs. Loved the video still

I bought my 987.2 Cayman S PDK 9 months ago and I love it. I was really wanting the 981 but I picked up my car for about 15K (US) less than I would have had to spend on the 981. I prefer the looks of the 981, but my car seems magical at times. Sport Chrono is the real deal, especially on the track!

Had a 987 Cayman S. Sold if after three months. couldn't get on with the bone jarring ride (19's) driver seat back rest touched the bulkhead and squeaked all the time. Clutch bite point was very high and the brakes feel wooden. Now in a M240i and love it.

Great video 👍🏻 Thanks for sharing

I have a 2015 981 Cayman S and it is a car I'd like to keep a lot longer. I've owned a 2017 991 and I honestly like my Cayman S a little better. It has always bothered me a bit when I hear the term "poor man's Porsche". My 981 in 2015 cost $86k (hardly a poor man's car). I definitely prefer my 981 to the 718 and I've driven both the 718 Cayman and Boxster. They are quicker but I have a set of aftermarket headers paired with my Porsche Sport Exhaust and it is glorious not all farty like a 718. A GT3 does not sound much better. BTW, I am also a former Lotus owner. I once owned an 89 Esprit SE, then a 95 Esprit S4S and also a 1970 Europa S2. The Europa was modified with what was known as the Gordini engine and a couple of side draught Webers. Out of all of them the S4S was kinda like a starship for the day but I kept the Europa the longest because it was just so fun to drive on and off the track. I kept it until 2006 and wish I still owned it.

I have a 2014 981S, MT, PSE, PASM, Sport+, PTV, PDLS and I love driving the thing for any reason. Considered a 718S and I liked the increased torque but am sticking with the 981S for now.

Lookswise I would take this over the older Cayman - tauter shape especially at rear.

981 was the last great Cayman, F6 FTW

Not having driven one I have to go by the judgment of others, but the manual is apparently even longer geared than the PDK, and whilst it’s a slick box, you could probably drive a b-road and never really leave 2nd.

Great vid.

I’ve had two 981 Cayman S cars and while they were incredibly great handling cars, I felt they were quite underpowered. I have ordered the new GTS 4.0 Cayman so am hoping the extra horsepower and increased torque will really make it the perfect drivers’ car!

Aren't you hosting Top Gear Yet :) Great Vid as usual. Thx J

I owned a 987.2 S in 2018 and all I wanted was a 981 due to the shape. Yet, after selling the 987, I bought another 987.2 2.9 this year and I wouldn't change it for anything else. The shape in the last couple of years has become (to me at least) a modern classic. It's funny how over time the shape of a car can go from 'a bit last season' to 'wow, it's sooo nice.'

I'd go for a manual facelift 987 to keep the hydraulic steering

im thinking about buying a used 2015 gated boxster.... or 2013 if i can find a similar manual. thoughts?

Love and not selling my 981 GT4

My PDK 981s was a great all-rounder. The problem for me was that the combination of the gearing (even with PDK) the torque curve and the chassis means the car only really comes alive at license losing speeds. The manual has significantly higher gearing than PDK - 84vs70 in 2nd 115vs100 in third. It's an excellent manual box - but most of the gears are redundant too much of the time

I was lucky enough to own a 981 Cayman GTS for a couple of years, but the sensations (steering, acceleration and worst of all, suspension) were so woolly compared to my 987.2 Boxster S that I sold it and got a Cayman 987.2 S Black Edition. It's exactly what I was looking for!

Personally, I drive a 987 Cayman S quite often with a manual box, I feel like the base model might just give you a bit more fun on the road. On the track sure, but with the S you never really get to use most of what it has to offer. Torque is great, but I'd really like to wring it out a bit and the gear ratios really inhibit that as well - you're hitting over any sensible national limit at the top of 2nd gear which is a bit ridiculous

Great review (as always)! But this car sometimes sounds like a 718... strange. More importantly, who thinks it’s a good idea to shorten the gear ratios, given someone ultra-competent is doing it?

you can get Porsche's x-73 suspension kit!

The Cayman is a very tempting proposition, more practical and just as quick as a 911 and cheaper which always helps lol

Beautiful care

Porsche Cayman is the best option the Ur - Cayman 987 the last analog Porsche base engine or the 981 that are Porsche’s real sports cars not the 911 anymore it is small best design mid engine price reasonable and these cars will be future classics not the 911’s sorry but that’s how it is😉

Correction now in 2020 the 4.0L flat six cylinders is back in the 718.

I come from a 911. I love my 981 S more. Sorry 😏

where were you driving this time? Looked pretty nice. Caymans & Boxsters continue to get better, except for the engine note. The Taycan looks like it's most likely to be the new favourite Porsche, except for that price!!!

Have owned five 911s before buying my 981 seven years ago......just can't bear to part with it!

Never mind the flaws with the 981 cayman what a lovely shoot location shame you didn't do any drone footage

These cars drive very differently depending on spec, an X73 car is very different to the base suspension set up.

better than an evora NA 2011?

Where you got it not quite right is the Cayman is not less than 911. Money being no object, I’ll take Cayman experience every day.

Lennoxtown never looked so good 😁

Hi James, I was speaking to a Porsche Representative here in Australia a few months ago, and he basically assured me that the next generation of Boxster/Cayman would be reverting to a 6 cylinder. I assume turbo-charged.

It all boils down to money , in the idea world if I could afford it my 2 cars around the 30k mark would be a 3.4 981 boxster or cayman or a 997.2 , but for under half the price you can get a 987.2 3.4 boxster , the boxster are a few grand cheaper than the 987.2 cayman but you still get that lovely 3.4 9a1 dfi engine as used in the cayman 981 3.4 ... on a bit of a budget and want a reliable bargain Porsche ? Get the 987.2 3.4 for what you get they really great you can’t go wrong bang for buck as a great toy to have in the garage ...

Still waiting for you to take my 987 cayman s out!!

Nice review! That doesn’t sound like the sports exhaust though. It’s much louder and screams. Sounds like the standard exhaust.

Is that 2.7 or 3.4 ?

This is a great review thanks, of a car that anyone looking for a practical and pretty high performing sports car should look at. You mention the 987 several times and there is only a fairly small price gap now between a late model (2010-2012) low milage (35K-45K) 987.2 S and a slightly higher milage 2013/14 981 S. Would be great to see a follow-up review of a 987.2 and then an honest comparison between them. Styling will always be subjective and I agree with you that the 987.2 has a very cool shape, especially with spyder wheels and a good colour (white, dark grey esp.) But how about other more measurable differences; steering, chassis, performance, PDK changes between models etc. If you ever have time for this it would be a very interesting comparison. Thanks for all the great content you managed to keep pumping out during lockdown.

Great video as always, but question: which would you buy the 987 or the 981?

Sport chrono pack solves the suspension question with stiffer setting option!

What do you think of the steering feel on the 981 given its change to electric PAS - compared to the 987? I think the steering is possibly the only compelling reason (on paper that is) to consider the 987? Cheers.

I think the Cayman is an outstanding car; my complaint is why Porsche share's the same interior between it and and the 911? I understand economy of scale for profit, but these are different platforms and think there should be boundaries. That would create a stronger brand for each platform since each would maintain their own identity...my 02.

looks-wise i like the 2009-2012 version the best. 2013 onward was a step backward, IMO. the front, rear, side and roof. four swings.... four misses.

PASM would make it sexy-stiff. Love our 987 boxster S 6spd with PASM!

PDK for me. Manual meh been there done that.

I feel bad but..........I just wanted to see how Jay fits into the 981👍

Got a manual 987 Boxster here in California, and been tempted to switch to a 981 since I'm 6'5 and have to drive with my shoes off for the extra legroom (the 981 has a little more space!) - but the electric steering is a big downgrade from the hydraulic rack in the 987 in terms of feel. I think the 981 is the better daily, and the interior is far better, but the 987 is a more raw and involving weekend car. Didn't you promise a review of a 981 Boxster GTS at some point?

And just like that Porsche stick a 4.0 6 cylinder in the new 718 GTS

718 2.5T or older 3.4 cayman, please anyone who got knowledge explain why go for one or another model

981 is real sports car, 911 is just tourer because of RR

Why is there someone driving on the left seat 💺 ??????

The 718 is available with a 4.0 flat 6, is it ?

Why did you say the gearbox is the "wrong way round"? (3:00)

So Jay, what's a better car and more fun to drive, evora or Cayman?

God I need money NOW!!!

I'd like to point out that the car sounds much much better in real life. For whatever reason the mic here doesn't seem to be capturing as much of the pitch climb. The engine and exhaust note does climb to a 3rd pitch which is a pretty high pitch, and sounds like a baby Ferrari 458

981 Cayman GTS maybe

Got my 987.2 Cayman S and don’t need back seats

Never understood the model numbers to be honest they are all over the place

Nothing against the 911, but the 981 Cayman is the best Porsche Sports car.

It is a 911. It's actually a 911 RSR.

6:50 Doesn't Porsche still make a 6 cylinder Cayman or Boxster? Isn't it called the Cayman GT4.. I should have fact checked before I started writing.. damn..

The price for a good 981 is still in 997 territory

Just too expensive compared to the previous generation Boxters IMO.

There's an article from Autohaus Hamilton in Australia about the IMS. google “Autohaus Hamilton Porsche IMS” The article lists all the models and engines (with engine numbers) that are affected. "The Porsche models that are prone to IMS failure and should be replaced are: All 986 Boxster models. - 987 Cayman & Boxster models up to engine number 61504715 - All 996 models (not including: GT and Turbo models) - 997 3.6ltr with M96/05 up to engine number 6950745" Before 2000 Porsche used a double row IMS Bearing which had a low failure rate, then they switched to a single row until 2005 - 2006 and this single row has had the most problems. After 2005 - 2006 Porsche stayed with the single row but increased it's size and strength and this bearing has had the least problems of all three types of bearings used from 1997 to 2008. The upgraded bearing in the 997 and 987 is unserviceable, meaning you can't reach it unless you strip the entire engine down. Some of the early production 2005 - 2006 987 and 997 might have the pre-upgraded bearing fitted, that's why the engine numbers in the Autohaus article might be helpful in determining which type of IMS bearing is installed.

Hmm...

Truthfully if I ever was in the market for a Porsche. I would have a Cayman over a 911. I know am weird 🤦‍♀️

im gonna be the nob that writes first.. and now watch the video :)

Good video but did you really have to tear past the cyclist?

They’re great to drive but the looks leave me cold

981 S or M2 (2014 vs 2017)

I love the 981, but for today’s standards they’re overwhelmingly underpowered. The 987’s had good power for their time. These fell behind quickly. Still an amazing drivers car if you have a nice tight winding road

Ah The Campsies

Two people driving it

"the 981 is holding its money well" beware of the 718 touring coming with 6cyl, if they don't come overpriced (let's say in the 75-80k€ spot, no option), they will produce a noticeable price drop on the 981 market (we are not even talking about 718 4cyl owners...R.I.P). I was about to pull the trigger on a used Boxster 981S pdk (they have been steady above the 40k€ mark in EU for the last 5 years) but I think I will wait a bit now...

I want to get a 911 but I don’t want to get rid of my 981 Cayman S.

Soft side? No such thing for road use. Especially our roads... Give it air ride for me! I don't suppose that'll happen. ;-)

The base Cayman engine sounds better. Fight me.