I struggled with this exact decision for ~2 years (although I was looking at 996 911 vs 987 Cayman). In the end I went with the 911. The Cayman is better on paper - mid-engine, more spec per $, but in the end there was denying i had my heart set on a 911, perhaps especially as my first Porsche. I love it. I think Ollie hit it head on - Cayman is better as a daily but the 911 is more special. Next car will be a Panamera as my kids are young and I’m still driving them all over the place. Then maybe someday I’ll finally get a Cayman or an air-cooled. Great video gents.
Can't really go wrong with either. I know most people will say the 981 Cayman is objectively better, but I grew up dreaming of the 997, so it'd have to be that for me! Would definitely try to go 997.2 Carrera S manual though. Thanks for a very interesting couple of videos!
Interesting comparison. Just sold my 981 Cayman S for a 981 Cayman GT4 and like the idea of getting a 997.2 S as well for daily duties down the line. The Cayman S was phenomenal. Epic value for money!
I own both 997S manual and 981 PDK. 981 is just so easy to drive / throw in corners, good MPG, PDK is snappy, frunk/ trunk are super useful. 997 is so special, iconic, more analog, most importantly, it’s my dream car. I love them both.
Two videos and lots of info and it comes down to………….Spec! This is true and I try to explain it to people seeking their first Porsche. I search, sort, and choose mine on spec also. Thanks for your work on these cars. I’d 100% buy one from you guys. You do great work sorting them for their next owners. Cheers amigos
Wow, the Cayman appears much larger from the rear. Side by Side I prefer the stance of the Cayman much better and I not only like the curves but also the cabin noise as compared to the 911. I have owned a 911 turbo, C2 911 and a Boxster but I have never driven a Cayman. I cannot wait to get the chance! P.S. as mentioned by others, the exhaust of the Cayman is great.
Both great cars. I feel that you would still get more luggage in the 911 and possibly more people on short journeys. The Cayman will have better tech, mileage and sound etc but my dream car has always been a 911. So 911 it is for me. I’m aiming at one very soon and I can’t wait to own a piece of classic engineering that is a 911 997.2.
The Cayman is a belting car, but it’s 997.2 for me all day long. The 911 has been my favourite car since watching Condorman as a kid and I would love to own one some day. Plus with me and our lass up front, I need a seat for the dog, so the rears are spot on for that.
Great video series, here in the US market, a sorted 997.2 C2 base is in the $65-70K range and a 981 CS is in the $50-55K range so an easier decision for most. My P-car money went to a weekend/sunny day 987.2 BS with a high spec sheet for my local rural roads.
Thank you for a great video. I would love to see more videos like this one. Tough decision they are both great but I think if I were to have one as a daily driver it would have to be the Cayman for less maintenance. But as a second car - the 997.2 all day - with a stick
I’m lucky enough to have had owned a 997 C2S for 3 years back in the day, and subsequently a 981 Cayman GTS and now a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0. They’re all brilliant. But the Cayman is hands down a better car in every single way vs the 997, no contest (ahem, well backs seats aside and albeit my Caymans have been well spec’d). However it’s not a 911…. And for some people that makes a difference, fair enough, but you’ll be missing out.
makes no difference to those who appreciate a well engineered sports car, like yoh i’ve been in 997s and 991s but the cayman is everything i imagined the 911s should be
Oooooo…what a question to ask.! As much as the numbers 911 are the most iconic numbers in motoring history …given a pound to pound decision I think the Cayman could take it, especially on daily duties, I think it looks sleeker, more modern appearance and, yes let’s go there,..is cheaper to run.! However…the cheap plastics would definitely have to be specced out for leather and the 3 dials is a shame…but then again with all that said if I can’t get my Mrs and my Golden Retriever in it at the same time then it has to be the 997…and ‘no’ she won’t fit in any of the Cayman’s boots…that’s my Mrs I’m talking about not my dog 😂
Cayman if it’s proper daily do everything job, 997 if it’s used ‘mainly’ for weekends as it’ll need more maintenance being the older car. The Cayman did sound good though.
Arghhhhhhh who knows! I just knew there wouldn’t be a conclusion here, it’s just too difficult to call it. I have 996 C4S and I love it…..but sometimes you just want something a bit more modern…..so then it’s the Cayman, I hardly use the back seats but sometimes I do, so therefore it’s the 911…….and stick a PSE on it!
Had to laugh guys as after all that analysis you couldn't decide other than based on what options they had. I may be biased but I just think a 911 feels more special. I've had 2, Boxster Ss (987 & 981), so never had a Cayman but that's how I felt with them. Keep up the good work
You seam to forget that the 981 cayman s is just a detuned GTS and has the same engine. You can get the same 340b bhp as the GTS with an ECU upgrade. Also with FVD headers you get another 20 bhp giving the 981s 360bhp and also killing the 911 for performance. The 981S is throttled back not to hurt 911 sales.
Both great cars, but I think commentators are divided perhaps between those who've had a 911 and those haven't. I had a 993 -a great car and so well built, but my 981 Cayman S is a fantastic car and I think many 911 owners came to appreciate the Cayman more when they drove it.
911...it's classic. It's like owning a Leica...you just say Leica, you don't have to explain why...with the Cayman...it's a Porsche but I'd sit in it and think, hmm I wonder how a 911 would feel around this corner?
Wow can't believe you can't even decide between these 2 cars. For me the obvious choice would be the 911. The 997.2 is a special car for a lot of reasons, and they will surely be a well sought after relatively rare classic car. They will only appreciate in price while the Cayman is none of the above.
