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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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!
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.
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
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?
With 3 dogs and 2. cats its the 911 all day long , cant be leaving the kids at home . The cats stay at home but I bet the 911. would change all of that , they want what they cant have usually .
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.
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6:25 says it all , Cayman for me as the engine is in the right place!
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.
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.
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!
Rear boot in the Cayman is much more practical for luggage or shopping bags if you park it in a narrow garage.
997.1 with X51 package a stick and sport seats. PSE included in X51. Rare car but holds its value better and sounds amazing.
Cayman for me. Thank you guys for the great video.
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.
997 for me just iconic👍🏻
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
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.
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.
Lovely video, interesting how you had a predisposition not to like the cayman but ended up appreciating its charms. I’d be happy with either 👍
Has to be the 911 for me even in non S form
The cayman sounds amazing and a lot more modern. I can’t decide 😂. Great video guys.
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.
‘Our lass’ almost ‘wor lass’ haha. You have to be northern England.
@@ianrivaldosmith aye lad, Yorkshire born n bred 😂
997 all day ❤
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
997 for me. Far nice more iconic and better built.
I would go with the superior midship engine and enjoy the unfettered sound of the BoxEngine!
great vid, not sure which one I would have my head says 911 but my heart thinks Cayman!
The fact you both have a huge grin on your face makes me want to buy one 😂
Two great choices thats for sure.But the 911 will always get the nod because its a 911 the ultimate sportscar.
Hi Luke, just wondering what’s in your personal car collection? Would make a great video I think! Keep up the great work!
The iconic 911 for sure
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 😂
997 gen 2 all the way❤
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.
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
Agree with both … I’ve been undecided between the 997 & 981 S/GTS … and I think I’ll end up with the Cayman over a 997 although the 911 was my goal.
Enjoyable video but shows what a dilemma it is when comparing on a budget. Keeping with the £40k 911 theme; 997.2 or 996.1 turbo tiptronic?
Good video, pity about the wind noise which obliterated quite a lot of your narrative at several points throughout the video.
I searched to find out if carrera 997 is better one to have then a 981 boxster. After i watched this, its made it harder to decide
Sooty exhaust tail pipes on 2012, 991.1. What may be the issue?
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!
997 on looks alone
Get the 911 and fit a centre bypass 😍
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.
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
What would consider best… 997 Carrera S with tiptronic or Carrera with PDK?
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.
997 if occasional, cayman if daily. I have 997.1 and it would be v costly to daily. But its special, and i have other cars.
Is the average driver less likely to put the 911 in a ditch, with the Cayman's more friendly mid engined handling?
911 vs cayman it’s not even a comparison unless your old and desire comfort.
Either one would be a blessing, lets face it . Beggers aint choosers .
997.2 looks much classy than 981. Overall proportions are better, car feels more special. Performance wise 981 will be better but who cares.
The 981 is overall a better sports car considering handling, ride, noise etc…don’t be swayed by the perceived 911 kudos!
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?
With 3 dogs and 2. cats its the 911 all day long , cant be leaving the kids at home . The cats stay at home but I bet the 911. would change all of that , they want what they cant have usually .
997
Of these 2 id have the 911
Cayman all day long
997.2
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.
997
997