981 BOXSTER/CAYMAN S
The differences of opinion between professionals approaching the Porsche scene from different angles (e.g. sales, service and insurance) is what we set out to discover when canvassing the individuals we spoke to during the course of creating this issue of 911 & Porsche World. What we hadn’t anticipated was an almost unanimous vote of confidence in one particular model. With this in mind, it’s safe to assume the car in question, the 981 Boxster/cayman S, is the smartest place to put your money in 2023.
“You only have to look back at the past four years to see the 981 S, particularly the Cayman coupe variant, has treated its owners very well,” observes Rob
Langley, founder of Chichester-based Porsche sales centre, Harbour Cars. He goes on to offer sound advice regarding any Porsche purchase. “When it comes to buying a Stuttgart-crested car, you should think less about what it will cost to buy and more about how much you’ll lose during your time as owner. That’s the real cost of owning a Porsche. In this regard, an S-badged 981 is an excellent place to keep your cash safe. And, of course, these cars are brilliantly usable.”
He’s not alone in his critique of the 981 S twins. “If you can, ignore the 987 and dive straight into a 981 Cayman S,” smiles Ninemeister’s Peter Robinson. “We’ve yet to see an issue with the S model’s direct injection 3.4-litre flatsix, which is reassuring considering the model is now more than a decade old. These are really reliable, brilliantly competent cars and come with a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK transmission.” Close to 310bhp and 266lb-ft torque is on offer, as is top speed of 173mph.
“I’d opt for a Pdk-equipped 981 Cayman S,” Peter continues. “This configuration is excellent, not only for spirited backroad blasts, but also for everyday driving, should the car be used as a commuter. The 981 S sounds brilliant, too. Certainly, it’s bettersounding than the 718, which produces a comparatively dull noise, even with its exhaust valves open. If your money can go further, the 320bhp 981 Cayman GTS is the best all-rounder in the 981 range, but it’s a rare model and owners seldom want to sell up.”
Feeling flush? The 981 Boxster Spyder was unveiled at the 2015 New York Auto Show and was the lightest model in the Porsche product range at the car’s time of release. Powered by a 3.8-litre flat-six derived from the 991 Carrera S (incidentally, this engine is also used in the track-focused 981 Cayman GT4) developing just shy of 375bhp and topping out at 180mph, the 981 Spyder is a masterpiece of restraint, with all items surplus to requirements (air-conditioning, audio equipment, electrically operated folding roof, among other items) removed in the name of reducing weight, which was further achieved through the use of aluminium for the main body panels. Consequently, the 981 Boxster Spyder weighs thirty kilos less than the 981 Boxster GTS, even though the Spyder makes use of heavier chassis equipment.
For example, besides the bigger engine, the Spyder relies on six-piston front calipers and 991 Carrera S rear anchors to bring it to a halt. A limited-slip differential, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) and the 991 Turbo S’s quick steering rack are also present, the latter missing from the 981 Cayman GT4. With 2,486 981 Boxster Spyders assembled, you won’t have trouble finding one, but you’ll need to budget £70k, double what you’ll pay for a 981 Boxster/cayman S.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS
“Many 981s will be covered by Porsche Extended Warranty, but this doesn’t mean you’re looking at a good car, regardless of what the paperwork says,” offers 911 Virgin’s Tom Harris. “The cost of 981 S ownership is at the top end of where many buyers find themselves able to reach in Porsche’s legacy model range, but not all owners are then able to do justice to the maintenance regime these cars demand. They’re new enough to look great, but their quality can easily be diluted, especially with Porsche recommending service intervals of two years, affording less conscientious owners not planning to keep their Porsche for the long-term the excuse to not bother taking proper care of their car. It’s important to remember, however, not all owners are this carefree. And, if you buy from a reputable dealer known for only selling cars of premium quality, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”
Regular readers will know 911 & Porsche World photographer, Chris Wallbank, is the proud owner of the 981 Boxster S on these pages, bought privately earlier this year and now in fine company with his recently acquired 981 Cayman GT4, which you can read about on page 118. Both cars will be showcased in a forthcoming issue of the magazine, where Chris will be outlining his rationale for buying the GT4 — hot on the heels of a string of older Boxsters and 911s — and his subsequent ownership adventures. Watch this space! ●