Ready to take the plunge (into Porsche)

[mfarrzhp]

It’s been a really good 2025 and I’m finally ready to get a 3rd car. I daily a 2024 GLI and the M2 CS is my weekend car. I really enjoy both, love the M2 and won’t sell it anytime soon.

However, I’ve had the itch to get a lightweight (sub 3400lbs) true 2 seat sports car as a 3rd car, and Porsche seems to be the logical choice. Budget up to $125K, but just under $100K would be better for my wife.

I’ve driven a 996 Turbo anf 997.2 GT3 extensively. I’m kicking myself for not buying the GT3 from my uncle when I had the chance 5 years ago.

My top choices are (manual only):
981 GTS
718 GTS 4.0
997.2 S
981 GT4
991 S
991 T

If price were slightly out of the equation:
997 GTS (would be #1 if not for price)
718 GT4 or Spyder

I want European or Japanese, so the only other cars I can think of are:
NSX with miles
Emira
R8 V8 6MT (maybe a bit heavy)?

Am I missing anything (in the US)?

Any expert insight or experience would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

[baege]

this is a good dilemma to have!

I have thought about many of these cars and owned/driven some of them.

as a 3rd car, I think I lean towards the 981GT4.
best manual out of any of the others
best stock sound out of any of the options
will hold its value better than any of the others other than the R8
has that specialness you want in a 3rd car

I had a GTS 4.0 and its a great car but just maybe not special enough to be a 3rd car, more of a do it all kind of sports car

driving the 981 Gt4 will be an event every time, especially if you get it with the buckets and it looks special

Emira obviously looks special and offers an event every time you drive it and as a 3rd car you dont have to worry as much about potential issues but for me I am not a fan of supercharger whine and that engine just isn't as special as the 981 GT4's naturally aspirated flat six

The R8 also is in the run, convert it to rwd and you may have a winner there, gated is special and the V8 sounds amazing with the right exhaust, the Gt4 edges it slightly for me due to its smaller size and weight, but if you remove the awd stuff, the weight becomes quite similar

If I were you, I would drive the R8, Emira and GT4 back to back and you will know

keep us posted on the process!

[Alfisti]

There's a lot to pull apart here.

1) Do you need back seats for the kiddos? That right there will limit your choice. IMHO the 911 always looks better than the cayman which to me always looks like it has two front ends. But it is far more affordable and a bit more tossable.

2) 997/987 vs 991/981, these are VERY VERY different cars. The 997 still feels very analog, less refined experience and more a traditional sports car feel, the 991 starts to veer a touch more livable so to speak. YOu need to drive both, wife will prefer the 991.

3) 997 GTS is a great car, I am a huge fanboy but the prices are stupid now, they make no sense.

4) Consider a cab for something different given you already have a sporty DD

5) I would defiantly test drive an Emira, they really look the part and will be last of breed

6) Remember you need a bore scope on the NA Porsche engines, especially the larger capacity ones

[slilley]

If you have the $$, I'd advise any automotive enthusiast to own a 911 at least once in their lifetime. Mine was a 997.2 C2S 6-speed. Yes, the newer 911s have grown bigger and heavier, but they are still special, imho!

Now I've got a '22 718 CGTS 4.0 with PDK - it was my first non-manual car purchase in my life! I've got a bad left knee that will need replacement at some point, but the PDK is magical at the track or autocross. I'm a convert.

I'll probably be back in a 911 at some point, but the new-car prices have gotten irresponsible - so who knows. I could see myself keeping the Cayman for 16 years, which is my current record for new-car ownership (a 2004 330i ZHP). Good luck with your decision!

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

It’s been a really good 2025 and I’m finally ready to get a 3rd car. I daily a 2024 GLI and the M2 CS is my weekend car. I really enjoy both, love the M2 and won’t sell it anytime soon.

However, I’ve had the itch to get a lightweight (sub 3400lbs) true 2 seat sports car as a 3rd car, and Porsche seems to be the logical choice. Budget up to $125K, but just under $100K would be better for my wife.

I’ve driven a 996 Turbo anf 997.2 GT3 extensively. I’m kicking myself for not buying the GT3 from my uncle when I had the chance 5 years ago.

My top choices are (manual only):
981 GTS
718 GTS 4.0
997.2 S
981 GT4
991 S
991 T

If price were slightly out of the equation:
997 GTS (would be #1 if not for price)
718 GT4 or Spyder
s!

I've owned a 997.2 Turbo S and a 991.1 Carrera S. Turbo S is PDK (only way it comes) and Carrera S was manual.

I would avoid a 991.1 with the manual. The gearing is super long. Yes people say it's an overblown internet Meme, but it's honestly one of the reasons I sold the car. Plus the .1 7 speed shifter is....shite. I replaced mine with the GT4.

A 997 GTS is honestly a bit overblown. I drove one and was underwhelmed.

A 997.2 S is pretty sweet. But at this age the infotainment is ancient and you're looking at lots of sticky knobs and scratched center console soft plastics. So budget accordingly. But that 6 speed and that early 3.8 is soooo nice.

You could definitely get a 981 Spyder with your budget. Heck up to $125k you could probably find a pretty nice 718 Spyder too. I would really like to own a 718 Spyder once the college bills stop but unfortunately they just started, lol.

A 991 T is really, really nice. I almost bought one instead of my 997 Turbo S but thought that I had already done the 991 thing and wanted something older. Well, TBH, if I had bought the 991.2 T I probably would still own it. See if you can get one with PCCB's, the standard brakes are a bit weedy. And then tune it and have some serious fun! I like the 3.0 turbo engine, personally. I think it sounds pretty good and with an exhaust sounds better than the 4.0 from the GTS / GT4 / Spyder. That engine sounds a little.....flatulent. But the Carrera T has the "special sauce" that you must drive to appreciate. It would be my choice if you have some curvy roads. IMO, the 991.2 is a HUGE improvement over the .1. As I said I owned a .1 and drove many .1's including some GTS's and even a few GT3's. The .1 is a sea change from the 997....first real VAG influenced Porsche. The 997 feels like an original Porsche. The 991 feels more modern. The engine moved forward, and the manual is a PDK with a manual shifter. First generation of Electric Power Steering. It took them a good while before they got the recipe fully baked. The 3.8 in the 991.1 sounds great but all the power is up top (I think peak TORQUE is over 5,000) and the gearing is just stupid tall.

So yeah, I have thoughts, lol.

The important thing to understand about Porsche if you haven't owned one before (besides the maintenance being expensive) is that there really are material differences between the models. "On paper" the differences between the models look small but there are always changes to things like suspension kinematics and geometry that make the feel of the car very different. So definitely recommend a test drive of anything you are buying.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

It’s been a really good 2025 and I’m finally ready to get a 3rd car. I daily a 2024 GLI and the M2 CS is my weekend car. I really enjoy both, love the M2 and won’t sell it anytime soon.

However, I’ve had the itch to get a lightweight (sub 3400lbs) true 2 seat sports car as a 3rd car, and Porsche seems to be the logical choice. Budget up to $125K, but just under $100K would be better for my wife.

I’ve driven a 996 Turbo anf 997.2 GT3 extensively. I’m kicking myself for not buying the GT3 from my uncle when I had the chance 5 years ago.

My top choices are (manual only):
981 GTS
718 GTS 4.0
997.2 S
981 GT4
991 S
991 T

If price were slightly out of the equation:
997 GTS (would be #1 if not for price)
718 GT4 or Spyder

I want European or Japanese, so the only other cars I can think of are:
NSX with miles
Emira
R8 V8 6MT (maybe a bit heavy)?

Am I missing anything (in the US)?

Any expert insight or experience would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

For me it would 911 or R8 V10. If you don't get a 911 you will always be looking at them and wanting one.

S trim is the price : performance sweet spot with Porsche. I would not buy a base Porsche of any model. There are too many options that are not chosen on base models. It is possible to find S-trim cars with nearly every option available which makes for a great car at a palatable price. My Cayenne S is that way - heavy option content but without the V8 price premium of a GTS or Turbo.

With a $125k budget you have a lot of choices, including 992, if a manual is not required (I realize you are focused on manuals). For a manual at $125k or less you are looking at 991.2 and older, with some less desirable color combinations in the new listings.

finder.porsche.com is the place to shop

[mfarrzhp]

Great feedback so far. Thanks! My kids are teens and I have the GLI and wife’s X5 M50i if we need to all travel together, so no backseat necessary.

Good to know the 997 GTS is not worth the price. Unless I get a PDK, it will be over my budget. Which, I’ve considered doing a PDK since I already have 2 manuals in the garage and can save 20-30% or more on certain models.

I was unaware of the long gearing of the 991.1. I heard the gearing of the GT4 was too long for some.

There is a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 local to me at a dealer for a really fair price. I’ll probably go test drive it this weekend.

I do feel like if I get a GTS, I’ll end up wanting the GT4 at some point.

I’m okay with a cab living in FL, but not a fan of 911 cabs, and I think I’d only want the Boxster in Spyder format.

Maybe I should narrow it to Cayman GTS, GT4, Boxster Spyder or 991 S or T?

Any reason besides backseats and cache for wanting a 911 over a Cayman? Sound? Interior materials? I really don’t care what others think about my cars.

As cool as the Emira and R8 are, I just have this irrational desire to own a Porsche.

[mfarrzhp]

Originally Posted by slilley

If you have the $$, I'd advise any automotive enthusiast to own a 911 at least once in their lifetime. Mine was a 997.2 C2S 6-speed. Yes, the newer 911s have grown bigger and heavier, but they are still special, imho!

Now I've got a '22 718 CGTS 4.0 with PDK - it was my first non-manual car purchase in my life! I've got a bad left knee that will need replacement at some point, but the PDK is magical at the track or autocross. I'm a convert.

I'll probably be back in a 911 at some point, but the new-car prices have gotten irresponsible - so who knows. I could see myself keeping the Cayman for 16 years, which is my current record for new-car ownership (a 2004 330i ZHP). Good luck with your decision!

Great taste in cars. I also had a 2004 ZHP and it was my longest ownership, which is now tied with my CS.

I’ll probably test drive a PDK car as well. I’ve only driven PDK in a 2025 Macan S, and that car was underwhelming for $100K in 2 days I spent with it, but the transmission was great. It was also brand new during break in so I couldn’t really let it rip.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

If you're considering a 997 why not a 987? As was already said, the 9x7 to 9x1 was a big change, moving from hydraulic to electric steering, more tech and comfort and less sportiness. A 987.2 is the "holy-grail" of Caymans, with the newer engines not suffering from IMS bearing issues but still very old school. If you can find a 987 Cayman R you'd have a very special car.

As was also said, since this is a third car (and you already have a fixed top fun car in the M2), why not consider a convertible? A Boxster or a 911 cab. Greatly depends on your preferences and use case, of course.

What is your use case? Will you track this car? Canyon carve with it? Seeing you're in Florida which is not known for twisty roads or an abundance of tracks.

Finally, have you considered (heavily) modding a lower tier car like a Miata or a BRZ/GR86? Or an older, much more hardcore option like an Elise? Your budget would obviously gravitate to the higher MSRP cars, but you might have more fun in a less obvious choice.

[Efthreeoh]

The 3,400-pound, manual-transmission American-brand choice is obviously a C7 Corvette.

[maticCRO]

Regarding GT4 Cayman, my brother has 718GT4 for two years almost, and I drove that car for at least 800miles in the last year. If you are looking for a car to track, to go to a coffee Shop on the weekend or something similar, i would say, it makes sense, and you can enjoy your time.
BUT, if you plan to drive the car pretty much every day, around town, under ground garages, bad roads with bumps and so on, you should know that:
1) as far as i know, there is no Porsche OEM lift system for that car, and since stock clearance is about 8-9cm(~3.5inches), you will scrape your splitter all the time /not be able to park it in any garage pretty much. I know there is an after market lift kit here in EU, costing a few thousand, but my brother didnt install it because, as he says, "it would ruin his Porsche warranty"... Car is literally Lower than most of Ferraris and Lambos, i really dont know why they did it so LOW.
2) Ride stifness-car is super stiff, even when you are not in sport mode, so if you have a lot of those speed bumps like we have here in our city (some areas literally one every 100m),your butt/Lower back will take a beating. He has CF buket seats, that are awesome looking and they hold you perfectly, but are also super stiff, hard to get in /out since the car is super low to the ground, and zero adjustability, you can just slide them forward /backwards.

Dont get me wrong, when you hit the canyon roads or Autobahn, car is super capable and planted, hits 305kmh with no effort, sounds is phenomenal both inside and outside (4.0L right behind your back that spins to 8000rpm)... Just wanted you to know this stuff before buying OP
For what its worth, i remember when the first cayman gen came out, UKs Evo magazine (news paper) literally said "Oh, Porsche made a great mistake, they built a car that costs less than a 911 and is Lower in their hierarchy, but is maybe even more capable platform than 911"...
Anyway, good luck finding a car that fits you, keep us posted, I am really curious which one you will pick.

[mfarrzhp]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

If you're considering a 997 why not a 987? As was already said, the 9x7 to 9x1 was a big change, moving from hydraulic to electric steering, more tech and comfort and less sportiness. A 987.2 is the "holy-grail" of Caymans, with the newer engines not suffering from IMS bearing issues but still very old school. If you can find a 987 Cayman R you'd have a very special car.

As was also said, since this is a third car (and you already have a fixed top fun car in the M2), why not consider a convertible? A Boxster or a 911 cab. Greatly depends on your preferences and use case, of course.

What is your use case? Will you track this car? Canyon carve with it? Seeing you're in Florida which is not known for twisty roads or an abundance of tracks.

Finally, have you considered (heavily) modding a lower tier car like a Miata or a BRZ/GR86? Or an older, much more hardcore option like an Elise? Your budget would obviously gravitate to the higher MSRP cars, but you might have more fun in a less obvious choice.

I don’t like the 987 styling as much as the 981 for some reason. The Cayman R looks really good, but they are as much or more than the 981 GTS form the little research I’ve done and I like the 981 interior a lot better.

There is a small new membership track in Tampa and Sebring is just over an hour from me. Realistically, I’d get out once per year. I would consider some longer road trips to the Carolinas, which would make me lean more towards the S/GTS/T with miles so I’m not tanking the resale. I think this will be more of a cars and coffee, run some errands, and occasional road trip car.

I have considered both the GR86 and the Elise. I drove an Elise way back in the day, but on a straight highway so I didn’t get a good feel for it. They look like a lot of fun, but I also want a car that I just admire in my garage when it’s not being driven (like my M2) and those cars don’t really check that box for me.

I seem to be going towards the 981 GTS or 991 T as I respond to this great feedback. I need to test drive to confirm.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

Any reason besides backseats and cache for wanting a 911 over a Cayman? Sound? Interior materials? I really don’t care what others think about my cars.

IMHO they just look 1000 times better. The arse end in particular is fantastic, especially the 997. The Cayman looks like it has two front ends, it's weird, and I don't like the little side gills.

Someone mentioned infotainment above, other than "you gotta be kidding me" there's a ton of aftermarket and OEM ($$$$) solutions to the infotainment "problem". IMHO you buy these cars because there is no fucking annoying tech but that's just me.

[M2CSDaily]

I own a m2 CS and owned three Porsches before, and driven many. The comments above are spot on. The 997 GTS is severely overrated and the interior is really dated. 991 and 981 gt4 manual gear ratios are really bad and part of the reason I sold. The engine also has weird power drop in the mid rpm range (search reenlist, well documented). The NA 911s sound more exciting than they actually are, very boring to drive on the street. I don’t think the 911 T will offer anything over your M2 CS. I would go 718 gt4 or a z06 (c6/c7 or c8 depending on what you want). The z06s of those generations are insane and feel incredible to drive. I love my M2 CS and no interest in going back to Porsche anytime soon

[mfarrzhp]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

IMHO they just look 1000 times better. The arse end in particular is fantastic, especially the 997. The Cayman looks like it has two front ends, it's weird, and I don't like the little side gills.

Someone mentioned infotainment above, other than "you gotta be kidding me" there's a ton of aftermarket and OEM ($$$$) solutions to the infotainment "problem". IMHO you buy these cars because there is no fucking annoying tech but that's just me.

I really like the look of the 981, but you’re right the 997 and 991 look better. Again, not for others but for myself when I’m washing cars in the weekend or just walking back to my car from a quick, small grocery run.

Here is the car I’m considering to test drive: 718 GTS

[baege]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

I seem to be going towards the 981 GTS or 991 T as I respond to this great feedback. I need to test drive to confirm.

do you mean 981 or 718 GTS?

I am with you on the looks of the 981 and 718 over the 987

I would go NA cayman over turbo 911 (911T is turbo) any day, you already have an amazing turbo car in the CS, you should have a great NA engine as a different experience...unless you really like turbos!

[mfarrzhp]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The 3,400-pound, manual-transmission American-brand choice is obviously a C7 Corvette.

My 75 year old uncle with a bad left knee has a C7 Z06 manual. He lives exactly 1 mile away and encourages me to drive it whenever I can since he has trouble with it. Better than owning a C7! It is a really fun car, but it’s a handful.

[mfarrzhp]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

I really like the look of the 981, but you’re right the 997 and 991 look better. Again, not for others but for myself when I’m washing cars in the weekend or just walking back to my car from a quick, small grocery run.

Here is the car I’m considering to test drive: 981 GTS

Originally Posted by baege

do you mean 981 or 718 GTS?

I am with you on the looks of the 981 and 718 over the 987

I would go NA cayman over turbo 911 (911T is turbo) any day, you already have an amazing turbo car in the CS, you should have a great NA engine as a different experience...unless you really like turbos!

Good catch. I’ve been looking at a bunch of listings and forgot this one was a 718. I generally like the front end of the 981 a little better than the 718 (non GT4), but it just works with that blue and bonus there is still some warranty on it.

My local Porsche dealer has a 3K mile 2025 718 GTS, but they want like $123K. It does have carbon buckets, but it also has gold/bronze wheels. I love the gold on my CS, but the darker gold on gentian blue just doesn’t look right to me.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

My 75 year old uncle with a bad left knee has a C7 Z06 manual. He lives exactly 1 mile away and encourages me to drive it whenever I can since he has trouble with it. Better than owning a C7! It is a really fun car, but it’s a handful.

Tell him to get his knee replaced. I was driving my manual cars just two weeks after surgery. It's "really good physical therapy" as my surgeon quoted.

[eliphil]

I own a 2019 Z06 M7 and love it. The handling isn’t as good as the 911 GTS which was a contender for me but the Z06 fun factor is off the charts. Six years later I love it

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by mfarrzhp

I really like the look of the 981, but you’re right the 997 and 991 look better. Again, not for others but for myself when I’m washing cars in the weekend or just walking back to my car from a quick, small grocery run.

Here is the car I’m considering to test drive: 718 GTS

Only issues I see with this particular car is that it has raised PASM suspension, not SPASM, and 14-way seats. 18-way or 2-way Sport Seats Plus have better bolsters.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Someone mentioned infotainment above, other than "you gotta be kidding me" there's a ton of aftermarket and OEM ($$$$) solutions to the infotainment "problem". IMHO you buy these cars because there is no fucking annoying tech but that's just me.

I mentioned it. I mentioned it not because it's a deal breaker but because if you want any modern conveniences, you need to plan on some $$ for aftermarket.

For instance in my 997, I needed an aftermarket module just to be able to play music from my phone. I'm not talking about adding car play. But even though I still have about 300 CD's, the changer only holds 6.....