tomscott said:Couple of observations on comparing the cars in question. I almost bought a 987 Cayman S before my Z4MR but it depends what type of guy you are. I like my cars a little bit more on the edge and the boxster and caymans are just fabulous, meaning they are really good, make you feel like a god driving them. Point it to an apex that's where it goes, but it’s so hard to step them out and have a bit of fun. I found them a bit sterile... but purposeful you can make ground very quickly in them but just a bit lacking. They also make power far further up the rev range compared to the S54 in the M, they make 80% of torque at 2500 rpm and get going quick but the 987s are more like 4.5k so you need to ring them a bit more to get the feel, driving around town they can feel quite slow and they drink fuel like no tomorrow, the Z4M I find is pretty good for its output and the 3.0SI is even better you could hit 40mpg on the motorway with it...
The Z4M in comparison feels like an axe murderer and wants to put you through a hedge backward on a damp road. Stepping it out is litteraly a flick of the throttle. It’s also harder to drive quickly on A and B roads you have to grab it by the scruff of the neck. I think because the Z4M was my first sportcar and they have quite a bit more power they 987 felt a bit underwhelming for me. The Z4 also feels a bit more modern the 996/7 were the first modern cars Porsches and the interiors and tech haven’t aged all that well IMO although you can put double din entertainment systems in with airplay etc.
The 997 is a bit more on edge and you know the engine is out the back and feels like a Z4M in the axe murdering department but the 911s just feel superior in every sense from a driving perspective.
The 987s have the kudos and are really purposeful from a handling and responsive nature, the gearbox is like a bolt action rifle hugely better than in the Z4 and they are fast just don’t really feel that quick which is a sign it’s a great car. Worth testing both and seeing what you think but really if it’s a Cayman S the Z4M coupe is a better comparison and IMO the Z4M would nick it slightly at this level. I would take a 981 over both and a 997 Carrera S over a 981
Hope this helps although a bit rambly, all are great cars really and you can't go wrong as with any used car purchase buying the best your budget allows will reduce money needed to spend and going in eyes open and get the PPI and worce case walk away.
Couple of pics
996 and 991
Porsche 911's, Yorkshire Porsche Festival, Lotherton Hall, Leeds by Tom Scott, on Flickr
Cracking post and pictures Tom. Enjoyed reading that. A little too much to quote the whole post back so just my favourite bits.
