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Been looking to pull the trigger on a 981 Cayman S for track and weekend fun, but the market has been slim to find the right example. Some close, but just not everything I want and then I did strike a deal and before I could do the PPI the guy sold it out from under me, so I've started the search again. In expanding the 'shopping' I'm finding that that 781 Cayman S has dropped in price to close to the 981 variant, so have started to re-think the target car.
Anyone here have experience with both platforms on the track and able to provide any thoughts. I have wanted to shy away from the Turbos of the 781 and get back into the flat 6 world for the linear feel and better exhaust sound, but just wondering if I should re-consider.
I haven’t experienced the 718 version but can give a hearty stamp of approval on the 981 CS for track duty. It’s worth the wait finding a 981 IMO. Good luck on your search.
I haven’t experienced the 718 version but can give a hearty stamp of approval on the 981 CS for track duty. It’s worth the wait finding a 981 IMO. Good luck on your search.
Same here. No experience with the 718 but plenty with the 981, which is a great track car. They're out there and you will find one. Make sure it has PSE, SC, and PTV, which is harder to find but I had it.
I haven’t experienced the 718 version but can give a hearty stamp of approval on the 981 CS for track duty. It’s worth the wait finding a 981 IMO. Good luck on your search.
No doubt. I'm on my 2nd. In the right hands, it's a freakin blast on the track. You can fling it around. Soooooooooooo much fun!!
The below thread would turn me off from ever buying a 718 S as a track car. I had a 981 GTS and it was fantastic. You might also want to consider a 987.2 S, as that is my track car now, and it’s performance is near identical to the 981 at a much lower price point.
The 981 is much more refined from an interior standpoint, so depends on what you are looking for on the weekends. But as a pure track car, the lap time difference between 987.2 and 981 is basically non-existent.
This thread would turn me off to ever buying a 718 S as a track car. I had a 981 GTS and it was fantastic. You might also want to consider a 987.2 S, as that is my track car now, and it’s performance is near identical to the 981 at a much lower price point.
As for the 987, I think the 981 is a better built and more reliable track car, especially when modified. I see a lot of track folks with issues in their 987's (not always big issues) that I don't have in my 981S. I am on my 2nd 981S.
I think Porsche hit a Home Run with either platform for the track. 987 is def cheaper for sure.
As for the 987, I think the 981 is a better built and more reliable track car, especially when modified. I see a lot of track folks with issues in their 987's (not always big issues) that I don't have in my 981S. I am on my 2nd 981S.
I think Porsche hit a Home Run with either platform for the track. 987 is def cheaper for sure.
My GTS was definitely more reliable, but it was also six years newer and had 60k less miles on it, so I think that’s not entirely unexpected and part of the reason for a lower price. Another factor to consider (but hopefully never realize) is body repair work is much lower cost on the 987.2 due to the body panels not being aluminum.
My GTS was definitely more reliable, but it was also six years newer and had 60k less miles on it, so I think that’s not entirely unexpected and part of the reason for a lower price. Another factor to consider (but hopefully never realize) is body repair work is much lower cost on the 987.2 due to the body panels not being aluminum.
My first 981S met her maker at The Glen some years back.
I didn't think it was a total, but the insurance company said it was, so that was the end of that car.
I am still hoping some track nut bought her at auction somewhere and fixed her all up and is tracking the hell out of her right now.
Research the turbo heat soak issues with the 718s. The S seems to have more problems than the base or GTS. I believe Suncoast finally solved their race 718S overheating issues after many mods by removing under panels With the 981 GTS you get the third radiator which IMO is a must with a PDK. Some upgrade the heat exchanger to a GT4 or GT3 version and add additional PDK cooling. I've not needed it on my 2013 BS PDK, SC, PASM, PTV. PTV is an option on the 981s and standard on the 718 GTS. As stated an 09-12 987.2 S is another option. I started with a 09 base (2.9l) PDK. The S have the same 3.4l engine. They have hydraulic steering which is often converted to electric. Power steering pump overheats on the track. The 987.2s PDKs have a PDK cooler, but not a diff cooler which the 981/718s have. At minimum they will all need adjustable LCAs and/or camber plates for front negative camber. The 981 GT4, manual only, has all of these upgrades. The 718 GT4 is also available with a PDK but both are $$$$,
Stealing a line I just read. You need to decide if you want a street car you can take to the track, or a track car you can drive on the street. I have resisted adding LWBS (race seats) and 6 way harness leaving my 18 way sofas while wearing a hybrid HANS. Like okie I plan on converting my BS back to street when I retire from the track, which right now is just an alignment.
dgrob can give you advice on a trailer, tow vehicle and multi-event insurance.
718 Cayman S owner here with 30 track days on it, one of my close track buddies runs a 981 GTS. I love my car, and bought it new in 2018 without ever thinking about the track. I am now hooked. Knowing what I know now, if I were buying at this time and intending to track, I would go for the 981. The biggest issue for me is the lack of linearity with the 2.5 T4 power delivery - it's a harder car to drive smoothly for a beginning/intermediate driver.
- The heat soak issue with the 718S is real but very infrequent. I would consider it a minor point against it and it appears that an easy, cheap cure (an appropriately placed piece of heat shielding) is imminent.
- The sound is very personal - I find them both enjoyable, just different. The only noise I find tiresome is the endless debate about this.
- The 718, being a turbo car, can be easily tuned + 100 HP for about $1500 if that's a plus for you. I'm keeping mine stock in the (hopefully) interest of longevity.
I had heat soak on ignition coil #5 a couple times because the headers are closest to that solenoid.
In went the heat shield and problem solved.
The headers we put in run hotter than the cats we took out, and that’s what triggers the misfires. Limp mode does indeed suck.
This just came up on my FB feed. I have no knowledge but if the PPI checks out, the price is good.
Price is because of the mileage, but if it’s never been tracked, should be good to go.
It’s an S and it has Chrono/Sport+.
Check for track marbles on the underside. Buy it stock. Modify and track it. Put it back to stock and sell it before it blows up…lol.
03-08-2023, 08:35 AM
981 CS or 718 CS
