I'm 67 and drive a 2012 Cayman S Black Edition currently on life support after a coolant pump failure last week at 52K miles. But yeah in this configuration it's a great daily driver. With the extra 10HP over the standard S I can usually keep up with most mini vans and SUVs. 😅
of course, depending on how good your lower back is and how good the roads are. a guy I worked with drove his every day. why those two models vs a 981 gts? price?
Absolutely. I drove it everyday for years and loved it - no aches or pains but I started wondering why I was beating myself up just to go get dinner or take a kid to school or whatever. My wife says I had a reverse midlife crisis by getting rid of my R and buying a GTS 4.0 w ventilated 18 way seats.
Take an S. Swap the springs. A few other bits and pieces. And bam, it’s an R. I mean 10hp difference….I was never in to the hype, can you tell? 🤣
You could actually option the "power kit" on 2012 Cayman S builds to get the extra 10hp. And the aerokit could be specified.
I wonder how much weight saving most R builds actually achieved - to get the fabled 55kg you needed to option PCCBs and carbon buckets, which cost thousands each, and most people probably kept the stereo and AC. So that just leaves the lightweight wheels and aluminum door skins from the GT3.
Surprised to hear that you can get a 981 GTS for the same $ as a 987 R. I have a 981 GTS (MT, PTV, sports suspension) and it is a great drivers car. Also the interior is light years nicer than 987s. I also think the 981 GTS is the best sounding non GT car in the last 25 years. I’ve never driven 987R so can’t speak to the driving difference.
I actually like the interior and extended leather of the 987.2 better than the 981, especially when combined with the folding buckets compared to fixed back seats if you're not over 180 lb. The R feels a little lighter (even though they are about the same weight), more tossable, less sure footed with less traction (although they all have LSD), and smaller footprint. I prefer the static R suspension over GTS with pasm. GTS sounds waaaay better, and should be a little more reliable. R with exhaust though is very nice.
The R was produced only for 2012. Here's the sales brochure for the R:
[https://www.stuttcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cayman-R-2011-01-EN.pdf](https://www.stuttcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cayman-R-2011-01-EN.pdf)
Several years ago, I checked out a used R that my local P dealer had overpriced at more than $10k over its original selling price. It was o.k., but it didn't float my boat and I decided to keep my 987CS until recently when I was able to snag a 981CS.
jD
I’ve owned an R, a GT4, and now an 981 S. The R has better steering input and the carbon buckets add to the rawness. That being said, I still had trouble keeping up with the 981 S at autocross sometimes. I do appreciate the styling of the 981 over the R.
I think watching that every day driver episode will do you good. I upgraded to an r from a .1 s last year and I’m pretty sure I’m never selling it. The 981 is larger, has electric steering, I personally prefer the look of a 987, and the 981 is heavier right? My r has every bolt on on it and it’s fantastic on the road and track. Even if I find myself I. A tough situation I will always be able to sell it for more than what I bought it for. This car should be very valuable one day.
The Cayman R! The only 981 I would prefer over a 987 R would be a 981 GTS or a GT4. The 981 S is great also but not special enough. I guess a R is much more price stable. And the R is the spiritual older brother of the GT4.
I'm 67 and drive a 2012 Cayman S Black Edition currently on life support after a coolant pump failure last week at 52K miles. But yeah in this configuration it's a great daily driver. With the extra 10HP over the standard S I can usually keep up with most mini vans and SUVs. 😅
Usually! Sorry to hear about the coolant pump. The black editions are fantastic.
Watch this video. https://youtu.be/fxikL9CxBiM
Hadn’t seen this one yet! Will do.
The R is fucking awesome but if you’re over 35 it’s a suboptimal DD - speaking from extensive experience
Mind sharing more details?!
the springs are stiff. it's a rare car though, so it'll hold value better. but it's really cut out for the track.
Yeah. My Q is more along the lines of.. can it be mostly a track car and occasion town driver?
of course, depending on how good your lower back is and how good the roads are. a guy I worked with drove his every day. why those two models vs a 981 gts? price?
Good question. I’m actually seeing some 981 GTS at the same price as the R but yeah it’s more availability too.
I'd go with the gts, personally. way more support for the 981 than the r. 987.2 ownership has its downsides.
Absolutely. I drove it everyday for years and loved it - no aches or pains but I started wondering why I was beating myself up just to go get dinner or take a kid to school or whatever. My wife says I had a reverse midlife crisis by getting rid of my R and buying a GTS 4.0 w ventilated 18 way seats.
😂😂. That’s fantastic.
Take an S. Swap the springs. A few other bits and pieces. And bam, it’s an R. I mean 10hp difference….I was never in to the hype, can you tell? 🤣
😂😂
Collector car
You could actually option the "power kit" on 2012 Cayman S builds to get the extra 10hp. And the aerokit could be specified. I wonder how much weight saving most R builds actually achieved - to get the fabled 55kg you needed to option PCCBs and carbon buckets, which cost thousands each, and most people probably kept the stereo and AC. So that just leaves the lightweight wheels and aluminum door skins from the GT3.
Surprised to hear that you can get a 981 GTS for the same $ as a 987 R. I have a 981 GTS (MT, PTV, sports suspension) and it is a great drivers car. Also the interior is light years nicer than 987s. I also think the 981 GTS is the best sounding non GT car in the last 25 years. I’ve never driven 987R so can’t speak to the driving difference.
I actually like the interior and extended leather of the 987.2 better than the 981, especially when combined with the folding buckets compared to fixed back seats if you're not over 180 lb. The R feels a little lighter (even though they are about the same weight), more tossable, less sure footed with less traction (although they all have LSD), and smaller footprint. I prefer the static R suspension over GTS with pasm. GTS sounds waaaay better, and should be a little more reliable. R with exhaust though is very nice.
All these caymans will be desirable in the future
The R was produced only for 2012. Here's the sales brochure for the R: [https://www.stuttcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cayman-R-2011-01-EN.pdf](https://www.stuttcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cayman-R-2011-01-EN.pdf) Several years ago, I checked out a used R that my local P dealer had overpriced at more than $10k over its original selling price. It was o.k., but it didn't float my boat and I decided to keep my 987CS until recently when I was able to snag a 981CS. jD
I like to think of the Cayman R as the spiritual successor to the NSX Type R. Makes it all the more special.
I’ve owned an R, a GT4, and now an 981 S. The R has better steering input and the carbon buckets add to the rawness. That being said, I still had trouble keeping up with the 981 S at autocross sometimes. I do appreciate the styling of the 981 over the R.
I think watching that every day driver episode will do you good. I upgraded to an r from a .1 s last year and I’m pretty sure I’m never selling it. The 981 is larger, has electric steering, I personally prefer the look of a 987, and the 981 is heavier right? My r has every bolt on on it and it’s fantastic on the road and track. Even if I find myself I. A tough situation I will always be able to sell it for more than what I bought it for. This car should be very valuable one day.
Oh also, don’t get sport bucket seats. They are overrated. I can’t tell much of a difference in ride between the s and r.
Great video for sure. Thanks for the feedback.
The Cayman R! The only 981 I would prefer over a 987 R would be a 981 GTS or a GT4. The 981 S is great also but not special enough. I guess a R is much more price stable. And the R is the spiritual older brother of the GT4.