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Porsche 987 vs 981 Cayman S
Pick the 981 for the newest car and the least engine worry, or a 987.2 for hydraulic steering without the IMS bearing design. Buy a 987.1 only after a clean specialist inspection.
| Spec | Porsche Cayman 987.1 SGuide | Porsche Cayman 987.2 SGuide | Porsche Cayman 981 SGuide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years | 2006 to 2008 | 2009 to 2012 | 2013 to 2016 |
| Engine | 3.4 L flat-six, naturally aspirated | 3.4 L flat-six, naturally aspirated | 3.4 L flat-six, naturally aspirated |
| Power | 295 hp | 320 hp | 325 hp |
| Torque | 340 Nm | 370 Nm | 370 Nm |
| 0 to 60 mph | 5.1 s | 4.9 s | 4.7 s |
| Manual | 6-speed, standard | 6-speed, standard | 6-speed, standard |
| Optional automatic | Tiptronic S 5-speed | PDK 7-speed | PDK 7-speed |
| US price today | $44k to $51k | $46k | $35k to $54k |
| Original US MSRP | $59,695 (2006) | $60,200 (2009) | $63,800 (2013) |
| Ownership risk | high | medium | medium |
| Main check | IMS bearing | General age and service wear | Rear-axle carrier recall |
US prices are Bring a Trailer and CLASSIC.COM sold results for manual cars, checked 2026-10-16. The 987.2 figure is based on one verified sale, so treat it as a single data point. Open this matchup in the full Compare tool for every row, Thailand prices and sources.
Go deeper
- Full comparison with every row, Thailand prices and sources
- Porsche 987 guide and Porsche 981 guide
- Cayman common problems and the IMS bearing guide
- Manual Car Finder to see every manual Porsche in your budget