Half the fun for me is working on these cars... what fun would it be if you just drove it and washed it; Ok some people don't even do that, they run it through the car wash or pay someone to wash it - LOL
This may sound odd, but for me when you work on your cars you develop a connection which directly correlates to driving it. As someone said the 986 is basic and still half way simple to work on.... try doing that on a 981... its not that it isn't possible... but I think its easier to establish that connection with a car like the 986.
I was talking to a guy in Watkins Glen last year who owns a 2012 GT3 and a 73' 911RS... while I was drooling over the 2012
he was praising the 73' in every aspect and said "If I had to give up one, I'd give up the 2012"