All three cars are pretty different. The 986 Boxster....has the softest ride....but is also -to me- the most toss-able. The 987 Cayman is still my favorite as far as car-feel. It just feels like a go-kart. The steering is BY FAR the best of the three in the 987. Even thought the 981 is technically a lighter car, it doesn't feel as light as the 987. Steering is heavier...slightly...in the 981. The stock exhaust note in the 981 is AWESOME. Interior in the 981 is fantastic. Insanely comfortable seats. Really good looking overall. My 981 has the auto tranny. Fantastic...lightning fast....but it drives me to madness that P-O-R-S-C-H-E....one of the greatest racing Marques of all time....can't get the gear change oriented correctly. (It should be pull for up-shift, push for downshift).
Overall....the 981 feels like a very nice handling BMW. (I spent 17 years in BMW's...so I have a basis for this statement). I'm glad to be back in a tan and red car. The wheels are from the 987. I had just bought them a few weeks ago....wasn't about to give those up. They work perfectly with the 981.
But I did shed a tear saying goodbye to the 986 and 987. Magical cars.