981, 987, or 986? Your choice.

[NoGaBiker]

I have a perfect condition, 39,000 mile 2004 SE550. Had it since new. No issues.

I got a little restless last summer and spent time driving and considering strongly a Spyder, but decided I really wasn't ready to deal with the bikini top, since I choose to drive the 986 fairly often, at least if the weather is decent, and when I do I don't want to deal with assembling the top out in the parking lot, and I won't be tracking this particular car, I finally nixed the Spyder and decided to just content myself with my car for awhile.

In photos the 981 really grabs me visually, plumping up its rear to look a little more wedge-like, and less like the front and rear are interchangeable. Of course, I've not seen one in the aluminum.

So I'm thinking about this summer, when the 981S is readily available.

Would you:

1) Buy a 981S, assuming it drives like current 987, only a little better;

2) Buy a 987S, 09 or later, and pocket around $20k in savings;

3) Keep 986S and spend around 8-10k on it, but still save around $40k over the 981 purchase. (PSS9s, IMSb/Clutch/Guardian, possibly HRE 560C wheels.)

I would never say "money is no object," but none of these choices would be a hardship in any way.