Porsche 981 Cayman S / Honda Civic Type R FL5

The Honda Civic Type R FL5 makes 315 horsepower and costs $45,000. The Porsche 981 Cayman S makes 325 horsepower and costs $60,000—a $15,000 price gap (25% cheaper for the Civic) despite the Cayman having 10hp more power. Across 13 shared tracks with 155 unique comparison scenarios, the Cayman loses by 1.5 seconds overall, and when you filter the comparison data on this page for matched modifications and matched tire treadwear, the Civic wins 71.2% of battles with a 2.68-second average gap.

This is Honda's 11th-generation Civic Type R FL5 (2023-2025) versus Porsche's first-generation 981 Cayman S (2013-2016). The Civic weighs 3,188 lbs. The 981 weighs 2,910 lbs—278 pounds lighter. The 981 has 10hp more power (325hp vs 315hp), yet the Civic wins 71.2% of matched battles. The question isn't which is faster—it's whether the 981's mid-engine Porsche engineering justifies $15,000 more than a front-wheel-drive Honda when the Porsche is 10 years older.

The Age and Warranty Reality: 12-Year-Old Porsche vs 2-Year-Old Honda

The Porsche 981 Cayman S launched in 2013, making 2013-2016 models 9-12 years old today. The Civic Type R FL5 launched in 2023, making 2023-2025 models 0-2 years old today. This 10-year age gap creates massive ownership cost differences when one car requires Porsche maintenance and the other has active Honda warranty:

• 981 Cayman S (2013, 12 years old): Factory warranty expired (Porsche's 4yr/50k ended in 2017-2020). Likely needs: PDK transmission fluid service ($800-1,200 at Porsche dealer), clutch wear inspection ($300, potential $4,000-6,000 replacement if manual), water pump replacement ($1,500-2,500, common failure at 60k-80k miles), suspension bushings ($1,200-2,000), tires aged out ($1,400). Conservative 12-year maintenance estimate: $5,000-10,000 over next 2-3 years. Porsche dealer service: $200/hour.
• Civic Type R FL5 (2023, 2 years old): Factory warranty active (Honda's 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper, 5yr/60k powertrain covers through 2026-2028). Likely needs: oil changes ($80 each), tire rotation. Conservative 2-year maintenance estimate: $500-800 over next 2-3 years. Honda dealer service: $120/hour.

The $15,000 upfront savings buying the Civic grows to $19,500-24,500 effective savings when you factor in the 981's Porsche dealer maintenance costs and 12-year-old deferred service needs. The Civic costs less, is 10 years newer, has factory warranty, AND wins 71.2% of matched battles despite making 10hp less.

The 10-Horsepower Disadvantage vs Mid-Engine Layout

The Civic's K20C1 2.0L turbocharged inline-four makes 315hp at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft at 2,600-4,000 rpm. Power-to-weight: 10.12 lbs/hp. The 981's 3.4L naturally aspirated flat-six makes 325hp at 7,400 rpm and 273 lb-ft at 4,500-5,800 rpm (database shows 369 lb-ft, likely data error). Power-to-weight: 8.95 lbs/hp—an 11% advantage.

The 981's mid-engine layout places the 3.4L flat-six directly behind the driver, creating telepathic handling Porsche built its reputation on. The Civic's front-wheel-drive layout fights physics—pulling through corners instead of pushing. Yet the Civic's K20C1's 310 lb-ft torque (37 lb-ft more than 981's flat-six), limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, and 10-year newer chassis technology deliver a 71.2% win rate when conditions are equal. The 981's mid-engine advantage and 278-pound weight savings can't overcome the Civic's modern FWD engineering.

What the Filtered Data Reveals

• Matched mod + matched tire (73 laps): Civic wins 71.2%, 981 wins 28.8%, 2.68s gap. When both run equal preparation and tires, the Civic's domination is clear—the 981 wins less than 1 in 3 battles despite mid-engine layout, 278-pound weight advantage, and Porsche engineering. The Civic's modern chassis and K20C1 torque overcome the mid-engine physics.
• Medium Civic vs medium 981, TW200/220 (32 laps): Civic wins 78.1% with 2.74s gap. When the Civic runs slightly grippier tires (TW200 vs TW220), the win rate climbs to 78%. The K20C1's torque advantage and FWD traction dominate the flat-six's linear power delivery.
• 981's path to victory: MISMATCHED MOD scenarios (30-34% win rate). When the 981 runs higher modifications or race-prep against stock/light Civic, the Porsche's chassis handles more power effectively. A heavily-modified 981 (400hp with headers/exhaust/tune) beats a lightly-modified Civic. But stock-vs-stock heavily favors the Civic.

The Total Cost of Ownership: Porsche Prestige vs Honda Reliability

981 Cayman S (2013): $60,000 buys Porsche's mid-engine perfection—3.4L naturally aspirated flat-six, 325hp, PDK dual-clutch or 6-speed manual, PASM adaptive dampers, and Porsche's track-weapon reputation. At 12 years old, you're buying Porsche's moderate depreciation: $63,800 MSRP (2013) means 6% loss vs inflation-adjusted $79,500 (2025 dollars) = 25% real depreciation. Maintenance costs are Porsche-expensive: PDK service ($1,000), water pump failure common ($2,000), bushings ($1,500), clutch replacement if manual ($5,000), premium fuel required, higher insurance. Total 3-year cost: $60,000 purchase + $7,500 maintenance (Porsche dealer) + $3,000 fuel + $2,700 insurance = $73,200. Resale: $55,000. Net cost: $18,200.

Civic Type R FL5 (2023): $45,000 buys Honda's K20C1-powered hot hatch with 315hp, limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, and factory warranty through 2026-2028. At 2 years old, you're buying Honda top-tier reliability: K20C1 proven bulletproof, warranty covers failures, maintenance is oil changes ($80). Total 3-year cost: $45,000 purchase + $800 maintenance (warranty) + $2,700 fuel (regular works) + $1,800 insurance = $50,300. Resale: $40,000. Net cost: $10,300.

The Civic saves $7,900 in net 3-year ownership costs (43% less than 981) while winning 71.2% of matched battles despite making 10hp less. The 981's $15,000 higher purchase price becomes a $22,900 ownership premium when you factor in Porsche dealer maintenance costs and 12-year-old deferred service needs.

The Verdict

Choose the Honda Civic Type R FL5 if you want front-wheel-drive performance at $45,000, prioritize winning (71.2% matched win rate), value factory warranty through 2026-2028, and minimize maintenance costs. The Civic saves you $15,000 upfront (25% discount) and $7,900 in 3-year net ownership costs while beating the 981 in 71.2% of matched battles despite making 10hp less and weighing 278 pounds more. The Civic is the choice for drivers who want maximum performance-per-dollar with Honda reliability.

Choose the Porsche 981 Cayman S if you want mid-engine Porsche engineering at $60,000, accept losing 71.2% of matched battles, and prioritize Porsche prestige over lap times. You're paying $15,000 more (33% premium over Civic) for 10hp more power that loses 71.2% of the time when preparation is equal, plus $7,900 more in 3-year ownership costs for Porsche dealer maintenance on a 12-year-old car with no warranty. The 981 is the choice for drivers who value mid-engine handling, Porsche heritage, and naturally aspirated flat-six character over speed and affordability.

LapMeta's -1.5-second overall gap (981 loses) and 2.68-second matched-condition gap prove the Civic's superiority. The 981's mid-engine layout and 278-pound weight advantage deliver competitive performance (28.8% win rate), but the K20C1's torque and modern FWD chassis dominate 71.2% of matched battles. For the driver who wants the best performance-per-dollar with Honda reliability and factory warranty protection, the Civic at $45,000 delivers a 71.2% win rate for $15,000 less upfront and $7,900 less in 3-year ownership costs. For the driver who wants mid-engine Porsche handling and can accept losing 71.2% of matched battles plus paying Porsche dealer maintenance with no warranty on a 12-year-old car, the 981's $15,000 premium buys Porsche prestige and naturally aspirated flat-six purity—but not speed.