My wife and I are currently sharing a 997.2 C2S cab and C63 AMG. We both love the cab, but my wife doesn't like the reduced visibility through the rear window when the top is up, especially at night. At the same time, I'd like to get a hardtop I can track, preferably a Porsche.

So we're now thinking of selling the C63 (great car, but not in the same league as Porsche) and replacing it with a car which would primarily be a DD for my wife most of the time, plus a track car for me, though we'd still trade the cars back and forth, especially in the summer. Two main options:

- New Cayman R with a sticker of $78K. We test drove it yesterday. My wife loved it, even more than our cab. I liked it a lot too, but I felt that it wants higher speed to really come alive, whereas the 911 is more involving even at more normal speeds - but maybe the Cayman would grow on me with time.

- New base 991 coupe, which would sticker at about $90K equipped similar to the Cayman. The additional $12K isn't trivial, but maybe the 991 is worth the difference? 0-60 is about the same, and I wouldn't be surprised if lap times are close too, plus the 991 is more roomy.

A third less likely option is a CPO base 997, and my local dealer has a 2006 with 45K miles for $43K. This would work fine for my tracking, but my wife would prefer something "nicer" as a DD, which sounds fair since I'm kinda stealing the cab from her.

If the 991 wasn't coming, I think we'd just get the Cayman, and we need to decide soon, because it will likely sell fast and supply is generally very limited. But if we grab the Cayman, I worry that we'll drive the 991 in a few months and wish we'd gotten that instead. We're already taking a financial hit by replacing the C63 after only one year, and it would be nice to not make the same mistake again.

Thoughts?

 

991, you'd always regret not getting it, as good as the Cayman is, the 991 is a 911. IMO no contest.

 

Tough one. Go with the heart, as these decisions to buy such cars are rarely rational. Defer to the experts....

The pain waiting till Feb for 991 might be painful, Cayman R is waiting.

 

I was afraid you'd say that!

Of course the risk in waiting for the 991 is that we (or my wife) might not like it as much as the Cayman R, but by then it will be long gone. Apparently, Caymans can't be ordered any longer, and I see no other Cayman meeting our specs (white with black interior, silver wheels, manual trans, regular sport seats, A/C, and decent audio system) listed on Cars.com.

We could get the Cayman now and trade it for the 991 later, but the depreciation hit could be big unless the Cayman holds its value because it's a special edition with limited supply. Decisions, decisions ...

 

So true! I tell me wife that she needs to be rational and tell me when I'm being ridiculous because I'm incapable of being rational about car stuff, but now that her passion is stirred too, there's no one rational left in the house (certainly not our daughter).

 

Cayman R = top of the Cayman lineup
Base 991 = bottom of the 911 line (even tho its new)

To me, a "cool" Cayman or Boxster is a much better car than a stripped out 911. Just my feeling. I have owned both Cayman, Boxster, and 911 and feel like the same concept holds true for all Porsches --- the options make the car.

Best of luck with your choice

 

Looking at your avatar, I see that you know what we're struggling with. The Spyder and R in that color combo are two of the best looking cars I've ever seen, regardless of price. That alone almost makes me feel that they're a bargain, then add their performance and they become hard to resist.

 

+1. Not trying to bash base 911 owners (or potential 991 owners) but it's a "no go" for me unless it's an "S" model.

But then, new 991S costs significantly more than cayman R (even with moderate options). tough call.

 

I'd get the R....

Or frankly, get a gt3 used....

JB

 

The next Cayman is around the corner as well.

The new 991 CS is as fast as the 997 GT3 while being much more comfortable and livable.

The new Cayman S will be as fast as the Cayman R as well (if not faster) and judging by the spy pics, it is going to be one hot-a$$ machine!

 

If this is going to be the wife's DD, I suspect the will end up enjoying the interior of the 991 much more than the CR. I also suspect the performance of the 991 base will be stronger than the CR. And then you get the added 'practicality' of additional interior space if/when you need it.

As great as the CR is, my thoughts are the 991 will be a better fit. And if you're really patient, the new Cayman might be the trick as well.

 

Do you have any further details on when the next Cayman and Cayman S will be coming out, whether there will be an R version, prices, etc.?

 

I wouldnt hesitate about the new 911.. getting the latest model in the iconic 911 with all the upgrades and advanced features is worth the wait!!

 

No exact date but all sources say that the new Boxster and Cayman and their S-Variants will be revealed next year (second half of 2012).
The next Cayman R will arrive years later, no worth thinking about it!

 

All good points, illustrating exactly why I posed this dilemma to you guys.

Somewhat to my surprise, my wife really digs the race car looks of the CR (me too ), and she was thrilled when she drove it, saying "this is a much better driver's car than the 911!" Considering these factors, she seems willing to overlook the more spartan interior of the CR, though it would remain to be seen whether she feels that way long term.

Another factor I should have mentioned is that we're getting an SUV as a family vehicle (to replace an unreliable old BMW wagon), and she would be able to drive the SUV when she wanted, so she wouldn't be forced to drive the CR if she's not in the mood for it.

Personally, I'm very attracted to the 991, but we have the option of getting the CR now and replacing it with a 991 in a couple of years, whereas the reverse likely won't be possible.