You read the reviews and a number claim that the Cayman is really the new 911. I drove one on the track a couple of months ago and there was that nagging thought that a Cayman may have been a better choice than the 991 i purchased. Nope, it isn't for me.

Dropped the 991 off for some warranty work and was loaned a Cayman for the day. It's a new car so I took it easy on the engine and didn't rev it more than 3.5k. What immediately struck me was how cramped the interior seemed compared to a 991, entry and exit are lower to the ground, and the instruments are not as well displayed - there are no analog dials, everything is TFT. The handling does not seem as crisp and "surefooted" as the 991 nor does the steering.

It seems like a nice car for the money, but those nagging doubts are now gone.

 

Different cars for sure. I think the smaller size is a plus. I am pretty sure given the same options the instrument dials are the same. The Cayman I drove had the same multi function display as my 911. Any nagging doubts I had were settled with my right foot.

 

Owned a Cayman S. Loved it. Drove a 'new' Cayman S. Loved it, too. But the 991 speaks to me in ways the Cayman didn't.

 

Just returned it and checked the instruments. Yup, as I recall just three pods and no needle indicators. The drive back to the dealer was just as vanilla as before. It's nice but it's no 911 and hardly the "new 911."

 

I drove two Caymans during a Porsche drive day. If your heart is set on it then get the 'S' over the base model as the two are chalk and cheese. Having said that, once you've driven the 911's you'll always be comparing. I know which one I'd he happiest in.

 

I have no idea how you can not see the needle indicators, but the rev counter and speedo are analog.... Only the right pod has a TFT. I own a boxster and I definitely know what I'm looking at every day.

Here's the instrument cluster of a Cayman. (From Porsche's website)
Attachment 289924


Regarding Cayman vs. 991...two different cars. There is no one better than the other, only different. Both are fantastic cars. The 911 is and will always be the icon.

Suzy991

 

i drove a boxter recently for few days, i must say its amazing! and i agree no car is better than the other, they are different, actually they are different to me to the point that i don't find it stupid to own something like a boxter and a 911 at the same time if i can afford to do so.

 

Exactly! I'm actually planning to do that. The Boxster (or Cayman) is more a fun/weekend car. The 991 is a more mature car, better suited for daily driving. Having a Boxster and a 991 coupe does make sense. At least to me it does.

Suzy991

 

I apologize, as I wasn't precise. There is no separate oil temp, oil pressure, fuel gage, or water temp gage.

All in all, i wasn't really impressed by the car. It's a matter of personal preference and if nothing else it reinforced my purchase of the 991

 

Aha! Okay, that is of course totally true!

Those are indeed missing on the 981.

Personally I wouldn't buy a Cayman either. The Boxster has the advantage of being a roadster and it's just a fun car to drive with the roof down. With the roof up it's a different story. It's a fantastic car, but a 991 is completely different. Much more mature and also a little more comfortable. Better suited for daily driving.
I could never see myself having the Boxster or a Cayman as my only car. It's a nice additional car. I could however, see myself having a 991 as my only car. That is the big difference IMO.
If the Cayman should be the "new" 91, like some people say, it would be a strange IMO. It's a different concept. Nevertheless it's a great car, especially for the pricetag, but it will never be a 911, even if Porsche sould offer it with a more powerful engine.

Suzy991

 

You are correct but all those things can be pulled up in the multifunction display. One could argue the 911 is redundant in having the oil temp and pressure dials and the same info available in the multifunction display. I think you could also argue trying to cram 4 dials in and still have them be visible thru the steering wheel is to much at least for people who have the seat set back.

I really like my 911 and prefer the 911 convertible over the Boxster by a mile but if they made a 400 plus HP Cayman I would probably jump all over it. I think the Cayman is the best looking car Porsche makes by far and I like the smaller size but my Porsche is my second car.

 

Wait till the Cayman/Boxster GTS. They will have 375hp. I'm hearing they may show them off at the LA car show

 

Just to clairfy, they will have 340 horsepower, not 375 horsepower. No way would Porsche make it compete with the 911. Well, not until there is a mid-year redesign or a major change, but usually they would upgrade the 911 at that time.

 

Yep, and I believe that is for the Cayman only. Since I am already trying to figure out how to get more then 400 I am pretty sure 340 or anything close to that is not going to work for me. For me to change from what I own and love and give up the convertible in the next few years it would take quite a bit more power or more performance.

 

boxster gts : 330 hp
cayman gts : 340 hp