I personally enjoy the new car experience. IMO, life is simply too short to quibble. If one feels they can't justify the price of a new 991, then perhaps one should settle for a used 991 or go for another model; it's by no means a sin to drive a Cayman.

 

It's not necessarily a question of affordability. Many of us an easily afford a $150k purchase but may consider it a sin to blow $25k driving a machine off a lot. You'd have the same issue buying a new Cayman. It's not a matter of "settling" for something used or buying a lower cost car. Rather, some see it financially more astute to let the first owner take the big hit.

 

Don't want to take a chance on a 991? How about an 80's Carrera? I just saw a real beauty today at my local dealer. Let me know if you would like details.

 

Someone has to be that first owner.

 

Huh. It seems that you, like myself, no longer own a Porsche. I'm curious why (I know why I don't). Also curious how you are finding the Maserati and if the quality has gotten better. Also curious as to the ownership experience of the Ferraris.

Yes, I'm curious today.

 

If you want a better sports car, buy a Corvette z06. For value it blows a Porsche 991 away. Faster, more features, can outrun my car on most any track. On the other hand I am driving a 2015 4s and I find so many things that make this car special and hard to turn down. The dashboard and displays and paddle shifts are placed so perfectly, steering, the feel of the car, and the looks of the car which are unique. I traded in a 2014 c2 on s 2015 c4s, leasing them both. Porsche has some really attractive deals on leases if you are patient. When my lease is up in 2 years, I am going to look for a three year old 991 turbo and buy. Unfortunately, I'm hooked.

 

It depends on how you define bang, and what denominator you have for buck.
I commute 20 miles and arrive with a smile. I enjoy 3 hour each way drives to visit relatives or events. I do early morning drives for country roads on weekends. I see the redline and touch ridiculous speeds more often than I should. All with less hassle and as much enjoyment as any of the other Porsches (914, 911s, 911SC, BoxterS) I have owned since 1973.

 

If you got the $$, there's nothing more fun than ordering the perfect 911 for yourself. Everything is design to make the experience special, and memorable. Take it up a notch to European Delivery, with your wife perhaps, and it's thru the Roof!

However, if don't have quite the means, and/or are financially Savvy, and would rather invest those Thousands in other venture's; over a period of 6 new acquisitions, one could pay cash for a vacation house by the lake, which is what I did.

So, there's no secret answer, except that, "It's entirely up to you..."

 

I loved my C2S. It is a fantastic machine which ate pretty much anything on the track. But, I'm starting to find newer sports cars sterile. It's just me, or maybe because the car was PDK.
The Ghibli is an incredible sounding car which looks different than the average German car on the road but it has been far from trouble free. Lots of gremlins, inexplicably going into limp mode with downright silly ergonomics but given the chance I would get the same car again.