Hi guys,

I just joined the 6speed forum and found some of your post intuitive. I'm looking at getting a p-car soon and I'm up in the air between the 00'-01' 996 and a newer boxster/cayman. I've test drove a 03' boxster s and 07' base cayman (would be leasing the cayman) and thought they were great car but I've always been crazy about the 996 look. How's the maintenance on an eight year old car? I've been told to buy the newest p-car you can afford. This will be weekend warrior and will be driven pretty hard. I live near the hills in Austin, TX and they can be brutal on the suspension. What do you guys think? Is an older 996 worth getting vs. a newer non-911 Porsche? Oh, the reason I'm looking at a Porsche is to get something different from my old Japanese rides. My pass rides were a 96' 300ZX turbo (sold) and 01' Yamaha R1 (sold). A Lexus ES330 is my daily driver right now.

 

I would recommend the 996... the boxsters are great cars, but stop and think: This is your first Porsche, right? Might as well go all the way and get the 911.

I doubt you are going to save a whole lot on maintenance with a boxster compared to the 996... so don't let that be a selling point... rather, let the experience of each car be the selling point...

have you driven both?
I originally was going to get a 03Boxster, and test drove a handful of years right around 03.... was trying to get the perfect one... then one day I test drove the 996. Bought the 996 right then. Way nicer experience IMO.

my 2cents

 

Sorry to say, I haven't test driven a 996...only a 993 and 964. I went to a used car dealer up north and he had a 1999 but I heard there are major problems with that year so I didn't even bother to test drive that particular model. Also, some minor changes to the exterior happened in 2000.5-2001 so I'm looking at getting on of those.

I also like the new cayman but I have a set amount for a weekend car and really don't want to exceed that amount. It's around 35K. I truly can't justify buying a 55K+ car for a weekend vehicle...I guess it's the conservative in me thought I'm far from one.

 

I own a '99 and it is solid, no more to say about that other than don't write them off.

35K will get you a good 996 but leave some over for mod's unless you get one 'exactly' the way you want it (very unlikely, we all mod them to our tastes eventually).

Not sure what you mean about an exterior change on 2000.5-2001 unless you are talking about maybe the MKII aero or headlights, but I am no expert so let teh others respond to this area.

 

get a '02 or newer if you can. Just my opinion. Lots of changes/upgrades to the Mk II.

 

02 996. mods to do: short shift kit, exhaust, bilstien Pss9s, H&R sways, and wheels if you have $$$ left over.
my .02
K

 

I would say a new cayman honestly this is the way to go.... the car is awsome and im sure thier will be some mods to it soon

 

Just don't rush yourself or be pressured by those sales guys. Test drive, compare, then decide which 996 you want to own

 

I have a 99' cant be driven any harder and I swear by it! But if I had to recommend one? id say 02 or newer. Prices have come down on those now and there really looking good!

 

FWIW- I picked up an '02 996 w/well under 30k miles on it for $37k -
Go for a clean 02, there are deals to be found so take your time. Definitely go out and test drive some 996's!

-good luck with the hunt, let us know what you find.

 

The Cayman is a great car; as is the Boxster. If you have kids, plan to have kids, or have nephews and nieces, then you will need a back seat, and the back seat of a 996 will make you a schoolyard hero. Your golf bats will fit better in the Cayman or 996. If you crave the open air, then you are back to Boxster or 996 Cab or Targa.

 

Thanks for all your advice. This forum seems to be much more communicative than others...

I'll take your advice and tests drive the 996 and see how I like it. By the way, kids and golf bags are not an issue since I have neither. I would like an open air vehicle but I have to admit, the Cayman is quite a fun car. I'll see about an 02' or newer in my budget. Thanks to all.

 

IMO, I would choose a new cayman over an 99-00 996. Porsche parts are expensive and there are plenty of things that can go wrong. Cayman performs EXCELLENT on the track and you get the piece of mind of a new car.

If you do purchase a 996, look at +02 like someone else said. For the price of a Cayman, you should be able to get a low miles 2003. You will get the facelift and the 3.6L engine. Also, try to get one with an extended warranty. If you will be driving it hard, then you will need it. If I didn't have my warranty I woulda been stuck with a $2k bill last year!

How long are you planning on keeping the car?

 

I aggree this is a good point

 

Here is the issue with leasing a new cayman...I feel like I won't be utilizing the whole lease term since I've averaged my weekend driving to around 5-7K miles/yr. I just sold both my last weekend warriors and I averaged around 7K miles total last year. 'Vik and Globalm3', I don't usually keep cars for that long...this Lexus is the longest I've kept any vehicle and it's an 04' which I bought in 03' (it is too reliable to give up and best of all, paid off). I'll test drive a 996 and see measure the difference in driveability. Again, thanks to all.