ninenineseven

 

We 911S guys can sure be snobby, that is until we park next to a bunch of TT's and their owners treat us like dirt......but then a couple of Lambos pull in ...........

 

Favoring the 997 does not mean one is anti Cayman S . It's simply choosing one of two great cars and of the two most here would pick the 997 .

 

Really? Having gone from an '05 Boxster S to an '09 C2 I can tell hardly any difference at all. The C2 has different HVAC vents and two more guages, but other than that they seem essentially identical. Same seats, switchgear, materials, etc......

That's the one area that would have the least influence on my decision b/w these two cars.

To the original OP.......the mid-engine layout of the Cayman is very balanced and a hoot to drive on public roads and the power of the pre-'09 S models is actually very useable / enough for driving on back roads.

Tough to get even a base Carrera up to adrenaline pumping levels outside of the track iMO. At 7/10ths in either car you are in license losing territory, but in the Carrera you're in go-to-jail territory!

Tough call.

If you like the Cayman and don't want the inherent deprecation hit of a new car then consider giving up the extra hp offered by the DI engines and look at an '08 Cayman. These can be had for a steal at the moment.......even brand new ones.

They are a blast to drive and are 100% Porsche in every respect.

 

i was pretty set on getting a cayman s, test drove it and was pleased. I did feel clusterphobic in it though, but this is partly because i never was into 2 seaters being that this was going to be a second car, i overlooked this.

After some thought, i felt that i had to test drive a 911. the 911 felt alot more powerful and that was a base 911. Like the last person stated that you reach go to jail speeds pretty quick. the sales man let me have at it and boy was my heart racing. i liked the interior better as it was bigger, the sound system is awesome. i ended up buying the 4S. everyone has different takes on this but i say buy what you like best.

i would not buy the new caymans just yet because as others pointed out. the depreciation will hurt. i got my 06 for half price and feel pretty good that it probably would not loose to much more value.

Thanks

 

For me i'd go with the 911, BUT, having driven a tweaked Cayman that a friend of mine owns, all i can say is WOW.! Enjoyed it immensely! Aesthetically what i dont like about the Cayman is the back end.

The issue that doesn't get talked about is the difference in cachet between the two. if you can get over the mental hurdle of the Cayman, you'll have a great time with it.

 

to your point, i wouldnt' buy ANYTHING new. First year depreciation is a killer. Bought my 07 at a 35K discount over new with a CPO 100K warranty.

 

Thanks so much for your input. I have driven both cars and the Cayman just didn't give me the thrill that the 997 S did. I love speed. You have confirmed my choice. There is not substitute for cubic inches as one great racer said!!!!!!!!!!

 

if speed's what you're after maybe a Z06?

 

Yup. I don't think any stock 911 (including turbo, GT3, GT2) can stay with a new Z06 on the track, despite it's sub-$80k MSRP.

 

You're kidding right?

J

 

I went through the exact same process as you. I was set on a Cayman S. I test drove multiple Cayman S' and then there was this beautiful 06 997S with a CPO. I test drove it and it was instantaneous the difference and I knew I MUST HAVE the C2S. I made the right choice for me.

 

Q: What do you drive?
A: Porsche
Q: Cayman/Boxster?
A. No. 911S
Response: Wow. nice
You will impress your friends and neighbors more with a 997....

 

I guess... if you're buying your car to be a poseur...

 

The Cayman S is a wonderful car. I had an 06 and loved it. The handling is superb and IMHO it is a beautiful car. Every bit a Porsche too. Thing is it isn't a 911 and regardless of it's many attributes I found myself longing for my boyhood dream, a 911. So now I have a 2008 Carrera S. No regrets. The 911, for me, is so much more satisfying.