I have a new 911S cab and C63 AMG, and I'd like to get a used car primarily for tracking, so that I don't mess up the new cars as I learn.

What do you all think about getting a Boxster and Cayman for this purpose? The Boxster would be the least expensive, but what's everyone's experience with tracks allowing it, since it's not a hardtop? Would I need to install a supplemental roll bar?

I'm also considering the 996, and I asked about that in the 996 forum, where opinions vary a lot.

BTW, while some 911 guys look down on the Boxster, I think the Boxster (especially S) compares very favorably.

 

drive both and you will find its an easy
choice. caymans and boxsters hold their own against 911s but you should read up on some reliability mods if you are going to track these cars hard. good luck, you will love these mid engine cars.

 

I've driven all three quite a bit and love them all. But I haven't driven any of them on the track, so I'm wondering about the experiences of people who've done that.

I asked about this is in the 997 and 996 sections, and opinions varied a lot, so I thought I'd ask here in the Boxster/Cayman section also.

And then there's still the question of whether the Boxster needs an additional roll bar.

 

I have a Cayman S and track it a little bit....it is a great car. Well balanced and very quick with a few of the right mods. The harder you track it, the more things I would recommend you do prophylactically (power steering insulation; under drive pulley, brake pads, limited slip, motorsport VOS, and the list can go on depending on how serious you get!).

As for the Boxster needing a rollbar, I would say just get something and track it for a while, then worry about things like a roll bar...you will find that its a slippery slope! Either a boxster or cayman will be good out of the box as your get your feet wet.

 

Gen I Cayman/Boxster (pre-2009) have some oiling issues, they can suffer from oil starvation on the track, there are mods available to deal with this issue.

 

IMO the Cayman S is the best platform for a beginning racer thru to serious dedicated race car faster than your carrera S after you transplant a 997 engine!

 

It is def a slippery slope. If you like it and want to do more.
I have 911's and I'm now building a cayman race preped car for the track.
It's a great car to DE or race. More forgiving than a 911 and just as much fun.
The track mod bug will then hit!

 

Locally, we apply the "broomstick" rule to boxsters. If your head is above a line drawn from the top of the windshield and the factory roll bar, you will need roll bar extensions. I have tracked Caymans for four years. Power steering and oiling issues are concerns but in my experience, don't occur until you add R comp tires and the suspension mods to use them.

 

like others have said. fundamentally, the boxsters and caymans have a better layout being mid-engine. the only drawback is that IMO, porsche heldback the performance so that it can't be better than a 911 in stock form.
That being said though, I think the car is really balanced and is very forgiving. I think you'll love the car for the track.

 

If you are going to use it just for the track I would go with the Cayman. I myself am a ragtop guy and I love to drive around town with the top down. I do PCA HPDE events as well as with some of the other local HPDE providers and I have never had an issue with the "broomstick rule" but each track and each club is different. As far as handling on the track, hands down the mid-engined Boxster is a better and easier handling car than my 997. Like others have said,it is a slippery slope. My Boxster started out stock and now has GT3 LCA's, upgraded swaybars, drop links, PSS9 Coilovers, powersteering pump cooler, underdrive pulley, X51 oil pan, traqmate, track wheels with R-comp tires, GT3 Euro seats.

If you do go this route just make sure you get an "S" for the hp and brakes.

Good luck!

 

I would get an 09 or later cayman S. I haven't heard any reports of oiling problems with those engines. The Interseries cars run them with no mods to the engine, I believe. Some suspension mods, and some more cooling for the PS, and you're all set.
Bodymotion had one for sale in August, don't know if it's still available.

 

If you get an earlier Cayman/Boxster, just get the Mantis Sport sump extension...

 

There is a lot of information on the "cayman forum" about the Gen I Cayman S oiling issues. This is definitely something all shoppers should be wary of when looking to heavily track the Gen I car. I have the motorsports AOS and Mantis Deep Sump on mine and put almost 20 track days on it this year alone. I run on R compound NT01 and haven't had any issues thus far. I don't lose any oil and I do oil analysis with blackstone every oil change. The Gen I in my opinion can be tracked heavily and reliably, but just like any car out there, there are reliability mods that are required. Just like any race car, you should also consider at some stage to refresh the motor, if cup cars need it, so would your street car.

 

I have a Cayman S and it performs really well at the track. I find that the 911 Turbos will pull away on the straights but I'll often catch them back up again in the corners due to the Cayman's handling.

 

Have one. They produce a great product.