911 driver: Nice starter Porsche
987 driver:

Carrera GT driver: Nice starter Porsche
911 driver:

GT1 driver: Nice starter Porsche
Carrera GT driver:

 

And the Veyron driver laughs at them all!

 

I recently purchased a 2008 Porsche Cayman S. I don't look at it as a starter Porsche but as my first Porsche. I love everything about it especially the way it handles. The mid engine makes it a dream to drive and I actually like the body style better than the 911 not that I don't like the 911. Anyway, I am certainly not embarrassed to be seen in it.

 

Debating a 996 gt3 or a Boxster spyder.. I can afford both, sold my 09 Nissan GTR a few months back... Owned supras, evo's, audi s4...I'm leaning spyder because I like the looks and open top and 2 trunks... And all the articles on how amazing it handles (I've driven plenty of Boxsters and caymans and 911's as I work for a dealer).... I autocross, I rallycross and do hpde's and time trials... I love the gt3 but in the end I think the spyders a better car for me.. And it costs more than me finding a used 911 ... Status is for the insecure

 

You know, I honestly consider my 04 base boxster my 'starter porsche'.... I expect to participate in a lot of DE's while learning to drive a high performance sports car.

Then, once my skills and cash are ready to 'step up' in performance, I will. I'll never afford the GT and will always want a convertible. The handling is what I love!

But in all honesty, who cares.... its a blast.

You know.. .its funny.... I am in Texas and guys in big trucks seems to wanna 'race' more than anyone. They probably look down on me - literally and figuratively.

George

 

I got the 911 because I prefer the two extra seats in the back

 

I'm not sure how practical the Spyder's ragtop would be in Maryland, so consider the Cayman R too. But both are in short supply, so don't wait to grab one, if that's what you want.

 

I daily drive my Spyder in northern VA. That said it stays in the garage in foul weather and I just bought a sequoia for wintery stuff...I'm honestly not sure how much weight the roof on the Spyder will support.

 

Yea. I have a Audi S4 v8 also and a 2010 highlander hybrid for my daily driving and bad weather... May also buy a impreza 2.5rs for rallycross.. The Boxster spyder will be a track car mostly, run stock class autocross as well.. Just change the tires from the mediocre ones they come with.

As for the cayman R... I like it, we (my dealer) have a Platinum cayman R I ordered, sport chrono and exhaust, 6speed and stock cf seats.. (ac and radio) We also have a demo spyder , white /red interior... Sport c and exhaust but it's a pdk with paddles and nav... So I have options and could buy a great R

I wish the spyder had the R's option lol... May be trading in a blue Boxster Spyder I'm hoping to get

 

Interesting thread.....

I found this forum in my research of all things Porsche (997). Tonight, decided to check out the Boxster section. I had recently been to a dealer to check out a Spyder and 08 997 S. I must say since a kid I've always loved the styling of the 911 and said one day I would have one. I also like the open air driving that the Spyder offers. So its a toss up for me based on appearances alone. I haven't driven either just yet, hoping to get to that in the next 4 months when I decide to buy one.

Like some of the other posters, wish I could have both. Maybe the answer is to start with a Spyder, return in 3 years and pick up a '10 997 S to add to the stable.

 

I'm leaning more cayman R now... That motortrend article showed how close the cayman R is to the gt3 in performance.. When you factor in the gt3's race tires vs the pedestrian tires of the cayman R... You see the cayman R's potential..

Only question is the R's durability on track vs a proven gt3

 

From everything I've read, the Cayman R is durable on the track, though I recall Motor Trend mentioning something about brake fade? I haven't gotten mine on the track yet, though I've done plenty of hard braking during spirited driving on country roads, and I haven't noticed any fade.

Comparing the Spyder and R, the performance and vibe seems very similar, so I think it really comes down to whether you want the hard top. We went with the hard top mainly because of greater safety on the track and not wanting to deal with the hassle of the soft top for local driving. Also, if you really want a convertible, I'd also consider the Boxster S, which I think is a genuine rival to the 911 cab.

Addendum: Just noticed that you've had a Boxster S in the past, so you know what that's about. Though I believe the current model has a good bit more power and responsiveness with the DFI engine.

 

I really like the look of the spyder, I mean love it.. I work at at Porsche dealer and everyone would comment on the spyder and think it was more than a 911 .. I guess it's still a toss up but I guess with the extra safety of the fixed roof, it makes more sense to do the R...I have a audi s4 convertible anyways..

Question is performance.. Excellence magazines track test of the R and spyder showed the spyder was better... Lighter and more bottom heavy maybe?

I think I'd change the pads and fluids on the cayman R for track use.. I've had good luck with motul rbf600 and carbotech pads... And of course change the tires to cups to toyo r8888 or ra1's (also liked those)... I think with the better pads and tires I can give the 911's a run.. I'm no pro but not a novice

 

Well I guess I'm stupid because I just sold my brand new '11 TTS for a Ruf 3400K and couldn't be any happier I've had plenty 911's but this thing just makes me want to drive. It's amazing how market hype affects us...

 

It's nit just market hype... I know you shouldn't care what others think but everycar gets it's call out... When I had my GTR it was "car drives itself, automatic?!, it's a Nissan!, hey that computer has wheels."

My Mitsubishi evo (most fun car I've owned), was "a pos Mitsubishi, a rice rocket, econobox"

And my miatas and Boxster s were "girls" cars...

Every car can be made fun of in some way... Just gotta live with it.. I'll take starter Porsche comments.. I can buy a used 911 (even thought 996 gt3) for the price of a cayman R.. But why? The R will be faster than most every 911 I think except the gt's around a track