I drove an 08 CS as a DD for 3 years and 29,000 miles. No problem. I now have a CR for the same DD. It is great. I drive traffic every night on my return trip with a 6MT and still love it. Of curse Birmingham AL and Flroida do not see much snow.

 

+1.

Paying extra to put something back in is absurd to me...

When I drove the Cayman S for a while, I was quite comfortable. It was easy to DD. Can not do the R for some reason...

 

Without the sport buckets is key.... I got mine (spyder) used with sport buckets but for track... Has ac/radio/iPod/Bluetooth ... Manual of course

 

Do some homework. The differences go well beyond 10 hp. Lighter, lower car, lower CG, different suspension, different ECU mapping, lighter wheels, better aerokit, etc. Well worth the extra money.

 

I think he was just oversimplifying to make a point... Saying for the daily commute (as stated in the title), you don't use all of those improvements, and to boot, you have to pay extra to have the comforts put back in.

 

There's no extra cost to put the AC and radio back in (we have them). And you do notice the effect of those improvements even on the road.

 

Well, clearly, I have some learning to do as well. I do not hide that the Cayman S is my second favorite Porsche (behind the Turbo S), and I feel the car is probably one of the best handling cars on the road. There are some things that are keeping me from purchasing one, though, and even more were keeping me from the 'R' trim. Maybe it is worth looking into afterall.

 

I had an 08 Cayman S and though I didn't use it as such it could easily be a DD. I'm just kinda paranoid about parking lot dings...
I can't see the R being any different.
As for driving in the winter I had Michelin snows that got me back and forth from skiing quite well on the weekends. I loved the fact that 2 sets of skis and boots fit in the trunk and the rest of the luggage in the frunk. I can't do that now...

 

Driven both a Cayman S as a DD and just started driving the R as a DD. The CS was a great DD as it wasn't too harsh, but honestly the R is so much more fun that I would suggest the R. Just know that you're going to get beat up a little more in terms of comfort. But the fun factor outweighs the comfort. Believe me!! R just begs to be flogged around hard!!

 

I drive my '12 Cayman S Black Edition 6mt as much as I can .. with that said .. I also have a '12 Audi S4 Prestige 6mt that I have snow tires on for those days I have to go to work.

 

Would like to install the Cayman R suspension to my CS Black Edition for the 20mm drop, but was concerned about the stiffer ride for DD. But comments on this thread from current CR owners have alleviated my concerns and now I look forward to the install. Thanks.

 

Over 72,000 miles on my '08 CS daily driver. From our home in Florida it has been a constant companion and a vacation magic carpet for myself and my wife. We have been down the Blue Ridge Parkway, up the million dollar highway, to Sante Fe and Sedona, to Zion, Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks. We have been to Key West and rallied across Florida (Sunrise to Sunset) several times. We have auto-crossed and we have Escaped to the Ozarks (Eureka Springs). We have visited family in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Midland. We have been to Pea Ridge and Vicksburg.

I enjoy a remarkable and special automobile that still draws compliments to this day. It has made me a Porsche devotee by providing an awesome driving experience and also providing a gateway to meeting and enjoying a special group of people. It has made a believer of my wife who, two weeks after 7750 miles in 21 days in the Cayman, said "I'm ready to go again!"

I don't know what you are looking for in a daily drive experience but my CS (sport seats plus, PASM, PCM, manual) provides a comfortable ride and also whispers constantly...."we can go fast." Every day when I get out of the car I look around and think to myself...."I have the best looking car in the parking lot."

The only mod I have done is to add the Cayenne satellite radio integrated into the PCM system. I have replaced the water pump and the oil-air separator.

Good luck with your choice and I have found the Cayman is a rewarding daily driver.

 

Never understood the R, if I wanted bare bones, no frills track car I would get an exige cup. I love the cayman because it still gives you that level of daily driver comfort and finish. Especially because you dont have to explain to a girl that its actually a nice car, even though I dont have carpet, or door handles.

 

For most Americans neither would be a good dd because they area lacking in storage space. For me, a single male with not much need for space then either would be fine, no....amazing. Fun, light, quick and small. Perfect for me but certainly not everyone. I drove an R and absolutely loved it. It had the radio and ac which are a must in Texas. Also had the buckets which I liked but I could see how they would get old. Other than that it was stripped which was ideal, msrp under 70k. I ended up going another direction (BMW 1m) but would be lying if I told you I don't still think about the cayman. Good luck with your decision.