I use(d) all of my Boxsters as daily drivers, all year, all weather, in NJ.

I started with a 2001 986 base 5 speed and was perfectly happy with it, but sometimes wished I had more power.

Then I got a 2010 987.2S 6 speed, and loved the additional almost 100hp difference. But after awhile I realized that the extra power was almost unusable on the street, since wringing out the engine puts you immediately in excess of speed limits, even though there were times I wished I had even more power! The desire for more power never ends, so you are never really satisfied anyway. That's when I realized that, if I'm not tracking it, I should choose based on what gives ME the best overall driving experience on the street.

I now have a 981 base with PDK, and would not go back. Yes it makes less power but PDK gets the engine up in the power band right now (auto or manually), shifts like lightning, and the sound is intoxicating. And it still makes 50hp more than my first Boxster.

Every car is a compromise. Pick the combination that's best for you. Don't be so sure that if you don't get X, you will always wish you did. Some of the best drivers cars are the most basic.

Additionally, loading up on options can add significant weight, which will affect acceleration. I tend to get minimum options. But that's me.

 

Totally agree with you. I started with the 08 CS. Then, thought about and pulled the trigger on a Cayman R. I now have a 981 Cayman base with PDK. I find that this car is about as perfectly balanced in all respects and I honestly enjoy driving it more than the first two........not that they were any issue.........I just feel Porsche continues to evolve and refine and this latest interation is really getting close.

 

I really appreciate everyone's feedback on here.

I'm in gedwin's camp when it comes to his input about having unusable power in the higher-powered models. Since this car will ultimately be a street cruiser with the occasional outing down speed-regulated highways, logic dictates to get the smaller engine and enjoy pushing it a bit to extract the needed power.

I currently drive a beautiful Cayenne S that I love down to the smallest bolt but I have to sell it off within the next few months as I'm planning to move from Kuwait to Boston in August next year. Since I can only see myself owning Porsches, the only cars currently on my shortlist are either a 981 Cayman or a Macan given how Boston's winters pan out.

Based on how satisfied you guys are from your 2.7s, the base Cayman is making a more compelling case for itself.

khabah

 

And, to reinforce your thinking a bit more let me add. The 08 CS I had was 295hp with a 6MT. It was what maybe 50-100 lbs heavier than my 981 Cayman base with PDK? The combination of a bit less weight and PDK does a pretty good job of putting the 981 performance-wise on par with the 08 CS (I expect someone to weigh in with the fact that the 981 is less torque but the gearing in the PDK compensates decently). And, that CS was no slouch as my DD.

 

I agree-my 2013 base boxster pdk is a hoot-better to drive a small engine hard than a large engine tentatively

 

h&r lowering springs also help the drive//fvd exhaust gives great sound and no drone with ten more-mid range horsepower

 

I love reading this!

It's not like it's slow by any means. Relatively slow, yes, compared to a GTR or Z06 but on par with a 996, C5 Vette, previous Cayman S or Cayenne Turbo


The Mecan is going to be very sweet but that's a vastly different car than a Cayman with a different purpose.

Keep in mind the base Cayman is sub 3000lbs. A light car in the snow = a good car in the snow. If you option the car with the rear LSD and torque vectoring I have no doubt it'll do great in most snowy situations. Better than many older 'automatic' AWD SUV's without snow tires.


Good luck!

 

Has anyone seen this MotorTrend article? It goes far enough to call the 2.7 Cayman the perfect Porsche.

Lofty claim. Read here: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...an_first_test/

Thoughts?

khabah

 

I'll add, regarding snow/ice driving, that last night I drove in very icy conditions, without LSD or Torque vectoring options, and drove away from other cars that sat there spinning and sliding. Traction control and PDK do an outstanding job in poor conditions. Granted I was light on the throttle and have winter tires, but still.

 

you are getting a lot of good information from everyone. It all comes down to how much HP you want and if you are going to be happy with what you get. Having a base Cayman I wanted more power and wished I had a S because it offered more power. I then got a Cayman R and I wonder what more power would feel like again. One thing I do know is that you can only go as fast as the speed limit allows and how much you are willing to risk getting a speeding ticket. if you get an S or base the way the car handles is going to be the same the only difference is how quick you are going to get there and you are the only one knows how important that is to you. If money is not an issue get the S. If money is an issue get a base. if you buy a base and load the car with options you will not get you money back when you go to sell it, options have no real effect on resale value. Drive both models and decide for yourself, both cars are excellent examples of a mid engine sports car.

 

FWIW - I drove both and bought a '10S. The extra HP and perhaps more importantly, torque, were definitely noticed by me. Once I'd driven the S, just couldn't pull the trigger on the base 2.9L. But - it's subjective and the only opinion that matters is yours.

 

I agree with this assessment. I've owned both and the base 6speed is great to drive. I sold my S because it was an auto.

 

Got a loaner '14 Cayman when I was getting my 911 serviced. i also have a '10 CS. The '14 C was a nice car but I would not be happy with the 2.7. Very noticeable diff in power.