From 911 to Cayman?

[Dylan1]

yes!! going from a 996 facelift C4S to a cayman was brilliant-much better handling and a more modern feel, very similar usable power so didnt feel slower(well not much)and throuh corners was a hoot,as was across country b roads. ultimately though i missed the engine over the back punch in the back and the fab airccoled sound of the car i own now(993)and which i wil possibly keep forever.....and add a more modern porsche...like a cayman 3.4 s pdk[]

 

[topgear253]

Hi

I've had a 996 and a 993, and recently been looking at 997's (manual) to run as a fun summer and weekend car alongside a cheap runabout car. However I've always liked the look of Caymans and Ive just been thinking an alternative might be to buy a PDK Cayman S with sports exhaust/chrono which I could use as my only everyday car, particularly through the winter. I'm not sure though about whether the experience could match a 911. Are there any ex-911 owners who could tell me how they've found the change to Cayman ownership?

Cheers, Alex

 

[jdpef356]

ORIGINAL: alexoctagon Hi I've had a 996 and a 993, and recently been looking at 997's (manual) to run as a fun summer and weekend car alongside a cheap runabout car. However I've always liked the look of Caymans and Ive just been thinking an alternative might be to buy a PDK Cayman S with sports exhaust/chrono which I could use as my only everyday car, particularly through the winter. I'm not sure though about whether the experience could match a 911. Are there any ex-911 owners who could tell me how they've found the change to Cayman ownership? Cheers, Alex

Alex I just don't get - I can't see why people don't buy a Boxster and add a hardtop. You then have the best of both worlds?

 

[Dylan1]

john have you tried a boxster back to back with a cayman s?? i presume not for any decent time or you would know the difference !![]

 

[jdpef356]

Dyllan Yes I have tried both - the cayman for only a very short time - I own a boxster S. The Cayman (in whatever format) does not make it a must have car for me - the Boxster in S format is just so much more as a two in one car ie Summer soft top and and roof down - winter just pop the hardtop on[]

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: jdpef356 Dyllan Yes I have tried both - the cayman for only a very short time - I own a boxster S. The Cayman (in whatever format) does not make it a must have car for me - the Boxster in S format is just so much more as a two in one car ie Summer soft top and and roof down - winter just pop the hardtop on[]

I can't feel any difference between my Boxster S and the Cayman I ocassionally have access to other than the Boxster is so much more versatile and fun to be in especially in topless roof down mode [8D] Maybe if you were driving the two cars at 9/10th max on B roads the tin top might be the taughter choice but as I rarely can get to 50% of the handling/performance available, as I do like a clean licence, the drop top is only way to go for me However either one are in there own classes always come out on top To date 911 x 5 Boxster x 5

 

[SCOTJC]

I've now got a Cayman S having previously had 2 996 facelift carreras and a 996 turbo. I was looking at a 997 c2s and had a shot of a cayman s and decided both were very good and whichever one a very good one came up first ,i would go with. Looked at a lot of both and found a cracking Cayman S so went with it and haven't at all felt short changed. Probably very little in pace between it and the carreras. Not a backwards step really just a different experience imho. Boxster I'm sure is great but doesvery little in the looks dept as a whole for me and I don't need the roof off experience. Spec wise, drive as many as you can, I'd done my research and thought i needed PASM with 19's fitted but having tried them I bought one without PASM but with sports chrono as it was more important to me.

 

[oliver]

Agree that the difference between the Boxster and Cayman is largely subjective - do you want a roadster or a coupe? Both are great cars, lovely chassis, all the real world performance most people would ever need, and everyday usable. Personally prefer the 911s, and all their idiosyncracies, rear seats, bigger feel, etc - but the 987s are no poor relations.

 

[Monty2]

Hi Alex If you refer to my previous ownership list below it may add some weight to the following. Boxster S I've had 2 excellent fun cars and the option of dropping the hood (nothing better on a hot barmy night or wrapped up on a spring morning), shoot me down but I enjoyed the 986 S more than 987 S slightly softer ride but great for tail out slides. 997 S and Turbo the best for crossing big distances fast and the Turbo add int the wet and slippery to that. Cayman S brings back the smiles and loses the roof rattles on our poor road surfaces biggest fault no 944 stlye sunroof option but then you wouldn't need the Boxster. I've recently switched from a Turbo Tip to a Cayman S with PDK yes its moved me out of a super car back to a sports car I had tremedous fun in the turbo and seeing a line of 997 Porsche snaking through the peak district is a sight to behold and hear with a few wearing the sports exhaust systems. But on my Lincs roads it possibly not the best Porsche to be in, hence a change due to it spending too much time tucked up in the garage and after an opportunity to go banzai around Tuddenham airfield last year in a Cayman S with PDK which had me doubting the tail heavy 911 concept I'm now giving a new Cayman S its chance to get under my skin and impress. Early days yet but leaving aside the mental top speed and lightning acceleration experienced in the turbo the mid engine weight distribution adding to chuck ability together with really light precise steering is not leaving me wanting at the moment. I've been very lucky to drive most modern Porsche some of them around Millbrook and Silverstone Porsche Centre track and it is really each to his own. I love the Gen 2 GT3 and would be on my wish list but could i drive from the dutch coast to Stuttgart in a day and state I had really enjoyed my journey down as I did in the turbo I can't be sure. I think the answer is drive as many Porsche as you can and then select the best you enjoyed (irrespective if it is a magic 911 or any other Porsche driving my neighbours 993 is always something special) and are able to afford and run without breaking the bank. Good luck you'll be in Porsche heaven with whatever you get.

 

[topgear253]

Thanks everyone for your replies, it seems to me that what makes one Porsche better for one person, makes it worse for another, whether it's a Boxter, Aircooled 911, whatever. More refined, or more rawness, but all are great in their own way. Anyway, today I test drove a pdk Cayman S and thought I'd let you guys know what I thought as I think it concurs with some of your views. I really enjoyed the drive, the general feel and handling is quite superb and it's clear why everyone rates it so highly. The PDK gearbox is also quite brilliant, and with the flappy paddles I'm not too sure it could be improved upon much for an auto box. I was astonished with the speed after flooring it from a roundabout, it certainly didn't feel wanting compared with a Carrera S, great stuff. I really like the involvement of a manual though so not an easy choice. Coming from a 911 it's really interesting how different it feels in the corners, although it is clearly better balanced I realise that I do quite enjoy the rear bias of the 911, it adds a certain character to the driving style, slowing up for a corner, then squatting the rear down and to the side, and then sling shotting yourself out, rather than in the Cayman which is so well balanced it doesn't need so much attention, just put it where you want. I did briefly drive a Gen1 Cayman S a year ago and although the Gen2 seemed even better the noise did seem to have become more refined in the cabin. The flat 6 noise and mechanical whirrings of the previous Gen appeared to me to have gone, or have I imagined this? The Porsche noise is such a big part of the experience for me, maybe I need a sports exhaust. Bottom line, really nice car, still stuff to think about...

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: alexoctagon I did briefly drive a Gen1 Cayman S a year ago and although the Gen2 seemed even better the noise did seem to have become more refined in the cabin. The flat 6 noise and mechanical whirrings of the previous Gen appeared to me to have gone, or have I imagined this? The Porsche noise is such a big part of the experience for me, maybe I need a sports exhaust.

I agree the latest Gen2 cars 911 or Cayman/Boxster are definitely a little too refined sounding for me and a sports exhaust is a must have option IMO as is a manual gearbox preferably with the short shifter []

 

[topgear253]

Just seen this on YouTube from Silverstone, this sounds like a GT3 noise which is great, maybe this is sports exhaust... [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36eu3Inezw&NR=1]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36eu3Inezw&NR=1[/link]

 

[NNH]

I swapped from a 996 3.6 to a Cayman 2.7, and I'm loving it. I ended up fitting Euro M030 suspension to try to nail down the front end of the 996, and still never got happy with it. The Cayman was great out of the box.

 

[SCOTJC]

ORIGINAL: NNH I swapped from a 996 3.6 to a Cayman 2.7, and I'm loving it. I ended up fitting Euro M030 suspension to try to nail down the front end of the 996, and still never got happy with it. The Cayman was great out of the box.

I know what you mean, i never felt the front end was planted on either of my 3.6 carreras, swapping to a turbo fixed that though! I now think the cayman actually sits on the road slightly better, especially in a straight line on b roads whereas the turbo "fidgeted" a bit more imho.

 

[sniper]

I went from a 996 turbo to a cayman 2.7. The cayman is a cracking car - much better than the 996TT in a lot of respects bar the performance of course. The only niggle I have with the Cayman is traction. It is very easy for the rear tyres to lose traction when setting off quickly - particularly in the rain. In snow its virtually undriveable - the 996 with 4 wheel drive and summer tyres was fantastic by comparison. Sniper

 

[berty987]

Sounds like a small investment in an LSD or winter tyres would improve your frustrations. I drove my car on pilot sport alpins in 3" of compacted snow. Unless you went crazy with your right foot it felt as composed as running on dry road. The LSD can be bought for about 1000 pounds and can be fitted in just a few hours. Its now an option on the gen 2 cars.

 

[topgear253]

Thanks a lot for all your replies, I've been convinced that I wouldn't be disappointed. So I've been looking for a Cayman S PDK (sports chrono in safe colours with fair or low mileage) for the past few weeks and although there are some dealers cars available, I think their prices are quite high, if any of you guys have one of these and looking to sell, please get in touch! (I've posted this in the members wanted section too.)

 

[Dylan1]

they are really very scarce alex-i would look to buy new if you want one in the near future

 

[cayman]

The Gen II Cayman only became available mid February 2009 and most of the 58 plated versions seem to be demonstrators or were registered to Porsche for Silverstone use etc. I took delivery 14 March 2009 so its only 18 months old and at this point I would not consider selling it and I expect those who also bought at this time would not be thinking about selling yet. Why sell when its a fantastic car and what do you buy to replace it thats better? So does it surpise me there are very few secondhand Gen II's around? No. As Dyllan says buy new (and do it now before the 2.5% VAT increase on 4 January 2011 and probable price increase) and then you know the history of the car and not be wondering why its being sold after only 18 months at most.

 

[Dylan1]

thanks for confirming my thoughts martin!! as you say,most people with gen 2`s will be just nicely run in by now so why on earth would they change?? the gen 2 "s"esp with pdk(IMHO)is a brilliant machine ,and may well be my next steed to compliment the 993 having had the pleasure of a gen 1 "s".unless severe financial pressure or a serious case of more money than sense i cant see too many selling the gen 2 any time soon,and ex demos will be very near new price anyway so ,like you,why not treat yourself to a brand new one-you wont regret it!!