New Boxster S, New Cayman S or Used 911?

[evoke]

Having been messed about by my local OPC when trying to buy a used 911 (a 996 C4S), i'm toying with the idea of buying a new Boxster S or Cayman S instead. The benefits will be that I will get the exact spec I want and it will be new complete with the 2-year Porsche warranty (as opposed to a 1-year Porsche Approved warranty for a used 911). With finance I can stretch to the low £50K's mark.

What would you do in this situation?

 

[gdavison]

Ask your self one simple Q to start - do you want Lid or No Lid .... Depending on that answer yor descision is made []

If you dont really care ... go drive them both ... then you will know

 

[Black80XSA]

don't spec a 987 above £45k, unless you sare going to keep the car 3 years - all those extras will be worth nothing come resale.

For the price of the basic Cayman you can buy the softtop with the necessary extras.

The Cayman will be better for longer journeys at speed, all depends on your type os usage.


Given how 996 prices have dropped tho, you'd get a very nice spec'd 996C4S for similar money, or a C2 for a bit less

 

[evoke]

I'm not that bothered about lid or no lid. I had a 2003 Boxster from new for 18 months so am reasonably familiar with Boxsters. I suppose I would tend to favour the coupe slightly more than a Boxster. If push came to shove I'm probably really asking the question: Cayman S or used 911? A reasonable specified Cayman S is pushing into highly desirable 996 C4S territory (even a 2004 model at a pinch). Hence, it's a difficult decision.

The only problem with a used 996 is that my local OPC keeps sending me details of cars that he hasn't seen, let alone purchased! It's putting me off a used Porsche a little.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: rumba

I'm probably really asking the question: Cayman S or used 911?

If you test drove both for a few hours or even got your OPC to loan you a car for 24 hours all your questions would be answered as they are quite different drives. []

If it was my decision I would go for the brand new model any day. My petrolhead dealer let me drive an 03 996 Turbo last week, as he was passing my house and offered me a go it would have been rude not to [] Apart from the awesome power, which I would never be able to use, give me the Cayman and money in the bank any day of the week []. This Turbo listed out at a whopping £103000 new! but couldn't deliver the thrill factor like £45K's worth of Cayman can.

 

[Alex Postan]

No brainer, buy the Cayman

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: Alex Postan

No brainer, buy the Cayman

I don't agree that it's a 'no brainer' in light of Delbox's post!

If you're buying to keep then yes spec a new car, if not buy something that someone else took the hit on!

JCB..

 

[evoke]

So what are the 'essential options' that push the price of a Cayman S from £45K to the low £50K's? As is usual with anything Porsche, everything costs. I read a thread on another forum about a Porsche dealer actually refusing to sell someone a base Boxster (with no options)! On the Cayman S I know I would need PCM (satnav), BOSE and a CD changer. Apart from that, i'm not bothered. For example, are the Xenons worth it? I hardly drive at night and, although I have Xenons on my current BMW 530i, they have hardly ever been used. What about leather? Are the seats partial leather already?

I got stung badly when I sold my '03 Boxster in late 2004. I had nearly £9K of options on it and lost £11K in 18 months. Hence, options are worth very little despite what my OPC says!

 

[evoke]

ORIGINAL: JCB..

ORIGINAL: Alex Postan

No brainer, buy the Cayman

I don't agree that it's a 'no brainer' in light of Delbox's post!

If you're buying to keep then yes spec a new car, if not buy something that someone else took the hit on!

JCB..

Hi JCB, yes I would be buying to keep for 3-5 years. I just could not afford to sell the car after 1-2 years and take a massive hit.

 

[oliver]

The 996 is a superb GT, and the 2+2 layout can be very useful. Also, it's already shed the bulk of its depreciation. IMO probably the best choice, if you can find a really good one.

Boxster v Cayman is trickier. Cayman has the advantage of being newer, rarer so values should hold better over the next couple of years. But I found the cabin rather small.

Don't under-estimate the Boxster, it really is a stunning little roadster. And, the opportunity to drop the roof in 12 seconds, adds an extra dimension that no coupe, however good, can match. Get heated seats and you'll rarely have the roof up for 8 months of the year. Best buy would be a high-spec one year old Boxster S. Let someone else bear the initial depreciation.

 

[evoke]

Oliver, as you may know from my posts on the 996 forum, i've been messed around a little by my OPC with regards to a used 996. He has almost managed to put me off buying a used Porsche altogether, hence that is why i'm looking at a Cayman S as an alternative, or even a very well specified Boxster S, but I do prefer a coupe.

 

[Guest]

They all have a unique character.

I guess you need to ask a few questions:

1. What do you plan to use the car for?
If is your only car, then do you need the additional rear seat space?
The Cayman is probably easier down country lanes, since it is smaller.
The C4S is very sure footed.

2. Do you want to have a soft top?
I personally don't like them, so I would go for a Cayman or the C4S.
The main point of the Boxster is that it is a roadster and has a soft top. If you don't intend to use it, then why bother having it.
The coupe body is stiffer and more secure, so why compromise if you don't want the wind in you hair.

3. Power is addictive and you always want more.
It seems that there are no end of posts saying that the Boxster or Cayman should have the 911 engine, or be an RS version, or have turbos. If you want a 911 engine, you'll have to buy a 911.

4. Do you like the new interiors, or prefer the 996 style?
The C4S does not look like the 997/987/C7S. Do you like the newer steering wheel and dash?

5. Do you plan to keep the car for a long time?

6. Do you care about the depreciation?

7. Do you car about image?
The 911 is a 911, and rightly or wrongly has a stronger image.
No doubt work colleagues and friends will be more impressed with the C4S.
I think the Cayman is a great proposition, although I am not convinced about the styling, but it is not a 911.

Ultimately there is only one way to tell.
Look at the all in the metal, test drive them, then go with what you want.
Do not go with what you think you should get, since you will always want the other one, and changing your mind is getting increasingly expensive. Also do not go with what other people tell you to get, since it is your money, so pick what makes you happy.
Edit:
I would also add, go with what your initial gut feel told you to get. You seem to want a C4S, so don't be put off by one dealer, go to another OPC or independent.

 

[oliver]

Try another OPC.

I've used Swindon (formerly Dick Lovetts) for about 18 years, without any problems. The staff are always very courteous and efficient, Peter Lovett is normally around, and the service manager has been their since the 1970s. They also do collection and delivery all over the country.

Whichever car you choose, the ownership experience really benefits from a good relationship with your OPC.

If you have time, why not pop down the M4 and check out Reading and Swindon.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: rumba

Oliver, as you may know from my posts on the 996 forum, i've been messed around a little by my OPC with regards to a used 996. He has almost managed to put me off buying a used Porsche altogether, hence that is why i'm looking at a Cayman S as an alternative, or even a very well specified Boxster S, but I do prefer a coupe.

Then move on to an OPC who wants your business and will give you the service your hard earned deserves. I dealt with Chiswick for 20 years but when my contact was fired, the personal no B/S service I was use to ceased to be, so I found myself a new dealer and so far I have bought 2 cars from them, been treated to 5 motor racing events in past 3 years and have an excellent relationship with my contact at that dealership.

 

[Mike Butler]

My 2 cents:

Nobody can answer your question but you. I loved my Boxsters but enjoy my C4S a lot more. It's more of an event to drive but I haven't driven a Cayman yet. It's such a personal thing everyone (as you see) has their own opinions. I wanted a C4S for no logical reason - the Boxster S was the better balanced car that I felt more confident chucking around country lanes but my C4S is better for me! Take them all out and then decide.

Oh and change OPCs and write the principal a letter....

 

[evoke]

I've taken the advice given here and called another dealer. I've arranged for a test drive of a Cayman S tomorrow and will look at a used 996 C4S.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: rumba

I've taken the advice given here and called another dealer. I've arranged for a test drive of a Cayman S tomorrow and will look at a used 996 C4S.

[] You know it makes sense ..Good luck with the tests and lets see which way you jump after [8D]

 

[Mike Butler]

Don't leave Porsches what ever you do. I did and regretted wasting nearly 2 years in 'other cars' [] ! I'm now a very happy bunny again! []

 

[Rodney Naghar]

On your budget I would consider a 2nd hand 996 turbo or GT3 MkI, or if depreciation is a worry than a 993s or turbo.
For mid 50's you can even get a low mileage 996 GT2 with warranty (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/63212.htm)

I really don't see the point in buying new as the market is awash with used cars, with a huge variety of options. Save yourself the depreciation and if neccessary add on the options (where possible) to the car you buy.

Sometimes it just gets tiring explaining to ignorant people that you bought the Boxster/Cayman because you wanted it, and not because you couldn't afford a 911.[&o]

 

[evoke]

The salesman at Reading said that there were loads of cars that I could look at as Reading is where all cars are prepared. He also said that the initial deposit for a new Cayman S is now £3K with the additional deposit required to make it up to 10% payable when the spec if finalised.

I presume the initial deposit is set to deter speculators and timewasters?

Anyway, he told me that the every OPC has sold its current allocation of the Cayman S and that orders were being taken for the next allocation. Specs need to be finalised in May with abuild date of July and delivery in September. Hence, there's a lead time of 8 months at present on a Cayman S.