Matteeboy

Charles - thanks for posting that up - very interesting reading!

CharlesW

"Oh, look at that M3. I guess he couldn't afford an M5" Come on. Both he and the Cayman owner can afford a 45 grand motor car. Not exactly penny pinching are they?

Matteeboy

...and the people that say that often drive something with about a tenth of that anyway

terzo204

To put it another way, why have the poor man's Porshe?

And:

1. CharlesW: Definately not penny pinching!
2. Matteeboy: I am not saying this myself, but there is a lot of snobbery out there. BTW - yes, my car is probably only worth 1/10 of a Porshe!

Matteeboy

I just think it's daft.

To be the Cayman is not a "poor man's Porsche" it's a "drivers Porsche" with the engine in the "right" place.

terzo204

I must be daft, but the 911 is the only porshe for me.

Valid point re the mid-engine though

Brendan Hughes

RUF Cayman?

Olly

20 grand difference would probably cloud most people's perspective.

But the original poster is looking at the 3 cars "all in the same price range".

In this respect, I'm not sure how many people would take the Caymen S over the 997. Certainly not me.

lestippp

Guys these are all top cars, it's not about price it's about preference surely. When I buy a car I have a budget I want to spend and I then look at what cars (that I like) fit the spend and so on. That's why I will be buying a second hand Boxster S next spring and not a new Cayman S or a 911 turbo or a GT (now they are nice or are they a poor mans Bugatti Veyron?! ). I know a chap who works at Rio Prestige (where my girl hired the Cayman S from for me) and he has a 944 and loves it. He's looking forward to buying a Cayman S in about 10 years time.

Wish I had the choice to make

NACRO

In the end I didn't go for any of the cars I test drove.

What I did was up the ante and went for broke. Now the proud owner of an evil looking black 996 Turbo with DMS automotive upgrade and sports exhaust.

Let me tell you absolute power DOES corrupt absolutely.

Matteeboy

NACRO - You lucky lucky bar steward!
You must now do your duty and put some pics up!

Flatcapdriver

Probably a wise move. I keep looking at the Cayman but I just can't get my head round the price of it once its decently specced - makes BMW look generous!

NACRO

You wouldn't believe how fast the 996 feels after driving around in a 330 diesel. I might stick some pictures up but I'm naturally suspicious about sharing with some of the 'people' that inhabit this place. That said most of 'other marques' contributors are the cream of the crop............

Trout

iTrader: (1)

A couple of thoughts.

Quite a few journos regard the Cayman as brilliant but dull. I have not driven one and so cannot comment. There again I have driven the Boxster and never really liked it and many people think that is brilliant.

A car that is not on your list, which to my mind is one of the best value Porsches around at the moment is the 996 GT3 II. You can get a very well specced car for around £55k and they are truly brilliant to drive, on road or track.

Having said that in terms of ultmate performance a 997 C2S is as quick at places like the 'Ring.

Not answering your question directly, perhaps another option to think about.

PS Matteboy have you ever driven a modern(ish) Porshce. It is easier to lose the back end of my 5 series diesel with the traction control on than it is to lose the back end of the 993 C2 in the wet. 911s have phenomenal traction and huge cornering capability, wet or dry.

Luminous

iTrader: (3)

Just overwrite your plates with a photo editor and post up

(or send them to someone else whom you trust to do that for you if you don't know how - its not hard)

Matteeboy

I would be a bit of a pillock posting up comments if I hadn't!
My experiences are with the 996 C4S and the last shape Boxster S.
I'm dying to try a 997 Carrera S and a Cayman S so have based my comments on the other two.
I know they have enormous traction. It's when that traction goes that things suddenly get scary.

pippyrips

I drove a Cayman S a few weeks ago and overall was really disappointed. Yes it handles well but as mentioned several times already it wasn't quick and i was also disappointed with the engine sound in the cockpit - it just doesn't sound like i've always imagined a Porsche would/should. I also thought the interior appeared quite cheap.

Brendan Hughes

(NACRO, did you get over to Lisbon eventually?)

Trout

iTrader: (1)

I am curious at your reply. If you have not driven or owned a two wheeled drive 911 what qualifies you to make this comment? Or have I misunderstood your answer?

Matteeboy

My cousin who owned a RWD 911 for a year and sold it due to too many near misses.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

I am sure you will find many owners and drivers of Scoobs on this very BBS who have had many near misses in their Subarus so I am not sure what your point makes other than an observation on the competence of the driver.

I owned a 993 C2 for eighteen months and drove the pants of it - it was a beguilingly fast and easy car to drive. I had one moment of a little unprovoked rear action and that was in the snow!!

Matteeboy

Rannoch - fair enough. I'd love a 993 - Must have been fun having one.
I'm just a bit if a sucker for 4WD. Guess it's just what you're used to and having the "pedulum" that is the 911 layout, something has to give on the limit and beyond.

I have to admit that his driving isn't the finest. I should just try one and stop making assumptions.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

I think your assumption was true of early cars. However from 993 onwards, understeer was probably a great problem in 911s than oversteer.

I think even Clarkson had problems unsticking the back end of a 997 C2 on TG last season.

The Stig thought the 997 2 was a far sweeter handling car than the 997 4.

Matteeboy

...and usefully lighter too.
I am dying to try a 997. While I think the 996 got a bit bloated, I think the return to the 993 look is fantastic - looks more compact. Something I really do like about any of the great 911s.

NACRO

I did and your tip about the Regency Chiado was spot on- fantastic view and pricey but worth it bar.

Brendan Hughes