Bob Prosser

Submitted for your approval, I offer (lifted from a couple of websites), a visual comparison of the rare 550 Le Mans and the new "little crock".



Nice job on maintaining some heritage, except for the name. What's wrong with names relevant to racing?!

I am really thinking about this car as a daily driver. But the question begs: get a used 997 or a new Cayman? I know the early 997s had bugs, which are quickly being remedied, so I wonder if this model would have a few less first-year problems. What do you think?

Jim Michaels

Wow! Which one is which? The 550 Coupe was at Parade, and at Amelia Island Concours in April, just after a very tough restoration was completed.

Easy for me to answer for myself, but might not help you decide. I'm getting a new Croc rather than a new 997. I passed on the 986, 996, 987, and 997, but the Croc sounds just right for me, mainly because it's a modern mid-engine coupe. All new Porsches probably had their own somewhat unique problems, but much of the Croc is 987-based, and the motor (now in 3.4 size again) should be sorted by now. Porsche has had enough time to address some of the earlier oil delivery problems under hard track use, so I hope they're sorted. I also worry a bit about all the high tech gizmos such as PASM and SCP, so I've inquired on the 987 forum about their operation, but so far no response.

Paul Marangoni

How long before a 998 Carrera materializes? Any guesses? I really like the Cayman, and if I can get the dough together next year, I may spring for one. Probably not possible until it's second year though.

gmsracing

I think this is the question that will make the Caymen successful in the market place or not. I say most people will go for a new 997. I would.

tbill

I was going to wait for the Cayman, but decided to purchase a '05 997, so I could have for this summer. Another concern was first year problems on the Cayman. And if the Cayman was not the vehicle for me after 1st looks, then I would have to purchase a '06 911 at a higher cost. So I've got a 2005 911 coupe with 1357 miles on it thus far. What a car! No comparison to anything else I've driven. I'm sure that whatever you end up with, it will be great.

Paul Marangoni

I don't like the look of the 997, so I would say go with the Cayman. It's really beautiful in person.

Paul Marangoni

The one I saw was silver, and it looked great, but I'm tired of silver (my last car was silver and my current car is silver). I think it would look great in white.... Either way, I would stay away from darker colours, because they wouldn't show off the curves as well.

Paul Marangoni

That wouldn't be one of my choices, but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't look great too. Like I said, I think any 'non-dark' colours would be best.

Paul Marangoni

Exactly, so it should look pretty good if you're into yellow, but I just don't like yellow on a car.

elsiesvg

I'd certainly go for a used 997, for two reasons:

1. Buying an early used car gets me "nearly-new" quality without having to shoulder the worst of the depreciation on the car.
2. I need those two rear seats...

Doug&Julie

If you don't need the rear seats, get the Cayman. Better handling. Better utility. Full warranty. Better handling. (..yes, I know I said that twice..)

Bob Prosser

Hmm. Rear seats vs a dedicated luggage area. Well, since my kids outgrew rear Porsche seats years ago, the rear space in my 911 is for carrying things anyway. And as for first year gremlins, well, I am hopeful that the Cayenne, 997 and recently released Boxster has helped identify the common electronic bugs. Probably too much to ask though.

Bet you one of the first major complaints on the Cayman, besides the funky name, is the rear hatch squeaking and rattling.

designman

I'm wondering about heat in the cockpit. Seems like you could hatch eggs in the Boxster's rear trunk, and maybe even broil the chicks. Would like to know how they designed around that.

Bob Prosser

I read something last night about a glass partition between the cabin and rear luggage compartment. Whatever it is that gets stored back there better be able to take the heat.

Paul Marangoni

I sat in the Cayman and there is no glass partition.