I stand at 5'8" tall and I've noticed that in German cars it feels like the cabin is made for a bigger being. I've noticed this in Audi, and now in the 911, too. Like, not only is it built to accommodate a 5'11" - 6'2" driver, it's liked it's made for them. However, sitting in a Cayman S, it feels like that car is designed for a smaller frame (women, we may assume), and it fit me like a glove, probably due to this height-design factor.

I'm ready to get the 911 but feel like Cayman S would be more comfortable for me through the life of the car - not in terms of road feel or performance, but in terms of control and driving. How does anybody else feel about how your Porsche's controls (seats, steering, pedals) are formatted? How tall are you? Do you have any inkling of what I'm talking about? Ordering tomorrow, thanks...

 

yes, agree, and you are correct in your thoughts.
the cayman fits like a glove definitely. the older 987 even more so.

 

Americans have become larger over the years. Therefore, so have their cars.

Few will buy a car that makes them feel obese, even if that's what they are. Americans love anything that makes them feel skinnier, like a larger car will.

Market forces at work

 

I got a fantastic deal on a Boxter S in 2008 that someone traded back for a 911 after a week because it was too small. The 987 fit like a glove. I traded it for a 991. It is definitely roomier than the 987 and has a more open feeling- and easily adjustable to fit like a glove. That said, I think all 981s are a bit roomier and open feeling because of the windshield being more forward and the center console being cleverly tapered and less likely to encounter a knee.

 

I added a clutch extension because it felt a bit (maybe two inches) too far from optimal for me. I'm 5'6''. I want my car to fit me exactly, whatever it is. In my zest for the mt 991 I overlooked this during the purchase. I made Bessy truly exactly tailored for me with a clutch extender from pedal mates (silly name, great product imo). I've never had to alter the footwork of a performance car to feel dialed in, but the 991 can bring connectedness to a new level if one desires it. So awesome, even if the car is made for a slightly bigger/taller driver than me sent with iOS using Rennlist

 

6'3" 280 lbs. I can't fit in a Boxster or a Cayman. It's like torture and I hate it. The 991 is semi-roomy. Excellent leg rom but a little tight in the width. Germans love big people. Italians love little people.

 

I am 6'5" and my 911 has _plenty_ of room for me. Happy!

 

Yes the Cayman is a tighter fit, but if it suits you, consider it a $20k rebate from Porsche as a Cayman S is all the Porsche sports car anyone really needs.
Everyone knows the arguments for and against - so that's all I'll say!

 

I am 6'1" and 210 lbs. I could not fit in previous generation Boxster/Cayman. I can fit in the new one, but still rather tight.

 

+1 same here. at a tich under 6' and a 981 cayman fits like a nice glove.

Be safe
Patty

 

deleted

 

A 991 sees me having to move the seat a good deal forward from the full aft position to gain proper leverage on the wheel and pedals.

Be safe
Patty

 

In one respect I disagree, at least with respect to the previous model. The 991 is a much bigger car and my issue is no longer there.

I'm 6-5 with longer torso than normal for my height. Nearly all 997's would have my hair always touching the ceiling unless I drove "gangsta style" with the seat reclined. Only 997 exceptions are the convertibles because the soft top is thinner and affords more headroom, or the GT3 RS which has no sunroof. The Cayman from the same period did not have this problem. My hair would not touch the ceiling in a normal seating position. It actually had more headroom.

Legroom, butt room, shoulder room, etc. are a different story.

 

Thanks for your replies everybody. After test driving both and experimenting with suggestions made in this thread, we've decided to go with Cayman S. I really did want to go with the 911 as it is the more iconic car, but I simply cannot deny that the Cayman S seems to fit me better. I considered going with a 911 Cab as that would have a lower seatbelt mount and thus may fit me a bit better, but I want a sunroof, not a drop-top. In the Cayman S, I will be getting neither. But, I will be getting a car that feels EFFING FANTASTIC so I'm overjoyed about that! Thanks again for your inputs and will look forward to more rich discussion with you as my journey with Porsche is just beginning!

 

There's no question that over the last 20 years the 911 has been evolving into a GT car which by definition will be roomier than a pure sports car. It's amazing how much the 911 has grown over the last 50 years. I was at my local Porsche dealership and happened to see an early model 911 parked next to a 991S, and was amazed at how much larger the 991 was.