Leaf, Cayman or 993?
03-13-2011, 06:02 PM
#16
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
03-13-2011, 06:20 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
IMO, full electric is any thing but green. Last time I looked we burn lots of coal to make electricity in this country. Sounds good, though. It also means more raw material mined out of the earth, processed and manufacturing to make a new car. Also, who knows what may pop up as weak points in these cars?
Go with a used car (Cayman or 993) and recycle.
Go with a used car (Cayman or 993) and recycle.
03-13-2011, 06:29 PM
#18
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
IMO, full electric is any thing but green. Last time I looked we burn lots of coal to make electricity in this country. Sounds good, though. It also means more raw material mined out of the earth, processed and manufacturing to make a new car. Also, who knows what may pop up as weak points in these cars?
Go with a used car (Cayman or 993) and recycle.
Go with a used car (Cayman or 993) and recycle.
Andreas
03-13-2011, 06:52 PM
#19
Drifting
Join Date: Aug 2006
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If you simply want to be practical then get a common, inexpensive and reliable Japanese used mpg car that is safe and comfortable enough to make your daily commutes. Who cares if it's boring. It's a commute. Bring your latte and brioche with you, put it in D, and turn on the radio. And relax while getting 30+ mpg with minimal upkeep.
On your days off and the weekends, you'll appreciate...driving your 993TT that much more
On your days off and the weekends, you'll appreciate...driving your 993TT that much more
If you really want to be green, the natural gas Honda Civic GX is still the king: http://www.greenercars.org/highlights_greenest.htm
Last edited by dcdude; 03-14-2011 at 03:06 PM.
03-13-2011, 07:13 PM
#20
Rennlist Member
Another used 993 could be in the shop a lot and a stick is a pain (for me) in bad traffic. I'd go with the ultra reliable Cayman. I wouldn't get a first year model of anything if I didn't have to (Leaf).
03-13-2011, 10:37 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
How does a 50 mile roundtrip commute turn into 20K/yr? Even if you're working 300 days a year, that's 15K. I can't imagine a Leaf working in that scenario.
Basically, how much do you want to spend? If you're cash pinched, and your commute is boring stop-and-go, sure get an automotive appliance that minimizes operating costs. Don't forget depreciation in the mix. It's not all about the pump price.
Ultimately if you're spending 1-2 hours a day in something, do you want to hate the experience? Again, if you're struggling all bets are off. I'm at nearly 10K of use in the past four months with the C4S. The difference in ~20mpg-on-premium driving (even at current prices) and ~25mpg-on-regular is $400? And that's if I could even manage 25mpg in the mountains with an AWD "something".
Basically, how much do you want to spend? If you're cash pinched, and your commute is boring stop-and-go, sure get an automotive appliance that minimizes operating costs. Don't forget depreciation in the mix. It's not all about the pump price.
Ultimately if you're spending 1-2 hours a day in something, do you want to hate the experience? Again, if you're struggling all bets are off. I'm at nearly 10K of use in the past four months with the C4S. The difference in ~20mpg-on-premium driving (even at current prices) and ~25mpg-on-regular is $400? And that's if I could even manage 25mpg in the mountains with an AWD "something".
03-13-2011, 11:32 PM
#24
Racer
Thread Starter
Well....I can't say that I expected a clear direction from this group but definitely seems to be about as mixed as my own head right now. If the moment I'm leaning toward a 2007 cayman.....manual. My "life is short" view is taking over my "be responsible" view. And the wife and daughter both are pushing for a Cayman or 997. Even they don't want to ride in my Leaf!!. Any pros or cons in service issues and cost with a Cayman versus 997?
03-14-2011, 04:31 AM
#25
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I used my Cayman as a daily driver for nearly 2 years. It's a great car for that and dynamically, it's amazing on the track when you want to take it out on weekends. Amazingly, though, my 993 got better gas mileage. I can't speak for the 997 vs. Cayman maintenance however, I've found my car to be fairly easy on that front. I've been hearing that the actual real world range of the Leaf differs from the publicized range Nissan put out in that it's actually a shorter range - again...I don't own one and can't speak from experience but it'd suck to get stranded if you can't charge up fast enough or conveniently enough to avoid running out of 'gas'.
Oh..one last advantage for the Cayman - great storage space with a hatch out back and a deep trunk out front...almost practical I'd say...
Oh..one last advantage for the Cayman - great storage space with a hatch out back and a deep trunk out front...almost practical I'd say...
03-14-2011, 02:38 PM
#27
Race Director
Given your selections I would choose a Cayman. I think it would be a blast as a DD. If you sit in traffic I would see no shame in getting PDK either. Just my .02
03-14-2011, 03:18 PM
#28
Rennlist Member
Prolly not... I drive either a Saab 9-3 2.0T (FWD) or a MB E350 4Matic Wagen to and from my mountain. No stop and go traffic with only 5 stop signs and no traffic lights. Also, my mountain is probably more benign terrain wise. I get 26 mpg in the Saab (a very fuel efficient car) and 20mpg in the MB.
I really, really, really thought hard about getting a beater Cayenne (such as they exist) for the winter runs. But then I'm getting less than 20MPG, insuring another car, and paying $2K+ in CA sales/use tax. Not paying that has paid for the snow tires + most of the fuel cost of my trips. Plus, I get to drive a 993, and not a POS Cayenne.
I'm absolutely getting cranky on my "life's too short to drive a four door" outlook.
03-14-2011, 03:24 PM
#29
Rennlist Member
Last year the C4S managed a week long trip to Phoenix with the bikes on top, golf clubs in back, and luggage for me. (Wife was there on business already and her luggage flew with her.) Thinking about similar in two week'r up to Yellowstone, etc. this summer. Might put the luggage carrier on the rear; should be able to keep the golf clubs + carrier under the 100 lbs. I'd feel comfortable on the hitch.
03-14-2011, 09:53 PM
#30
Racer
Thread Starter
I used my Cayman as a daily driver for nearly 2 years. It's a great car for that and dynamically, it's amazing on the track when you want to take it out on weekends. Amazingly, though, my 993 got better gas mileage. I can't speak for the 997 vs. Cayman maintenance however, I've found my car to be fairly easy on that front. I've been hearing that the actual real world range of the Leaf differs from the publicized range Nissan put out in that it's actually a shorter range - again...I don't own one and can't speak from experience but it'd suck to get stranded if you can't charge up fast enough or conveniently enough to avoid running out of 'gas'.
Oh..one last advantage for the Cayman - great storage space with a hatch out back and a deep trunk out front...almost practical I'd say...
Oh..one last advantage for the Cayman - great storage space with a hatch out back and a deep trunk out front...almost practical I'd say...