Comments like this on a Porsche forum are mildly amusing. At least to me.

Your results may vary.


Andreas

 

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.

 

Bingo.


Andreas

 

If you add in sketchy parking on the destination end, that's exactly what I did in my used '02 Corolla for a 42 mile bumper to bumper round trip to downtown LA for 6 years. I understand that Atlanta traffic is at least as bad. When I got fed up with that, I started taking the bus. So much nicer: take a nappie, e-mail on the Blackberry, invigorating walk at the end, no stress...

If you really want to be green, the natural gas Honda Civic GX is still the king: http://www.greenercars.org/highlights_greenest.htm

 

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).

 

For under $30K you can get a real nice 2007 Cayman. Definitely the way to go.

 

Simple. You already have a 993. Electrics are only good for the golf course. Only choice left, Cayman. Use, reuse, recycle.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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...

 

Every 993 needs a Cayman in the next garage bay!

 

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

 

Right. You don't hit the chain control of "Don't Pass Go" on I-80. That, period, requires an AWD vehicle. At my age, I'm not "chaining up" to go 5 miles from Kingvale to get off at Soda Springs. Nor am I paying $30 on/$15 off.

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.

 

Just as much in a 911. Record, though in my SC, was 4 mounted race tires + tools/jack/jackstands/etc and gear for two weeks + laptop/electronic gear. AND I had space for a 2.7L engine case on the passenger seat as my first stop was to timesert/level it at my uncle's machine shop the first day of the trip.

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.

 

Yup. I. starting to think Cayman. So any input from all of you on a realistic price range for a 20-30k mile 2007? I would consider a 2008 also but for the fairly hard use I'm going to give a car like that, I don't see any advantage in the additional cost of an '08. Looks like dealers are asking 39-43k for 2007 with as high as mileage in the 40's but I'm guessing thats a bit high? Is $35-40k realistic? Thanks guys.....


I'm pretty comfortable that I can make the leaf work from a mileage perspective. And, based upon other comments here, I'm starting to lean more towards the Cayman rather than a 993 or 997. Sounds like the real decision is Leaf or Cayman. Strange comparison, I know. Appreciate the input. Thanks.