Craig T.

I need some Rennlister opinions. I finally talked my wife out of that stupid LS 430 mall cruiser. I'm looking at two Porsche options for her as a daily driver 1.) 2002 996TT Tiptronic w/ 9200 mi 2.) a new Cayman S Tiptronic loaded with NAV, Bose, etc.

The difference in price is only about $6,000 in favor of the Cayman. Her commute is about 36 mi round trip and 15,000 mi per year total.

Thanks for the help.

pstoppani

Why don't you ask her?

911/Q45

For commuting in OC any Porsche seems like an exercise in frustration. Why not a comfy small car like an IS 350?

Craig T.

In contrast to my first post, she actually wants a Porsche. She has wanted a "sportier car" for a couple months. Last week she was in a fender bender with the LS 430 and doesn't want it back.

I like the IS 350 too. We looked at that, the GS, Audi and BMW's. She liked the Cayman S the best, until she saw the seal grey 996TT on the lot. She wants me to pick between the two. I'm afraid of that decision.

JJayB

Craig

Even though the Cayman has two trunks which would be great for those mall days, the Cayman S doesn't have limited slip, which I'm sure your wife would want.
Jimmy the felon

Craig T.

Jim, J says hi. And yes, she is in deep turmoil over the Cayman's lack of a LSD, harness mounting brackets, and sport suspension, but she'll love the cloud of smoke the inside wheel makes when she turns onto Orange Park Ave at 125 mph.

prosper

Craig, the price range from a Cayman S to a 996TT is quite far,this means your budget is not a problem.
May I suggest a used E55AMG or CLS55AMG or even SL55AMG.I think the used price of those cars are about the same as 2002 996TT.Cause a jump from soft LS430 to a hard Porsche might be too much for her.And those AMG have big trunk for her shopping needs at the mall,automatic transmission,and the performance she needs from a sport car.But of course,if she only limits here choice between Cayman S and 996TT,I would recommend 996TT.My reason is, a used 996TT would not depreciate much compare with a brand new Cayman S (in percentage of the buy price not the actual value of the depreciation).and 996TT would complement your collection of Twin Turbo 911, a perfect match between husband and wife car.996TT also carry more "prestige" as top of the line compare to Cayman which can be considered entry level.What do you think?

dbtk

I agree. An AMG sedan or coupe would make a fine mall cruiser in Southern Cal. Why hassle with not being able to fit all those Neiman-Marcus shopping bags in the tiny trunk(s) of a Porsche? :-)

Craig T.

prosper,

This is excellent advice, thank you.

The AMG cars are a perfect sport-luxury compromise I agree (I think JJayB would agree as well, since he has about 10 of them). Unfortunately, prior to her LS 430, she had a bad experience with a very unreliable MB.

You have another good point on the "soft" LS vs. "hard" Porsche. She has reluctantly agreed to go face the "car dogs" this afternoon and test drive both the Cayman and 996TT. A MB dealer is in the same complex. I think we'll stop by there too. One bad apple shouldn't spoil the whole bunch. If the P-car ride is too firm for her, she needs to make that decision.

soltino

PASM w/18 inchers.

tino

JJayB

Craig
If you check every box on the Cayman S order form you can get up to 105K. I think you wife would like that kind of shopping.
FYI, I might be able to get you a deal on my C55 amg, as soon as I get it out of the sheriff's impound yard.

Jimmy the -----

Craig T.

pstoppani from here, and Doug&Julie and Jim Michaels from the Cayman forum were absolutely right, and I was dead wrong. After succumbing to the guilt caused by their "let her decide" posts, I told her this is her decision and she should make that decision on her own. Well apparently she really didn't want a Cayman or 996 TT. Unfortunately, now I have an even worse mall cruiser in the garage where the new Porsche should be...A new SL 500 Thanks a frickin lot
__________________

pstoppani

I had an SL 500 for a while; enjoyed it Surely better than an LS 430 ...

Scott 1996 993c2

Between the 2 . . . my vote goes to the 996TT. However, some of the comments about the right "fit" are surely relevant. My wife went with a tricked out 2001 Dinan 740i for her mall cruiser . . . and this car does not exactly . . . however . . .the trunk is TOO DAMN BIG!!!

Note to self . . . get her into a Porsche . . . less shopping bags . . . less trees killed printing my credit card statement each month.

Scott

Air Kuul TT

Craig,

SL500 is not bad... go for the AMG.

Scott,

It doesn't matter... all her stuff gets delivered to the front door