I'm on the wait list for a CS/RS version if it does come out. While Porsche has denied it (not flatly denied, but in a lawerly manner) inside information has my money on the production of such a car.

If it is what I think it'll be, I'll buy the CS/RS version and sell my GT3.

I've owned a C2 and a C4S prior to the GT3. . . I'd pick the Cayman over either of those cars purely for the superior chassis and handling balance (boxster handling with GT3 chassis rigidity). . . . just as a track ready CS/RS version over the GT3.

 

Bob and Sandoval.....couple questions and points to make. First, if you are getting a sticker of $85K on a $58K car then you added a bunch of stuff that is, well, not needed (ie, luxury items). If you added something like PCCB then that is just crazy on a car that already has INCREDIBLE brakes. Still, $27K in options is just plain insane. Second, the argument that "at that price I should just get a 997" doesn't hold any water since you are comparing a $58K car with $27K in options to a $70/80K (nonS/S) car with no options.

Are you saying that you would only order options on a Cayman and not a 997, not sure I follow? By that same logic of ordering you have your 997 at roughly $100K and your 997S at $110K or more if you add aerokit and powerkit (another $25K)......Sorry, but that makes no sense....please enlighten us.

 

Gents, I decided to Keep my Targa and look down the road for the Cayman in the future releases, more power, more everythig...

 

My point is I would rather have a skate 997 then a fully loaded Cayman... Just like I would rather have a Skate 996 then a fully loaded boxster... just like I would rather have a skate 911 then a fully loaded 914.

My items were luxury Xenon's, Full leather, Carbon package, PCCB (Which ok I know are overkill), Thick steering wheel, and some other bits. It was not hard getting to 17K in options without the PCCB. again I would rather have a 997 stripper then a fully loaded Cayman. IMHO

 

Makes sense. Feel the same way, but wouldn't you "want" all those options as well in the 997? That was my point (that you would be very tempted to order them and then be in the $100K+ range).

 

Yeah of course i would add options if I am buying a car to my specifications like that I would want it made for me. That's part of the fun of ordering a car. But If I was going to spend $75-85K on a cayman and I was only shopping for a BRAND NEW car, I would buy a base 997 if that was my maximum budget. Also we know from 996 resale options do not add to the resale. I have seen highly upgraded 996's selling for the same price as low optioned cars. If I were to go out and spend $85K on a car today I would buy a GT3 with a couple thousand miles still a new car in my mind.

 

As always, it's best to not jump on a first generation car, no matter who the manufacturer. Let them work out the kinks for 2 years, then get a killer track car!

ymmv,
Rob

 

Okay, I did the math and a 997 with the same options is around 12k more than the Cayman, I stand corrected. A pretty well equipted 997 is 85k and the same options on a Cayman is 72k. It's all a matter of taste, I have driven a 997 and really like everything about it. Some day....

 

bah -- I'm not jumping on the cayman bandwagon just yet.. got to see that baby in real life

good choice with keeping the targa

 

A base 997 is $12K more than a CaymanS anyway regardless of options....no need to do math with options, just compare the MSRP:

CaymanS $58,900
911/997 $71,300

$12,400 difference....ask yourself, is $12K worth 30 more reliable warrantied horses and all that you get with joining the 911 club? HELL YES!

Gotta agree with Sandoval on this one.....If my budget was $85 and not a penny more I would go with a low mile GT3 or a base 997 easily over an optioned Cayman.

 

I am interested to see them on the track. They may become the "pesky 944's" of the new generation. When the original 944's came out the 911 guys had a hard time keeping them at bay. In fact even now, the 944T is quite a force to contend with. For us 996 guys with less HP than the 997S, we may be quite suprised by the Cayman's handling prowess. It should be interesting at the least. The Cayman should be much easier to drive than the 911 platform.

My advice is the same as many here. If you are a 911 guy, stick with the 997. If not, wait a couple of years to see what the initial impressions are and then get a former garage queen and flog it on the track!

 

I really like this car too. When will they be available for sale?

 

I also love the idea of the Cayman S. If I weren't a die-hard 911 fan, then the Cayman S would be the sports car of my choice. With its styling, heritage, technology, performance, dynamics, and pricing, what's not to like? It embodies all of what Porsche has to offer, except the iconic stature of the 911. Don't take me for a 911 snob, but as a 911 fan for over two-thirds of my life, not only is the legendary model a passion-inducing and soul-stirring ride, it also represents the realization of my life-long dream. It's the very essence of Porsche, and one that has made Porsche what it is today. The 911 will always have a special place in my heart, and were I ever to get a Cayman S, it will only be a complement, never a replacement.

 

Great write-up! That is exactly the explanation most of us 911'ers would like to say but didn't. As I have said before, if I were to buy the Cayman (or any other car for that matter), the 911 I currently have would stay in my possession never to be sold.

 

If you look quickly this 911 can look like the Cayman. Or this Cayman looks a lot like a 911... hmmm.