Scott Kinnebrew

Opinion time...

996.2 Targa (just over 100k miles)

vs.

987.1 Cayman S (75k miles)

Which one would you choose?

Kalashnikov

B3, can you please present your work against the case for Cayman?

vitaminC

Have you driven one or both of them? They are so different.

IMHO, the Cayman is best looking car that Porsche makes, esp the 987.1. Yes, I used to own one, and yes, I miss it.

Targa is the most top heavy of the 911's, and it's extra complicated if something in the mechanism breaks. OTOH, it's a 911, and if you want a 911 then a Cayman won't do...

Scott Kinnebrew

I am a walking dichotomy hanging from a pendulum. I love Caymans- but a 911 is a 911. It's like choosing between children... actually- that's probably easier.

vitaminC

How big is your garage? Maybe try flipping a coin. It's just a guess, but in this forum I suspect most will vote for the 996, while you might get a different answer in the Cayman zone...

Below are my previous Boxster S and Cayman, and the current 911.

Scott Kinnebrew

Well, apparently you/re the man (or woman?) to ask... which one do you enjoy having in your garage more, the Cayman or the 911?

Arch1t3ct

In the eight months I've owned my targa, the glass roof still wows me every time I slip into the driver's seat.

If you want more nimble, then go with the cayman. For a comfortable cruiser, the targa will be hard to beat.

Scott Kinnebrew

Thank you for your input. A lot said in a few words. It definitely hit home. Thanks again.

afx

If you want an open roof experience, go with the targa. If you do not really care about that, go with the cayman. Either way, drive both and see what works best for you.

The 911 will be a very heavy car with the targa (much like the 996.2 convertible I have), which is very noticeable even with the decent amount of horsepower. Even with the weight, it is still a very comfortable cruiser that has some very fun power. The Cayman is an amazing car which is better in almost every way except for straight line power and being a 911.

TonyTwoBags

I vote Cayman S. Drove an 07 Cayman manual two weeks before buying the 996. Engine-wise I favor the 987 over the 996 (assuming this Cayman has the later motor).

Here's a thread comparing similarly priced 911s and Caymans:


997.1S vs 987.2S, which gets your 25k?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1253863

vitaminC

This is actually an easy choice, because there is no wrong answer!

It took a while, but I actually like the interior of the 996 more. Granted, it's full leather, while the Boxster and Cayman I had were just plastic. The 987.1 interior kind of looks good, but it's really low quality. Porsche should be embarrassed by the sound quality of the stock radio. For road trips, the Cayman is louder, as you get a lot more engine noise. But hey, two trunks!

Is it sunny where you are? Both the Targa and Cayman have more glass than a std 996 (or Boxster), so they will get hot inside, and it takes a while to cool all that air.

But step outside the car, and just look at it. Cayman is sublime from any angle. 996 is okay from some angles and definitely 'meh' from others.

You've had a Boxster, so you know how the Cayman will drive.

Still, you're not going to base your decision on an internet poll, right? Drive them, and see which one you can't stop thinking about afterwards...

Scott Kinnebrew

No, the poll won't decide it, but I figured it would be fun. What I was really looking for was the discussion that has spawned. It's the kind of stuff you simply can't get anywhere else. Porsche people talking from experience to other Porsche people.

I think my biggest problem is trying to decide exactly what I want. Do I want to go for something with snappier handling (like you said, reminiscent of the Boxster) or would I prefer something more of a GT car? I haven't really answered that question yet. I mean, in reality, we all know what needs to happen. I need to have three or four different Porsches at any given time. Maybe one for each day of the week?

I am coming out of a 2009 GMC Sierra, so anything will be sharper than that. I agree about the looks of the Cayman vs. the 996. But that Targa top sure is interesting. Every time I think I am leaning one way, I think about something else that has me swinging back the other way.

Gonzo911

^^^That's Just wrong.

I always liked the looks of the Cayman. The 718 might be the best looking Porsche in the lineup. I would be tempted, but I am a ragtop guy.

Vdubjetta02

Cayman may be more reliable and will probably handle better.... that said, I have never actually researched Cayman's because I always wanted to be in the 911 family.

ZuffenZeus