Todd in PA

Is this the 911's new competition?
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/11...%28CARSCOOP%29

beden1

That Cayman looks gorgeous, and while I'm sure it is an extremely capable sports car, it does not have the heritage of the Carrera 911.

I'm new to Porsche, having bought my 2012 911 GTS Cabriolet in August. I spent some considerable time researching and test driving a number of cars before making my decision to buy my car. During my process, it came down to the Boxster S and the GTS which were both available at the dealership. I wanted a convertible having recently owned a Corvette ZO6. I test drove both the 911 GTS and the Boxster S back and forth about 3 times each. I was stumped because both were very capable cars. I asked the Sales manager what he would do (the Boxster S had a sticker of about $90,000 and my GTS had a sticker of $126,000, and I had prearranged a spectacular trade for my ZO6 and the GTS). The Sales Manager said to go down stairs where they have a small museum of cars on display, and after I had the chance to view the cars and think about it, we would talk.

I saw a virtual history of VWs and Porsches on display, and I could see that the 911s had a proud heritage. I was still on the fence because the new Boxster S was a very capable car in it's own right. I went back to the sales manager and he asked me what I thought. I said that the 911 had a rich tradition which was hard to beat. He said exactly, and although the Boxster S was a very capable sports car, the 911 GTS is one of the best sports cars ever produced. I asked him to let me sleep on it.

I went home and discussed my experience with my wife and she immediately asked why I would consider the Boxster which was both a poor man's Porsche and a chick's car. Needless to say, I made up my decision on the spot, and I now have another reason why my wife has been so for 35 years and counting.

Domer911

hey, easy with the "chick's car" remarks...

Marine Blue

^^ Huh, $90k poor mans car.

Why not look at it as a bargain?

You admitted in your post that the Boxster performed great and you were stumped. It is also obvious that the materials of construction, options and features are also the same so why would anyone refer to it as a poor man's car. I think Porsche is making a hell of a margin on the 911 which also explains why you can get them at deeper discounts over the less expensive Boxster/Cayman.

beden1

I was quoting my wife who said it was a popular opinion, and from what I gather, one that has been around since the Boxster came out. Please don't shoot the messenger.

From my experience so far with the 911, I'd have to say that the Boxster was overpriced at $90,000 nicely equiped.

daddyscar

I'm sure it will be a fantastic car but you would have to really want a Cayman to look over any nice 997's sitting at the dealer lot for the same price or less. I got a new 2008 Cayman because used 997's at the time were out of my budget. Fantastic car but I now have a 2006 997 that I can shuttle my three kids with. I saw very few 2009-10 Cayman's on the road and no non-R Cayman's sitting at my local dealer as if Porsche almost gave up on them. Could have also been a victim of creative Porsche marketing where at the time, they were able to price the Cayman higher than the Boxster even though a 911 convertible has always cost more than a coupe. The Cayman really should be priced lower than the Boxster. Porsche can likely get away with it for the new Cayman release. But after a year buyers will have really want to put $65k into that new Cayman over that nice cpo'ed 997 next to it and get that 911 they've always wanted.

rotesAuto

I wanted the Cayman, but that was before I had this Targa..........now I need to go faster......must get TT!! HAHA,...

and people that use the term "poor mans Porsche" can eat it////
I have always hated that phrase.......just something to make the micro guys feel better about themseleves

DHC

Love the Cayman, and was beginning a serious search for one, but showed pictures of it to the wifey.

"Where are the rear seats?"

"It's a two-seater, no rear seats."

"Doesn't Porsche make a car with rear seats?"

"Why yes ... yes they do."

My two 13-year olds love riding in daddy's Carrera.

beden1

The other issue that made me pass on the new Boxster S was that sales had really started to drop off after the initial launch of the previous Boxster version, along with resale values because of the lack of demand.
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

The same thing happened with the Cayman. Resale values of the Cayman had cratered as I found when I did some research.
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

The 911 sales held up better percentage wise, altough sales of all 2 door sports cars started slowing since the 2008 recession (that's why Porsche dealers became more agressive with their deals in order to offset slowing sales). But, the 911 resale values held up better because there is a larger customer base.
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

The new Cayman may prove to be one of the best handling sports cars to ever hit the tarmac, but if I was ever going to buy one, I'd wait a few years until the excitement of the new model launch fades, and dealers start cutting some good deals.

When I was looking at the new Boxster S in August, the dealer was trying to hold firm at the sticker price.

Marine Blue

Having two additional seats is a good reason to choose the 911 over the Cayman/Boxster but only if it is for younger kids. Adults don't fit in the rear and it's not reasonable to ask any adult to sit back there.

As far as pricing, I agree that the 981 and 991 are both overpriced. The 991 is now competing with Aston Martin and from what i have seen everyone seems to prefer the Aston.

As far as the demand wearing off for Boxsters, that makes sense with winter upon. No interest in a two seater convertible in the NorthEast after September since the car would not be driven for nearly 6 months. Why spend all that money to buy/insure and store the car when you can wait until late winter?

s329

I like the new boxster over the 991 in terms of asthetics. Call me crazy. The new Boxster looks like a mini carrera GT to me, which is a good thing. Need to see more of the cayman. From some angles it's very Tiburon-esque, the back looks a little bit unsure of itself. I like the front though. Performance wise we all know it's a very capable car. If I can find a early model Cayman on the cheap one day, I plan to make it into a dedicated track car.

aras314

+1 for the track car. Immagine with a 3.8 dfi engine !

saabin

I really like the looks of the new cayman - I traded my '07 base Cayman for my 997, and in the back of my mind I was thinking that I'd like to get back in one someday.

vexed

I think Porsche did a fantastic job with the new Boxster and from the pics the Cayman will just as good styling wise if not better. Would I consider one? Absolutely since I rarely carry more than one passenger, my 9 year old who prefers to ride in the front and will soon be 10.

Competition for the 991--price wise you can option a Boxster into 991 C2 range.

I have not driven any of them but it's nice to have choices.

slicky rick

I would buy a 981 boxster s next if the opportunity presents itself. Perfect combination with the c2s.