SToronto

http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/f...n-the-911.html


I've never driven a Cayman, so can't comment on driving experience between the two. One of the things that took me straight to 911 since childhood is the design, starting with that all else met expectations.

On paper the Cayman sure looks great and compelling and can likely be brought up to performance par using aftermarket mods with a C2S, but it doesn't have the 911 design.

Post your thoughts.

91469972

Prior to buying my 2009 Carrera S I actually was looking at the Cayman since prior I had two 914-6's. After me and my wife drove both and having the ability to afford the 911 that is what we decided on. Also the 911 has more interior room and as stated by SToronto it's a 911! Also having driven the new Boxster I feel the same. Both are great cars no doubt but it is up to the individual to make that decision as to what fits their needs and expectations.

Ynot

I've driven the Cayman R, it handles extremely well and compared to the 911, felt a lot lighter and more nimble. It had sports bucket and PSE, looks and sound really cool but not practical at all. It's too loud, too uncomfortable, felt small for a daily driver. I take my 9 year old to school all the time and need the back seats. The 911 is also a much better looking car imo.

Mike in CA

Regardless of whether Porsche could make the Boxster/Cayman be on a par with (or better) than the 911 performance-wise, the fact is that they don't. As a car I can actually buy, the 997/991 outperforms the 987/981 so the issue of "potential" becomes irrelevant. Add to this the fact that, IMO, the classic 911 shape just makes for a better looking car than the Cayman or Boxster, and the choice for me is clear.

I owned a 987 Boxster S for 2 years and it was a great driving car. It just wasn't a 911 and I found myself not bothering to look back and admire it every time I walked away. I probably was spoiled by 20 years of prior 911 ownership going back to my 3.2 Carrera, but a sports car should be about emotion and the 911 inspires more of it. Just my $.02.

Gripster

Coming from a Z4 I actually started out wanting a Boxster. The 981s were too new to find used and the 987's were, well too close in price to the 997. So I decided to scratch the 911 itch.

I'm might be tempted by a 981 cayman when they come down in price.

mdrums

Problem with the Cayman is....NO POWER. If Porsche would up its output it would be better than a 911.

Bruce In Philly

Coupla comments... I owned a 2000 Boxster S for 12 years and 197K miles... now a 2009 C2S Coupe:

1 - All of Porsche sports cars are really good cars even when compared to each other... each has strengths and weaknesses
2 - In total honesty, my Boxster S was a bit more fun to drive on the street... The C2S feels bigger, heavier, and the fun doesn't happen until I hit much higher speeds
3 - I haven't tracked my C2S yet, I will... but I tracked my Boxster S and was amazed. Yes, I got passed on the straights by higher HP cars, but we were all more than equal in the turns. I ran mostly at Summit Point and it is a very technical track with many turns... frankly on a track like this, HP is not that important (yes, for racing it is, I know, but track days? It is all about the turns. Any monkey can press a gas pedal in a straight line.). For instructors that drove 911s and Boxsters, most said the Boxster was a "better" handling car. Now how do you define "better"?
4 - Face facts... Porsche tried to kill the rear engine design a while ago. No, not that we have bad cars, but Porsche is like any other car company out there... they meet market demand and Porsche is one who truly gets it. The 911 is iconic and they would be dopey for killing it.
5 - Face facts.. The market perceives HP=Price and visa versa. You want to sell a higher priced car, put in more HP. When it comes to handling, the market does not get it. Enthusiasts do, but not the bulk of buyers. Enthusiasts keep up the brand reputation but the bulk of buyers make the profit.

I need to get my C2S out on the track to be better informed, but if I try to put my consumer-driven emotions aside... put aside horsepower and prestige, my Boxster S was more fun to drive. Oh, and I did drive a Caymen and frankly, it is a Boxster (for the most part).

Peace
Bruce

chris.hanle

I believe for car guys it is all about emotion. How you feel when you get in, drive, and when you get out. There will always be faster, better performing cars out there, always. If it were all about performance/equipment lexus, acura, among other "luxury" brands wouldnt sell cars. Its emotion.

cairo94507

I love my C4S, my '71 914-6 and I would love a new Boxster S to complete the group.

ELUSIVE

I want a new Boxster S so badly....

MJBird993

I test drove a Cayman, again, before I decided on the 997. This is my fourth 911. I've never owned a Cayman or Boxster, I don't know what it is about them, I just prefer the 911. A big part of that is the looks, the ride and (in the older cars) the sounds.

Here is the list (condensed from the article) referred to by the OP.

1. Less Pretentious

2. More Visceral

3. Better Weight Distribution

4. Confidence

5. Lighter

6. More Potential

7. Smaller

8. More Luggage Space

9. Better Fuel Economy

10. Cheaper

iammulva

From the article...

"2. More Visceral
The 2014 Porsche Cayman sounds better than the 911. It's simple mechanics. The Cayman's midengine platform puts that wailing, high-revving flat-6 directly behind your head, whereas the 911's engine is aft of the rear axle, muffled by extra bodywork and useless rear seats.


While direct injection serves to make Porsche's boxer-6 sound even goofier and less alluring at idle than it ever did before, there's no denying this engine transforms into one of the most glorious-sounding mills in the world as it approaches its 7,600-rpm redline. The much-written-about, much-fantasized-about Porsche wail? Believe the hype; it's mesmerizing. And it's that much better when the engine is literally inches from your ears."

I've driven a 2011 Cayman and the wail is absolutely addictive. Prior to driving the Cayman I had never seriously considered a Porsche. This isn't because of any actual thought or analysis, simply it was not on my radar. Regarding any Porsche, my assumptions were: too expensive (except Boxster) and too small. Having spent a little time in the Cayman, I felt the handling (lighter feeling, quicker turning), speed (not as fast as C2S but close enough), and the SOUND (stock Cayman base beats stock 2006 C2S)!!!! It was awesome. Unfortunately for me, the Cayman still is too small for me. I like my C2S plenty, but I would not hesitate to buy/own/drive a Cayman if it fit me better. My only ding on the Cayman is visibility. Great car overall.

skl2

A few aftermarket mods and the cayman is faster in a strait line than a stock 997 S. I just wish they brought it from the factory with a 3.8 option or something.

Regarding practicality, sure if you use the back seats of a 911 you won't have those in the cayman, but I can fit as much luggage and gear into cayman as my Audi S4....I find it extremely practical as far as space and drive ability goes!

eflight

For me the 911 was better for 2 reasons

seat postion- on the cayman I could have the seat back as far as I wanted or reclined like I wanted, but not both at the same time due to the seat hitting the engine firewall.

headroom - which was tied to the seat position issue

If you cant sit comfortably I dont care how well the car handles

perfectlap

As far as proportions, the Cayman is a lot closer to the 911 than an all the water-cooled Carreras.

I think of the Cayman as a hybrid of the 550 (the original Boxster), a car built by Porsche specifically for the purpose of winning races, and the smallish 993. A tin top with a sports coupe feel and not remotely a wider, longer, plusher GT like we now have in the 997/991.

The 991 Carreras should've been a flat 8 if its going to have electric steering, enormous wheels and be that large in size. Probably should have been the case with the 997 as well since one is just the progression of the other, certainly not a game-change like 993 to 996.

Personally I'd like to see a Cayman with a 991 front end, a big butt 964 shape with a extra large rear trunk and just drop the Cayman name, call it a Carrera MR or something. And before the purists scream sacrilegae, Porsche 356 #1 was a mid engine and moved to a rear engine for commercial reasons, not for anything race related. Cars with rear seats sell more.
As far as styling, the front of the 981 Cayman is no slouch, probably the best looking Porsche now being sold imho. Just need the back to look more like 964's surging in value.