iudelt89

Hey guys new to the forum as well. Looking at jumping into a 2006 cayman S or a 996 911. Any thoughts on pros/cons to either? The car will be used for weekend drives and HPDE during the summer months only. I need something that is going to hold up to some track abuse. (I realize there will be a bit of bias posing in the cayman section).

I've been researching for a while and have heard a few things about reliability issues with the 996 engines, but haven't heard much about the cayman S. Budget is going to be a factor. I'm looking at $30k max to pick something up. I may also look at a track prepped 944 turbo, but I'm trying to go for something N/A. I've seen far too many FI cars have heat related issues at the track.

I have a mach 1 mustang I've built up for HPDE, but after this last event, its getting to the point where I need something with higher limits. Dumping even more money into it just isn't financially responsible.

I drove a 2016 Cayman GTS at Road America for a full 30 minute session and loved it. Exceptionally well balanced with very high limits even though the stock brake pads and tires weren't the best. The only cars I couldn't run down were a GT4 and GT3 RS, both of which were on slicks. That actually pushed me in this direction. I don't have any experience in a 911 though.

I'll be looking for something that has some work already done (reliability mods, suspension, brakes, short shift, etc). If anyone knows of anything listed or has something for sale that might fit the bill, please let me know.

Archimedes

You'll get more responses if you post this in the 987 981 718 Subforum.

zedcat

Both of those cars have some potential engine reliability issues. The 996 M96 has an IMSB that can fail. Many pages on the internet forums about this. It can be upgraded though. There are other possible failure modes too. Lots in the 996 forum about the engine issues. The 987 M97 has a more robust IMSB but has documented oil starvation issues especially with sticky tires. There are also some mods possible (deep sump, etc.) but some feel it's a matter of when not if. The second gen Caymans 987.2 09 and later with the 9A1 motor seem to be more reliable but cost more and fewer were made. Also consider what your next goals are. There is a spec Cayman class in PCA club racing based on the first gen S so if that's a possible goal in the future the 06S with some reliability mods may make sense. There's a spec 996 class too. No absolutes in the decision.

iudelt89

A spec series will likely be an option down the road. I'm seriously considering trying to run a spec series with this next purchase. However, I'm trying to decide if I really want something completely track focused or something I can enjoy on a weekend drive.

I'm thinking ideally picking up something with the aforementioned reliability upgrades that could be easily transitioned for spec series if I decide to go that route.

zedcat

Spec Cayman looks interesting. It's new though and not many around yet. Think I saw just one at the COTA club race earlier this month. Spec Boxster is another path of course. They have some good size groups at PCA club races.

altonj

The Cayman S is a far better car dynamically. Both can suffer scored cylinders but an IMSB failure in the Cayman is pretty unlikely. The Cayman chassis is great on track, the 996 is good on track.

Ergonomics favor the 996 and visibility is better our out of the rear 1/4 views in the 996 also. The 987 interior is far better (to me) than the 996 interior, and the exterior 996 styling leaves a bit on the table. But to each their own. Both are good cars, pick the one that radiates with you the most.

If you are going racing, I think a 996 spec car can be built for far less than a Cayman spec car (based on cost of donor). But pick the car that has the best fields at the tracks you are going to running.

Cheers

joey c

i just went through this and yesterday pulled the trigger on an 07 Cayman S..
the other was an 04 996 C4s..the 911 was 7k more..so I was looking at 27k vs 34k..Just bought a Macan GTS so I felt the Cayman S would be more fun..Honestly I have had 4 911s and 2 Caymans..the Caymans feel like better sports cars..But the 997S is really a great car..Just traded in a 991S that was terrific but just a little bland..electric steering and a muted engine note made it this way..I actually thought the 14 Cayman S was more "sporty"..
I am going to Florida on Friday to pick up the 07 Cayman S..
good luck

extanker

based on your wants you need to increase your budget to fit in at least a gen.2 .plan on a huge just in case reserve fund if you go with a gen 1. unlike your stang a po aint wallet friendly

BoulderGeek

My budget was >$30K, so I was looking at 996, 997, and 987 models across the country.

I just crossed the $30,000 mark for my 2006 Cayman S. 24,000 miles, new tires, IPD plenum, GT3 throttle body, FVD Brombacher tune. Very pleased.

The 911s that I was seeing were above my price mark, with three times the miles, or more. Ones at the same price as the Cayman were hovering right at the 100K mile mark. For me, the Cayman was newer (less used?), better balanced, better exterior aesthetics, and more of what I wanted in a car.

Archimedes

True, but feel and reality often differ.

Ring Times:

991S 7:37.9
Cayman S 7:55

I have both and, while the Cayman S definitely feels more go-karty and tossable, the 991S stomps it in terms of outright performance.

joey c

I can't agree with you more..The 991S was fast..the cayman is quick..big difference..I am sure I will miss the power..BUT and this is a big but..the 991S was not very engaging until speeds of over 100mph..The older Caymans feel like older 911s..they are working to get to speed..thats half the fun of this on a back road..the electric steering and quietness of the engine really take away from what I am looking for in a sports car..I test drove a 2006 Cayman S and also a 2007 997S and i was amazed at how much feed back there was going 60 mph...

cretinx

$30,000 will get you TWO 996s.

Honestly, having driven them and raced them, the 996 is a riot but the Cayman is such a joy to drive. Depends what you're looking to get out of it - your hands will be full with any rear engine car if you drive it to the edge.

BoulderGeek

Oh, man, I don't want to support one $15,000 996, much less two!

Thanks, I'm cool with my low-mileage CS in top condition.

DaveCarrera4

not so much... I prefer my AWD turbo to the CS at the track at this juncture.

cretinx

Apples to oranges.

A) You can't compare a mom-wheel drive 911 to a rear-wheel 911 in terms of how busy you have to be. One will plow a bit and then point you where you need to go, the other is a veritable handful of opposite lock the entire way around the track.

B) You can't really compare a lightweight, naturally aspirated sports car with maybe 300 horsepower to a twin-turbo GT monster with 400+ horsepower.