Parting with the cayman
Discussion
There is no doubt that my midnight blue Cayman S is the finest car Ive ever owned. Wonderful performance, fabulous razor sharp steering (perfectly weighted), monumentally good brakes (that have undoubtedly saved my live twice), and its just so beautiful to look at. Pride of ownership has been immense.
But...in the last few months I've developed an eye problem, which is not fixable. Its just not safe to drive fast anymore and it seems pointless pootling around at 2k rpm. So I've decided to say good-bye, and to make matters worse. after 15 years of continuous dedication to the marque, this will clearly be the last time I own a Porsche. I'm going to draw up an advert on PH this afternoon before I change my mind (again).
I feel utterly, utterly s
t
But...in the last few months I've developed an eye problem, which is not fixable. Its just not safe to drive fast anymore and it seems pointless pootling around at 2k rpm. So I've decided to say good-bye, and to make matters worse. after 15 years of continuous dedication to the marque, this will clearly be the last time I own a Porsche. I'm going to draw up an advert on PH this afternoon before I change my mind (again).
I feel utterly, utterly s
tthanks Steve, but I suspect not soon enough. I'm trying to think of something that will give anywhere near the pride of ownership but there's just nothing that comes close. I'm probably going to get a diesel Q3. Its a nice enough car but FFS...
(or maybe I will just be grumpy and intransigent on the cayman so no one buys it
)
(or maybe I will just be grumpy and intransigent on the cayman so no one buys it
)SFO said:
why swap to another car just because you don't need the performance?
believe me have anguished about this. But the cost of any Porsche ownership is high- youve gotta really want to do it, and its got to be worth it. I live in semi-rural Somerset, with access to some fantastic winding roads. I can get a sensible car that will go through winter floods and do 40mpg, which I wont be tempted to corner at speed give a little bit of right foot when a straight opens up. Or I can keep the Cayman, in which case inevitably I will succumb to the odd temptation, and maybe plough into someone as a result. My eyes are fine for ordinary driving (at the moment) but when you're pressing on you need everything to work. I just cant justify having a stallion in the paddock and feeding it carrots all day long till it gets fat.snapper65 said:
There is no doubt that my midnight blue Cayman S is the finest car Ive ever owned. Wonderful performance, fabulous razor sharp steering (perfectly weighted), monumentally good brakes (that have undoubtedly saved my live twice), and its just so beautiful to look at. Pride of ownership has been immense.
But...in the last few months I've developed an eye problem, which is not fixable. Its just not safe to drive fast anymore and it seems pointless pootling around at 2k rpm. So I've decided to say good-bye, and to make matters worse. after 15 years of continuous dedication to the marque, this will clearly be the last time I own a Porsche. I'm going to draw up an advert on PH this afternoon before I change my mind (again).
I feel utterly, utterly st
I'm sorry to hear of your problem. I have similar feelings toward my CR and I was in a similar position about six months ago. Ended up with asymptomatic detached retinas which were caught thanks to the diligence of my optician through a routine eye check up. There was a period of not knowing whether I would be able to drive and enjoy cars in the same way again and it was torment having that hanging over me (and my family). But...in the last few months I've developed an eye problem, which is not fixable. Its just not safe to drive fast anymore and it seems pointless pootling around at 2k rpm. So I've decided to say good-bye, and to make matters worse. after 15 years of continuous dedication to the marque, this will clearly be the last time I own a Porsche. I'm going to draw up an advert on PH this afternoon before I change my mind (again).
I feel utterly, utterly s
tI feel very lucky and am immensely grateful to Moorfields Eye Hospital who were simply incredible and have resolved the issue but what is possible with ocular surgery now is remarkable and the possibilities for the future even more so.
I'm not sure what your condition is and don't want to pry but if you haven't, seek out the best possible second opinion. I had conflicting information on whether my condition should be operated on or not which makes it worse as you feel you've dodged a bullet in finding the problem only to be told that you're sitting on a time bomb that may or may not explode. The fact that nobody could pinpoint the cause was of no reassurance and when it comes to your sight, you're taking everything on trust which is also disconcerting.
If you've already exhausted these avenues, there is joy to be found in a vintage Porsche so why not think about something like a 356 Outlaw or something of that nature. I'm working on an Outlaw at the moment or rather I've got someone doing the work for me in the States. I've designed and specified the vehicle and am managing, sourcing parts and funding the development. I love Outlaws done well and drove one in California last year. The manual shift, the Sebring exhaust noise, the smell of 'gasoline', it's what being a petrol head is all about. I had a huge amount of fun and while the car didn't have the surgical precision of my CR and had about 200bhp less, it was in a word, brilliant.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 2nd December 18:22
kind words, and thank you.
My eyes are going to be slowly buggered (macular degeneration). I'm a medic, I know whats in store. Possibly things will stabilise but loss of central vision is not conducive to driving a 170mph sports car.
You're right about the 356 tho -and ironically Im hankering back to the 968 cab i sold last year for the cayman
My eyes are going to be slowly buggered (macular degeneration). I'm a medic, I know whats in store. Possibly things will stabilise but loss of central vision is not conducive to driving a 170mph sports car.
You're right about the 356 tho -and ironically Im hankering back to the 968 cab i sold last year for the cayman
Tim,
I’m sorry to hear your news. My natural reaction might well be the same as yours: Bad Dx, predictable prognosis so baton down the hatches and sell the car.
Sensible enough, until you start thinking about the other elements that influence the enjoyment of your car.
I'm an average driver, I've done a few track days, and I've had some very handy cars, but I'm average. On the road I’ve never got to within 50% of what these cars to. On track probably not much beyond 75%. The point being of course you don’t have to be anywhere near the limits to enjoy owning and driving these cars.
Yes they are not particularly cheap to own, but a 4 year old Cayman is going to cost a lot less over the next 3 years than a new Mondeo, or probably dare I say it an Audi 4X4.
If you are going to be able to continue driving, keep the Cayman, for now at least until you prove to yourself it’s not working for you.
3 year ago, I bought a p38 range rover on Ebay. It’s been the best car I ever bought in many ways. It costs me an oil change each year and not much more. Why not run something similar alongside the Cayman for a while and see how you get on.
Whatever you do, don’t sell it now. You are probably in the worst place you are going to be for a while, and its December – you’ll lose very little waiting until spring
Good luck
James
I’m sorry to hear your news. My natural reaction might well be the same as yours: Bad Dx, predictable prognosis so baton down the hatches and sell the car.
Sensible enough, until you start thinking about the other elements that influence the enjoyment of your car.
I'm an average driver, I've done a few track days, and I've had some very handy cars, but I'm average. On the road I’ve never got to within 50% of what these cars to. On track probably not much beyond 75%. The point being of course you don’t have to be anywhere near the limits to enjoy owning and driving these cars.
Yes they are not particularly cheap to own, but a 4 year old Cayman is going to cost a lot less over the next 3 years than a new Mondeo, or probably dare I say it an Audi 4X4.
If you are going to be able to continue driving, keep the Cayman, for now at least until you prove to yourself it’s not working for you.
3 year ago, I bought a p38 range rover on Ebay. It’s been the best car I ever bought in many ways. It costs me an oil change each year and not much more. Why not run something similar alongside the Cayman for a while and see how you get on.
Whatever you do, don’t sell it now. You are probably in the worst place you are going to be for a while, and its December – you’ll lose very little waiting until spring
Good luck
James
Saddening news, but definately dont give up on the brand just yet.
There are Porsches out there which will give you the same pride but without the temptation to floor it. I once bought an ......... wait for it......... automatic, simply because I needed a car that would make me drive in a certain way.
Try a Boxster with a smaller engine and an auto box and just pootle about enjoying the journey without having the car whispering to you 'we can go faster than this!'
There are Porsches out there which will give you the same pride but without the temptation to floor it. I once bought an ......... wait for it......... automatic, simply because I needed a car that would make me drive in a certain way.
Try a Boxster with a smaller engine and an auto box and just pootle about enjoying the journey without having the car whispering to you 'we can go faster than this!'
Sorry to hear that. It might be worth dropping a line to 968 for further advice http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...
snapper65 said:
kind words, and thank you.
My eyes are going to be slowly buggered (macular degeneration). I'm a medic, I know whats in store. Possibly things will stabilise but loss of central vision is not conducive to driving a 170mph sports car.
You're right about the 356 tho -and ironically Im hankering back to the 968 cab i sold last year for the cayman
I understand. Make sure you go for an awesome trip if you do get rid of the Cayman, I've always done a last proper drive in all of my cars. Feels like a good send off.My eyes are going to be slowly buggered (macular degeneration). I'm a medic, I know whats in store. Possibly things will stabilise but loss of central vision is not conducive to driving a 170mph sports car.
You're right about the 356 tho -and ironically Im hankering back to the 968 cab i sold last year for the cayman
Thanks Gents,its good to hear for people who "get it". Good advice too.
Ive had three porsches before that I happily maintained through indies. I didn't mind that they were expensive to run/maintain cos they were relatively cheap to buy. The Cayman is my first OPC car and, because its a Gen1 will all the attendant worries re bore scoring I don't think I would contemplate keeping it outside the comforting envelope of a main dealer warranty. Hence its a very expensive toy to keep if I just trundle too and from work in 3rd gear and 2k rpm.
perhaps the answer is to chop it in for something older and cheaper and slower, but characterful and with a less risky engine profile, and that an indie could maintain. food for thought. ho hum, new pair of eyeballs on my list for Santa.
Ive had three porsches before that I happily maintained through indies. I didn't mind that they were expensive to run/maintain cos they were relatively cheap to buy. The Cayman is my first OPC car and, because its a Gen1 will all the attendant worries re bore scoring I don't think I would contemplate keeping it outside the comforting envelope of a main dealer warranty. Hence its a very expensive toy to keep if I just trundle too and from work in 3rd gear and 2k rpm.
perhaps the answer is to chop it in for something older and cheaper and slower, but characterful and with a less risky engine profile, and that an indie could maintain. food for thought. ho hum, new pair of eyeballs on my list for Santa.
Ive anguished for a few days, having put an advert in PH and got some fairly positive initial responses. That, and the comments on here, have forced the issue and made my mind up. I'm just not ready to let go yet. There will come a point when I have to stop driving - maybe 6 months, maybe 5 years. But until that time comes I'd rather be in a porsche than anything else. So Ive withdrawn the ad and Im going to keep her for now. I'll just have to restrain the right foot.
snapper65 said:
Ive anguished for a few days, having put an advert in PH and got some fairly positive initial responses. That, and the comments on here, have forced the issue and made my mind up. I'm just not ready to let go yet. There will come a point when I have to stop driving - maybe 6 months, maybe 5 years. But until that time comes I'd rather be in a porsche than anything else. So Ive withdrawn the ad and Im going to keep her for now. I'll just have to restrain the right foot.
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