996 to Cayman S - good move?
Discussion
Hey all,
First post although I've been reading these forums for a while.
I'm considering trading in my 996 C2 for a Cayman S. I've really enjoyed owning the latest 996 although I fancy a change in to a "new style" Porsche. I really like the look of the Cayman, my only concern is that it may lack power compared to the 996. I've not driven one yet but looking at the stats it doesn't look like there's much in it.
Any advice from anyone who has driven both or made the shift from 911 to Cayman S would be appreciated.
Cheers
First post although I've been reading these forums for a while.
I'm considering trading in my 996 C2 for a Cayman S. I've really enjoyed owning the latest 996 although I fancy a change in to a "new style" Porsche. I really like the look of the Cayman, my only concern is that it may lack power compared to the 996. I've not driven one yet but looking at the stats it doesn't look like there's much in it.
Any advice from anyone who has driven both or made the shift from 911 to Cayman S would be appreciated.
Cheers
Which 996 are you driving? The 3.4 has only 5 bhp more than a Cayman S and more weight so you should not be disappointed by the performance. The razor sharp handling of the Cayman S, however, asks for more ooomph to challenge it and test the limits a bit more easily. It's an altogether different drive than the 996. Drive it and see.
Hello
I have driven both a 996 with the X51 engine upgrade and a Cayman S for many (thousands of) miles, and the Cayman S is a great car, and imho sharper to drive than a 996.
The only thing that bugs me about my Cayman (being picky) is that if you cover a lot of miles on the motorway the engine is much louder than in the 911. (make sure you spec the Bose and turn it up). Go have a drive and ask to try both PASM and Standard suspension cars to see what one you prefer.
Good luck
Matt
I have driven both a 996 with the X51 engine upgrade and a Cayman S for many (thousands of) miles, and the Cayman S is a great car, and imho sharper to drive than a 996.
The only thing that bugs me about my Cayman (being picky) is that if you cover a lot of miles on the motorway the engine is much louder than in the 911. (make sure you spec the Bose and turn it up). Go have a drive and ask to try both PASM and Standard suspension cars to see what one you prefer.
Good luck
Matt
Thanks for the replies.
My current 996 is a 2003, it's a great car and I've been impressed with it, it's plenty fast enough and feels solid to drive. Having said that I always felt that I could get more out of my 2.7 Boxster without feeling like it's going to take me into the ditch at any point. That's a big part of why I'm thinking about the Cayman, if it's anything like the Boxster it should be much more enjoyable to drive.
Another reason for changing is that where I live in London there are around 15 996s parked in the surrounding streets, there are less Fords than 996s! I think part of owning a Porsche is having a car that stands out a bit, I think the Cayman does just that.
I reckon I'll try and get a test drive in one this weekend.
Cheers
My current 996 is a 2003, it's a great car and I've been impressed with it, it's plenty fast enough and feels solid to drive. Having said that I always felt that I could get more out of my 2.7 Boxster without feeling like it's going to take me into the ditch at any point. That's a big part of why I'm thinking about the Cayman, if it's anything like the Boxster it should be much more enjoyable to drive.
Another reason for changing is that where I live in London there are around 15 996s parked in the surrounding streets, there are less Fords than 996s! I think part of owning a Porsche is having a car that stands out a bit, I think the Cayman does just that.
I reckon I'll try and get a test drive in one this weekend.
Cheers
996C2 said:
Thanks for the replies.
My current 996 is a 2003, it's a great car and I've been impressed with it, it's plenty fast enough and feels solid to drive. Having said that I always felt that I could get more out of my 2.7 Boxster without feeling like it's going to take me into the ditch at any point. That's a big part of why I'm thinking about the Cayman, if it's anything like the Boxster it should be much more enjoyable to drive.
Another reason for changing is that where I live in London there are around 15 996s parked in the surrounding streets, there are less Fords than 996s! I think part of owning a Porsche is having a car that stands out a bit, I think the Cayman does just that.
I reckon I'll try and get a test drive in one this weekend.
Cheers
My current 996 is a 2003, it's a great car and I've been impressed with it, it's plenty fast enough and feels solid to drive. Having said that I always felt that I could get more out of my 2.7 Boxster without feeling like it's going to take me into the ditch at any point. That's a big part of why I'm thinking about the Cayman, if it's anything like the Boxster it should be much more enjoyable to drive.
Another reason for changing is that where I live in London there are around 15 996s parked in the surrounding streets, there are less Fords than 996s! I think part of owning a Porsche is having a car that stands out a bit, I think the Cayman does just that.
I reckon I'll try and get a test drive in one this weekend.
Cheers
Since I'm thinking that I might in the future go the same route as you did (boxster to 996) I wonder if you had any regrets doing that move? Because it now looks like you may move back to a boxster albeit a coupe version.
Fair point about the px value, i've already talked to one OPC who made a reasonable offer but that'll no doubt change when they inspect my car.
I don't regret changing from the Boxster to the 996 at all, I'd always wanted to own a 911 and it hasn't dissappointed. Like I said in the previous post I felt that I could get more from the Boxster, although that says more about my driving than the cars.
At the px price I've been quoted the price to change into a reasonably spec'd Cayman S isn't too bad, although as I said once they say that mine needs new discs, pads, tyres, clutch and a green magic tree I'd imagine it'll look a lot less attractive.
Cheers
I don't regret changing from the Boxster to the 996 at all, I'd always wanted to own a 911 and it hasn't dissappointed. Like I said in the previous post I felt that I could get more from the Boxster, although that says more about my driving than the cars.
At the px price I've been quoted the price to change into a reasonably spec'd Cayman S isn't too bad, although as I said once they say that mine needs new discs, pads, tyres, clutch and a green magic tree I'd imagine it'll look a lot less attractive.
Cheers
Edited by 996C2 on Thursday 26th October 00:03
its an interesting thread ... having a 996 it would feel a bit like a backward step for me. But i would love a few more toys on my car. The 996 does an admirable job of carrying my mountain bike in the back (in a bag of course) so toughy.
I agree you do see lots of 996's theres always 3 in my gym car park but there is a cayman up the road looks good ... apart from the rear what the hell went on there!!!
Phil
I agree you do see lots of 996's theres always 3 in my gym car park but there is a cayman up the road looks good ... apart from the rear what the hell went on there!!!
Phil
ttturbo said:
one word
PUSSY
PUSSY
Cheers for that
Good point about the backward step, that's my main concern, I'd hate to drive it off and 20 miles down the road start missing the power and sound of my 996.
I've changed my car 3 times in the last 17 months, I think I enjoy buying Porsches as much as I enjoy driving them
Does anyone else change their cars often?
Cheers
I recently changed from the 996 to the Cayman and feel I've gone forward not backwards, I really liked the 996 as well.
As an all round package the Cayman is better than my old 996 to me for the following reasons.
The interior is so much better built and it looks better too.
The Cayman is better built generally
It’s got two boots, front and rear and you’d be surprised what you can get in the back.
The brakes offer more feel and due to the mid-engine setup, the ABS light isn’t triggered as much on the 996.
Handling in a different league, so much more nimble than the 996.
Equal cross country as thye 996, if not faster
Cayman is more stable than my 996 at higher speed and doesn’t wonder around so much.
The negatives are.
Preferred the steering on the 996(think Porsche have changed the pump or something on all new boxster/997’s/Caymans.
911 is quieter on the motorway at a cruise.
911 had more cache
The 911 felt slightly quicker above speeds of 120 mph.
911 feels more engaging to drive, but not by much
I do consider changing the Cayman for a cheaper 911 though, and then I look at the interior of the 996 or drive the nuts off the Cayman on some of my favourite roads and think what the hell for
As an all round package the Cayman is better than my old 996 to me for the following reasons.
The interior is so much better built and it looks better too.
The Cayman is better built generally
It’s got two boots, front and rear and you’d be surprised what you can get in the back.
The brakes offer more feel and due to the mid-engine setup, the ABS light isn’t triggered as much on the 996.
Handling in a different league, so much more nimble than the 996.
Equal cross country as thye 996, if not faster
Cayman is more stable than my 996 at higher speed and doesn’t wonder around so much.
The negatives are.
Preferred the steering on the 996(think Porsche have changed the pump or something on all new boxster/997’s/Caymans.
911 is quieter on the motorway at a cruise.
911 had more cache
The 911 felt slightly quicker above speeds of 120 mph.
911 feels more engaging to drive, but not by much
I do consider changing the Cayman for a cheaper 911 though, and then I look at the interior of the 996 or drive the nuts off the Cayman on some of my favourite roads and think what the hell for
Edited by bumcrack on Thursday 26th October 15:24
996C2 said:
ttturbo said:
one word
PUSSY
PUSSY
Cheers for that
Good point about the backward step, that's my main concern, I'd hate to drive it off and 20 miles down the road start missing the power and sound of my 996.
I've changed my car 3 times in the last 17 months, I think I enjoy buying Porsches as much as I enjoy driving them
Does anyone else change their cars often?
Cheers
yer i change my car at least yearly ... i reckon im on a par with your 3 in 17 months. I do it to beat depreciation .... erm yer right ... really its cos theres just so many cars out there ...
Dont look at the car ... I cant help it its so beautiful
If it turns out to be a wibbling turd sell it and buy summin else, a cars for christmas not life
Pheedbak said:
a cars for christmas not life
Exactly
I wish my current 996 had a few more negative points, it would be easier to change it then. If anyone's interested and has a copy my current car was the facelift profile car in total 911 a few months back, see if you can spot the missing piece of trim in the pictures
Talked to another OPC earlier about a px for a Cayman S, apparantly my car's mileage should be around 23k for a 2003 52 reg, sounds a lot lower than the average to me, my mileage is just over 34k, No doubt the extra 11k will reduce the trade in value by 4k when they inspect the car.
bennno said:
pikey said:
bennno said:
...you always wanted a 911 as opposed to a roofed boxster
Those comments are so last summer! We moved on since then ok, its a completely unrelated car that just looks suprisingly like a Boxster with a roof.
Bennno
...totally agree with you Benno - it's a case of 'Emperor's new clothes' - Porsche tried to 'price gouge' with the Cayman and therefore had to insist that it was a totally separate model to the Boxster (to justify the exhorbitant price differential - coupes are normally CHEAPER than the equivalent soft-top!).
I'm just surprised so many people were so gullible. It's a Boxster coupe - deal with it!
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff