First Porsche - Boxster S / Cayman S / 996 C2
Discussion
Hi Folks,
I'm hoping to get some owners perspectives on the above automobiles.
Really I'm at a stage now, after doing the hot hatch, I want something a little classier, refined and more driver focused. I've worked hard for quite a few years so I'm ready to change.
I'm not really interested in being quicker than the next person, but driver appeal is very high in my priorities.
I have driven several 996 C2s. The last one was on a wet day with hail stones... The car didn't fill me with confidence. It felt very daunting... Perhaps adjustment to the car would be required, but it just felt like I would have to be very very restrained with the car... Possibly to the point of not enjoying it.
I have recently driven a Cayman S and well it felt very very different. The best way I can describe it, is that it felt that I could have fun driving it, without worrying about the rear of the car overtaking the front... It felt much more sure footed, then again the security from the PSM / PASM all helps. It felt wider than the 996, something I could enjoy driving down a backroad...
I have also considered a Boxster S now. All the cars are so special, I don't feel I would be losing out with a Cayman / Boxster over the 996.
Any thoughts on that?
I'm just not sure I would feel totally confident with the 996, I'm no Jensen Button, but love driving. Perhaps I'm not man enough for a 911 yet, but the Cayman did not feel like a lesser car in any way. For a mere mortal like myself I feel that the Cayman S or Boxster S may be the way forward, not like I will be owning the car for ever.
Anyone else care to share any experiences?
I have driven quite a few cars now and certainly feel the Porsche marque is for me. I'm not a badge snob, far from it, more due to the marque is so driver focused. I found the E46 M3 to have a great engine, actually its ruddy awesome, just let down by light steering with little feel. The VAG range of cars I don't find driver focused, too easy to drive, without any driver interaction.
Any input experiences would be great to hear.
Thanks,
Neil
I'm hoping to get some owners perspectives on the above automobiles.
Really I'm at a stage now, after doing the hot hatch, I want something a little classier, refined and more driver focused. I've worked hard for quite a few years so I'm ready to change.
I'm not really interested in being quicker than the next person, but driver appeal is very high in my priorities.
I have driven several 996 C2s. The last one was on a wet day with hail stones... The car didn't fill me with confidence. It felt very daunting... Perhaps adjustment to the car would be required, but it just felt like I would have to be very very restrained with the car... Possibly to the point of not enjoying it.
I have recently driven a Cayman S and well it felt very very different. The best way I can describe it, is that it felt that I could have fun driving it, without worrying about the rear of the car overtaking the front... It felt much more sure footed, then again the security from the PSM / PASM all helps. It felt wider than the 996, something I could enjoy driving down a backroad...
I have also considered a Boxster S now. All the cars are so special, I don't feel I would be losing out with a Cayman / Boxster over the 996.
Any thoughts on that?
I'm just not sure I would feel totally confident with the 996, I'm no Jensen Button, but love driving. Perhaps I'm not man enough for a 911 yet, but the Cayman did not feel like a lesser car in any way. For a mere mortal like myself I feel that the Cayman S or Boxster S may be the way forward, not like I will be owning the car for ever.
Anyone else care to share any experiences?
I have driven quite a few cars now and certainly feel the Porsche marque is for me. I'm not a badge snob, far from it, more due to the marque is so driver focused. I found the E46 M3 to have a great engine, actually its ruddy awesome, just let down by light steering with little feel. The VAG range of cars I don't find driver focused, too easy to drive, without any driver interaction.
Any input experiences would be great to hear.
Thanks,
Neil
cayman s all the way its a fantastic car.had cayman s for 3 years and its a better car than the 996 and just as quick to drive on the road if not quicker down b roads.nothing wrong with the boxster s but go for a 987 model it all depends if you want a coupe or softtop.if it has to be a 911 997 3.8s is best bet post 2006.discard early 996 or any pre 2006 car unless you have a warranty or finacial back up if the ims lets go.
mayes911 said:
cayman s all the way its a fantastic car.had cayman s for 3 years and its a better car than the 996 and just as quick to drive on the road if not quicker down b roads.nothing wrong with the boxster s but go for a 987 model it all depends if you want a coupe or softtop.if it has to be a 911 997 3.8s is best bet post 2006.discard early 996 or any pre 2006 car unless you have a warranty or finacial back up if the ims lets go.
Hi Mayes911, thanks for the reply.Well I certainly do think I would be as quick in the Cayman S if not quicker than a 996 on a back road.
Boxster S wise, yep it would indeed be a 987.
The most recent 996 I have looked at does have a great history and maintenance record with a local specialist. A warranty is also provided with the car too. Makes it a better prospect for the 996, as most of the others I looked at where private sales.
The 996 rear seats are useful for emergencies...
just to add its not the pasm that keeps you safe that adjusts the suspension from soft to hard.in the cayman/boxster you can switch the psm off and still have to push it really hard for it to let go.imho cars on the 18"wheels and no pasm are the best handling,infact drove a cayman r back to back with my cayman s which had the above and i must say the suspension felt close albeit the ride in the r was harder and tended to follow the road surface a little more probably due to the 19" rims and 20mm lowering
I recently purchased an 11 plate Boxster S ex-demo specc'd up to the hilt.
I think everyone wants a 911, I know I did and still do but my decision in part was driven by the practicality and also by my other half, she isn't really a sports car person but wanted a convertible and I've never liked the 911 cab, so the Boxster fits the bill.
I must say it's a brilliant car, I've done hot hatches, GT cars, pocket rocket/race/track focused cars but this just oozes quality.
Very happy with my decision to date, love the engine noise behind me and flicking the PSE on with the roof down is smiles all round.
I don't think you'll be dissapointed.
I think everyone wants a 911, I know I did and still do but my decision in part was driven by the practicality and also by my other half, she isn't really a sports car person but wanted a convertible and I've never liked the 911 cab, so the Boxster fits the bill.
I must say it's a brilliant car, I've done hot hatches, GT cars, pocket rocket/race/track focused cars but this just oozes quality.
Very happy with my decision to date, love the engine noise behind me and flicking the PSE on with the roof down is smiles all round.
I don't think you'll be dissapointed.
Thanks again folks, it's great to hear what other people have found.
Actus Reus, I think you are right it is more chuck-able. I feel like (to exaggerate) in the 996, on a dry day, it would be a case of wheels straight, power, corner approaching, brake brake brake, roll round the corner, wheels straight power... I don't feel I would be able to attack a road like I would in the Cayman, or possibly a Boxster.
Decisions decisions, the lure of the 911 is hard to resist. Especially as it offers a little more practicality than the 2 seaters...
Actus Reus, I think you are right it is more chuck-able. I feel like (to exaggerate) in the 996, on a dry day, it would be a case of wheels straight, power, corner approaching, brake brake brake, roll round the corner, wheels straight power... I don't feel I would be able to attack a road like I would in the Cayman, or possibly a Boxster.
Decisions decisions, the lure of the 911 is hard to resist. Especially as it offers a little more practicality than the 2 seaters...
Whatever you buy you won't be disappointed. I have a 996 C4 and I love it; they're cheap to buy, have added practicality and it never feels nervous or twitchy and indeed, far, far outweighs my ability as a driver. The extra space comes in surprisingly handy as the other half has an MR2 roadster so this is S class space in comparison!!!
Partly depends on whether you've always hankered after a 911 or not, I had so there was only one option for me & I'm glad I bought my 996 C2. That was almost three years ago & I'm still not 100% comfortable with how it handles, they do seem to make more sense the faster you go bizarrely. I have only twice had 'moments' in mine, both down to me deliberately provoking it, neither time did I get seriously out of shape, really need to book a trackday to explore the handling in relative safety.
LordHaveMurci said:
Partly depends on whether you've always hankered after a 911 or not, I had so there was only one option for me & I'm glad I bought my 996 C2. That was almost three years ago & I'm still not 100% comfortable with how it handles, they do seem to make more sense the faster you go bizarrely. I have only twice had 'moments' in mine, both down to me deliberately provoking it, neither time did I get seriously out of shape, really need to book a trackday to explore the handling in relative safety.
To be honest I haven't always hankered after a 911.Interesting you say you are still not 100% comfortable with it. There is the Porsche Experience Day's, might be worth while? It's certainly a route I would go down for whatever Porsche it ends up being.
Neil_M said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Partly depends on whether you've always hankered after a 911 or not, I had so there was only one option for me & I'm glad I bought my 996 C2. That was almost three years ago & I'm still not 100% comfortable with how it handles, they do seem to make more sense the faster you go bizarrely. I have only twice had 'moments' in mine, both down to me deliberately provoking it, neither time did I get seriously out of shape, really need to book a trackday to explore the handling in relative safety.
To be honest I haven't always hankered after a 911.Interesting you say you are still not 100% comfortable with it. There is the Porsche Experience Day's, might be worth while? It's certainly a route I would go down for whatever Porsche it ends up being.
LordHaveMurci said:
The 911 has always been a challenge, it is the only car I have ever owned I haven't thrown around & that's part of the appeal for many people, me included. There will always be more to learn, it will always challenge me & never flatter my driving ability. To me it's a bonus that (relatively) they aren't that fast in a straight line, it makes the corners even more fun!
I know exactly what you are saying, I'm just not keen on becoming best friends with the local body shop 
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