Just saw it in the Flesh!

Just got back from the local Porsche dealer. The Cayman truly looks better in person. Photos don't do it justice, as good as it looks on paper. Silver dealer car with Carrera 19' wheels. The lines on this carare gorgeous. It was parked next to a sliver Carrera S and, oh blasphemy , it looked better than the C-S. I have been looking to buy a Carrera S but wanted to see the Cayman in person. I am really torn. Money is not the issue here but this car is a looker. I am about ready to throw in the towel and place an order but don't want emotions to rule. A fellow Porschephile admring the car (he owned a Carrera and a Boxster S by the way) commented that they took the best of the Boxster S and Carrera and came up with a better looking car than both. I need help. I am concerned that I may be making the wrong decsion, having wanted a Carrera for years. More power in the 911 but better handling with the Cayman, and did I mention the looks. After market exhaust and intake will wake up the motor I'm sure. It's nota 911, but it is unmistakably all Porsche...........

Note that the engine's detuned...you can easily make an additional 30+ hp from the aftermarket/exclusive...

IMHO if the 911 is what you had wanted for years I would go for it. I first was looking at Boxster S ($$$ issue here) but saw article on Cayman S and was able to convince wife the xtra $4K was worth it. I tried to swing a 911 but the $$$ became too much of an issue with me. The one point you hit right is in the looks dept. Cayman S has it over 911 I think.

A Porsche is all about emotions. It issilly to even entertain the question of whether a 911 or a Cayman is a better car, IMHO. As endless discussions in other boards prove, there is no right or wrong answer to that question. No Porsche make sense at the prices that they are. You buy the one that invokes the most emotions, connection to history, sense of all-around performance and may be some relative exclusivity, may be with some exception with the Cayenne. Which ever Porsche generates most of those feelings for you, you go buy that one. There is a very real reason some people wait for several years for a 991 TT or GT3 /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif The real questionI think in everyone's mind is whether the Cayman will be able to generate those emotions for the long term or will itjust be another Boxster /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/omg_smile.gif The point that RC from Rennteam is making is that cayman will not give much in terms of those emotions for the long-term, hencethe price premium isnot justified forthe Cayman; however, a 911 is all about those emotions for obvious reasons and can justfy any price premium it demands. Of course, I think, he goes about the wrong of making his point; and of course this is my interpretation too, may be I am completely off on this. Edited by - FT on 11/20/2005 8:02:56 PM

I would like to know where anyone in the U.S. was able tosee it 'in the flesh'. Dealerships are saying in will be in soon for VIP treatment, and no delivery to any buyer until January, but...

I agree that it's really about emotion not logic. If owning a 911 has been the dream of a lifetime that should answer the question, irrespective of the Cayman's perceived strengths or shortcomings. At the very worst one can trade for the other should the spectre of disillusion appear for whatever reason. The answers we find are often dependent upon where we look for them. My telling you than the 997 is a tired retread of 993 styling and 996 technology is no more helpful than another poster on another board telling you that the Cayman is just an overpriced Boxster with hardtop, the disappointment of ownership only to be relieved by obtaining a "real" Porsche, i.e. 911 (which is currently the 997, the king is dead long live the king). Frankly, I've grown weary of the 911 vs Cayman "debate" which has done credit to neither car. Drive them both and ask yourself what your expectations are from sports car and Porsche ownership (the two are necessarily the same). Good luck!

Visited my dealership today, Pioneer Porsche in San Diego, CA. Word from them is that they will have a Cayman S in the showroom by Tues or Weds. Can't wait to see this baby for myself.

I am off work tomorrow and will have to check both the local dealerships. Stevens Creek in San Jose and Carlsen in Redwood City CA. I am soooo excited.

/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/beer2.gifThere are a lot of pea brains who argue the 'my car is better' point just for the sake of doing so. Like anything, weather it be wine women or song, every person has their opinion. I say live and let drive....peace out.

Sports cars are about emotion. Buy a Honda if you want reliable transportation. Idrove the Boxster S, Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4, Aston Martin DB9 (no Vantage to demo), and a Ferrari 550 Maranello. They are all great cars but I value driver 'engagement' and handling more than anything else. As nice as the exotics were, I actually preferred driving the Porsches. For me it came down to the Cayman S or Carrera 4. The Cayman just pushes more of my buttons and from all the reviews should be the best car to meet my 'objective' needs. It's a close call and only you can decide. Take a little more time and drive them both.

For what it's worth I drove a Boxster S then a Carrera S immediately after.I thought Bx-S would give me the closest taste of a Cayman. I have to say that the Boxsters handling impressed me more. I could really feel the weight of the engine out back in the C-S. The Boxster had a much more centered feel, obviously I guess. I have to admit it took a little luster off of the C-Sbecause the Boxster felt so good. Truth be told I was a little disapointed. I expected the Carrera to blow me away. Ishould state thatI have come out of 2 Corvette Z06's. If it wasabsolute power I wanted I could buy the new C6 Z06. Cheaper than the way I would equip the Cayman by the way. I want more finesse though. I also autocross so I do appreciate good handling vice raw power. I also suspect that the Cayman, being such a fresh design will hold up well over the next few years, including re-sale. There is already talk of the 998 in a few years which would date the Carrera 997. I think there may be a paradigm shift in Porsche philosphy that would address form following function in the guise of a mid engine revival. Porsche has a long history of mid engine success. The Cayman will get more power from the factory in years to come. After market manufacturers will provide improvements within months. I'm going back to the dealer tomorrow. Any comments would be appreciated Thanks.

Man you guys are not making my decision making any easier. I currently drive an 89 911 Speedster and am faced with the following decision: 1. Sell the Speedster and buy a Cayman 2. Keep the Speedster and buy a 993 I do need a daily driver and am concerned about using the Cayman on a daily basis as I'd want to keep it as mint as possible. Oh what to do!!???

KBS911... I was very much in your position before. I've always wanted a 911 since I was younger. I started out w/ a boxster S due to financial restraints and practicality: The boxster S was cheaper, handled better, had 2 trunks (as opposed to one trunk + 2 useless rear seats), and it shared the same headlights and front end as the 996. I really had no interest in the996 911but then this changed whenI saw the 997S. It looked like the 911's of old, but evolved for today. Instead of waiting for the Cayman S for a few months, I decided to go for a 2006 Carrera S. I've had the boxster S for 3.5 years now, and I think I was looking for something totally different, which is why I went for the Carrera S. Its handling characteristics are very different, the engine is behind the rear wheels, it feels like a bigger vehicle (inside and out), and the reward of knowing and learning how to handle one keeps me entertained. Its kind of like a wild bull that you think is hard to control, but for some reason, it does what you tell it. I agree with the other comments above. Emotion rules when you choose a car, because ultimately, it is you who has to live with the car, the payment(s), and driving it everyday. Get the car that 'moves' you the most... from an emotional stand point. You'll know which one that is just by looking at it in a dealership and then test driving. Given that you've already owned Z06's and had a taste of good power, the Cayman may be the way to go for you. And remember, emotions and tastes change and so do the cars! Who's to say that the next Porsche 911, Cayman, or Boxster will be great. We all may pick the Panamera by that time!

Chuck, Well said. I guess I was suprised at how much 'emotion' the Cayman evoked. The car looks so good and somehow the underdog mentality of the Cayman vice the Carrera S seems to strike me. I have seen to many times at the AutoX where the so called 'super cars' ( Super Stock) are made to look clumsy and ungainly in the face of the scapel like handling of less powerfull vehicles with superior drivers. It's easy to press the go pedal in a straight line, quite another to to manuever that vehicle through the twisties. Tastes do change. Regardless, and I'm not totally settled, the Cayman is a player. A real drivers car I think. Carrera S or Cayman S, don't think i can go wrong. Thanks

I love the Cayman, but for me if I could have afforded the Carrera S I would have had no hesitation. The Cayman's price point came in just under the radar. I love them em all. Porsche is the sexiest car on the road, whether it be a Cayman, Boxster or 997. Aloha Russ PS 89 Speedy, c'mon go for the Cayman, mine will be right down the street from you!

Anybody spot any more in So. Cal?

How did you find the Boxster's steering feel/feedback compared to the Z06?

What about Walters in Riverside?

Not at Newport Auto yet but they're supposed to call me as soon as it comes in. Every 10th car here is a Porscheso I can't believe they don't. Maybe it's a conspiracy to keep the rich guys buying 911's!!!

You know you say every 10th car is a Porsche there, I go days without seeing any Porsches! Then there are days when I actually see 2 or 3, and lately I have been looking! /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/whatchutalkingabout_smile.gif Russ

KBS911 -I did the same demos you did and came to the same conclusions you did. I am also coming off a C6 Corvette coupe. My decision was a little easier since I didn't start with a desire for the 911 and I could simply drive the cars and judge them with a clean slate. [/quote] I love the more pronounced fenders on the Cayman. Looking over the wheel made me feel like Steve McQueen in Le Mans . The Carrera remains a beautiful car but the Cayman S has a sharper and shapelier look and reminds me of the Ferrari Dino. If you were to look at the Carrera and Cayman next to each other without knowing which was supposed to be the 'aspirational' car you wouldsee the Carrera as a larger GT and the Cayman as a smallersports car. Nothing more, nothing less. If you enjoy cruising at a nice clip but never really push your car the Carrera’s rear weight bias won't be an issue. If you enjoy pushing a car more [/quote]the mid-engine Cayman will give you better handling and a more secure feeling. [/quote] I decided I wanted a Cayman after driving the Boxster S. The fact that the Cayman S looks so good is just an added bonus. As the magazines have said, the car looks much better in person and pictures don't do it justice.[/quote]

Cross-Post: ' Cayman Arrives In Illinois <hr style="COLOR: #000000" size="1" /> <div>Yup and it looks to be an exact copy of the one above...same wheels, same color and same PCNA Not for Sale sticker. Anyway it's definitely nicer in the metal. Something about the angles and limitations of photography. Before seeing it live I thought that the roof was maybe to high and bubble like..and the profile that has been often photographed just doesn't do it any justice. It is a very VERY exciting car to LOOK AT. Then you start the engine and it's like WTF!! DO YOU HEAR THAT! Pure excellence! I got to go for a ride in it (my friend is the service manager) and the car is just so solid. I didn't get to drive it but it was still so nice. They parked the cayman right next to a 4S and there was no denying that the Cayman just comes off as pure sportscar and has much more of an aggressive appearance than the almost $100K car next to it. Solid car!!! Hope you all get to see it soon. If your in Illinois or near then it's worth taking a trip to Motor Werks in Barrington and checking it out for yourself...mine arrives late January and to say im excited would be an understatement. I definitely don't like the 19's that came with this floor car..they look way to busy for such clean lines. If I did go 19's I would get the sport classic but think of all the cleaning UNLESS u get the ceramics. I got the 5 spoke Cayman specific wheels. CHEERS!'</div>

mpollard - thanks, I am jealous.

Santa Fe - What's the story on your member icon? Is that a 550?

Cayman came in to Newport Auto this morning. It's not on the floor but they said I can come look at it!!!!!! I'm going some time today!!!

Ubermench - correct that is a 550. The Cayman reminds me of it.