Concerned about a PCM-less dash...

I placed an order for my Cayman S about 3 weeks ago (February build). I decided to leave off the PCM option, primarily because I'm not interested in Sat Nav and the other features didn't seem to justify the cost. But now I'm having second thoughts: The layout of the dash just doesn't look right without the PCM screen. It is as if Porsche tried to "stretch" the standard stero to fit what must be a 6" space... not pretty in my opinion, it kinda bugs me the more examples I find of it. Anyway, wondering if others have noticed this and/or have experience with PCM without Sat Nav? (Also: If I have a February build car, is it too late to make changes? I know, I should just ask my dealer.) You don't see to many pics of the PCM-less dash; here's one I noticed from a previous post today: http://www.auctionadmin.com/ImageViewer.aspx?aID=120941&pic=21&pCnt=30 Thanks!

Boy that's a tough question. For me, I chose it because: 1. I'm more than a bit of a geek and I like the idea of a disply in my car. 2. If/when an iPod interface is completed, song titles should look good on it. 3. Nav, although not necessary, is kind of fun to play with especially when you know the route better than the computer. Is it worth the $3000? Probably not, but do this. Figure your payments with and without the system and see if you think its worth the extra bucks a month. You may end up regretting your decision a year down the road. After all we get salary bumps every year......right? /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif

I just ordered mine also and have a February build. I thought the same thing and ordered it with the PCM. I really thought the dash looked odd without it.

I would have ordered it but I had tochoose between PCM of Special paint. I like the way it looks with the PCM, and almost all new cars have them. You might still be able to make changes, but it could be tight. Russ

I prefer the less cluttered look without the screen and little buttons. This is just personal preference and there is no right or wrong answer. Get it whichever way you like best.

PCM is too much of a distraction in my opinion, this is a serious sports car not a lexus....I really want to drive this little croc hard, leave the other toys like displays, etc for home IMHO .... HOWEVER I got the BOSE system. Cant live w/o good music along. specially a low revs hehe ......COCO

You might want to consider the fact that when you try to sell the car a few years down the road, a car with PCM will be much easier to sell.. A lot of cars come with navigation now a days, I suspect that a few years from now most cars will come with it. I think its worth the 3k.. It looks a lot classier and richer with it. You can play mp3 with it. If you ever get lost in an unfarmiliar neighborhood it will guide you to the right place.. Plus if you get the sport chrono plus it will display and store all your lap and performance times on the PCM screen.

although I prefer the look with the PCM screen, my decesion was driven by the fact that I could not think of many times that I would be out driving and need a navigation system to get where I want to go. At least not in this car. On a rare occassion when I am going somewhere new, I usually know this in advance and do a quick mapquest before leaving the house. I must admit that at the time I placed my order, I saw the system as only a navigation tool. If, in fact, there are other opportunities down the road, e.g. mp3 readouts, I probably would have ordered it.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I've decided to change my specs to include PCM (will find out tomorrow if the change is accepted or if I'm too late). BTW, one of my motivators is iPod integration, which I'd love to see in Porsches at some point (but I'd settle for a simple auxiliary audio input.) I currently have the BMW/Apple iPod integration in my 2004 BMW M3. It is less-than-ideal but still better than managing CDs, at least for me. That solution works like a 6-disc changer and uses the controls on the stereo that would otherwise be used for a changer. Unfortunately, this means you're limited to 6 playlists that must be prepared ahead of time on the computer. I'm hoping (a) Porsche/Apple/third-party will eventually have an iPod adapter that works with MOST (and PCM); and (b) it lets us take full advantage of the iPod. In any case, my knees grow weak at the sound of a Porsche engine, so I plan to spend considerable time in my Cayman with the tunes off...

As far as re-sale goes the Nav system will be out of date before you drive it and will in my view be something a future owner will wish that wasn't there. The GPStechnology changes every five minutes.

Personally, I've always felt a nav screen is out of place in a sports car. However, it's sometimes nice to have a GPS system. For those times, I use a portable Garmin which, of course, has the added benefit of use in other cars. To add to what SF said, when the technology improves (as it does every few years) I can easily replace it. When it's time to order, it's all a matter of personal preference. I'm glad it's an option for those that do or do not want it. Edited by - lizardS on 12/30/2005 10:28:54 PM

I talked it over with salesman when I went to order, and decided that I could do without it. Although I do like the dash look with it, I figured that the money could be better spent elsewhere (new garage being built). I usually know where I am going and if not AAA will map it out for me. Dealer said they did not have many requests for it when ordering cars anyway so am not sure it would matter at later sale date. I have been looking at handheld models because of the convienence of using them in any car I have.

The Nav system is a requirement for me; it keeps my wife entertained as we travel the country. Not that we will travel that far in the Cayman but it is useful and entertaining for shorter trips. She will not be riding with me on the twisties, however, when I will really enjoy the Cayman! The GPS system does change (the addition of WAAS, for example) but that will not obsolete the Nav system. The underlying database changes periodically along with the mapping software but updates are available. I seriosly considered the Garmin 2720 and the soon to be released 2730. They are tempting. The 2730 adds MP3 and XM radio (with traffic display) capability through a builtin FM modulator. Ruby

Honestly, I could care less about the navigation aspects of PCM. However, the features that do interest me and are still causing me grief in making the decision to get it or not are: 1) PCM required for multi-function steering wheel 2) PCM required for saving certain preferences such as "coming home" lighting, etc. (Does anyone have a complete list of prerferences that can be saved? 3) PCM seems to be the only way to get a CD player that takes MP3 CDs. Since there is no iPod interface, having to rely on the CD Changer is a real downer. On the con side, there's: 1) the expense 2) the fact that the GPS navigation is 2-D and is a relic from 2004 3) No iPod Support 4) Is the DVD itself upgradable? In five years when new streets are created will I be able to get an update?

hsjb, In answer to your very last question, I asked the sales manager who is handling my order at the dealership how much the update DVDs cost, and he said they're about $400. That was enought to make me decide I would find my own way around the country in the car, and find another, more portable GPS solution later on. Brad

I was reading the Cayman product info (from May 2005) and it indicates that the map data is from 2004. Although I don't know if that is still true, it seems like PCNA should be at least using data from 2005. I will need to find this out when I place my order.

hsjb - I think you are right in your basic assessment of the features PCM offers - and also it has some additional sport chrono mapping - and shows the functions of the on board computer. In my area the maps included small streets that surprised me, and I have read somewhere that this is an improvement over the 2005 PCM nav used in the Boxster.