Porsche 996 to cayman?

anyone go from a 996 to a cayman? thinking of making the move... i know i'll be dropping down in hp and the two rear seats but the cayman will be 7 years newer. wondering if anyone made the move and wanted to see their opinions....

Some consider it the best handling Porsche currently made do to the mid engine layout. I think they look great. My wife wants one in the worst way. The disease is spreading.

It's like women: women with curly hair want straight hair, and women with straight hair want curly hair. With Porsches, some with 911s would like to try the Cayman, and there are those with Caymans that would like to experience owning a 911. I think you'll be happy with the move to a Cayman - handling is sublime and you'll have the advantages/benefits of a much newer car. Might you ever want a 911 again? Quite possibly, but do try the Cayman.

I'm personally quite biased towards the "bad" weight distribution of the 911, however I think the Cayman is an extremely well sorted package. A Cayman S feels very solid and I think it would make a sublime daily driver, while also being more fun than probably any stock 996 Carrera. It'd be much more "new car like" moving from an early 996 than a late one, though it does feel more together even than the 997.1. I think if your main purpose is to get something "newer", you won't be disappointed, and it still feels very connected in the right ways. Have you driven one? I would not prefer a base Cayman over a 996 but the Cayman S is quite the car.

I got a Cayman as a loaner one day. It was to small for me but I am 6'4". My 18 year daughter loved it though. It just happen to be her birthday that day and I let her have some fun.

Have you driven a Cayman S? They are a fantastic Porsche to drive, certainly not a downgrade from a 911 IMHO.

They do nothing for me... Friend had an "S" for about 6 months and then traded it. I hate the way they look and the 1st gear is all wrong.....way too high. I guess if I was racing it would be different but for the street I would never own one and will never have the desire too.

I've been thinking about switching, when the time comes. But the longer I drive the C4S, the more likely I am to keep it longer. It's surprising to me, but a Cayman appears to be marginally heavier than a 2wd 997.

The one I drove had the PDK. It was not as fun as I thought it would be. Now it might be a different story in an 2010 Turbo with PDK.

I've never driven one but I have two issues: Porsche is not known for beautiful cars and I think the Caymen leads the ugly pack (my opinion). Though I don't think the 911/996 is a beautiful car I have cared more about it then about any material posession I have ever had and I can't imagine liking another car more! (Unless I had a GT3!)

i do not see any reason why not. someone has already said that it is the best handleing p-car out there. it never fails to impress me on track.

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Are you dropping down from a turbo? My friend just picked up a 2010 Cayman S with 320 hp, which is the same as my C4S.

I went the other way. Owned an '07 Cayman S from new... put 20k miles on it in 2 years including about a dozen track events and a cross country roadtrip with my wife. Then I sold it and bought an '03 996mk2 C2, which I have now owned for 2 years. Both are great. My personal bias leans slightly toward the 996 mk2 (partly because that's what's now in my garage, and partly because I find it more entertaining at the track). But the Cayman S is a sweet ride, feels very modern and nearly invincible on twisty roads. On the track, the Cayman S can put more energy into its outside-front tire between the turn-in point and apex and therefore can carry more speed on the way into a corner (this is what makes it feel invincible on the street). The 996 makes up for its disadvantages in this respect by putting power down from apex to exit in a way that a Cayman S would struggle to replicate. Also because the 996 is rear-heavy, it is more "adjustable" mid-corner (i.e. it is less stable). The Cayman S is effective, but perhaps a wee bit less entertaining on track IMHO. As a purely street car... and provided that you don't need the 996's rear seats, the Cayman S would get my vote. Only you can be the judge for you. Go drive one.

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I have had the same thoughts, but have not driven one yet. While I would love a new 911, it's probably not in the cards. . . . The Cayman looks very nice to me, and is more in my price range (new). The idea of NEW and WARRANTY is pretty attractive, especially based on the repairs had made under my CPO. All the DE instructors I know are really impressed with the Cayman handling. Anyway, nothing for a few years (as I pay off my wife's new Cowgirl Cadillac--a loaded F150)

I was just talking about my plans to the wife and she says no because the kids are going to revolt. I've got three kids and they all love riding in the 996 but if I get the cayman then only one can go at a time. Then my wife reminds me that I used the excuse of needing the back seats to get away with selling the boxster to pick up the 996.. Guess I'll have to wait...

interesting opinions there is a really hot chick that drives a Macadamia over natural brown leather near me. I watch for her cuz she is so hot! (middle age, mediteranian/italian looking) I like Caymans like that what was the question

YUP!! with you on that sentiment!! pete

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Good. Saves you from changing your screen name too. The car does look very nice. Manufacturers will keep lower lined cars and bikes from being better than the higher end car or bike.

I test drove a Cayman. I had a 04 Boxster S, and sold it because it was too small inside. When I got into the Cayman, it was deja vu. It was confining and with the seats not able to go back much, and the top was right down on top of me. I like the room in my C4S and never feel confined. I am 6'2" and 235lb. Its the C4S Cab all the way!

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If you squint your eyes it looks kinda like a 904.

I'm lucky enough to have a 996 AND a Cayman in my garage (along with my beloved black '84 911). I can tell you that the Cayman definitely outhandles the 996 out on twisty public roads. It would leave my 996 for dead. Out on the track, the 996 can definitely put down the power sooner though.

Never a big fan of the Cayman's body lines, seemed like an after though designing the boxster ...tempting with the 320hp PDK...faster than a 3.6L 996. If I make the switch, it would be the Boxster Spyder over the Caymen S

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+1

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+1 I'm fortunate, too, to have both a 911 and a Boxster. I love my 911, but the Boxster's handling is outstanding - it dances around corners like a ballerina. The 911 (in the hands of THIS amateur) feels heavier and I have to work harder to get it close to its handling potential. I think these observations would apply to the Cayman. All in all, they're both great cars. But if I could only have one, it would be the 911.

It must be an S. I drove a 2007 Cayman and the power delivery was very weak compared to the 996. Probably the torque difference more than the hp. BUT, the handling and connectedness was outstanding! I think the S would be perfect if you don't need 4 seats.

I had the same dilemma about 8months. My economics aford the 996 or the Cayman s, not enough for the 997 thats my fevorite. i belive that the cayman is better car because is newer, but it's a boxster with a top ..... the 911 is a legend(rear engine car) so now i onwed a seal grey 03 996 C4S.

Just switched this weekend from an '02 C2 to an '07 Cayman S. I'm blown away by the Cayman's balance, steering feel and general agility. I totally love driving it! The suspension on the Cayman is much more compliant, yet much firmer and way less "floaty" than my base 996's. Definitely a huge improvement. Low end performance is definitely stronger in the 996 and, no surprise, easier to put power down in a straight line. Once you're up to 3500 RPM or so, there doesn't seem much difference between the two. Styling is definitely personal. My 996 was a gorgeous, classy car. The Cayman looks more exotic and is certainly more unique. I like both for different reasons. These two cars are completely different from one another. I urge you to drive both and make your decision. I have and it's Cayman S all the way for me!