Contemplating the dark side...

Much as I love my baby, I have to recognise that a 100k car out of CPO has some potential downsides as a daily driver. Also, whether it's the first signs of middle age or just the gruesome roads and weather conditions here, I think that maybe GT3 seats, DAS bar and ROW M030 might be too intense for Delaware commuting. So as a first possibility... Speed Yellow Cayman

I would hardly consider the Gayman S, the dark side!

Why not go all the way over to the dark side and get a Boxster S for a daily driver? Top down on a sunny day can be a good thing.

great cars... read up on the oil ingestion threads on the cayman boards if you plan to track.

Awesome car but I can't stand the looks of them

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For some reason they make me think of early 70s 911s. I think it's something about the "daintiness" and the way they look good in strong colours. But that's only my opinion.

My GF has one that we've had on the track a couple of times. It's a great car. You won't be disappointed with the performance and personally I think they look great. Go for it.

I am in the same situation with a 100K mile '99 996 out of CPO warranty. Basically you have to figure out just how much is it going to cost to get out of the 996 and into the Cayman. A well maintained 996 is still pretty reliable regardless of the mileage. When you sit down and figure it out you are going to spend a lot more than the worst case scenario of having to replace an engine for $10-$15K, to end up with a new warranty. If you keep the car you are essentially self insuring yourself and my bet is that in the end it is cheaper than upgrading to a new car. Still a 2007 Cayman does look very nice and it does start the warranty clock running again.

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HAHA, daintiness is the key word but don't get me wrong, the Gembrallas or Techarts (can't remember which) looked freakin' sweet. But, I knew the price of the bits would put you right back into the 997 price range.

Why not. New warranty, new car, freshly updated interior, great handling,nice engine sounds just behind your head....Do It!

Go for it. I love driving the wife's 987S on the street. They are excellent street sport cars, they set the bar others aspire to in their category.

and I thought you were gonna say the dirty C-word... Corvette

I'm a big Speed Yellow fan, but I can't take it on a Cayman. For some reason it just doesn't go well. Great car otherwise!

My buddy in Germany (who had always been an aircooled guy) loves his, and beats a lot of 911s in club racing there. Excellence also has a comparison this month that might push you over....

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The comparison with the 993TT? That was very interesting.

I think that would be a great trade! I love that Caymart and it looks awesome in SY. ... I just have this thing about SY.

The other possibility is a base model with 6 speed and PASM with an initial offer of 8% off - I think I could chisel out rather more than that for an orphan spec. Not sure how much I would miss the extra power in real life - I probably get less than 10 seconds at WOT each day.

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It's white! Me likey! Actually, I'd still go with the yellow one and then beat them more on pushing down the price.

That's seems a bit pricey though I haven't seen many on Autotrader with 422 miles. I'd consider one in the high 40's but for $58k I'd look at the 05 and maybe 06 997's. There is one that is a '05 997, cpo to 100k and 6 years, for $58k with 26k miles.

Well, given their initial trade-in offer on my car was $17k, I've got to assume they're not very serious about offloading their spare Caymans.

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One doesn't buy a new car to replace one with 100k miles because it's going to save them money...they do it because they want a new car.

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or because they can get their wife to buy into it.

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I'd keep the car, set it up for track duty, and get a mini for the commute. OR...get a 996TT with <30k miles for the mid 50k's now...gt1 block, torque, etc. JB

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Looks perfect in white! Just slap on a set of black rims and it will really look the part!!!

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No argument there, but there's also the fact that an only car needs to be very trustworthy, which is another reason I'm pondering a newer car.

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Dark side would be Merc, or Z06, or GTR. I think Cayman S is a nice move out of a 996. Not really a step up, but a nice step over. Might I also suggest a newer, lower mileage CPO'd 996 or even an 05 997. Anyway, good luck with the decision and I think it's a good idea!!!

Gant, How do you feel about your decision now that the "new" has about worn off the M3? The reason i'm asking, is that I'm considering a 996TT similar to the one you used to have but I'm also considering a new car (warranty, new stuff, etc...). I guess I just keep thinking that 3 to 6 months after the purchase, I'll have a somewhat new car that is not as fun as a TT and worry I'd regret it. Are you still 100% happy with your decision? How about a comparison between the two...

as per OP, my business partner has had a Cayman S for a couple of years now and loves it. He's in Dubai, and there just aren't very many (it's such a High-Low market), so it does still have some unique curb appeal there. In fact, I rarely see Caymans in NY or Laurel Canyon<>Malibu circuit, but I see tons of 911s of all vintages all the time. I think they are sporty as all hell, but wait for the new car with the PDK and 310 bhp.

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Not to be funny, but try unloading your car at carmax.

for $58k you could get a very nice 996TT

great car - My buddy Craig just bought a 2007 what you loose in back seat you make up in storage space. We went golfing the other day and both sets of clubs easily fit in the hatch. You loose both the back seats and the storage with a boxster

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Sure, here goes: The M car is fabulous. Still the greatest car I've ever driven. Coming out of the Turbo, I miss the torq, but the torq curve on this car is so flat. You miss the boost feeling, but you essentially have all available torque from 2000 RPM up to 8400 RPM. It just goes and goes. The engine is the most amazing thing you've ever heard. http://youtube.com/watch?v=mxvf9InSeQw Due to the great job M Division did on the handling bits, the car feels 500 LBS lighter than it really is. Handling is better than a 997S, believe it or not. Here are some numbers. Edmunds numbers: M3 - Skid Pad .95G / Slalom 73 MPH http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=125265 997S - Skid Pad .92G / Slalom 70.5 MPH http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=132581 And for the track, compare it's performance specs to GT3-RS M3 - 415 BHP 295 lb-ft 8400 RPM GT3-RS - 415 BHP 300 lb-ft 8500 RPM A car with this much luxury/speed and designed-for-the-track handling, for me, is the best car money can buy. (south of $100k that is) The Turbo was great. Much harsher but handled more like a go cart. I don't miss much about it, other than the amazing torque and how much faster it felt. It was going on 8 years old, so moving to a bran-new car is a real treat. I buy and sell cars so often I don't get that attached. Of course I miss my Porsches but I'm totally happy with the M. My only regret is the 1st year depreciation. I never thought I'd buy a brand new car. 1st year depreciation hit will likely be close to $12 or $13k. Any enthusiast looking to spend $55k to $70k on a new car would be a fool to not give the new M3 a REAL involved test drive.

Beemers are the Dark Side,give it a try !

It think the Caymans look great. Has me thinking. Cayman S oh yes.

The Cayman is a great drive. Bearing in mind the useless trade-in offer and my preference to avoid big spending till I know my job is safeish, I'll keep the old girl (996) running till I can get my hands on a shiny new 2010 Cayman with the DI engine. I'll also try the PDK gearbox to see what I think. Might even go nuts and do the European delivery.

Well that plan changed pretty quickly. I now have to bid a fond farewell to the 996 forum (I'll pop in to say hello now and again), and move to the rather quiet Cayman forum...

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What?!?!? what happened? That was fast! We want photos and a story!

Photos will follow. I'm scooting home now to remove the GT3 seats from my 996 so I can hand it over tomorrow with the big brown electric tombstones present and correct. The Cayman has a whole different character - I'll have to start driving on the power curve again instead of lazily surfing the torque curve of the big 3.6.

great car, even better color....but I'd have to be eyeballing a 997 at the same time

Here it is...

Very nice Simon! White looks amazing on the Cayman. Any interior shots?

I think it's a great choice!!

Nice choice. My business partner's S is the same white (red seats) and he loves it. Good luck and get that thing out on the track ASAP!

The poor car started life with me as it will probably go on: straight from dealer to airport on Friday night to be abandoned to the tender mercies of Newark parking lots, then Monday it'll be left at Philly airport for three days... As soon as I get a few hours to myself, photos will follow.