Help with my '02 996 C4S vs. Cayman internal debate

Hi folks, Nothing like planning ahead. My car purchase timeframe is Feb/March '06. I'm a previous 951 and 968 owner who took time off to start a family, etc. Now, with a new job and great wife who also loves Porsches, it is time to consider what to get: 996 C4S - is a 911, has the more aggressive front/rear/overall look I prefer to base 996s, is still pricey but can be found occasionally with a good deal, has had its initial depreciation Cayman - is newer, has a nicer interior I'll spend 5 days a week commuting in, an aggressive look I really like and from all reviews will provide the raw, visceral thrill I've missed for 4 yrs. since I sold my 968. But will be MSRP and suffer first-year-of-new-model-type depreciation, something that haunts me from my '04 Audi S4 purchase. I'll be stretching my personal financial comfort zone with either, so a lower cost alternative does remain - 02 996 C2. Sticking to '02 for exterior and engine improvements over '99-'01. Appreciate all your inputs and who knows, maybe a healthy debate! Regards, Piccia Brentwood, TN

If you're always worrying about how much you spend on it, you'll always be thinking about that instead of just enjoying the car. I think your best bet is to go for the '02 C2 and then look at going for a Cayman in a few years when they've depreciated.

I have the 987S, not a Cayman but close, and the 996 C4S. Just to give you my impressions. The 987S platform is quick and agile, intuitively responsive, easy to drive fast. With the PASM, the best of both worlds, with a supple street setting and a firm gung-ho setting. The 996 is power, planted on rails, very rewarding when you learn how to drive it fast. While the C4S has a quiet cabin with only the low thrumm of the PSE exhaust, the 987S cabin is noisier with the whine of the engine tending to drown out the burbly exhaust unless you are WOT. Overall, I'd say the the 987S driving experience is like being a child having tons of fun, while the C4S drivng experience is a more mature more serious fun. If I had to choose only one car to keep, I'd keep the C4S.

The same debate happened when the Boxster came out... It all boils down to ... Do you want a 911 or do you want the chicks porsche? Trust me ... Just got rid of the chicks porsche

Thanks for the reply. Good background. Nice stable!

I was really excited when they announced the Cayman. Everytime I get the itch to switch from the 996 family I play with the configurator. That usually kills it for me. If you have the budget for a C4S hands down get it. The C4S is a Hot looking car you will also be driving a much more exclusive. I don't think there is any contest especially after the newness factor of having a Cayman wears off. A boxster can be had in the teens today that is not the case with a 99C4S. Either way welcome back to the party!

Your first post said it all ... the C4s "is a 911."

I'd vote Cayman, just because it's two wheel drive. If you aren't going to be driving in bad weather a lot, rwd is just much nicer: the steering is sharper and turn-in is quicker, which is much of what the Porsche experience is all about. Obviously, there are those that disagree, but that's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it! If the Cayman is looking too pricey, I don't think you'll have to wait too long to find some low-mileage used examples, and you'll have a lot of warranty to protect you, whereas the '02's will be running out of warranty soon.

Have not seen the Cayman in person, but I think the 996/997 is better looking. With that said, I'm biased and have a Boxster and am addicted to the mid-engine layout. If money is tight, you could look at a 1 year-old 987 which would have the modern features you mention and would be a lot of fun for the $ with a good chunk of the depreciation already taken. Who knows, maybe in a few years Porsche will put a 911 engine in the Cayman or you can change out to a depreciated 997.

With all due respect to Boxster owners, a modern 987 S with 280HP is not the same as the first-generation 200HP "chicks porsche" you reference. However, this example is a reason I'd wait for the 2nd-iteration Cayman when Porsche hopefully realizes it's not an "S" and the hype wears off. I think Porsche still has some portfolio positioning adjustments to be made.

RWD vs AWD is BS, the C4S is an awsome platform, gayman is a joke. There is a hell of a lot more to a C4S than AWD, it's a very nice, complete package. If it had the x51, would have been perfect. Either you want a 911 or you don't. Once I took my 8 yo son to the dealer, he walked up to a boxster and asked; 'Daddy, is this a girls car?', well the twentysomething yuppy looking at it turned beat red and walked away.

cayman looks great. newness factor has me interested as well. but the bottom line: put my C4S and a cayman next to each other and i'd still be all over the C4S. i'd never leave the 911 family even if the cayman is a better handling machine and has more modern amenitites. i think that when Porsche says, "there is no substitute" they are really referring to the 911

Cayman is definitely "in the picture", but not as a replacement, rather an addition to the family

I wouldn't get a Cayman yet....1st year models tend to have issues...I'd wait until the 2nd year when Porsche car work out whatever bugs might happen....and if there are no bugs you'll probably be able to pick up a slightly used one.

Agreed! If the money is a little tight for a C4S or Cayman, then go with an '02 C2. Less cost than the first two, more power than the Cayman and, of course, it is a 911.

You shouldnt even think about it, The caymen is a joke compared to the C4S, I guess you asked in the wrong forum, Most here in the 996 area have 911's To me its a no brainer, but then again I am not in your postion(whatever it may be), 911 is Porsche and Porsche is a 911...

Guys, the Boxster is not a girl's car. It's a spectacular entry level vehicle that is much less expensive than the 911. Moreover, it has some handling advantages as a result of it's mid-engine configuration. Ignore everyone insecurity issues with the 911 vs. Boxster debate and just focus on what it is that you are looking for a in a car. To me, the fact that a used 911 is actually less than a new Cayman (a better Boxster if you will) seals the deal. Moreover, you get two rear jump seats that can be used in a pinch. There are some good posts in this forum that have addressed everyone's views on which car offers what. Check them out, drive both, and then see what you think. The only thing that I can offer you without a doubt is this: if you go new, BEWARE depreciation. Because many Porsche drivers tend to prefer their cars new, you can get some wonderful bargains on a well-kept car, be it boxster, 911, or otherwise.

I'd say go with the C4S. To me it is the nicest looking 996 and the 997 did away with the red reflector so it will not be copied. I think will keep it value longer then a C2 or C4 becuase of the looks are rarity. The Cayman is a great addition to the Porsche line up and if it were a choice between a new 997 or Cayman I would go with the Cayman.

To quote Evo (fabulous UK car mag): the C4S is "fast, polished, and wonderfully involving, and with the sport exhaust sounds nearly as charasmatic as an air-cooled 911." I bought an '02 about two months ago with Porsche Certification (warranty through 2/08) for $65,000. John 2002 C4S Lapis Blue/Metropol Blue with PSE

Agreed the Boxster is a great car. It's just not a "man" car. If you are over 6 feet tall you look like a giant in a clown car.

Club, That is very funny. At 6'1" and a former Boxster S owner, I can kind of see that impression. But it's clearly not as bad as driving around in a Z4. Moreover, the Boxster just handled so awesomely. It was virtually impossible to throw the rear out. If you haven't driven one, and you are mocking the car, I HIGHLY suggest you drive one if even just for fun. You WILL be very pleasantly surprised. And yes, I do drive a 996 now, but it's not because I was tired of a girl's car, but because MORE POWER RULES.

Hey Edward, I had a Boxster for a few years... The best part for me is not the power but the room. I am 6'3 and my girl is 6'2. That being said, It is nice having that 996 power. Now I want a turbo! Have your ever tried to get in a miata?

I'm reminded of a scene in The Sopranos where a comment was made that a Boxster was a "Porsche with panties." I own a 911 but wouldn't mind a Boxster either. So, what is it exactly that gives the Boxter this image problem. I enjoy reading car mags from the UK (Car, Evo, Autocar, Top Gear) so I know it's not just here that this is an issue.

Club411, the Miata is a small car! With the top down, I swear I used to have to duck to see out the windshield. My brother used to have one and loved it, but I always felt like I was driving a roller skate though it was fun for the occasional errand. Funny, one car that felt really dangerous was that old M Roadster that BMW made, a variant of the Z3. That thing felt like a death trap....too much power and way too much rotational force around the axis.

I'm in the same boat, looking at getting a Porsche next spring. My shopping list is 03 996 C4S or 05 997. I realy do like the Cayman and the Boxster is ok too (with some techart bits attached to it, see pic below). But, I love the 2 emergency seats in the 911, and nothing says Porsche like the 911. Still undecided between a (used) base 997 and the 996 C4S. Both cost about the same, and look great (altough I prefer the looks of the 997 slightly more). But I'm planning to drive the car year round, like it's supposed to, and here on canada's east coast we get plenty of the white stuff and lots of ice. I'm afraid that the 997 on winter tires just wont be able to handle it (or make it up my very steep driveway for that matter).... Anyway, I'll be reading lots more here and with winter around the corner will be looking for the experiences of rennlisters driving their 997 through the snow. By the way, anyone interested in selling their 996 C4S or 997 next spring, keep me in mind. I would love to buy a vehicle of a fellow rennlister.

if you want to pay 60+ for a c4s, i would rather get a base 997. i saw many ppl doing fine with their c2 + snow tires in the winter.

I'll be continuing my research, including driving several examples. Who knows, maybe a high-mileage 997 (non S) might even be in the cards. If anyone's in the Brentwood, TN area send me a PM. I'd love to link up with some local enthusiasts.

Piccia, I think your bias in what you REALLY want is showing . That's why you posted the question in a 996 board and not in the Cayman board. You just want to have your choice confirmed. Just for laughs, why don't you post the same question on the Cayman board?

No one's spent real time stateside in the Cayman yet.

Piccia, I recently went to my Porsche dealer with the budget and intent to purchase a 997. I test drove a 997S and a 2002 C4S. If "visceral" is what you're after, the 997 may come off as too refined. It did for me. The C4S with PSE feels and sounds the way a Porsche should...a little refined, a little raw, and FAST! John 2002 C4S (Lapis Blue/Metropol Blue) with PSE

911 is the only way to go. The low end punch you get from the 3.6 is not the same. C4S is awesome. It's really a 2 wheel drive + 2 when you need it. It's really rear biassed up to 95% to the rear. I did some donuts with my C4S. Don't expect that from a AWD right?