MP3, NAV, Sound, PDA, AHHH HELP!

I have been trying piece together all the different posts on this site for these questions but they are so scattered I decided to ask from scratch giving some info I have read already on this site. I will be ordering a Cayman S soon and am getting stressed at all the options. I did not want to spend more than 61K, and I am getting 5K off MSRP at the dealer I am working with for a car. That does not leave much wiggle room. Some of the things I want are MP3, good sound, Wireless Phone and Navigation. I am NEW to both. Questions based on some people recommended the NUVI 660. 1) Is the NUVI 660 better than just buying a software package and GPS for my laptop, given I will not be using it for every day use. 2) When using the blue tooth on the NUVI for phone were do I talk into? 3) Does the NUVI talk to me? Does it have line out? 4) I read on a post that the Cayman docs say not to use wireless antenna inside the car? Is this so? Has anyone seen bad results from this? Questions about MP3 and NAV 1) Any more updates on an aftermarket LINE IN hookup to the base stereo? 2) IF they do this will the LINE in also work with an external NAV system? Questions about PDA NAV and MP3 1) How GOOD is the PDA version of NAV over a stand alone unit? I know the screen is smaller but what does a stand alone unit do for me better? 2) Does the PDA break the antenna rule of using inside the cabin of a Cayman? Questions about upgrading the stereo 1) I have no desire to upgrade as I might go aftermarket, I like good sound, but the Package Upgrade gives you the BOSE for like nothing if you want the package for the other items like rain senor, mirror dim, etc. Is there a reason to buy aftermarket, and you people that have what is your experience? What system have given you GOOD sound and how much did it cost? I looks like if you buy the upgrades from Porsche you pay a lot more for less quality so I was thinking of going base everything and saving the cash on the aftermarket but I want to make sure I am making thw right decision BEFORE I buy the car.

There is so much noise from the engine/transmission and the road that unless yoing are going to listen with engine off at zero mph then your question is irrelevant. For goodness sake this is a sports car after all!

B8Factor, The price for the perferred package does include the Bose, but you can order all of those other items individually and not the Bose. There is no difference in price of the options individually or bundled together. With the price constraint you have listed, I would pick and choose individual options, not get the package. I would highly recommend the xenons as key upgrade. You may want to save some money on paint or wheels. All up to you of course. Good Luck.

Using a laptop in a Porsche will be cumbersome at best. The Nuvi is compact, has a fantastic and fast receiver (SIRFstar chipset), and can do everything a laptop can. If you're looking to save money, consider a Nuvi 350 (which has a slightly smaller screen and no bluetooth) or a Nuvi 360 (has bluetooth). You will save at least $400 versus the 660. It's a speakerphone. You just talk. Yes, and yes. What type of wireless antenna are you talking about? First, if you're thinking at all about an aftermarket system, pass on the Bose because it's way more trouble to pull out the OEM stereo and install a different one. Second, for good sound you have to consider the space and the environment you're in, in addition to the quality of the stereo head unit. The Cayman isn't terribly quiet, and the passenger space is small - both factors which go against any really decent sound no matter what you try to do. This car isn't a Lexus. That's an acceptable option. If you're going to go aftermarket, forget the Bose.

Interpol your response is top notch.

Does anyone really listen to the radio in these cars?

Well, I for one do. I also listen to an iPod and satellite radio as well. However, I am also aware of the soundfield limitations of this car and do not expect to hear audiophile quality sound from my system. I don't understand why people have to put others down just because they choose to use something as intended that comes WITH the car. I would assume that the REAL sportscar drivers on this forum would remove their stereos and speakers to save weight then, since they never listen to the radio? Or does it mean that the Cayman isn't a real sports car because it comes standard with a radio and CD player? IMO listening to an engine drone is tedious. To each his own. Some people just don't respect that.

clarification I am buying this car to do a year long Card room (Poker) hop from one to the next all the way across the country and back. When I say NAV I mean JUST for this trip. I could take my tiny laptop and buy a floating mount, or just leave it behind our head and listen to it, looking when the passenger, when there is one, needs to see something. I was not looking for a every day NAV. I do not mind buying one if it is worth it, but since I have a laptop, I am not one to waste money or have to handle yet another piece of electronics on my already long list. Radio, well same thing.. going across country in this car.... listen to the engine only the whole way... yea right! Audio books, MP3 music, CD's, anything to break the monotony. I happen to like decent sound, but I am no audiophile! Phone. Well I have not driven a stick in quite some time and will be learning all over with this car, but I can not see myself answering a phone while maybe having to shift. I think hands free is a must. I might be hitting a city that a family or friend is in and need a quick call for directions and please do not comment that I have a NAV, I do not want to post a response as to why i might of needed last minute instructions after the NAV got me to were i was. haha Postscript: Thanks everyone for their responses, even the ones that offered nothing constructive... haha at the very lease I still got some excitement when I saw my POST highlighted when checking to see if I had a reply!

Well, if this trip is going to be a year long, investing in a good GPS unit isn't a bad idea. I still think using a laptop in any car for navigation is cumbersome and even more so in a 2 seater car. If spending $1000 on a Nuvi 660 or even $500 on a Nuvi 350 is still too high, you might consider an even smaller handheld like a GPSMAP 60CSx, which still has mapping, address-to-address routing, the SIRFStar chipset, and is portable for $400 or less. I guess the bottom line is how much you're willing to spend. A decent aftermarket headunit and speakers WILL sound better than the stock system or the Bose package. Handsfree is always a good idea. Here in CA a new law goes into effect by next year that makes it illegal to hold a cellphone to your ear while driving. The cheapest way for you to get handsfree would be to use your phone's speakerphone function if you have it, or just buy a bluetooth headset ($50 or less). The headset would probably sound the best.

Interpol Thaanks so much for the replays, veryhelpfull. I think i will go with the NUVI 660 then. I do not mind the cost, I just do not like spending if I have too. But if I do spend i usualy go for the best I can get. Stero, well if it is going to cost me 3K to get better sound or FREE (stock) or 900 (bose) to get OK sound that I guess I will go with one fo the latters. I just want to listen to things on the road when I get bored. Phone, well if I get the NUVI I guess I could try the BT too that unit and if that doesnt work get the headset. Thanks again for the info.