Main car versus second car

Since most of us visit this site to amuse ourselves while we cope with the wait for our new Cayman S , I thought it might be interesting to share with each other whether this car will be our sole drive or whether it will be a second car, along with what drove us to make our decision to buy it. Personally, I am a 61 year old male that has always enjoyed cars, but never owned a two seater sports car. As a teenager I remember lusting over sports cars with classic curves and less than boring styling. Examples are 60's XKE's, Aston Martins, Corvettes, etc. As the years passed, my finances led me in the direction of owning only one car at a time, and therefore one that met most of my needs(gathering and transfering stuff and family). About a year ago I decided to buy a 'toy'. At first I considered finding a well cared for Porsche or Mercedes LS. Neither used version fell into the category of satisfying a 'passion', but I thought that of all the choices these two would make a good toy. Then, along came the Cayman S and it was love at first sight. I ran to my local Porsche dealer, placed my name on a que and put down $1000.00 deposit. Since then I have absorbed everything I have put my hands on regarding this car, and with each article, picture, trip to the IAA show in Frankfurt, etc, I have become totally obsessed. Which one of us can avoid becoming obsessed, given the rave reviews given in the last month or so. I will be keeping my Lexus sedan for those times that I need the space, and will use my new 'baby' on every occassion possible. Life is only sweet as long as one continues to have dreams and passions. This car should serve to realize a dream and satisfy one more of my passions.

That's a good story kmns... I'm 36 and have a similar story in that I ran down to the dealer as soon as I heard about it. Cars and motorcycles have always been facinating for me. In the 4th grade I claimed to be able to name all the cars in the world! I scour the internet for info on what's coming because I'm interested! I got into the Cayman exactly the same way I got my last vehicle... I had been wanting a GMC Sierra for several years, but not bad enough to actually buy one. In 2000 I read about a future vehicle, the 2001 Sierra C3. It's the first pickup on the Escalade/Denali platform with AWD, the 6.0 engine, and the Cadilac interior. In 2002 it got 4 wheel steering and the Denali logo. I went down to the dealer the next day and there is still nothing better in it's class. Same with the Cayman. I've been wanting a Porsche for many years, but not bad enough to actually pay for one.And it's not really the money, you can get the slightly upgraded 02 996 for under $50k now and I'm spending $78k on the Cayman. I went down to the dealer and put down my $2k for a place in line about a week after seeing the first disguised spy-photos, back in May.One of the first 5 or so at a huge dealer, Newport Beach, Ca. I hear the Mercedes dealer in Newport Beach is the biggest in the world. I'm seriously embarrased at the amount of time I spend thinking about this car! It's just sooo cool! I bet history will look at this car more fondly that the 924 or 944 or even the 928. I'll use it everyday unless I go out during peak traffic, in which case I'll take my street bike, an 88 FZR400. Or if I go somewhere where it's risky to park (Jackwood!!!!), I'll takethe truck.

I am 57 and live in Michigan. I have driven a Porsche as one of my cars for the last 8 years. Unfortunately in Michigan none of my 911's or my future Cayman can be the only car in the garage. I was elated when Porsche came out with the Cayenne . I thought my problems had been solved. A vehicle I can drive in the summer and the winter and a Porsche to boot. I previously owned a 1998 cabriolet and a 1999 coupe 996. But I always needed another car for winter. My other car was an Audi A6. I watched the development of the Cayenne and had my deposit down before launch , just like the Cayman. I have driven the Cayenne for over 2 years and love it. I will keep the Cayenne for winter, but drive my Cayman during the summer. I will ship my Cayman to Florida and keep it at my winter place during the winter and drive it in Florida when I am there. CertainlyI would rather be in a climate where I only need one car. Insurance, upkeep, etc. would certainly be less expensive. I thought the Cayenne would solve my problems, but found myself lured back to a sports car and the Cayman was love at first sight. I was calling my dealer before they were taking deposits. I was the second one to get my deposit down on the Cayman and now anxiously wait for its delivery. That is my story. Thanks for letting me share it.

I am 25 years old, just graduated from law school, working as a newbie attorney, and awaiting to realize my dream of buying my first Porsche. I remember reading a magazine at a nail salon (yes, im a girl!) in the summer of 2004, and laying my eyes on the computer generated photo of the 'boxster coupe'. As for the rest of you, it was love at first site, and i have been obsessed ever since. Iadmit that i am not as much a car junkie as the rest of you, but i promise that i dont drive like an ordinarygirl, and i will dothis car justice. I grew up with my dad buying sports cars (mercedes sl, carrera 997, bmw z8), and it is in my blood to work my way up there. i am glad to share the same enthusiam as all ofyou. cant wait til january!!!

I am 55 years old and drive a RX330 as a daily driver (bought July 2005). Before that my daily drivers were a super-charged Miata and an M5 (M5 totaled by lady running a red light). I have a 993 RUF BTR-2 as my fun car and that I will keep forever. However, I really missed my Miata as a daily driver. Unfortunately after the accident, my wife will not allow me to drive a Miata every day. I hope that in a few years I can hand the RX330 to my kids, and get a Cayman as my daily driver. It has all the air-bags I need to convince my wife that it is a safe car for daily use. I won't need a Cayman S . If I need power, I take my RUF. I just want a Go-Kart type of smaller car for daily use. I love the look of the Cayman, and it certainly has enough trunk space for convenience. The regular Cayman should be small enough to park anywhere and I'd not worry about where I leave it. I won't do that with my RUF as it could be stolen in a heart-beat, and I'll never be able to replace it. I have not gone to my dealer yet for a deposit. I can wait a bit as my RX330 is actually brand new. CP Edited by - CP on 10/17/2005 6:51:52 PM Edited by - CP on 10/17/2005 6:53:01 PM

This will be a third car that will be in the toy group. I've had a number of Porsches over the years. I'm 61 and remember when I got my first job that the Porsche's price was equal to my annual salary. They stayed in sync for a number of years until I could finally swing the deal on the first one. I was never without one until my last Carrera 4. I decided to try some other brands going from MB to BMW because I found the 911's styling too bland. The new one promises to correct that but I'm in love with the 550, er Cayman.

I am 30 and this will be my second Porsche. I've had quite a few fun cars over the years such as theCooper S and TT Quattro,but nothing was ever as good as the Boxster S. Unlike most of you, Cayman was not love at first sight for me. It was love-at-the-first-time-someone-pitched-the-idea-of-a-hardtop-Boxster.Whata mouth full. You see, I have always liked the Boxster sinceseeing theconcept back in the mid 90's, however I waited many years before buying one. I nearly bought one in 1999, but decided to go for a Audi TT Quattro instead. The reason? It wasn't a hardtop. I wanted a hardtop Boxster. But I gave in the first time I drove a Boxster S. What a beautifully balanced car. And now that porsche is building a hardtop Boxster that is more than a Boxster, it was a no brainer. Btw for those of you who are first time P-car owner, let me leave you with this warning. Once you have had a taste of the Porsche brand, you will always need to have one in your stable of cars. /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/thumbsup.gif As for praticality, we will be keeping the 4 door Golf GTI (with the sensational DSG gearbox) that we bought a few months back. Edited by - WAY on 10/17/2005 10:02:54 PM Edited by - WAY on 10/17/2005 10:12:32 PM

Don't know if you realise how lucky you are over there in the States. When I graduated at 24, I started at $38k a year. These days, law grads start at about $50+k, and the Cayman S cost $148,500 (which means a 'drive away' cost of about $160k!). Unless you have other means, no one buys a nice car here as a uni grad. Most would be looking at Honda Civic equavalent. /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wall.gif

Nice to see so many other 'senior' enthusiasts like myself on this thread. I am 62 and have owned sports cars all my life. Every one has been a 'daily driver' except for when I lved in the Cleveland area and had to contend with lake effect snow. Even then I drove my NSX as often as possible. Porsches in general are about the joy of driving and the romanticism of pretending. You want to enjoy this experience as much as possible. The day will eventually come when you can no longer contend with 'driving enthusiastically', so soak up all you can. One reason for switching from the 911 to the Cayman is that with its larger storgae capacity, maybe I can leave the Land Crisuer at home when I go to the grocery or on trips.

Don't get me wrong please... I feel like a senior... just turned 40!!! My wife was more than thoughful and decided that I need to feel 24 again... so today the Cayman order was placed for a January delivery. First one, and hope not the last one /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/shades_smile.gif

I find it quite interesting that Porsche claims the Cayman S will appeal to younger buyers and won't lure 911 buyers. This board is full of older drivers and also has quite a few former 911 owners. If our little community is any indication of future Cayman owners, Porsche may be in for quite a surprise. I have been interested in Porsches for a few years but never really took to the way the rear engine 911 handled when pushed. I prefer coupes to convertibles and loved driving the new Boxster S so the Cayman was a no brainer. It will be a fair weather recreational vehicle for me as I drive an AWD sport sedan in the winter.

Someone on this board said it best: 'Mid-engine is just best. It just is.' Certainly Porsche knows that and so they're in a tough spot.... How much longer you gonna make these things? Another 50 years? There is no real graceful way to bow-out of the 911. And if I was a Porsche stock holder I'd kill any Porsche exec who talked about getting rid of it! I'm glad it's not my problem, I'm just glad they're makingCaymans! Albeit slightly neutuered...