If you came from a Cayman to a 911, would you go back?

I went from a 987 that I put 42K on to a 911 . I'm wondering if any 911 owners (that are former 987 owners) think about going back to the mid-engined platform, and, if so, why.

The question is, would you??

I went from Boxster to 911 to Boxster to Cayman so at one point I went back. Nothing wrong with the 911 , just what I wanted so I bought what I wanted, not what anyone else wanted. If you aren't happy with your 911 trade it for something that makes you happy, if you are happy with it, then keep it. Life is too short to be unhappy.

Thanks for the platitude, Ken, but my poorly written OP was really looking for the justifications people used with themselves to go back to the mid-engined platform. I mean, the 911 is unlike any other car you'll drive, but the Cayman is without doubt a draw to anyone that loves to drive. I was looking for the process people went through after they'd decided to get a new Porsche - why they chose a 987 over a 911, and whether they'd had any regrets and wished for their 911 back. That said, I agree - I always drive what makes me happy.

I like all Porsche sports cars, the style, handling, and power of each is amazing. When the 997 Gen 2 came out I really got the bug and seriously entertained the notion of getting one. All I wanted was to wait for the new Cayman to appear and then get a chance to test a 997S manual against a Gen 2 Cayman S stick back to back. Had that opportunity a few weeks ago and to be honest the 997S went right back out of my head. Don't get me wrong, it is an awesome car, but IMO simply not worth the premium Porsche asks for it. It is faster in a straight line, but not as much as I thought given the major HP advantage it's supposed to have. Braking was awesome and handling was good. However the CS was still much more agile and fun to drive compared to it, just felt much lighter on its feet and more planted everywhere. The battle will rage on as both cars have many outstanding attributes,.....one thing is clear to me though, if Porsche did ever put equal power in the Cayman as it does in the 997, there would be no reason for a 911 except for the rear seats. Only my opinion.

I went from a Cayman to a 997 Gen II 911 C2S and I will never go back to the Cayman , unless it were to be my second car/track only car to a 911 . Both are good cars, but the 911 edges out for me in terms of quality, looks and history. The only-midengine car I would genuinely considering moving to is an R8, and the only other 911 I am considering moving to is a GT3 .

I would be hard pressed to go back to a Cayman after experiencing the 3.8's mid-range especially with the tweaks that are on the car, i.e., X51 Headers and high-flow cats. The 911 's silhouette, to me, is stunning and just gets better every time I look at it. The next step for me would be either a GT3 or Turbo.

My upgrade to the 911 was one of my best decisions ever. Aside from the sleekness of the car, the performance is outstanding, especially since I spend99% of my time driving it on the streets and highways, not at a track, if at all. Way much quieter on the ears inside the cabin, more space for the driver to recline. I can dissect performance to the most detailed degree, but really, why? While both cars are great, the 911 is a higher class, and many people just can't afford it. So get the one you like best and suits your needs.

If I could have kept both I would have, but I had no garage space for the CS, and the wife said four cars is too many already. A major reason I got into the 911 was because my wife has a Boxster S LE and we found ourselves getting more use out of her Boxster than my Cayman S . I did not get a chance to track the car as much as I had hoped, and when I test drove the 09 C2S w/ PDK it was the most impressive 911 I've had the opportunity to drive. Couple of other points . I drove the 09 Cayman S and there was not enough difference to justify the cost of the move. If you've got a Cayman S you don't need an 09 IMHO. If you don't have a Cayman , the 09 is superb. Comparing the 911 w/ the Cayman for better/worse is meaningless to me. Neither money nor the illusion of prestige are pertinent to me when comparing the 911 variants to the mid-engine Porsches. Both cars are excellent and represent the best of Porsche engineering; however, they are different from each other with qualities that are not entirely overlapping. For my needs at this moment, the C2S Cab is the right car for me. I got a drop top because the wife and I found that we use that feature here in S. Florida more than expected w/ her Boxster S . Would I go back to a Cayman ? Possibly if my needs change. If my wife wanted the Cab instead of the Boxster I could easily see myself getting back into the Cayman S . Of course I wouldn't mind returning to the mid-engine platform in a 458 Italia either.

I currently have all three. My feeling is that the Cayman needs some interior upgrades (already have a Alcanatara steering wheel, center console lid, shifter and e-brake and just ordered the lower dash in Alcantara ), no leather on the dash and the roof liner is hideous. In addition really th transmission need sto be changed, 1st and 2nd are way too long for a sportscar that would give you the biggest upgrade in performance. in addition strong brakes and better stock shocks. Aside of that I would buy another one. If I could have just one P-car it would be a 911 platform for utility and performance but that in my case is kewed as the tt puts some serious power down.

Great question. I actually set out to get an 08 (2,000 miles on it) Carrera . I had an offer from my dealer on a new 09 Carrera instead if I wanted brand new but test drove the CS before buying. I went with the CS. I just liked the mid-engine balance better. Interestingly, I was talking with the senior salesman at my dealership recently and opined that in a couple years I would likely take a look at a GT3 . He said, you will want to test drive it before you do......as a daily driver.......you get spoiled with how easy the CS is to wring out performance without working at it too hard. The answer may really come down to, for me, my intent in its use. And, for me, it is a daily driver and at this point, at least, the CS fits the bill.

I recently traded in a Cayman S for a GT3 . The GT3 is the only 911 series car that interested me because my top priorities are performance and driving "feel". The GT3 is second to none (well, except maybe for the GT2) among current production Porsche 's in those categories. I would consider going back to a mid-engine platform if Porsche produced a high-performance version of the Cayman with GT3 -like, or better, performance, i.e., somewhere between the current Cayman and the Carrera GT.

I previously owned an '05 C2S cab and and now own an '09 CS. I test drove just about everything including a really nice '07 C2S before deciding on the Cayman . The 997, while a really fantastic car, did not feel quite as sharp and satisfying as the CS. I do not mean to discount the car's performance, but just for me, the Cayman S was the better fit. I will be using mine for a mix of track and weekend driving. If I were going to DD, I might have gone with the 997. My hope is to enjoy the CS for a few years then find a lightly used 997 GT3 . Not sure where I go after that

Noticed that a lot of posts elude to that fact that only a GT3 would suffice as a 911 replacement to the CS,.....I would concur. For me a move "up" to either a 997 or even a 997s is not worth the price as you gain a bit more power, but lose some handling traits. I would have no problem parting with the same amount of money for a GT3 .

I went the other way, from a 996 to a Cayman . I prefer the balance of the Cayman , and for me the second trunk is more useful than back seats. The only 911 I would consider returning to is a Turbo, so I can resume Silver Stating...

The thing that puzzles me is... The GT3 's engine is still in the wrong place

I am moving on to a 997 Gen II GT3 . I have ridden in one, and from what I know of GT3 's, they are very capable cars that can do wonders in the right hands. For as long as I've had this 997 Gen II C2S, I've never once felt the engine to be in the wrong place for me. The acceleration with the weight on the rear wheels and ability to swing out the back is great and a lot of fun - more fun than I had with the Cayman . But both are good cars in different ways. Porsche makes the best rear engined cars ever. And they should; they have the market cornered. I really, really don't think it's fair to blast it for "being in the wrong place" when GT3 's can beat mid-engine cars on the track (and yes, I know GT3 's can be passed by Caymans and the like, too). But that's an argument that will rage on for the end of time and I think everyone should just enjoy their cars and not argue about it.

The 911 is indeed considered a step up in the Porsche range but that has to be qualified. The Cayman is still the better driver's car and if you factor in the bang for the buck factor, it cannot be beaten. Yes, the GT3 is probably an even better driver's car, but then again it is on the edge of the 911 range. The Carrera is a GT car with all the pros and cons of this designation and a long history to prove its worthiness. The Cayman is a more sensible and "textbook" approach to a pure sportscar and as such, it should be in a different category. Personally, I went for the Cayman because a sports car with the engine where it should be is what I wanted. I could've spent the money on a used 997 or a 996, but I never saw the two as direct competitors. I've driven lots of 911 's in many different instances and I do like them a lot. I'd still take the Cayman every day, twice on Sunday

Interesting... A lot of those who prefer the 911s aren't track enthusiasts, and do not seem to have a second car. For what it's worth, having driven the 911 997 Carrera S and my own car, I definitely prefer the Cayman. The steering is worlds better, the chassis is easier to pitch and balance, and on track, I certainly don't have any problems outrunning or running with the 911 crowd. BUT, I also have a modified track duty Corvette, so when the CS's lack of get up and go starts annoying me, I can always hop into a horsepower car. I too lust after the GT3, yet at the same time, I've seen more of these go backwards into a tire wall than any other car out there. Like everyone else, I really don't think the step up in power and step down in handling and driver interaction is worth it to get a run of the mill 911. For that same money, I'd be looking at Corvettes, BMW M3s, Caddy CTS-Vs and other cars offering more horsepower and better balance than a 911.

Re: Interesting... How is a front engine rear wheel drive car offering a better balance? A Corvette or Beamer will always lose the a$$ much faster and easier than a 911 platform. It maybe easier to handl and catch because of less wheight going in the wrong direction when it goes but having the engine wheight on the wheels that put the power down is certainly the better tracking platform. Again sure, once the tail goes in a 911 you better be good and know what you are doing to catch it.

Weight distribution. Corvettes are 50/50, rear transaxle cars, just like the ol' Porsche 928s/944s. As for "better tracking platform", I've seen so many 'Vettes wax 911s on track it ain't even funny. I can tell you right now which one is cheaper to upgrade, has more HP and most importantly, torque, and which one you can shoehorn the most tire under. But I think getting into a 911 versus Corvette debate would just be reopening a feud that's been on going for over 40 years.

Great question as I just went from an 06' CS to a 09' C4S. I put 14k miles on my CS in the 1.4 yrs I had it and it was a second car. I am an enthusiast and did a lot of driving up in the mountains on the Appalachian trail as well as city driving in Atlanta as well so I got to experience all facets of the car. The CS was awesome and I loved the car although was always lusting for more HP and more room as I'm 6'5" and the cabin felt a little claustrophobic. When the new 09' CS came out I went down to the dealer and spent a few hours driving it around. It had PDK which I could not have dreamed I would have liked as much as I did considering my love of Porsche 's manual. All that being said the dealer recommended I try the new C4S with PDK and after spending a few hours in it the rest is history. As good as the Cayman is the C4S is better and I would not consider going back. The handling is incredible and for all of you who have not driven the C4and have only experienced the C2, you are missing something. I drove both back to back and the difference is significant. I will say that the Cayman is more tossable but the C4S is more stable and glued down in turns. The front end bite is awe inspiring and it beautifully transmits the limits of that traction in a controlled linear format that w/ just a little practice becomes very manageable. For the record, I also spent a couple of hours in the 09' M3 as well before making a decision. When you factor in the additional power and room, the 997 is the car for me. While I will always have nothing but fond memories in the CS, there is no going back. I will say that you do feel the additional weight w/ the 997 which can be improved upon but that is a price I will gladly pay for all the advantages it offers. Again, it should be stressed the the awd of the C4S is what truly sold me on the car after driving an 09' CS, C2 and C4S for a few hours a piece. Also, love the wider back end and PASM sports suspension on the car. But hey, we're all friends here and whether you're in a CS or C4S, it's all good!!

That is a critical difference... There definitely is more room in the 911 cockpit. Taller people simply don't fit inside Caymans very well.

Re: Interesting... Having read most of the above posts, I still wouldn't mind having a Carrera S sitting next to my Cayman S. Oh well maybe one day.

Had an 07 Cayman , an 08 Cayman S , now a 09 Carrera S. Love(d) them all, sort of like comparing F-15/F-16. Really tight and twisty, probably the Cayman . If you can air it out, the 911 will walk away, no doubt. Someone above said it well when they made the comparison G.T. v. sports car. I'm 5'11'', 170, never felt cramped in the Cayman . Sort of liked the snug fit. Loved the rear deck of the Cayman . Enjoyed the engine 18'' behind me (who listens to the stereo, really?). Cayman is a super car, 911 is a beast, esp. the GT 3, Turbo. Is the 911 worth the extra $? There's this really wide, black S in my garage that says "Yes". Spend $2k on a Fabspeed exhaust and you're close to 400 h.p. I skipped the Bose , I'm deaf anyway, didn't buy the Nav. module for $2k. I'll spend that money at Fabspeed . What's your price point? $50k+= Cayman $60k+= Cayman S $75k+= Carrera $85k+= Carrera S $100k+= Carrera Cab. $120k+= GT3 $130k+=Turbo $140k+=Turbo Cab. More money than God=GT2, Carrera GT

I spent more money than GOD & still only ended up with the CS

Had an 07 Cayman S 6 Speed and now have a 09 911 C2S PDK . I was surprised at how civilized the 911 is when not driven hard. Put the transmission in normal mode and it way quieter than the Cayman and also the ride is smoother. (Though that probably is the difference between the non- pasm CaymanS and the PSM Sport setup I have in the 911 ) Put the PDK transmission in one of the sport modes and the thing becomes a beast. So, for me, the 911 is the best of both worlds. Loud and sporty when I want it to be and quiet and smooth when I'm just cruising. From a handling point, however, I felt more comfortable pushing the Cayman , it always felt stable and I knew just what it was going to do. The 911 seems to feel more nervous and I'm not as comfortable pushing it 10/10ths. Maybe its something I'll get used to and comfortable with over time but right now I would say that the Cayman was better if I was going to track the car.

RPryan55, I too just plopped down 42K with my Cayman for a 08 Carrera S. Its been 1 week now and I have absolutely NO Regrets in not getting a 2010 CS. The power and torque are simply "unbelievable". It truely met all my expectations and more. Johnny Phx Az

Used or new? I've got a 2008 C2S and when I put it in sport mode, the thing is a beast - absolutely my favorite car of all time for the speed alone. You are right about the torque - no feeling like it!

Re: Weight distribution. don't know hat you are opening the HP debate for. This is what I was responding to "and better balance than a 911". A Corvette or M3 or a Caddy is in no way a better handling car. That is exactly the reason that in "professional" racing ie touring, lemans etc series, nobody hangs with a 911 unless they have gobbs of more power. The Corvette and 911 fights in the current ALMS show this obviously and the Corvette has a 6 litre engine. here are the results ALMS 2009 You maybe waxing inexperienced 911 drivers with twice the HP or "compete" with people who just enjoy the track is not a means for comparison. The victories Porsche has compared to Corvette or GM as a whole is not not even funny.

That is a douchy comment.

Re: That is a critical difference... Depends how you are built. Cayman has more headroom than the sunroof equipped 997. But less legroom.

Was there too...had a 911 .1 went to a 987.2 and while a great car it just didnt do it for me like the 997 did. Grant it I had a 996 before that then the 997.1 and then the 987.2 so have been all thru the lineage I think. But the 997.2 is by far the better car for ME...notice how I said for me...its a personal choice. The 997 just fit while the 987 was ok. Fun but just didn't do it for me...in the end. But I agree its a personal decision based on what one wants to do with your car.