[MrClean]

I can afford a 911. An old, broken down 911, but a 911, nonetheless.

[WWM3]

Go for the Cayman!

[project6]

Damn...I thought I was back in the Porsche Forums.

[ETexas335]

I'm not following the Cayman bashing either. Have the folks that are critical of the Cayman (or 911s) ever driven one on the track? Porsche's will always be my favorite car for track or street/track, bar none. My wife and I have had an 06 Cayman S, an 02 911, an 04 GT3, and a 99 spec boxster. The GT3 3 is a beast on the track - wouldn't ever want anything else if I just wanted a weekend track car, but it's not comfortable day to day on the street. My current daily driver is a 335i - comfortable, fun, quiet. These 2 are kind of opposite ends of the my fun car spectrum. The Cayman would fall in the middle, much better track car than the 335, but not as comfortable day to day. It all depends on your intended use of the car. I would never buy a Porsche that I did not plan on taking to the track occasionally - that's what they're built for. A 3 series can certainly be tracked if set up properly, but much better daily driver that is just a plain joy to commute, take road trips, take on winding back roads (M3 being the exception).

[Soliditude]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

There is also no better way to loose ton of money in depresiation. I would take a used cpo Cayman over new 3 any day

Well, I don't know of any way to get a NEW car and gain money on it. That's already a given in this case. You would take your CPO and I would take my new; that's why I said "opinion."

[Soliditude]

Originally Posted by ETexas335

I'm not following the Cayman bashing either. Have the folks that are critical of the Cayman (or 911s) ever driven one on the track? Porsche's will always be my favorite car for track or street/track, bar none. My wife and I have had an 06 Cayman S, an 02 911, an 04 GT3, and a 99 spec boxster. The GT3 3 is a beast on the track - wouldn't ever want anything else if I just wanted a weekend track car, but it's not comfortable day to day on the street. My current daily driver is a 335i - comfortable, fun, quiet. These 2 are kind of opposite ends of the my fun car spectrum. The Cayman would fall in the middle, much better track car than the 335, but not as comfortable day to day. It all depends on your intended use of the car. I would never buy a Porsche that I did not plan on taking to the track occasionally - that's what they're built for. A 3 series can certainly be tracked if set up properly, but much better daily driver that is just a plain joy to commute, take road trips, take on winding back roads (M3 being the exception).

+1!

[Sam335ix]

Cayman is nice, buddy of mine has it and I drove it around town a few times. Its a rough ride but I liked everything else about it. GL and post some pics.

[RedBarron]

Cayman S is a amazing car! If you do not need a backseat and don't mind the slightly rough ride it such a sharp and focused fun car to drive. If you drive a 335I then a Cayman S the 335 will feel heavy and vague. The steering and chassis on a Cayman is so sharp and fun with the most excellent steering feedback. For those that say a Cayman S is for those who cannot afford a 911 you have probably never really driven a Cayman S or your an elitist.

If you are looking at CS I personally wold spring for a 2009+, then you do not have the worry about th intermediate shaft gernading the engine; since the 09's removed the IMS and also added direct injection and a little bump in HP and the option of a LSD makes a hot little car.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by 335BBS

Prop, youre arguing for the sake of arguing. We all see things differently. The 911 may be a unique layout but its still the race car of choice (over Cayman) for most. Maybe it shouldnt work but it does. 70s and 80s 911 were brutal by comparison but things have changed. Having said all that, I think it was C&D that called the Cayman the best handling car under $100,000. BLBABLA BLA, buy the Cayman if you dont need the room.

Fair enough, although you did call my post "ridiculous and uneducated". At the end, it's only internet, so all is well.

[MrClean]

Originally Posted by RedBarron

If you are looking at CS I personally wold spring for a 2009+, then you do not have the worry about th intermediate shaft gernading the engine; since the 09's removed the IMS and also added direct injection and a little bump in HP and the option of a LSD makes a hot little car.

Definitely looking at the '09 and newer, though I have heard of some problems with carbon buildup due to the direct injection (which would also be a problem with the 335i).

[B-737]

its my understanding that between a 911 and Cayman, the Cayman is the weapon of choice for the track, far more balanced car that the 911 from what i understand.

but thats the fun of a 911, theres no shortage of 'personality' in its feedback to you.

having said that, I have not yet had the opportunity to drive a cayman but would love to have the chance.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by MrClean

I'm leaning very heavily towards the Cayman. The one caveat is my wife is pushing hard for a PDK (which, if you're going to drive an auto, is about as good as it gets), though finding used PDKs in our price range optioned the way I want is damned near impossible. The first car we looked at had it all, but by the time I convinced her to even considering getting one, the car had sold. Oh, well - I guess that means I'll have to suffer through 6mt.

That's the exact reason why my friend (and his wife) ended up with a new '11 Cayman S last year. They couldn't find a used/cpo one with PDK that was optioned the way they wanted it.


It's really an incredible driver's car and feels much more visceral than just about any BMW I've driven. It's kind of funny to read this thread. You can tell which people value the driving experience, and which people care about looks and image.

[Stupenal]

Have you considered the e89 z4? There's a fifth gear episode on youtube where Tiff Needell and some other bloke race around a e89 z4 sdrive35i (or is it the 35is???) against the Cayman. Ultimately the Cayman proves its superiority around the track, but the e89 is more than just a track capable machine. Its a great cruiser, every day driver, more rare and unique (and IMO better lines) than the cayman, and an absolute blast to drive. Add in DCT and m adaptive suspension, it makes for a great all around car. Plus, with the nappa ivory leather interior option, you'll wonder how you survived in the spartan e9x interior (no offense).

[r3dbimmer89]

Get the Cayman if you can afford Porsche service prices. The Cayman definitely out handles a 335i any day. The Cayman is a great car as well as the Boxster. I just don't get why people bag on Cayman and Boxsters. To me, no Porsche is a bitch ass car. They all handle extremely wheel with steering feel that's out of this world.

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by RedBarron

Cayman S is a amazing car! If you do not need a backseat and don't mind the slightly rough ride it such a sharp and focused fun car to drive. If you drive a 335I then a Cayman S the 335 will feel heavy and vague. The steering and chassis on a Cayman is so sharp and fun with the most excellent steering feedback. For those that say a Cayman S is for those who cannot afford a 911 you have probably never really driven a Cayman S or your an elitist.

If you are looking at CS I personally wold spring for a 2009+, then you do not have the worry about th intermediate shaft gernading the engine; since the 09's removed the IMS and also added direct injection and a little bump in HP and the option of a LSD makes a hot little car.

+1

[RedBarron]

This thread makes me want a CS so badly. I remember last time I drove one I went into a turn way too hot drifted the car around a whole corner, if I was in a 911 I would have probably spun it. Caymans are so balanced and just plain fun . Albiet they are not for everyone so I deff recommend going to the dealer and asking to drive one for a little while, from my experiences Porsche dealerships are super nice and have let me take their cars out for hours at an time. When I drove a 997 turbo I kept thinking the cayman is almost just as much fun just not nearly as fast.

[edirtaynine]

cayman haters disappeared. lol

[bmwforme]

I SAY PANAMERA TURBO!



lol kidding this was outside my house today, beautyyyy; but if practicality isn't #1, I would say CS

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by MrClean

I can afford a 911. An old, broken down 911, but a 911, nonetheless.

I couldn't even afford a broke down cayman, that's why I have a Z4M.

[CarFan]

Originally Posted by mike-y

That's the exact reason why my friend (and his wife) ended up with a new '11 Cayman S last year. They couldn't find a used/cpo one with PDK that was optioned the way they wanted it.


It's really an incredible driver's car and feels much more visceral than just about any BMW I've driven. It's kind of funny to read this thread. You can tell which people value the driving experience, and which people care about looks and image.

I've had a Cayman S for almost four years now and couldn't be more pleased with it. I've taken it on a couple of cross country road trips and try to drive it at least once a month whether I need to or not. With the adjustable suspension I find it a pleasant all around road tripper that can carve corners whenever I want.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by bmwforme

I SAY PANAMERA TURBO!

lol kidding this was outside my house today, beautyyyy; but if practicality isn't #1, I would say CS

Hey, I won't argue that it is a fantastic car, but I personally find the exterior design to be really quite terrible. It's too featureless for a car that big.

[mithiral67]

I recently picked up my first porsche from a 335i and its amazing. I never looked at a caymen as I had my heart set on having a back seat (kinda) and wanted awd to handle the power levels I have gotten used to. That being said, the 911's handling is beyond amazing and the caymen's only supposed to be better. Once I have more seat time, I plan to put up a review comparing the 3 bmws I have owned and the 911.

Good luck on your decision making.