yeah, the SL is a boat and a great boulevard cruiser, while the SLK handles well and available in a 6speed manual.

 

I drove both and ended up with the carrera

 

My last 3 cars were an 08 Cayman S, 09 Cayman S PDK and the current 09 Carrera S. When I decided to get a 911 again I tried an 07 and an 08 Carrera S. Neither one convinced me to make the switch from the 09 Cayman S. After getting into the 09 Carrera S it didn't take long to make the change. I'm very happy with the Carrera S.

 

If it fits your budget, I would definitely check out the Cayman R before deciding on a 06 911S. I bought a CR and just broke it in. I haven't had a chance to run it full out yet (work\travel issues) but I have very little doubt that I'll be anything but very impressed. I have driven an 08 911S on any occasions, and despite it being a fine car, I just wanted the CR. The 911 has a roomier interior making it more comfortable IMO. If you want a 911, maybe consider a 996 TT. That would be my choice over a 06 911S.

One note, I already have a 964 cab which I bought 12 years ago. Thus, I was less interested in purchasing another 911 unless it was a GT 3 or TT.

Good luck with your decision. If it is a nice 06 911S, and you like it and want that rear engine platform, then go for it. That's the nice thing about buying a Porsche. You should just really buy what feels right. With time, you will have a great feel for all the platforms and really know what you want. You will not be disappointed trying different models along the way.

 

admittedly I may be a little shallow, but a Cayman will always be an "entry" Porsche and a Carrera will be the icon. When I had my Boxster S, I found myself wishing that I had purchased the Carrera. Eventually I gave in to my inner self and bought the car that I had always dreamed of as a child and I can say that I've never been happier with the car that I'm driving. But in the end it's your money and you should buy and drive whatever suits you best. I don't like the fact that the Cayman is dumbed down from a performance perspective and the interior is far cheaper feeling than the Carrera (and I don't consider the Carrera to be particularly opulent). On the other hand, the Cayman can hold golf clubs much more capably than the Carrera and the mid engine design has obvious merits. I'm curious to see what they're saying on the Cayman board...

 

One time at Band Camp a guy offered to trade his Cayman for my 911 and I told him to go shove his tuba up his a**.

 

Hi there

I've driven Cayman, Cayman S and Cayman R.

I own a 911 C2S.

In fairness the Cayman S and R are the better handling car and are easier to drive fast but at the same time easy to do so.

The 911 takes a lot more time to play into, but at the same time is a far more rewarding drive and once you learn how to drive the car the 911 is quicker in a lot of corners once you learn how to use the grip out rear.

Grunt wise the 911 everytime, even the 997.1 C2S with 355BHP is still noticably quicker than even the Cayman R with 330BHP though less in it, but compared to Cayman S the 911 grunt difference is noticable.

Sound wise the 911 sounds much better than a Cayman.

For me the 911 scared me and was a real thrill to drive, the Cayman is better balanced and easier to drive quick, but after driving several of both I got the 911 and don't regret it.

 

I've owned both. Went to the 911 after having a Cayman. Both are great cars...

The Cayman is like the perfect race horse--poised, handles perfectly, easy to ride. Perfect balance. Like silk. Born to ride. Nothing compares. It makes everyone who rides it look great.

The 911 is more like a wild horse. Undisciplined, and not as perfectly balanced. You have to work a little harder. It can get away from you, if you lose control...but you have that giddy smile on your face every time you finish your wild ride.


I'd choose that giddy smile every time...