911!!

Tom

 

No. But, I've driven both cars in the GA/TN mtns, have you? The Cayman is the better performing car in that environment.

 

i had a 2006 cayman s (i know it's no 981) for about 5.5 months. i loved that car and caymans will always have a special in my heart. but, like others have stated, it's no 911. you can just feel that porsche put more effort into their rear-engined pride and joy. i will probably test drive a 981 soon for gits and shiggles and to see what all the hype is about. my vote goes to the 997.2 all day.

 

I drove both my 09 Cayman S with PDK and 09 Carrera S 6 speed on the Dragon and surrounding roads. Both were fun. On the tight switch backs the Cayman S with PDK probably felt more stable. I have not had the GTS on the Dragon. I plan to rectify that this Spring.

 

FWIW, I owned a 2000S Boxster and now a 2009 C2S coupe, both manual. No doubt the Boxster chasis was more fun to drive and I felt I had more control over it. I put a bunch of track days on it.... I haven't tracked the '09 but will in the Spring. The Boxster was more communicative.

While pride and money push our emotions to the more expensive and powerful car, I can not deny, now owning both, the 2009 is more a rocket powered GT car and Boxster S was more of a sports car...... YMMV

Flame away...

Peace
Bruce in Philly

 

I just purchased my 2010 C2S about a month ago and was also deciding between it and a new Cayman S. I really like the Cayman styling, and it drives and sounds beautifully. But at the end of the day the 911 was just much more car for my money, with the ability to push me even more as a driver.

So far no regrets.

 

based on the layout alone/mid engine with almost 50/50 weight distribution, and lighter footprint overall the cayman has the potential to be the better handling car... porsche does neuter the cayman on purpose so that it cant outshine its trophy 911.

however, its only a small percentage of the owners that will be able to push the cars to its limits anyways so i still say go for the 997.2 911.

 

I think it comes down you if you need the back seats. If no, give the Cayman and serious thought, it's a really fun car to drive. Although the new one looks so much better than the old one. IMO, the 911 is still a better looking coupe. If you were asking me about 997 C2S or 981 Boxster, the Boxster wins every time, it looks beautiful, best looking car in Porsche's current lineup IMO.

 

I have always wanted a 911- actually learned to drive on a 911T my father had. I worry about the feeling of disappointment because it's not a 911, however; I really like the look of the new Cayman. Another note is that I am 6'-3" - do you think that will be an issue in the Cayman? Don't necessarily need a back seat. Can you fit golf clubs in the Cayman?

 

The new Cayman interior should fit you just fine.

I too just came from a Boxster and gave the 981s a lot of thought. At the end of the day, I wanted a 911 about 4 weeks after getting the Box. I was afraid of doing that again regardless how improved the new model is. Something about it (marketing perhaps or the plain rear end) just doesn't inspire me. The 911 is/was the one and I couldn't be happier.

 

I went through a similar decision, but I was looking at the Boxster. Drive both, after I did it was obvious, the 997.2 was more solid IMO and the power difference was noticeable.

I bought a 2010 CPO C2S with only 3000 miles for about the same price as a similar equipped Boxster S would have cost, that bothered me also. The 911 already took over $25K in depreciation, no doubt it will depreciate at a much slower rate than the 981 if that matters to you. Also I got 4 years of warranty and basically a new car.

To me it was not even a question, but until I drove them back to back I thought it was.

 

sounds like a very very easy decision imo! the front bumper/led/grills that you 997.2 guys have always makes me jealous. looks 'perfect' imo.

 

Had two new Caymans, one an S. Needed 100 h.p. Bottom line no bad habits, just not enough go. Nice cars, great price point.

On a straight of any length, I'll beat a Cayman S. Every time.

What is a new Cayman S? 325 h.p.? My C2S is 385 h.p., a GTS is 408 h.p.(?)

10-20 h.p., maybe not a big deal. 60 h.p.+ is sort of a big deal.

I really like the new Cayman exterior, interior is Panamera. I think it's a good looking car.

But.... My C2S was $85k new, a new Cayman S loaded is over $80k, getting close to $85k.