I have to ask, why the Cayman S over the 997 S? I can understand why someone might not like the M5 (pretty big and meh styling) or the M3 (you had an SMG) buttt I don't get how if money was no object that the 997 911 S would lose to the Cayman S.

 

911 has become more Grand Touring IMO. Boxster/Cayman is a really fun sports car. One of the best reads is a Road and Track comparison in 05 with 9 cars, BMW Z4, Corvette C6, Lotus Elise, Mercedes SLK350, Nissan 350, Dodge Viper, Honda S2000, Porsche 911S and Porsche Boxster. Price dependant, Boxster was 2nd behind only the C6. This was a fully loaded $67K Boxster. Price independant 2nd behind the 911S. 5 out of 8 testers said the Boxster was their favorite. Wayne Corley of Ruf Autocentre in Dallas has stated "The Ruf Boxster is the most fun car we make". This is a 385 hp Boxster with a 3.8 motor. You can get 350-380 hp with $10K bolt-ons, ECU tuning, intake and exhaust. Moreover the VP at Porsche has stated, "Of course if the Boxster is given equal horsepower, it would out perform the 911". Mid-engine > rear-engine. Of course. Regarding engine failures, the intermediary shaft bolts have been replaced/retro-fitted. Rear main seals are problematic. As others have stated, only hp keeps the Boxster from Ferrari type performance. It is a F430 equal as far as slalom, skidpad and braking.

 

Ahhhhhhhh, Grasshopper......

Until you've had a $hit-eating grin on your face while feeling the balance, poise, and pure driving fun of the Boxster, you won't understand.

Many of you know that I got the 911 itch a year after I bought my Boxster S. It took only two weeks for me to realize that the Boxster (for me) was a better car than my 996TT. It took me around 3 years to get out of the dog house because I promised my wife when I bought the TT that I'd sell the Boxster S.

As I was writing this, I realized that I've had my Boxster S now for 7 years. I bought the car when my kids could fit in the Porsche booster seat, and now my son is old enough to drive it.

We've been through a 3.8L engine swap together and I've put a total of 50,000 on the car. I'm still just as excited to fire that beast up and put the top down today as the first day that I bought her. I hope that my kids will take care of her when she's an antique and I'm gone.

That, my friend is true love. Drive one or come drive mine. I'd be happy to oblige

 

Props to you Dave

 

One of my friends is a sales associate at a Porsche dealer and as much as he loves the 911, he said if he could have any p-car to own/keep/drive that did not have GTx in its name he would take the Cayman S - though he admits sometimes he likes the wind in his hair and the Boxster S is a very close second.

 

Are you looking to adopt?? I'm always available!!!

No really can you please tell us more about your 3.8 boxster??? I would really like to know more about it.

 

I own a few cars, and even though my Boxster S is not the fastest car of my collection, I still enjoy it the most. I enjoy every second that I drive it, and just love the agile and refined feel that it has.

 

Thank you for so intelligently putting into words everything I think and feel about my Boxster.

Dave and I could not agree more on this subject and that shows in what we have done to get our cars at that perfect level of performance. I have looked at other cars and not any has had the features and benefits that the boxster possesses.

 

^^amen to that brotha! =D

 

Just curious why the 3.8 instead of the 3.6

edit: srry didnt mean to jack the thread

 

I had boxster s for almost 2 years with 56k now. I guess without ever owning a Porsche, the term "there is no substitude" doesn't have a full meaning. The idea of just have mid engine behind your seat, 6k rpm, hair blowing as you are driving down the Atlanta highway....it's good as being w/ my old Ninja ZX-6R. I tried Cayman (auto)....I didn't like the fact the engine sound was alot different due to the fact that it's inside the cabin create more heat and sound (booming noise) wasn't enjoyable as my Boxster as you hear it sing. oh...btw never buy porsche automatic. I can't comment on new psk. I also tried my friend's M3 but it's not comparable with Porsche engineering....it's hard to describe as everything is different...from basis of how rear tire stick on a wet road, balance, feel of driving itself. I fell in love with this car from the dealer and I love it more after I got to drive it more. My engine was replaced btw w/ dealers warranty but I don't really care. Just last night at 1am... as I was playing w/ radio and realized I was going too fast and almost hit the curb as I was entering highway....I was probably doing 60mph w/ 6k rpm on 2nd gear....the moment I realized I was about hit the curb, I took a fast right turn to avoid it. PSM (stability mgmt) kicked in as my rear tire (275/18 vredestein) wanted to fish tail but psm grab it and saved me from going thru the bushes. I think if I was in some ****ty car, I would be in the hospital right now.... It feel so good that this car fits like glove....go cart like. It goes wherever I tell it to. My friends c4s feel more stable in highway but doen't feel nimble or as fast. He has 04 c4s auto and my car kills it everytime. He now has m3 e43 to kill my car....but on mountain road, my boxster would be hard to catch up. If anybody feels that winning somebody next to is so important...go get a corvette and other faster straight going car. It's not worth it in my opinion.

One more thing, cayenne is not a porsche...it's shame they made that crap to make money.

 

I know a lot of GTS owners that beg to differ

 

For real! The GTS is so hot and I have not liked any other peppers prior to it.

 

not to be rude or speculate, but is sounds like you are not in the position to buy either. Untill you are, its hard to really understand the difference and draw of each.

I look @ the 911s as something that is too heavy, to refined and something i will be bored of quickly (not in the looks dept. they look nice with some $$ spent on them). If it was a TT then that might be different, but then its not really the same car, its more of a hot rod...

Now with the cayman .....its slow feeling in the straights, till another car is next to you and you realize that its quicker than it feels. its faster in the turns than I will ever be able to take it. I have seen a bone stock cayman s run away from your lambo, 430, gt2.....just run away like they were not there with just a few twists in the road. While i dont think it is the best looking car, it is very very very fun to drive.

FWIW I bought mine to go on a saturday drive with friends and planned on selling it right after. its been 1 1/2 years now and its still in the garage, i just cant seem to decied to sell it.

 

good post! i do however feel its one of the sexiest and best looking cars on the road. i get compliments on mine ALL the time.