If you were looking for the best bang for your buck in straight line performance than you picked the wrong car and automaker. Porsches are about much more than that clearly

 

I would agree that a car that does the 1/4 mile in 12 seconds is plenty fast. Does the Cayman S really do it in 12 seconds?

 

You should check Ebay. This is a nicely optioned 06 CS for 36K link
I bought my Boxster on ebay, pay the $100 for an inspection. It seems like the 4 year old Boxster and Cayman Ss run in the mid 30s, this has been consistant over the last few years. In my opinion, this is the range to buy a car. You can drive it for 4 -5 years and sell it for 20K.

 

gen II can hit high 12's

 

Cool. Sorry for the nubie question, but what year did gen 2 begin?

 

Thanks for looking out for me. After reading all the posts...I am going to up on my budget, say $37K out the door (inclusive of taxes/title)

That particular car in the link doesn't have heated seats, self-dim mirrors, rain sensor and has a light colored interior -- not my cup of tea.

I'll keep looking...hopefully find something by the spring

 

2009. I believe the combo of the DFI's engine bump in power, combined with the PDK can really make the newer CS's move.

My '06 would probably need the rs350 kit to match that.

 

Ken Smiley ran a 12.59 in his 2006 Cayman S with a tune and exhaust.

http://www.dragtimes.com/Porsche-Cay...lip-10754.html

There are several other lightly modded Gen 1s running 12s.

http://www.dragtimes.com/Porsche--Ca...ag-Racing.html

The Corvette I owned was the worst sports car I ever owned, never ran right even when new, had to auction it to get rid of it. OTOH, my two Porsches have been the best sports cars I have ever owned with zero issues. My 07 Cayman S with a Borla exhaust will easily run 13 flat and 171 mph, is plenty fast, full of class, sounds beautiful, and fun fun fun. I rarely see another Cayman on the road but Vettes are on every corner.

If you loved your Z06 so much, sell your Porsche and buy another ... or buy an Evo and overboost it to oblivion or for the absolute best bang for the buck buy a Kawasaki ZX14 and run high 9s stock. Why people use the wrong tool to go drag racing then complain it isn't fast enough is beyond me.

 

My 06 CS ran a 12.91@110 with just a exhaust and fabspeed headers.

 

Good stuff, thanks guys.

I'm very early into my research. Lots to consider, but at this early stage I am considering a used Cayman S (probably 09), a Boxster Spyder, or possibly even a Cayman R.....despite the fact that it seems that many people are disappointed with its official specs.

 

Funny how this went from are Cayman's overpriced to Cayman's are under powered. Well I had this debate on the 997 thread when we were talking about mods. The 997 is faster than 99.1 percent of the cars on the road. The Cayman is probably 95 % faster. But, it's not the speed you buy a P- car for. It's the overall package. Speed, handling, feel, finish, look, reliability, and satisfaction,. I for one am quite satisfied. I hope your car does that for you. If you need more speed then buy a 996 turbo and mod that. I think you will be quite happy with your Cayman purchase. But, if after test driving you need more on the floor....save your pennies and by the next model up.

 

well said.

 

Exactly the same situation as I am in... plus E92 M3 and used C2S..
These cars are very similarly priced yet so different, I dont know what to get...
I also had Exige S240... we must have very similar taste in cars... lol

 

I completely agree with the OP. I have been following prices for both the Cayman S and a Carrera S and both are way overpriced. It's very discouraging.

Edmunds says they should be about $35,000 for a 2006, yet most of the ones I see on cars.com are about $43,000 on average!!!
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2006/por...86/prices.html

Same for the Carrera S. The 2006 C2S has a value of $43,000 at the dealership. The C2S's on cars.com with decent mileage go for about $55,000-65,000.
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2006/por...14/prices.html

Since when do people decide to charge $10,000+ over retail? (especially in this economy)
On Edmunds it's a rough estimate. I didn't factor in navigation and low mileage which would bring the retail up, but not by $10,000+.

 

I'd be interested in hearing which one you decide to go with coming from the Lotus as I am.