Your lucky that both of them are available locally to test drive. Generally, there aren't many of them around. Let us know what you think.

 

That's the original one that caught my eye. There are several around the country. There have been many cars that have caught my eye via "online" shopping but then turned out not to be right for me for different reasons. I've never gone the true 2-seater route before and that would certainly limit my use, but probably 75% of the time I'm driving, I'm by myself...

 

I test drove both the R w PDK and the manual. The PDk transmission was amazing- 7 speeds, sounded like an F1 shifting at high rpm and sport exhaust on, and yet incredibly smooth. It was a little shift happy in stop and go traffic. I thought it was nice, but I wasnt willing to pay extra for an auto transmission.
I went with the 6 speed gearbox. Love it!

 

6 Speed R = Buy it!!!!!! any color as they all seem to look great

 

Drove the Black PDK one and it was not love. Seats were a bit tight at the bolsters into the sides of my back. I'm not huge at 6 foot 180lbs. Cabin did feel "cramped" a bit in general. Super-stiff structure and chassis. You could tell it really deserves more HP/TQ than they are allowing it. Not too exciting unless driven in sport plus and manual mode, then it really comes alive. Seems like a better track car than street car for me. Really has to be driven hard to enjoy, and that's not my street style nor very possible in the relatively well-populated areas I frequent. I'd love to see a 400-ish HP and similar TQ version when they do new version of Boxster/Cayman in the coming year. For now I'll consider it a great car that suits its intended purpose but not mine.

 

I think that's a fair assessment. I find that even the Cayman R is a bit "boring" at more normal speeds, but it really comes alive when you dial up the speed (which I'm able to do on country roads around here). By comparison, the 911 is more lively and fun at more normal speeds.

I also agree that the Cayman feels more cramped than the 911, though I don't really notice that when I'm driving fast and focused on technique and not crashing.

 

pdk ruins the car. 6 speed is much better.

 

It's subjective, but I tend to agree. The R is all about involvement. To me, that means manual.

 

I agree wholly on the Cayman R (especially) being more driver-focused and coming alive when driven hard. My buddy who came with, beat the **** out of it when we swapped seats. My test-drive was more how I would/could drive it on the street. I also agree that the 6speed manual, while maybe not ultimately faster, is the way to go if I were buying one and lap-time was not your #1 priority.

 

The "R" would be my choice. It adds just enough suspension stiffness vs. the S which is what I am looking for. In fact, I am currently contemplating retrofitting the "R" springs/shocks to my '08 Cayman S.

 

I've driven the R, S, and a variety of 997's including the GT3 as an instructor and racer. I owned a Cayman S for a couple years.

If you're looking for a daily driver that you can track occasionally, then I'd look seriously at the S. The R is certainly a better track car, but you're giving up a lot in terms of day-to-day usage, and the benefits on the track are relatively minor.
For someone who is just starting to run on the track:

If you want the best track car that you can drive on the street, get the R. Once you learn how to drive it, you'll run quicker than 95% of the GT3's on the track.

If you want the best street car that you can run on the track, get the S. Once you learn how to drive it, you'll still run quicker than 90% of the GT3's on the track.

 

As an R owner, I'm glad to hear an instructor/racer endorsing it.

Out of curiosity, what do you think the R gives up for street use compared to the S (assuming the R has the radio, AC, and regular seats added back)?

 

nothing. the seats were the only point of difference as the suspension is actually quite compliant.

 

That's my feeling, which is why I asked. I find the R entirely suitable as a DD.

 

I believe the R has less sound insulation than the S as well.