Hi Folks-

Just doing some research for possible future purchase.

Which would be the better choice for a 1st time Porsche buyer:

Base Cayman w/ Cayman S wheels, Sport Package (incl PASM and 6spd), Xenon's, Sport Seats and Floor Mats - MSRP - $55,255

or

Cayman S, Xenons, Sport Seats, Floor Mats - MSRP - $60,840

I would love to get a used 996 CS but have read numerous times on the forums to "buy the newest Porsche you can afford" hence the Cayman and Cayman S pop into mind

TIA for any input.

 

Coming from an S2K you will like the Cayman better anyway. A Cayman will outhandle a 996 and the S is just as fast.

IMO get the S for sure but its all about what you like and the money has to make sense so drive them both and do what you think is best for you.

 

I thought I was crazy but I agree with you. I've had quite a bit of seat time in a 2001 996 and a 2006 Cayman S, and I fell in love with the over all driving experience of the Cayman; but am even more in love with the looks of the 911

 

Get the Cayman S with no pasm..

 

definitely the S without PSM, and based on your avatar, i'm sure you will be switching out your suspension at some point anyways.

although pasm is cool, your choices of aftermarket parts is highly limited. (read Bilstein PSS)

 

Get the Cayman S without PASM. I have tracked a Cayman S with and without PASM. PASM doesnt make THAT big of a difference. Cayman S all the way! The power bump is definitely worth it!

 

Thanks for the responses. I just read an article in "Excellence" or Porsche Magazine (can't remember which one) reviewing a base Cayman. In the article, the author pretty much "bashed" PASM saying that it takes away from the purity of the driving experience.

Looks like Cayman S non-PASM it is. Then just get a set of KW V3's; or if I win the lotto, some Moton's or JRZ's

 

New Boxster S with PASM

I am guessing you dont want a softtop though in whcih case I would go for the Cayman S.

 

Yup, I'm done with the soft top thing If my S2000 was a fixed roof coupe, I wouldn't even be posting on here j/k



Always loved Porsche's and am glad they finally made an "affordable" fixed roof model

 

This is exactly what I've been thinking lately! One test drive in the Cayman S is all I needed to be convinced to get one + it's actually affordable!

1

 

I was shopping for a 911 and wound up with the Cayman. I think I was in love with the whole 911 package but after driving a bunch of 911's, I actually did love the way the Cayman drove and saved 25-30K and have a very competent and reasonably quick and fast car.

Just got back from a spirited drive and I had the lowest horsepower by far but kept pace. Couple of the cars would pull me like I was standing still but once at speed the Cayman handled as well or better than anything. I'm sure I was pushing the car much harder but still.... props to the Cayman. I was with a modded Ford GT, modded C6 ZO6, modded GT2, SLR, GT3, modded SL65, Vette and M3.

 

the only way i'm seeing myself getting a porsche is the 911
not bashing the boxster/cayman. I actually loved the looks of the boxster/cayman over the 911. especially the front/side. But i just had to drive the 911 for the extra 2 seats and luggage space. In terms of power, you won't feel a big difference in everyday driving. Stop signs and traffic will probably kill the fun of driving the 997S.. however, it's hard to believe not buying a 911 in my opinion. for an extra 20k, you can upgrade the CS to a C2. whether you will opt for the C2S or not, the C2 has the better iconic status of the "911" , it may not be the better "car" in terms of overall performance though.

 

and there is no reason to get the non-S btw.. if you're driving a porsche, you want the best out of that particular model range
i will personally go for the CaymanS w/o PASM over the base if $ is not a very big problem. but if it was a BoxsterS, then i might want to drive the caymanS with the top-down.

 

I would get a Cayman S without PASM since I would upgrade to coilovers sooner on later and would not want to have just PSS9's to chose from.

 

I have a CaymanS w/PASM and at the track it's night and day. The car handles so much flatter and the only reason would go to an aftermarket suspension is if you wanted to adjust the camber, toe in, etc.....I only do 4-5 track days a year if that so the PASM is sufficient. Only thing it needs it a LSD and some sway bars.