What's the verdict on the non-S Cayman?

I have been watching Cayman prices like a hawk for the last few months. From what I understand, 2009+ are the years to get, because Porsche eliminated the IMS nonsense. S cars in this year range are still 40k plus, but I have found non-S cars just under $30k with mid-30k miles. Is the S $10k better?

Compared to my current vehicle, the 265 hp would feel like a rocket. Compared to the S, would it be like getting served a reduced-fat version of my favorite food? Still good, but a bit disappointing knowing there's a better version out there?

Have you ever known a BMW 325 owner who didn't wish he had an M3?

It's $10k better to me, using your money. Yes. It's probably $10k better to you... and if you drive them back-to-back I'm sure of it. This is like one of those situations where your girlfriend is kinda hot but her sister is waaaay hotter and all you need to get her is a little more mojo. Be happy all you need here is money.

Is a suitable date for the sister a drive to the coast in a Cayman, or does she settle for nothing less than a weekend trip to the Cayman Islands? Say the sister is easier on the eyes and more fun in the honeymoon suite, but how about the other 98% of the time? I want something that's enjoyable every day, not just a weekend toy.

Mitchell wrote: Is a suitable date for the sister a drive to the coast in a Cayman, or does she settle for nothing less than a weekend trip to the Cayman Islands? Say the sister is easier on the eyes and more fun in the honeymoon suite, but how about the other 98% of the time? I want something that's enjoyable every day, not just a weekend toy.

Depends on what you find "enjoyable" every day. Do you ever need to haul more than two people? Bear in mind the Cayman has slightly more space than a corvette, so if you need to haul anything larger than a soft duffell, you're SOL

I haven't had a chance to drive an S yet, but I wasn't super-impressed by the 2009 Cayman I just drove. I've heard the S is a completely different beast, so I'm withholding judgement, but I'd go for a same-year M3 over a Cayman any day.

I drove a current-gen S with the PDK last year, and it was a joy to drive.

The sister is a whore. A professional whore. She will exceed your ability, laugh at you, but still let you do whatever half-assed attempt you can manage and not hurt you. Doctor visits can be a mess if you can't heal her yourself but she IS ALWAYS A FUN DATE. You will make excuses to spend time with her. You will never be on time for anything. Even if you were early to start with. You will spend a lot more than she is worth trying to make her love you but in the end... she is just a whore. Use her, let her go. Get another.

Her boring sister may as well just be a Camry.

calteg wrote:

Mitchell wrote: Is a suitable date for the sister a drive to the coast in a Cayman, or does she settle for nothing less than a weekend trip to the Cayman Islands? Say the sister is easier on the eyes and more fun in the honeymoon suite, but how about the other 98% of the time? I want something that's enjoyable every day, not just a weekend toy.

Depends on what you find "enjoyable" every day. Do you ever need to haul more than two people? Bear in mind the Cayman has slightly more space than a corvette, so if you need to haul anything larger than a soft duffell, you're SOL

That's a very good point. I can count on two hands the times I have used my backseat in the last 10 years, but I definitely need to do a luggage test.

As for why a Cayman and not something else, I like the idea of a mid-engine, rear drive car to be the opposite of my SVT Focus' driving experience.

So, I guess we're speaking in metaphors here? At least, I hope we're speaking in metaphors...

In reply to Nick_Comstock:

I can recommend Smooth Ambler Spirits Old Scout bourbon for typing in metaphors. Speaking anything is practically impossible, however.

I've driven a 987 "S", and a 981 base model. The 981 base was a nice car, but nothing amazing. The 987 "S" felt special. I'm not sure if that's more because of the chassis or the motor, but...

Mitchell wrote:

calteg wrote:

Mitchell wrote: Is a suitable date for the sister a drive to the coast in a Cayman, or does she settle for nothing less than a weekend trip to the Cayman Islands? Say the sister is easier on the eyes and more fun in the honeymoon suite, but how about the other 98% of the time? I want something that's enjoyable every day, not just a weekend toy.

Depends on what you find "enjoyable" every day. Do you ever need to haul more than two people? Bear in mind the Cayman has slightly more space than a corvette, so if you need to haul anything larger than a soft duffell, you're SOL

That's a very good point. I can count on two hands the times I have used my backseat in the last 10 years, but I definitely need to do a luggage test. As for why a Cayman and not something else, I like the idea of a mid-engine, rear drive car to be the opposite of my SVT Focus' driving experience.

My buddy just bought an IMS-era Cayman S. He's enjoying the snot out of it, but he does marketing and is a confirmed bachelor-for-life. It fits his lifestyle well, and is a ton of fun to drive. I was jealous, then I looked in my garage and realized my saloon is faster than his sports car...at least in a straight line.

calteg wrote: It fits his lifestyle well, and is a ton of fun to drive. I was jealous, then I looked in my garage and realized my saloon is faster than his sports car...at least in a straight line.

An IS350?

I own a Cayman S, but I have driven a bunch of base Caymans and I think they are under appreciated. I love my S but I could be very happy with a base car.

One anecdote though: I was told by a guy who owns a Porsche race shop that the six speed is a much stronger transmission. It's not just the five speed with an extra gear.

The Cayman is a terrific car. If you didn't know there was an "S" version out there, it would be perfect.

And now there is a Cayman GTS. And a GT4. The arms race continues.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The sister is a whore. A professional whore. She will exceed your ability, laugh at you, but still let you do whatever half-assed attempt you can manage and not hurt you. Doctor visits can be a mess if you can't heal her yourself but she IS ALWAYS A FUN DATE. You will make excuses to spend time with her. You will never be on time for anything. Even if you were early to start with. You will spend a lot more than she is worth trying to make her love you but in the end... she is just a whore. Use her, let her go. Get another. Her boring sister may as well just be a Camry.

This is absolute gold. This should be engraved on a plaque somewhere as a description of the kind of car you should own.

ultraclyde wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The sister is a whore. A professional whore. She will exceed your ability, laugh at you, but still let you do whatever half-assed attempt you can manage and not hurt you. Doctor visits can be a mess if you can't heal her yourself but she IS ALWAYS A FUN DATE. You will make excuses to spend time with her. You will never be on time for anything. Even if you were early to start with. You will spend a lot more than she is worth trying to make her love you but in the end... she is just a whore. Use her, let her go. Get another. Her boring sister may as well just be a Camry.

This is absolute gold. This should be engraved on a plaque somewhere as a description of the kind of car you should own.

A wise friend who's spent more money endurance racing motorcycles than I'll earn in years said this:

"When you don't need a car is the time to buy a car you don't need"

I've been lusting after one since I drove a 2010 Cayman at work(6spd)... It was a ton of fun and made me really want one.

I've heard the base may be more competitive in SCCA AS than the S is in SS if that's important to you, but didn't delve into it too much.

Edit: if 08 and earlier are on the table here's a real inexpensive one. Could buy Maxcare and not worry about anything but maintenance...

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/2008-Porsche-Cayman-11852859.html

The one I'm curious about is an '09 with 35k mi, 6sp, and extended factory warranty through early '17 for sub-30k.

Drive them, then decide. Why ask for opinions until you have some perspective? I found the legroom lacking in the Cayman S, so it's not going to be in my garage.

codrus wrote:

calteg wrote: It fits his lifestyle well, and is a ton of fun to drive. I was jealous, then I looked in my garage and realized my saloon is faster than his sports car...at least in a straight line.

An IS350?

Now an IS-F. Haven't updated my profile in a while. Like many here, I go through cars like kleenex

Danny Shields wrote: The Cayman is a terrific car. If you didn't know there was an "S" version out there, it would be perfect.

I dunno, I wasn't very impressed with my boxster, even though I wanted to be. The rx8 was an upgrade in every way except stock engine sound.

The Cayman reminded me of my earlier boxster (unsurprisingly). I was told at the time that if I simply spent 6 or 8k on wheels/tires/coil overs/sways "I would really love the car," or "I could just get the S." I got the 8 instead.

I haven't driven an S yet, so I'm still holding out hope that it's the car I hoped my Boxster and the minty Cayman I just sampled would be.

I've driven both but only on track (most of the track days I instruct at are PCA events). The base Cayman is wonderfully balanced and a nice car to drive, you won't be blown away but you'll enjoy it every time you drive it. The S is what you would do if you wished to make some performance upgrades with out ruining the road manners. If the extra money isn't a bridge to far than get it, if not by the base model.

Tom