cntlaw

Should I let the CaymanS dream quietly dies and be happy with the C55 for another 2 years?
Need opinions.
cnt
p.s I am aware, most of those happy / unhappy guys with a Porsche will no longer be around in this forum.

clkcadet

if you have fair weather there why not enjoy a roadster (boxster s)

merc655

i think they would be really cool to have, but I saw one at the local dealer with everything and some 20s from techart and the sticker was 66k

although i do hear that they handle like nothing else on the road, close to the craved Lotus Elise. I wouldn't mind having one, but I wouldn't give anything up.

RawAMGpower

Cntlaw, I really think you just need to buy a new car every 6 to 12 months and you will have nothing to complain about, because as soon as a better something comes out it will be time for you to buy another car and you will always be happy. The Cayman S is a good car and handles a lot better then the C55 so if you want to get it do it, however know you will not be happy with it for long and want to get something else after a few months. Your definitely one of those grass is greener fella's.

cntlaw

Oh..Good man, friend, you know me :p.

ash-c32

I`d recommend the 911 over the cayman, it is a class apart in terms of performance/driving experience (nurburgring lap-time excluded) and is more practical and better looking IMO.
Since trading in my C32 for a 996 C2 i`ve not looked back at all even though I enjoyed the blend of luxury/performance that AMG provided that is probably unrivalled.

cntlaw

Practical meaning the 911's extra back seats if I am correct.
So as I heard, a Boxster S is as fun as a Cayman S, why paying extra for less the convertible top. Will a 997 without S be as fun as a C55?

Vader13

The only regrets of moving from a AMG to Pcar as a daily Driver primary car.
(even if you have a communter, the 911 BEGS to be driven)
Is when I am in traffic. thats it.
Otherwise get ready for perma grin and MILTFS drooling all over j@@.
The Cayman is a little slow, but I heard it's one of the best handeling cars ever built. Test out the 997 CarreraS.
If you care abaout practicality get a freaking Mini Van.

ClayJ

Get a Cayman S -- I am.

Next time you feel the winds of change a-stirrin' you can move on to something else.... But why miss out on a Cayman S, Silly Wabbit?

zoink

I moved from C4S to E55 (W211) couple years ago. At that time, I also owned a W210 E55 (similar power to C55). I certainly missed C4S for its exclusivity and fun-to-drive factor, especially when my W211 was lemon'd and I ended up w/ W210 "only". C4S performance (in terms of power) is about the same as E55/C55. I don't know about Cayman.... My guess may be a bit slower.

My heart doesn't go w/ Cayman, anyway... I know it's a lot cheaper... but I'd rather wait and save more to get 997.... get the "S" as the wide body is a lot sexier and the power is better. Or if you couldn't afford 997 yet, get 996C4S or C2S.

Moving from AMG to P-car (997, not Boxster / Cayman) is a non-brainer for me, especially if you're single or married w/o children or have another car for hauling people (that's why I keep my Maxima ).

I myself just don't think I could hold on waiting for 997TT.... I have a strong feeling I'd get a used 996TT (hopefully X50 or S) or 997C4S in a year or two.

cntlaw

Thanks. I love the idea of go straight to a 996TT but really have no experience and technical knowledge to keep a TT car in good shape. Don't want to mess up with it. 997TT is for me too much a big step from a C55 to a 997TT.

I probably can forget about the CaymanS and Boxster ideas.
And, yes, I have a new E90 for day2day coming in a week or so.
Would I be disappopinted to go for a 997 without S?
( guess it still accelerates as fast as the C55? )

Corrosive

Not sure if this even matters, but think of resale value. If you get a new cayman the price will go down quick... like getting a new boxster. Look at used boxster prices, if they follow the same trend in 2 years it will be worth alot less (all cars depreciate, but it seems they go faster). I cant really talk though... I had the first Greddy Twin Turbo 350z convertbile in the US, wanna talk depreciation and getting in a hole.... lol

mick1

Your Cayman S just got a new competition

BMW Z4-M

"BMW claims the Z4 M-coupe will sprint to 0-62 mph in 5.0 second, some 0.4-second quicker than the time Porsche quotes for the Cayman S."

link:
http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar.../60123008/1024

AMG_55

im going to test drive a cayman s soon, im considering getting that or a z06, i need a real sports car.

with a few bolt ons (should b good for 330-345hp) the cayman s will b very fast add a lsd and byebye 997 s

VancouverC32

I actually regret selling my Porsche and buying the C32. Way more problems and issues with the C32.

cntlaw

A good suggestion.
For speed, a really fast roadster will be the SLK63.
Z4m only gets the E46 M3 engine, not the E90's V8.
Z model is still too raw comparing to SLK in terms of luxury.
( Poor ride quality, serious rattlings of my ex Z3 with m suspension had scared me )
The Z4m gets a manual tran only, even it has SMG II, it is still not
better than the 7Gtronic.
Having said all that, power/price could be a another criteria to pick a Z4m.
Both Z4m and CaymanS and SLK55 look sportier enough to me.
If the AMG Boss Interview is true, SLK AMG will get a power upgrade too.
Really all mixed feelings now, still have not got that motivation until I see the CaymanS and Z4m in real world.
Tks

zoink

But Porsche still has worse rattle issues, right?

Even so, I love P-car. IMO, 997, even the C2, has a lot better handling than 996 (compared it w/ my recollection when owning '02 C4S). Could be just a mental thing.... but hey, I love 997 (inside & outside - especially the "S"... it should stand for SEXY ). With powerful engine, it'll be a blast!

Hopefully, I could get a 997TT in a year or two

zoink

CNTLAW, get 997 before I get one So when I visit Hong Kong, you could pick me up w/ 997.... I've test driven it twice already and want more

ClayJ

I've owned 3 BMW's. You'll notice that I said, "owned" - past tense.
I looked seriously at buying a Z8. I looked seriously at the Z3 and Z3M. I looked seriously at picking up a couple of the new M5's -- looked seriously, considered seriously, but not willing to actually buy them and do an extended test drive with them - let alone add them to the stables.

The Boxter (Boxster S, actually, I didn't even consider a Boxster because of the lack of power) tempted me - great driving/handling car - but I didn't and won't pull the trigger on that one. To me it's really in the same class as a Miata, S2000, and the BMW Z -- none of them are in the same class as the SLK55 (or the SLK32 back then). The MBZ retractable hardtop roadsters are a cut above those others IMO.

The Cayman S is going to get an extended testdrive, and I will most likely add one or two to the stables. I am very interested in a new 997 - but it will have to be a TT or C4 (or be tuned by Ruf) for me to probably actually pick one up.

Rumour has it that I did have a Ruf Turbo, and that I will most likely have a new Ruf RT12 done once I decide on the 997 after visiting Leipzig next month. Rumour has it that I have a Porsche CGT and a Techart Magnum Cayenne, and that I am going to add one or two more of each this year overseas....

Rumour also has it that I prefer my BMW's in my stables to be the BMW powerplant in the Morgan Aero 8, the Weismann GT, and the Ascari KZ-1.....

ash-c32

I drove the 997 C2S with the tiptronic before buying the 996 C2 manual - the difference in engine sound/character/performance is amazing. Stay away from the tiptronic....it felt gutless and made the engine sound plain.

AMG_55

saw my 1st cayman 2day, it was silver
looks like a mini "supercar"
much nicer/different than the boxster

AMG_55

just checked the porsche site and built "my cayman"

came out to $98,xxx

that would be teh ideal cayman s (fully loaded), i wouldnt want it any other way and thats way 2 much for a cayman

cntlaw

I wish too.

Marktini

I drove a CaymanS last week at a CaymanS open house in Illinois.

I've been debating trading my C55 for a CaymanS or an SLK55. I know that these two cars are completely different types of cars, however from a $$ persepctive they are similar high $60's low $70's unless you go nuts with options then the CaymanS can run up in the $90's Hello GT3

The CaymanS looks great, much better in person than in any pictures I've seen the fit and finish are first class. The car is much quieter than I anticipated with the mid engine layout. The car handled better than any Car I have ever driven. The storage space is much better that expected both front and rear, 2 golf bags can fit in the back and the front will easily hold 2 roller type suitcases.

The brakes were superb, I'm sure those that want to track the car will consider the composite brake option, $8,000+ which reduces each corner something like 8 - 16lbs (I'm not sure of the real weight savings but it was significant).

The sport chrono package is a must have option there is a very noticiable change in perfromance in "Sport" mode. The sport seats are nice, headroom is good I'm 6'-1" and had plenty of leg room. I was told that right now delivery on special order cars was currently running April/May.

IMHO I think it's a great car, much better handling than the Boxster, if you don't mind a roof over your head.

Attached are a couple of pics, plus a Techart package...sweet!!!

cntlaw

thanks for the test drive experience. A surprise about its large storage space, which looks like this is the major advantage over the SLK. Did you drive a stick or the Tiptronic?