hiddenagenda

The opportunity has presented itself to possibly buy another car, a Porsche Cayman!!
Any porsche owners out there? thoughts vs their W212?

I can stick to MB, and probably get the new Coupe or directly import a S class if I wait a few more years...but I'm not sure.

ghstudio

The new Cayman is in incredible car but of course very different than an E-class. Get it with the PDK transmission which is faster than the manual

I'm actually going to move to either a cayman S or a 911 at the end of my e blutech lease in August. The 911 will probably get the nod just because it has a little more space inside for "storage". I'm waiting for a build allocation to make the final decision between the two.

clkwork

I wouldn't call that an upgrade, it's just a Boxster coupe...

They handle amazing but you'll never get to use it on the street, and the lack of torque gets old fast. I would take an E63 over a Cayman personally. Too bad you can't get the E with a proper gearbox.

W210

Have both a 2007 911 turbo and a 2012 E550TT, find myself driving the E more, unless I know I don't need to talk on the phone, and will not have passengers. Hard to beat the comfort of the Mercedes.

The 911 is nice if you need to go fast and it has amazing traction, but I like my cars a little quieter personally.

jvc300

I agree that it's not an upgrade. You are trying to do a comparo between a mid-engine sports car and a four door sedan. Both have their purpose.

As far as never getting to use it on the street, perhaps. However, join Porsche Club of America and they do plenty of events that you will get to exercise the potential of the car.
I have E350 and a 911. I love the P-car and prefer it to the sedan. Same post two opinions. I have never regretted the 911.
The caymans are cool cars and a true two seat mid-engine sport car. It handles better than the 911 because of the mid-engine.
What year is the Cayman? the Cayman S coming out this year is pretty sweet.

ScottNJ

+1

hyperion667

the inside of a Caymen is SMALL, there's room for you and a passenger that's it!
I have an 07 TT as well as a E class and only drive the P when I'm expecting to be alone or on an Ice Cream run....
it is a fun car to have as an alternative, and switching between them is great.....
E is very comfortable and the TT is quick and nimble as you'd expect.....
I originally was interested in a Caymen as well, then bought a Targa, then wanted something more, so ended up with a TT....
btw: I paid more for my used 07 TT then I did my brand new E550
good luck!

ghstudio

clkwork: Have you driven a new cayman S....Actually, while you're at it, drive a new boxster S and a base 911 and then come back and tell us about your experience. I have an e350 CDI and torque is great, but it's not a fun car. The 550 is slower than the porsche cayman S and if I'm going to spend $100K for a car, I'm not buying an AMG because everyone drives an e where I am....I want something a little different and more fun.

Upgrade is a meaningless word....are you upgrading status, cost, fun factor.... From a fun factor, my miata was far more fun than my current e class....is that an upgrade?

clkwork

Yup, all of the above. Cayman S does not have enough torque to be very fun on the street. If I wanted a fun car for the same money you can pick up a clean 996TT or a Z06 and some mods. If I lived closer to a track I might consider a Cayman S if I found one for the right price...

C280 Sport

I had a 06 Cayman S. Sweet little car! I love the handling of it and its quick enough too! Unfortunatly I have remorse from it and want a 911 instead next time around and I do not want to lease. The Cayman was hands down more of a fun car to drive then any MB I have ever owned but it was very small inside. To be honest I do not think I would buy another one. I love the car dont get me wrong but for the lease payments I should of just bought a 911 instead. There really 2 very different cars the Cayman vs W212...
You just need to figure out what you want really.

C280 Sport

Next time I am home in Sarasota I need to see your 911

ZorroAMG

I feel like this thread should be titled "Should I buy a cessna airplane or a motorhome.

Apples and oranges here...you won't find much help from others comparing such different vehicles.

ghstudio

FYI, suncoast has a new style cayman S in stock...they got it last week. Great looking car...

hyperion667

OP, I do recommend driving several models to see what everyone is hammering on about.....many many different trim levels in each model too......kind of staggering the amount of choices and options one can get on a Porsche.....then come the after market mods

also check out some Pcar forums; Rennlist and 6speed online are decent ones for Porsche, and of course some youtube

petee1997

The Cayman will not replace the MB. You should buy that in addition to the MB.
Porsche is a fun car to drive. As a daily driver it sucks. There is no room in a Cayman, they are noisy and all your fillings will fall out. If you must make this error, buy the 911.


Good luck!

C280 Sport

I will have to check that out soon. Are you located in the Sarasota/Venice area?

K-A

The new Cayman is stunning. I was really thinking about waiting to get one but the timing wasn't right and with my height and being a sucker for luxury feel/amenities along with an affinity for large-ish cars, I felt it may not be my true top choice at the moment.

However, it's one of my favorite cars out there (the NEW one, the old one is hideous IMO), beautiful and a considering the "exotic-factor" it conveys, it's sort of a bargain (for a Porsche).

hyperion667

K-A

You visit the dentist for a lil morning sunshine?

jvc300

C280, suncoast Porsche is having a Cars and Caffeine this Saturday(April 6th) 8-10am. I'll be there.

BenzE350

Great idea if you can afford it and have the garage space.

jvc300

++1 More than 20K cheaper than the 911. Plus the cayman is getting rave reviews for hits handling and performance. I can't wait to take a drive in one.

Like you K-A I've always been a sucker for Luxury myself and was really concerned if I would enjoy the 911 as a DD. So, I bought used one to get a feel for owning a 911. Now, I'm going to will to a 2010 or newer CPO 911.

After a couple months of ownership I love it. Everything about it.

Funny thing is people have taken pictures at the gas station and I'm always getting the thumbs up..etc. There is also a little exclusivity with the 911 vs a main stream sedan.
I still have a sedan if needed, but I take the P-car out every chance I get.... I like to test the 0-60 times.... .

jvc300

Do you really see it as an error? I love driving the 911 everyday. My other cars sit in the garage and are collecting dust....

K-A

Totally. I always wanted an older 996, since they're so cheap now, as a partner to my "cushy Luxury Car", as a toy on the side per-se, to just get into a coveted Porsche, exactly as you did, but the upkeep put me off a bit. Then I started really thinking about doing something crazy and getting a 991 Carrera, but prices were just too high for what I wanted to spend, and I wasn't convinced it was the right car for me even if money weren't an object.

When the new Cayman surfaced, arguably maybe as good if not possibly (dare I say) better looking than the 911, with a price range for an "S" around what my 5 Series costs, I was thrilled.... as if Porsche answered my 911 fix. Though, after sitting in it, I knew I wouldn't be happy with it after some time as my only car, just too small and obviously pure-bred sporty.

One of these days I'll try and go for both at the same time as well. Maybe Hyperion can get off the laughing gas then.

hyperion667

wonder where OP is?