Planet 9

I'm a new member and need some help please. I currently have an 01 Boxster S.
Needs new motor due to bearing failure on intermediate shaft. Car is still running but you can hear the "bird chirping." Question: I'm going to get either a 06 Cayman S or an 05 Carrera S. I have driven both and like each one(handling of Cayman vs power of Carrera).I have read long term reports in Motor Trend and Autoweek about how they love the Carrera S and that it is close to the perfect car. I have not been able to find anything praising the Cayman like this on a long term (1 year) test. What am I missing? I need some advice please. I track my car about 4 weekends a year. Thanks

If it is power that is keeping you from a CS, you can bolt on a couple of goodies for an honest 350 @ the crank. That will make it faster than a base '05 Carrera. You then get the benefit of having a better chassis.

Of course if you need rear seats that throws a wrench into the plans.

4 weekends a year is not a problem in the CS.

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Nov 16, 2007 build:
'08 CS Midnight blue metallic--6 spd
Black sport seats, Delete model designation
Fire extinguisher,Floor mats, Sport steering wheel

They are both wonderfull cars. Does the Carrera have the transmition you are looking for? Do you need the rear seats? Is it in good condition and in the colors you like? Are you happy with the millage and condition?

If you want a 911; You are only going to be happy with a 911, and the Carrera S '05 is a very nice car.

I made my choice and I purchased new, I got a Cayman S. You will be purchasing used so the condition, color and options availability, and price come into the equation. Sometimes I wish I had the rear seats because of my kids(small). If I was in your position it would be a hard choice. Condition, color combination, options and price would sway my decision. I would buy the car that I liked the most, lower millage, and best condition. Take the car to be checked by a trusted mechanic that works on Porsches, and can read the OBD codes including overrevs.

You could join the local PCA and keep your ears open.

Good luck, please keep us informed no matter which car you choose. Rememeber we are car nuts first!

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Having fun in Puerto Rico

I am pondering the same choice. I found a really low mile '05 Carrera S that is selling for under 60K, which seems like a great price. The only downside is that the warranty is set to expire Feb '09. I have a choice of several certified Cayman S's ('06) and the price on these is running about 13K less. Having driven both, I think I am more impressed with the handling of the CS, and I think it really speaks to the mid-engined design being dynamically superior to that of the rear engined Carrera. Sure, the Carrera is going to be a bit faster, but how much of that am I going to tap into to? My vote is to go with the CS, save yourself some money, and know that you are getting a phenomenal car.

Steve

I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE my Cayman S but...given the opportunity to get a 997S for about the same $ would be tough to pass up.

FWIW I am coming up on 1 year and 15K miles with my '07, including 6 track days. I'm still infatuated with the car. No problems at all. But the lure of the 911 will likely not cease until I have owned one so I feel your pain. But rest assured, if you recognize the superiority of the the mid-engine platform you will not regret choosing the Cayman.

You know if you think about you're in a very enviable situation because really, you can't go wrong either way.

The softronics race plenum & software combined with a free flowing exhaust will go a long way towards erasing the hp difference with the Carrera S. Just a thought. You will have several k$ left over. Cash is good.

You probably can offer them less $ and get an even better deal.

Sell your current car on your own if you have the time or the aspiration.

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Having fun in Puerto Rico

I have an '08 Cayman S, and previously had an '06 997S. Both are great cars. The rear engine 911 platform has about a half-century of design work in it, and they have made it handle better than many people thought possible. The handling challenge presented by that much weight behind the rear axle remains. But, while it demands attention in certain situations (downhill off camber turn for instance), it also has some advantages. The on-throttle traction is tremendous, and you quickly learn to manage the throttle, and a small lift will usually get it out of understeer and some rotation started. And with that weight bias, the rear brakes actually do something, so the overall braking is fantastic. The Cayman's mid-engine balance makes it more neutral, and it doesn't generate the porpoise effect of the 911 over uneven pavement, especially uphill. Overall, the Cayman is very well-planted, whereas the 911, to many folks, feels a bit nervous or twitchy. Having a lot of track time in a C6 ZO6, as well as the Porsches, my only complaint is the obvious. The 997S needs more power, and the Cayman S needs much more power. For an all-around, primarily street driven sports car, I believe the Cayman is hard to beat. I don't know your driving level, but the modest power and neutral handling of the Cayman is a very secure package for all but the most ham-fisted drivers.

Hi
How many miles on the Boxter? Tracked? or ?
J

Thanks for your insight. To answer some of your questions- the boxster s has
71k and has been tracked about 20 days. I'm a good driver having moved up in pca de 4 levels and a graduate of bertil roos driving school. My comparison is an
05 s with 29k vs 06 Cayman s with 12k a difference of $10,000. This will be my
4th Posrche. Thanks

Well, we each have to live within our own comfort zone.

The 911 has an oil temerature gauge. To some that's a must have. TO others it's not.

I have been fortunate to have driven the 2009 Carrera's base and S. And the PDK is pretty cool. And the extra 90 ponies or so in the S is pretty cool too.

To me, the Cayman S is still as good as those. Now, maybe in a couple more years I will feel differently. And maybe not.

When I picked up my car January 14, 2006, I was totally pleased with its looks and performance. Almost three years later, that is still the way I feel.

After driving the 2009 911s, I still feel that way. Its a little smaller, a lot more nimble. It instills more driver confidence.

Would I own a new 911? Yes! At the expense of parting with the Cayman? Not now. I'm having to much fun.

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The search tool is your friend. It is very
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Cayman S - a portable amusement park

- 2006 Cayman S
- 2003 Dakota SXT
- 1963 Studebaker Avanti, R2, 4-Speed
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LL

Have you considered a 3.8 transplant? Softronic sells a kit to make this relatively painless, a reputable Porsche shop or dealer can handle the installation. You would have the best of both worlds, IMO. That's the car I would want.

+1

GT3 pending... (3 years)