Just moved from 15 years of 924 owning, driving and modifying to the Cayman.
I find the Cayman to be smaller, just as loud but slower, less practical, much stiffer but better overall driving machine and much better sounding than the 924turbo.
My comparison is to my two modified 924 turbos, one probably sporting around 300hp and the other close to 200, both a good 100kgs lighter than the Cayman.
Overall I really like the Cayman and even though it feels slower than your average tweaked 924 turbo I find it just right to drive and enjoy. Wish it had more legroom though

If I had bought the manual I would have struggled to fit and operate the car with the third pedal.
The tiptronic is, for me, just perfect. It shifts quickly and allows me to focus on steering as well as giving me the needed legroom (missing clutch pedal can be used to rest your foot)