New to Porsche, old to forums... couple questions...

[ScooterABC]

Hi -

I've been a member of the Pelican Parts forums for years but only in the Mercedes area. Now I'm branching out and would like a little advice. I don't know how specific to get but here goes....

I'm 6'4" tall and my husband is 5'9". We are interested in buying a Cayman. Our budget is TBD, I'm leaning towards $45k, he's leaning towards $30k.

Research done so far:

1. Drove a 2005 Boxster S at the dealer to see if I fit. The purpose of this was to rule out the whole Boxster/Cayman idea because I didn't fit. Turns out I do fit. The car would primarily be for my husband but it needs to be something that would work for a multi-hour trip for me. Both of us thought the car was a blast to drive. I would have slightly preferred a little more room. The car was equipped with nav (broken) and power seats with memory (not sport seats), 6 speed manual transmission.

2. Since the Boxster S went pretty well I thought we needed a significantly more thorough experience, so I rented a 2005 Boxster (non-S) for the purpose of putting a bunch of miles on it and seeing if the lower horsepower was a deal-breaker. So we rented through an agency that brokers privately owned cars. This 2005 Boxster had the non-power seats (which still has some power features). We both noticed that the seats were less comfortable and I'm thinking this is because the power seat package adjusts more ways even though it isn't the sport seats. This car also had a 5 speed transmission. The transmission was much more stiff to shift and also the idle was a little irregular and bouncy. I think I read something on the forums about motor mounts somehow being associated with these problems, but I digress.... We put 440 miles on the car over 2 days and also had a blast in it. Definitely didn't like the seats as well though! The decrease in HP was noticed but not a deal-breaker.

Question 1: Am I correct that they electric seat package with memory and lumbar support offers more seating positions than the standard seat package? It really seemed that way.

Question 2: neither of us want a convertible. Is a Boxster going to be ergonomically and comfort-wise the same as a Cayman? It seems like it would be except for possible differences in visibility... and possible noise level.

Question 3: In the Mercedes communities I know which forums are useful and which ones aren't. If my interest is primarily in the Boxster/Cayman product line, which forums should I be reading?

That's where I am today. Comments and suggestions appreciated.
thanks
Scott

[Linderpat]

Q1 - not sure I know the answer to this one; my 03 S has the manual seats.

Q2 - should be ergonomically the same. I do find my Boxster to be fatiguing on long drives (4+ hours). I have a 928 also, and I have made a couple of 2000 mile trips with zero fatigue. Very different cars though.

Q3 - the best Boxster forum I found is the 986 forum ( http://986forum.com/forums/) . This one is good, and rennlist is near dead. Rennlist is the "oracle" for other Porsche models however.

As you are tall, I would drive a Cayman before buying one. Driving the Boxster likely did not give you the full experience of the hard top, in terms of comfort.

[blue44]

might want to look at a 981 Cayman ( started production spring 2013 ) a skosh bigger inside than a 987...

Donn

[ScooterABC]

Originally Posted by Linderpat

Q3 - the best Boxster forum I found is the 986 forum ( 986 Forum - for Porsche Boxster Owners and Others - Powered by vBulletin) . This one is good, and rennlist is near dead. Rennlist is the "oracle" for other Porsche models however.

As you are tall, I would drive a Cayman before buying one. Driving the Boxster likely did not give you the full experience of the hard top, in terms of comfort.

Thanks for the reply. I will drive (and probably rent) a Cayman before purchasing one. The 986forum seems primarily devoted to the 986 series rather than the 987 series and has nothing on Cayman. Since I'm looking for a later car, I probably need a 987 forum or a Cayman forum. Any suggestions?

thanks
Scott

[mikefocke]

Pedro's Forum - active mix of Boxster/Cayman owners

986Forum

RennTech.org Forums -> 986, 987 Series (Boxster, Boxster S)

Rennlist Discussion Forums

Boxster & Cayman Forum - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

Babblers Forum San Fransisco area

Roadfly.com

BoXa.net - a UK site

The Autobahn.com

6speed online

Planet 9 (Cayman/Boxster) but more Cayman

TeamSpeed

My observation: The newer cars tend to go into the dealers and the owners have less intimate knowledge of their internals. The older ones have more owner/mechanics whose focus is doing repairs upgrades effectively/cheaply. However the new owners are happy to talk about their owning/driving experiences.