Interesting description, two remarks to make.

1. Sounds like you like the flatter cleaner lines of the 996, and miminal decoration/ornation of details - fine/okay, see your point (well documented comments). Guess you don't really like curves - as in; hate the old Vettes of the 60's & 70's, loved the 90's......or am I taking this too far?

2. The stubby nose comment struck me as a little odd. In most photos the nose looks long and extended to me, like a RSK/RSR 60 or something - perhaps 904ish if looking at the previous page. Certain photo angles may give it a stubby appearence, it might be better to stave off such commentary until actually seeing the car in person - just a suggestion.

Here's a comparison to a 718 RS 60...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1128264830.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1128264860.jpg

I agree, i dont like it.... Maybe its me, but i like to syick to the early cars. As far as i go, is a 993. If its water cooled, mee noo likee

I did not have to pay a dime to be on the waiting list. I've been on the "unofficial" list since last year after selling my 996. They even placed an order for me and did not even collect a deposit (Speed Yellow). I then changed my mind and wanted a "Paint to sample" Arrow Blue ($4300 option...ouch..but one of a kind). When Porsche accepts that order I'm sure I'll have to put a deposit down.
Check around. Dealers know they will be selling them like crazy. I got a little discount because of being a return buyer...but I had to beg for it.

That's exactly what I meant, RS 60, not RSR 60 (no such bird).

I think it's odd for Porsche to bring up the 550 spyder when advertising the Boxster line up, it's the RS 60/RSK with the strongest resemblence.

Now perhaps Toyota is guilty of modern cloning of the Porsche 550.

http://vnexpress.net/Vietnam/Oto-Xe-..._Spyder_1B.jpg
http://auto.consumerguide.com/images...2211990002.JPG

Of that I'm pretty certain.

Cool thread!

I read that the chassis of the Cayman is 250% stiffer than the Boxster, so it'd make a great track car.

The problem with any rear engined cars is that when you ride over bumps, you get see-saw effect, the rear wheels being the pivot. You don't get that with mid-engined cars.

The engine sound of the Cayman will probably NOT be awsome, as no new cars do, but why not take out the engine and put in a vintage air-cooled 2.8 short stroke MFI? ;) 320hp @ 8500rpm :D

Weight of the Cayman is 2950 but I believe it can brought down to 2400.

I'm hooked!!

I love this car... but the nose and the gills have to go.

Techart and Gemballa and the rest of the tuners will clean it up nicely, of that Im sure.

What's with the Paris-Dakar ride height in that pic? I say drop that puppy down till it scrapes the asphalt, bring the weight to the mid-2000's, plop in a turbo, and throw some carefully crafted flares on the fenders and this thing will warp time and space.

The folks in Stuttgart have given y'all what you wanted - a gorgeously engineered bruiser. Now go out, put down your deposit, and then hot rod the ever living ***** out of it! :D:D

That's the best pic I've seen yet of the Cayman. Most pics make them look short (in length), narrow and stubby. I hope in real life they are as low and wide as in that pic - very Ferrari-ish. If so, then I need to spend some money real soon...can anyone who has seen one in the flesh verify which of these pics is the most accurate?

Couldn't agree more.

Indications are this is a great car in the Porsche tradition. I think car guys and (maybe) most particularly Porsche car guys are stuck period.

Oh well, I'd be glad to take one if I could afford one.

The gills are for cooling to the engine.

Right . . everyone should KNOW that it's the 1972 oil filler flap, which defines the true 911. :cool:

The wheels look dreary to me. Why can't Porsche start make 18" version of early deep fuchs?

FYI:
Porsche USA now has the Caymen on their site line-up.

Specs and pictures.

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/cayman/

Gallery link:
http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/cayman/cayman-s/gallery/?gtabindex=1&gitemindex=4

i feel a little bad about this but i have not been a real fan of the boxter and the cayman either. there's nothing wrong with them but i really like the cluncky loovers, chrome door handles, simple interiors, etc.. of the 50's porsches. the new cars are just too smooth and lack character. i realize that a vast majority like the refinement but to me porsches should not be toyotas. however i do like the Z4 and hate the 350Z so my opinion probobly isn't counting for much (despite the degree in product design).

I can recall that the original 356 was mid engined, but the engine was eventually moved rerarward to facilitate people and luggage carrying. I think I also read somewhere (Ludvigsen?) that the original 911 was intended by Butzi to have a hatchback, but that this was nixed by engineering as not being feasable for proper sealing.

It looks as though these early concepts have finally come to fruition in the Cayman, which makes it very much in the Porsche mold.

As far as styling, there have been many previous examples posted here to illustrate the Cayman's "Porscheness". The Chryslers, Audis and Nissans cited all share in some of these Porsche styling cues. It's not the other way around.

I saw one Wednesday at Advantage Porsche in Houston getting ready for the show room and absolutely love the looks. Best view is from the rear. Remonds me of a 933 S. Big hips look. $71k with lots of options. This one was not for sale. It was a PCNA display car. Hopefully the wife will want one 'cause I'm keeping ol red.

i'm suprised no one has mentioned another significant aspect of the cayman that disturbs some of us....besides it's name....the car could have easily been made to out-perform the current 911! (this is an opinion of J. Clarkson that i found to be an interesting vantage point) They wanted to fill the gap in their product line and had to be seriously careful not to make the cayman faster than the 911 or else their new 997 would be trumped. Clarkson makes the point that he could never drive a car that was dumbed down just to fit a gap in the current market.....he has a point...why shouldn't the cayman be as fast as they can make it?

obviosuly though, porsche is trying to do what is best for them in a business sense, and i am with the camp who believes they are introducing an agressive, high performance, "less fruity" mid-engined car to ultimately have it be THE performance-dedicated 2 seater that defines the mark. Sortof like a mini carrera GT. This is a growing market....the BMW M4 is coming out, along with the SLK 55....etc.

and finally to give my own opinion....the cayman has a horrible name, but is built with great vision. it is not a retro 904 type styling that i hoped for in my dreams, but it is definately still an attractive and sexy car that goes like stink and is probably a blast to drive. As for price it would be a difficult choice...the 997 is VERY nice.....the interior alone is like night and day difference in build quality from the 996.....

so i have to say that pretty much like it, but probably won't own one because of practicality....I am carying around big instruments as i'm a musician and will probably never have the budget to own a 2 seater that would be utterly useless in getting me to gigs! :rolleyes: (before you ask, yes the backseat in my SC does fit a cello and a violin with two people up-front;) )

I don't like it. If you're gonna own a porsche it's got to be a 911 or its evolution (964,993,996,997). If you can't afford one new, buy the best used one you can get. For example, I'd rather have a eight-year old 993 than a new boxer, anyday.