AutoWeek: Cayman vs. Carrera

[greghershner]

Article this week calls these cars equivalent and the Cayman is $16K less expensive. After last year in the stock/real estate markets, I won't be buying either until I find a winning lottery ticket. Anyone have opinions/experience with this comparison? Thanks

[EarlyPorsche]

At the end of the day...regardless of speed or numbers....a Carrera is a Carrera and everything else is just that. I wouldn't buy a Cayman if it was $30K less.

[JackMan]

I recently purchased the 997 c4s. I originally looked at a Cayman S, 2008 version. The new 2009 Cayman is much better, faster than the 2008.

Anyway, I compared the two cars and the 997 is much more car. The 997 just has more room inside and behind the seats. That was the decision maker for me.

Performance wise I'm sure the 2009 997s and the Cayman S are now very, very close. But at the end of the day, the 997 wins for cabin comfort.

My 997 is a daily driver, winter beater. My 89 Coupe is my fair weather car.

If I were buying a car for the track -- I'd get the new Cayman S.

wj

[Dantilla]

I'm the opposite. For some reason, the 996/997 does not appeal to me, yet I've driven, and considered, a Cayman S. I may have one before too long.

[GrantG]

I've driven both and I think the Cayman is a bit more fun to drive (more playful and tossable). It's the obvious choice, if you don't need rear seats...

[boxster03]

Styling isn't even close IMO. Cayman is ugly

[RWebb]

Styling isn't even close IMO. Cayman is not nearly as ugly as new 996/7s...

[boxster03]

You All Decide

[EarlyPorsche]

Thats a 996 which looks substantially different from almost every angle....only the roof metal was carried over to the 997.

[NE Ohio 911]

I recently purchased the 997 c4s. I originally looked at a Cayman S, 2008 version. The new 2009 Cayman is much better, faster than the 2008.

Anyway, I compared the two cars and the 997 is much more car. The 997 just has more room inside and behind the seats. That was the decision maker for me.

Performance wise I'm sure the 2009 997s and the Cayman S are now very, very close. But at the end of the day, the 997 wins for cabin comfort.

My 997 is a daily driver, winter beater. My 89 Coupe is my fair weather car.

If I were buying a car for the track -- I'd get the new Cayman S.

wj

WJ, Stop by in the 997 when you have a chance, I'd like to check it out.

[boxster03]

Yes I know

He said 996/997 and I even included the canyon view to help

[JohnJL]

The second car is a Turbo, that'll cost 2 caymans not $16K more.

[Dantilla]

I don't like the Cayman in light colors. Silver is yukky, and white is the worst. I usually like bright colors, but on the Cayman, even red and yellow look wierd.

I'm really attracted to them in either blue or black.

[Jack Olsen]

Neither is especially beautiful. But they're both fun cars to drive.

The 997 is a pretty big, heavy car. The Cayman feels slightly less bulky. The 997 has noticeably more power. The Cayman feels smaller than a Boxster (which illustrates how subjective these impressions are, since they're basically the same car).

I thought the Cayman was a little bit more fun on the track. But I'd bet I could get better lap times where I drove both (Willow Springs) in the 997.

[FastCarFan]

Originally Posted by NE Ohio 911

WJ, Stop by in the 997 when you have a chance, I'd like to check it out.

Doug,

I have had the pleasure of driving JackMan's C4S & it is a blast. You could even say it "flies". I will let JackMan explain what that means.

For me however, given the choice, I would choose the '09 Cayman S because it is a bit smaller & more tossable -- more sports car-like. To me it is more like an older 911 & the new 911 has evolved into more of a GT car.

Don't get me wrong -- the C4S is an amazing car & it is great fun to drive. I simply prefer the Cayman S. But what really matters is what you like.

[Hawktel]

I'll take 2 of both. Blue and silver please.

[peon77]

2011 Carrera will be called the 991 and the 2018 Carrera will be called 928 and 75% will be imported with an automatic.

Porsche started as a light, small engined car with great brakes. Any deviation of that (automatic trany, sun roof, heated & airconditioned vibrating seats and any cup holders) is left of center.

My wifes awd v8 Grand Cherokee is fun to drive.... But its not a Porsche

[Bill Verburg]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Cayman S w/ >300hp & ~3k# is beautifull to me

[GaryR]

Yep, new Cayman S with 7 spd PDK... I'll wait a year or so but that's the car..

[flatsixnut]

Originally Posted by rwebb

styling isn't even close imo. Cayman is not nearly as ugly as new 996/7s...

+1