Keep the Cayman S or sell and save for Turbo 996?

BBerendes · 08-12-2010, 11:09 AM

I have an 06 Cayman S that I really like, and enjoy driving (track, AX and just to work) but wish it had more HP. I've looked at what I can do for HP and don't like any of the options. Input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill

Matt Monson · 08-12-2010, 11:34 AM

That's kind of like asking what do you like better lasagne or fettucine alfredo. One is meaty with big wide noodles and red sauce. The other is skinny noodles with lots of sloppy cheese sauce.

Personally, I think that the Cayman is the wave of the future. The chassis on that car is phenominal. If you want to do a track build with the car it's very capable.

The Turbo on the other hand is powerful but it's a lot of car. It's Lasagne. It may be faster on the straights, but it will never handle like a Cayman.

More on you and your motivations would be helpful. And your budget. Are you looking to just sell the Cayman and get a stock 996tt? Or do you have cash to work with on both cars? $10,000 in mods on a Cayman goes a long ways. It goes a long ways on a 996TT as well. Knowing how much you're gonna spend to make either car into what you want it to be helps us advise you better.

Deschodt · 11:57 AM

have you considered the newer CaymanS ? New car, warranty, DFI engine and 25 extra HP. Still cheaper than or about even with a used turbo.

Nothing wrong with lusting after the HP of a turbo, but they are heavier and not quite as nimble as other models. Also they were $$$ whe new, and will be $$$ to service if something goes bad... I found the power jump in the Cayman S to be quite noticeable when I test drove them back to back... might be enough for ya, and it's under warranty, and the new engine design is apparently much better for RMS type issues...

Talewinds · Talewinds's Garage

A couple years ago I seriously considered a 996. Today I wouldn't consider it at all. Still great cars, but now it's the 997 or nothing, no contest.
As much as I'd love a Porsche Turbo, I'd hang onto that Cayman S or buy a new Cayman S, or wait until I could swing a 997.

Deschodt · 08-12-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talewinds

A couple years ago I seriously considered a 996. Today I wouldn't consider it at all. Still great cars, but now it's the 997 or nothing, no contest.
As much as I'd love a Porsche Turbo, I'd hang onto that Cayman S or buy a new Cayman S, or wait until I could swing a 997.

I totally agree, for a daily driver type of car, I'd go one step further and say a Gen 2 997 or CS... The new engine with no IMS and therefore less RMS problems is a big improvement. And you get more hp and more miles to the gallon, have your cake, eat it !!! ;-)

I'd also keep the 06 cayman S (my current car too) until the first 09s and above can be had cheaper.

Now that being said, when 3.6L 996 get to be $20K, which is soon, they'll make a hell of a cheap track car !

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

Sell it, forget the turbo and get a GTR. Did I just write that?

slow&rusty · 08-12-2010, 12:46 PM

996 Turbo all the way..no contest and no IMS failures on these cars.

I would buy a Cayman S (for my girlfriend or sister or mum).

Matt Monson · 08-12-2010, 01:20 PM

You're right. They are kind of gay. I bet Leh Keen wears pink underwear when he's driving for Magnus...

Matt Monson · 08-12-2010, 01:22 PM

And here's a little something for those of you who don't think it's a girl's car...

aigel · aigel's Garage

I would put the Cayman on a diet and strip anything that adds unneeded weight. That should help. And if it is not enough, go with an engine swap.

I don't care much for the looks of the cayman but it sure looks better than any 996!

George

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

Spend the money you would use for the Turbo and put a Carrera S engine in the Cayman.

Trust me, having a mid-engine with more power = a lot of fun

NewfieMZ3 · NewfieMZ3's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

996 Turbo all the way..no contest and no IMS failures on these cars.

I would buy a Cayman S (for my girlfriend or sister or mum).

I'd buy a Caymen S in a heart beat........could be my next track car..........your girlfriend may be too ................ummmmmmm.........butch....lol

aigel · aigel's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_wilwerding

Spend the money you would use for the Turbo and put a Carrera S engine in the Cayman.

Trust me, having a mid-engine with more power = a lot of fun

Decent 996 turbos can be had for under $50k. I doubt you can do an S engine swap for that differential. That said, it would still be more fun - JMHO.

George

Jeff Alton · 08-12-2010, 04:01 PM

I love our Cayman S, with a little suspension and a little brakes it easily holds its own on the track. Not as fun to drive as our 911 race car, but for a car that you drive on the street, pretty hard to beat it on the track.

If I had the funds, I would sell the race car, race prep the Cayman S, and replace it with another one for street driving.

But it is a girl's car, my GF drives it on the track too.....

Cheers

aschen · 08-12-2010, 04:16 PM

Keep the cayman S and buy a c5 zo6 "beater" for 20k for when you need your high HP kicks...........996 turbo is closer to GT than sports car imho.

Steve@Rennsport · 08:18 AM

996TT, hands down.

That bad boy has the good engine & transmission: something the M96 cars will never have.

There is SOOO much one can do with the chassis and engine on the 996TT if you have a realistic budget,...

aschen · 08-13-2010, 08:09 AM

is a stock 996 turbo all that much faster than a stock cayman s? It weighs a good bit more and has awd losses. I am sure that some simple mods can make a tt WAY faster however.

If I wanted a high hp water puper I would save my pennies for a used 996 gt3. I love me some turbo torque but prefer my sports cars on the "pure" side....

Matt Monson · 08-13-2010, 08:24 AM

Aschen,
Here's a couple of links to a site that lists best times for certain tracks. Unfortunately there's not a ton of overlap in tracks, but a couple match up to give you an idea of direct times.
Porsche 996 Turbo lap times and specs - FastestLaps.com
Porsche Cayman S lap times and specs - FastestLaps.com

The Turbo is about 15 seconds faster on The Nordschleife, and about just under a second faster on the Hockenheim Ring (short).

Oracle · 08-13-2010, 11:01 AM

That Cayman is way too easy to drive.. just aim and go... A car like that make bad drivers like me look good.
I'd get a Turbo simply cause every time I walk to the garage will remind me not having what I always lusted..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

And here's a little something for those of you who don't think it's a girl's car...