Quote:
Originally Posted by DWBOX2000
This is a slaughter in favor of the Cayman.
Driving both, I think the Cayman felt more modern and better quality Several years will do that. The 911 C4 definitely felt heavier which depending on what you like can be good or bad. I prefer the weight for highway road use. I also remember liking the sound of the C4 better and the way it felt on the highway was superb, but bulkier on the backroads. My 00 Boxster S was definitely more fun on the back roads but not so much on the highway at speed. I don't recall either feeling faster, quicker than the other. The spread is probably not noticeable for daily driving. Go 0-60 a 1/2 second faster, who cares?
My friend had just bought a 2007 Cayman Base and sold it quickly there after. Didn't like the power. We did take it on the track one day and it's handling and braking were superb. Bought a S shortly thereafter. I really liked the base.
Looking at, personally I think the Cayman is a better looking car than the C4 but I think it really might be one of the best looking Porsches ever built including most 911's. The 996 C4S might be the exception. 
Another thing to consider is the motor is not readily available on a Cayman. If you like tinkering, it can be a hassle sometimes. The Boxster was a chore, I imagine the Cayman would be even worse. Does the Cayman have a oil dip stick? Can you look at the coolant tank easily like in a Boxster or 911?
Good luck, both awesome cars so enjoy the search. |
I had a very stock '88 911 years ago that I daily drove for almost 5 years. A little over 5 years ago, I got back into Porsche ownership. At the time I test drove a few boxsters and caymans (base and S) and also a 996 TT. I assume the 996 TT should be like the 996 C4S but faster. I didn't take much of a test ride in it, but it was boring. I've often wondered if it had issues. It was at a stealership in town. I ended up gravitating towards Coxsters (really didn't care which, just whichever felt like "the one" when I found it. I ended up with a 2008 Boxster S.
To me, the 987.1 cars felt more like modern versions of my old 911 than anything else (but, honestly, still worlds apart). I had 2 miata between my old 911 and the Boxster S, and the Boxster S is also like a miata, but on a completely different level.
The 996 TT that I drove didn't feel that fast, certainly not much faster than my boxster (although I'm sure it was, it just didn't feel faster).
I'll bet the 996 TT that I drove would have been a great LONG road trip car. I've driven my boxster S several hours, and I enjoy it. I'd be happy to drive my Boxster S for 8 hours, but I suspect the 996 TT that I drove would be even more comfy for that sort of drive.
For most of the rest of my driving, the Boxster is a bit more alive and sporty feeling.
If this was going to be an "extra" car, and I had the same money to spend for a good quality drivers car, I'd love to have an '87-89 911. They in some ways are on a different level from the newer Porsches. The newer Porsches are faster, more capable, and better at most things. The older porsches have
je ne sais quoi or "soul."
From a pure pleasure of driving and ownership point of view for me
1 '88 911 (217hp)
2 '08 Boxster S (303hp)
3 '01 911 turbo (415hp)
From a fun and capable and reliable and comfortable (A/C, stereo, don't smell the heat exchangers) point of view
1 '08 Boxster S
2 '88 911
3 '01 911 turbo
The key, is what sort of driving are you going to do?
The 996 can be easily retrofit with some sort of IMS solution.
The 987 is less likely to need any sort of IMS solution, but if it does, it's a PITA
The 987 will be newer and more modern which may or may not be a good thing, but most would consider it so (it's not like we're comparing an SC to a 981)