[BReif61]

Alright, from some cursory searches it seems that early Cayman S's can be had for around $30k, and we all know 996's can be had for less. For arguments sake, let us compare a 2006 Cayman S with a 2002 911 (or any update car), as they are close to the same price.

My situation is this: young, single, no kids or anything like that. Earn enough money to afford the cars in question, in fact I've checked and my insurance would go down (!) somehow. This car would be replacing the Mazda. Obviously, I would lose a tremendous amount of cargo capacity, but honestly, I could give a rip as long as I can get my groceries in it. Unloading the 944 and picking up a cheap pickup truck would become a very real possibility should this occur.

I've always lusted after Porsches for as long as I can remember, and I figure I might get while the getting's good. However, as much as I love both cars, I've never done more than sit in a Cayman, never in a 911. The only Porsche I've driven is my 944. A tragedy, I know.

With that in mind, I'd LOVE to hear comments/suggestions/cautions about either car.

How do the interiors compare? The 996 looks dated to a Cayman. Is this as real as it appears in pictures?

How usable are either car in an everyday setting?

Either one more DIY friendly? (I love getting my hands dirty and abhor paying people to do something I am capable of doing myself)


Or tell me I'm an idiot.