911 vs Cayman
 

I'm currently looking at two different vehicles for possible purchase. Both a little over $20k, one is a 2001 911 C4 cab with matching hard top, the other is a 2007 Cayman Base. Both are manual transmission. Both have around 50k miles.
I have owned air cooled 911's and a Boxster. The Boxster was a tiptronic. This time around I'm trying to stay with the manual transmissions.
I am on the fence as to which one would be the best based on reliability, comfort and drivability. This will not be a garage queen, I will be using on a daily basis, however I'm retired so my daily basis is probably not the same as others.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
John

having both.


cayman all the way.


82 SC manual
2003 C4S manual.
2007 cayman base

unless you need a back seat for really little people or people with no legs.
or unless you live in an area that sees snow and you want to drive it in the snow..

the 2007 Cayman is going to be the real drivers car of the 2... Plenty of trunk and frunk space to go and do things.
My Winchester Stealth with 26 inch barrel fitted perfectly in the trunk.. Not many sports cars can take a long rifle/barrel like that..

It's 6 years newer, it has the newer pcm, newer interior, same or even better brakes and has the newer m97 engine.And the 2.7 likes to rev..

Stick to 17 inch wheels for all round comfort and forgiving nature in the wet..
Here's mine. on 17's it's much more potent in the wet bends then the big bois with low profile massive wide tyres.
Obviously that goes out the window when it dries out, but allround .. 17'ies are much more comfortable and fun to drive on imperfect roads.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GtR3MvnQuTQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


IF it's a daily, maybe upsell yourself to a 987.2 with even newer pcm and engine type

Neither one of those cars have "the good engine".. I would rather have a cayman than a 996, but probably rather have a 997 than a cayman. Look at caymans 2009 and newer to avoid cylinder scoring, broken blocks etc.

magnetic oil plug
change oil religiously
rev it well after it's warmed up

at 152000km , mine burns 0 oil between ow40 mobile 1 oil changes.

i absolutely LUV my Cayman.
'09 with the PDK is incredibly nimble, sticky, and scary fast.
i'll never buy another manual after driving this........

C4 cab - hmmm, I'd prefer a cayman over a 4wd convertible 996. Also I think the 996 interior aged poorly.
But, the 996 engine can be IMS'ed, the Cayman's in 2007 form cannot. Also the 996 will have more power... I'd still get the cayman between the 2, newer, more grip and handling than power, you cannot go wrong with that platform. It's the best handling Porsche I owned until the 991 came along and stole some its "turn in" magic. Had the 996 been a gen2 RWD coupe, it might have been closer for me.
Honestly I'd stretch for a 2009+ Cayman and not worry about the engine, you're taking a 15K gamble on a 20K car (unless you redo the IMS and pick the 996).

put snow tires on the C4 and use it as a winter beater


otherwise, Cayman

My last P-car was a 997S. My next P car with be a 987S. I would take a Cayman over a 996 all day.

Can you park the rag top anywhere at any time and not worry about it being ripped open for some dirtbag to search the glovebox?

What sort of driving are you likely to do? I suspect the driving dynamic of both cars will be radically different. What are you going to enjoy more?

I'm voting for the Cayman.

I've owned three Caymi, an 06 I bought new, a second 06, and an 09. All were great cars. But, at the end of the day, here I am with a 911 as my only Porsche.

The cabriolet is a convertible and has a back seat and more hp. Just feels more substantial. The Cayman? If I had to do it again from Boxster vs 911 experience I would go with the 911. The Cayman may feel faster but I prefer the water cooled 911. Enjoy the search!:)

This is a slaughter in favor of the Cayman. I think you need to post on Rennlist. I think more water pumpers over there and this board for the most part seems anti 996 whether people have driven one or not.

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.

Another vote for Cayman from me....I had a '10 S and I still miss it. Fantastic car....

At least is should be a Cayman S compared to a 996. I have never been a 996 fan, but I am sure they are great drivers. Coming from a 79 SC to a Cayman, the Cayman is just as fun to drive as the SC with more power and more safety features, doesn’t really apply to your comparison, but I would say the Cayman is much more “tossible”.

I would go with the Cayman, but an S model, you will regret not getting an S

If I was retired and living in California - I'd probably opt for the ragtop. If I was track driving - or more of a daily - I Might choose the cayman. It's a great driving car - but I like the roomier 911.

And the 996 is a great car - anyway you cut it

I've owned a 997S and now have a 981S. I enjoy the Cayman much more. The only thing the 997 did better was acceleration (and fitting little people in the back seat).

One is a 911 …. the other is not.

My buddy has a cayman s. After I sell my SC, I am buying one.

Pure sports car. No concessions for golf clubs, AWD, or similar.