Cayman?
- Thread starter mikfinch
- Start date
ORIGINAL: THX911
Two tiny seats at the back which kids, nieces, nephews, etc would appreciate []
Which what now? [
]Who is the car for again? [
]hothatch2002
New member
Well - for starters it looks hideous, secondly it's got a stupid name. And I don't play golf - it's a good walk ruined. Always found the race track more fun than the golf course. Having said that, I haven't driven one yet, so I ought to reserve judgement till I have.
Remember when everyone said that the Cayenne was the biggest mistake that Porsche had ever made when they released it? Over 100,000 sold since the launch, and apparently they now outsell the 911 (but I don't know this for sure).
Perhaps the Cayman will do the same? Only time will tell!!
Remember when everyone said that the Cayenne was the biggest mistake that Porsche had ever made when they released it? Over 100,000 sold since the launch, and apparently they now outsell the 911 (but I don't know this for sure).
Perhaps the Cayman will do the same? Only time will tell!!
PGAdamopoulos
New member
This is all philosophical....
1st you see it and assuming you like the looks of it, you drive it and then you decide which one fits your needs better... []
But I would not buy a Cayenne either, maybe for my wife......[8D]
1st you see it and assuming you like the looks of it, you drive it and then you decide which one fits your needs better... [
]But I would not buy a Cayenne either, maybe for my wife......[8D]
ORIGINAL: THX911
Two tiny seats at the back which kids, nieces, nephews, etc would appreciate [
Mark Bennett>>Which what now? [
]LOL, No Mark, Mr & Mrs Hirani are pretty happy with the 2 seater Boxster S (for now)...
Mark Bennett>>Who is the car for again? [
]The last time I accompanied my sister to pick up my Nephew at his school, I saw at least 2 996s and a 997 on the school run...
hothatch2002
New member
Dr.P. Good point - how was the Cannonball by the way, did you actually go in the end? Can't say I remember seeing a black 996 when I was there.
You pays your money, you takes your choice. My advice would be to make your own mind up as to what you want and to hell with what others including me think.Can anyone tell me why I dont want to swap my 996 for a Cayman S and no guff about tradition, history or any of that rubbish? The performance seems to be similar to my C4, I bet it handles better and I might even be able to get my golf clubs in it without slipping a disc![[FONT=verdana,geneva"]](/forum/styles/default/pcgb/space.gif ". [FONT=verdana,geneva\"]")
Which ever way you decide, enjoy!
sawood12
New member
It's not all about out and out performance. Remember the 928? more than a match in every way for the 911 of the day it was intended to replace but that didn't happen in the end.
Unfortunately I suspect it's all a simple marketting exercise. I don't buy into this 'A different Porsche to suit all ages' marketting rubbish, just like all other motor manufacturers Porsche are just after market share and need a good model portfolio to exploit the different market sectors. They saw a gap in the market: they needed a car to bridge the £45k to £65k market sector and hey presto the Cayman was born!! I'm sure it was as simple as that. They could have marketed a simple 'Boxter with a roof' but it would have had to be cheaper than the Boxter because generally the convertable version of a car is more expensive than the roofed one.
Sorry to be so cynical but either way it's looking like a damn fine car.
Unfortunately I suspect it's all a simple marketting exercise. I don't buy into this 'A different Porsche to suit all ages' marketting rubbish, just like all other motor manufacturers Porsche are just after market share and need a good model portfolio to exploit the different market sectors. They saw a gap in the market: they needed a car to bridge the £45k to £65k market sector and hey presto the Cayman was born!! I'm sure it was as simple as that. They could have marketed a simple 'Boxter with a roof' but it would have had to be cheaper than the Boxter because generally the convertable version of a car is more expensive than the roofed one.
Sorry to be so cynical but either way it's looking like a damn fine car.
sawood12
New member
Unless the Caymen sells at the expense of prospective Boxter buyers! It's a bit of a shame that the Caymen will probably never be as good a car it could be (or should be) because Porsche will probably hold it back so it doesn't tread on the 911's toes too much. With the new Aston and Maserati squarely aimed at the 911 I can't see Posche wanting to give the prospective 911 buyer even more choice.
I reckon the writing is on the wall for the 911 package. When the Panamerica is released, the 911 2+2 concept will become outmoded. The Cayman looks like the car the 911 should have evolved into...small, neat and lively. It looks like an updated Carrera 3.2 and I want one. I can't see the rear engined Porshe package surviving more than 5 years once the Cayman and Panamerica models are established. The 911 always was an engineering compromise and Porshe have tried to kill it once already. They won't miss this time. This won't stop me eventually trading back from a 996 to an aircooled 911, unless I can't resist the Cayman.
Michael Downing
New member
They might, you know. Without Cayman, the buyer has a choice of three cars, one of which is a Porsche. With Cayman, there is a choice of four, two of which are Porsche.
sawood12
New member
I'm not so sure the 911 will be killed off so easily. There is room enough in the marketplace for the Caymen and the 911 just as there is room enough for the M3, M5 and M6. Either way the 911 still remains the most complete sports car you can buy at any price and it has been for some time. The fact that the engine is in an unorthodox location is merely an engineering challenge for Porsche and ultimately is irrelevant to the driver, who is only bothered how the car drives. And lets not forget that the rearward weight bias of the 911 has also brought advantages to the car like unparalleled traction and acceleration that competitors can only achieve through much larger engines and electronic aids.
I think the Cayman is going to be more for the track day enthusiast who wants a smaller, nimble track car and the 911 will remain the trans-continental mile muncher that will square upto the AMV8's, Maserati's and the rest.
I think the Cayman is going to be more for the track day enthusiast who wants a smaller, nimble track car and the 911 will remain the trans-continental mile muncher that will square upto the AMV8's, Maserati's and the rest.
Best to wait until the Cayman is launched and can be properly assessed, once the initial 'new model' euphoria has settled down.
Also, even though it's heavily related to the Boxster, later production will be probably be better quality than those first off the line, and the more interesting variants will follow.
Whether it is 'better' than a 996 remains to be seen. It will probably be different in the same way that the 986/987 differs from the 996/997. We have both and couldn't say that one is better than the other, although the rear seats do come in very handy. Also, must say that I prefer 2wd to 4wd though, and lower kerb weight really benefits most Porsches.
If your 996 is a relatively late model (facelift?) then you have a £60-70k (albeit currently worth c£40-50k) that you would be trading-in for a £45-50k car.
Also, even though it's heavily related to the Boxster, later production will be probably be better quality than those first off the line, and the more interesting variants will follow.
Whether it is 'better' than a 996 remains to be seen. It will probably be different in the same way that the 986/987 differs from the 996/997. We have both and couldn't say that one is better than the other, although the rear seats do come in very handy. Also, must say that I prefer 2wd to 4wd though, and lower kerb weight really benefits most Porsches.
If your 996 is a relatively late model (facelift?) then you have a £60-70k (albeit currently worth c£40-50k) that you would be trading-in for a £45-50k car.
Porsche will probably hold it back so it doesn't tread on the 911's toes too much.
The 911 is not just an engineering compromise. It's also a marketing one that Porsche may well want to resolve.
the 911 will remain the trans-continental mile muncher that will square upto the AMV8's, Maserati's and the rest.
I think the trans-continental mile munching will be just what the Panamerica will be aimed at. There's an old engineering adage 'If it looks right, it is right' and if the Cayman goes as well as it looks and takes off as the best sports coupe money can by, I think this will give Porsche the courage to try, once again, to unshackle themselves from the 911 legacy. Don't forget, the Boxster package was designed to be cheaper to produce than the 911 at a time when the company nearly went under. Economies of scale may well mean that the Cayman becomes really profitable so Porsche could afford a bold move like dropping an icon.
It will be interesting to see. As has been said, we don't know what the Cayman will be like.
The 911 is not just an engineering compromise. It's also a marketing one that Porsche may well want to resolve.
the 911 will remain the trans-continental mile muncher that will square upto the AMV8's, Maserati's and the rest.
I think the trans-continental mile munching will be just what the Panamerica will be aimed at. There's an old engineering adage 'If it looks right, it is right' and if the Cayman goes as well as it looks and takes off as the best sports coupe money can by, I think this will give Porsche the courage to try, once again, to unshackle themselves from the 911 legacy. Don't forget, the Boxster package was designed to be cheaper to produce than the 911 at a time when the company nearly went under. Economies of scale may well mean that the Cayman becomes really profitable so Porsche could afford a bold move like dropping an icon.
It will be interesting to see. As has been said, we don't know what the Cayman will be like.
Kind words...thanks! Just so that no-one thinks I am a 911 hater, I only got into this game because a mate had a 911 SC and I was totally converted after one drive with him. As a former motorcyclist (gave up when kids came along...too damn dangerous) I never thought that I would get the same visceral feel from anything on 4 wheels. The 911 completely shattered that theory and I bought a 3.2 Carrera on the strength of that one experience. I loved it to bits but my best friend and partner hated it so we traded up to a 996 cab. Fabulous car, perfect as a his'n'hers plaything but it misses that rawness that makes the aircooled 911 so compulsive. I'd love a 3.2 based '73 RS replica but until I've driven a Cayman, I'll reserve judgement. Safe to say that, to me, a Porsche is the ultimate sports coupe and if I could have my choice I'd go for an updated 3.2. IMHO, the Cayman looks like it fits that bill better than a 997 (if the 997 is an evolution of the 996)
John H
New member
I too am a motorcyclist, and also a 964 owner, and indeed I understand why people love old air cooled cars so much, as indeed I love mine ...
BUT ... I am also aware that it has it's inherent design flaws, but woe betide you in Porsche circles if you dare to point out that the ultimate motoring icon may be anything less than perfect. []
I simply happen to like Porsche engineering, and I'm quite open minded about quite where in the chassis they choose to fit the engine. I had a 968 before the 964, I like Boxsters and 914's, and I'd have a Cayman in a heartbeat if I could afford one.
I have little doubt that the engineers at Porsche have the same attitude, but their product planners will get them to build whatever makes a profit!
Cheers
John H
BUT ... I am also aware that it has it's inherent design flaws, but woe betide you in Porsche circles if you dare to point out that the ultimate motoring icon may be anything less than perfect. [
]I simply happen to like Porsche engineering, and I'm quite open minded about quite where in the chassis they choose to fit the engine. I had a 968 before the 964, I like Boxsters and 914's, and I'd have a Cayman in a heartbeat if I could afford one.
I have little doubt that the engineers at Porsche have the same attitude, but their product planners will get them to build whatever makes a profit!
Cheers
John H
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