Boxster v Cayman

I just bought my first Pcar---a 2007 Cayman S. Being "Hardtop" I never considered a Boxster. Handling wise, it certainly rivals my 430 though a little less involving and a lot less power. It is also very quiet. As Bullfighter pointed out, it is a very clever package making a small sports car pretty practical. I'll use it as a daily driver. The Bose stereo is great. The ride pretty compliant. There is a little more tire noise than in my 430 which is a surprise. Both are currently wearing PS2's so it's a valid comparison. It's a great time to buy late model German cars, the depreciation has been brutal to the first owners.

Dave

 

You're in CO? I'm going to need to get a ride in the 430. I can give you a ride in a topless Cayman

 

Happy to give a 430 ride. No rush for the Boxter though.

Dave

 

As a daily driver and if buying new, the base non-S Cayman is probably the best deal... espec. if a stripper.
There are still some new 2009's left, retail around 60K (with a few options), and now can be had for maybe 52K or less. With the updated engine and PDK for 2009, it's plenty fun... about 80-90% of the fun of Cayman S (I've driven both). It has the exact same suspension, brakes, handling as the S, with a little less power.
As said above, you could easily option out a Cayman S to 80K or more, and might be worth it if you track your car. But as a dd, a stripper base Cayman for 20K less is a great choice.

 

I agree. I've driven both of the new 09's...and the base car with a few options for under 60k was a fantastic daily driver. I spent most of the day trying to keep the car with-in reasonable distance of legal speeds (it wasn't easy, I failed miserably). I'd rather push the base model Cayman and feel the full range of the engine. The "S" was like killing a fly with a sledge hammer when it came to trying to stay any where near the speed limits and run the engine through the full range of rpm's

 

For dd, I guess it depends on whether you think it's more fun to drive hard and push a weaker engine towards its limits, vs. having a more powerful engine and always holding back.
Some people who prefer the latter want to know that extra power is always there, even if they never can utilize it much.

 

Dale........

IMHO the interior room is the same because the Cayman has a hump in the rear cargo compartment which kinda negates some of it's hatchback utility. And, the Boxster as you know has a rear trunk.

Having driven both, and used a Boxster extensively for long distance trips with soft luggage and/or the usual 2 weeks of groceries in it, I can't complain about it's storage capacity in the slightest, and imagine using a Cayman would really be no different.

The Boxster with the top up at 100 MPH on the highway, is a quiet as the Cayman is, to my ears anyways.

If you don't see yourself putting the top down and using AC a lot, buy the Cayman, and if it is gonna be a Tip......you need the "S" variant.

 

Couldn't imagine why anyone would pick the Boxster/Cayman over the 997, especially when 05's and 06's are going for mid-$40's - low-$50's.

 

More than a few people think the Cayman/Boxster line are better cars. A friend of mine has a 997 CS and he thinks the Cayman handles better. We also have a local race school owner with several national SCCA titles who says it handles better than any 911 ever built. I just got C&D yesterday with their 10 best list. Cayman/Boxster made the list, the 997 did not. They explain the decision at length but it really comes down to mid engine vs rear engine design.

Since I last posted here, I've had the opportunity to take my Cayman on a 2500 mile/8 day road trip where it performed great. It also swallowed an amazing amount of stuff and still had room left over. I also had a track day where it performed very well. The car just drives beautifully in every situation which is certainly a very difficult thing to design.

Dave

 

The Cayman also has an enclosed trunk behind the hump. I've been able to load up my Cayman with tons of stuff and never had to put stuff on the hump.

Dave

 

I have an S and get to utilize it plenty. It does not feel very powerful compared to my 430.

Dave

 

I'd love some help on this. I'm looking for a daily driver. I like the Cayman better than the 911 because I love mid-engine cars.

I spend a lot of time on roads where the speed limits are 35-45mph, and highway speed limits of 70mph in my area. I felt the basic Cayman seemed to have gearing and rpm range that would be fun for passing and spirited driving without getting into speeds that could land one in jail. LOL

I test drove the 09 base with 265Hp and the engine seemed to have the most pep ...
2nd gear 40-65mph
3rd gear 70-95mph

I test drove the 09 S with 320Hp but only for a short drive. (wasn't able to get numbers)
2nd gear 70-95mph (I'm Guessing?)
3rd gear 100-120mph (guess???)

Where does the 09 "S" and 08 "S" hit their peak fun factor (acceleration range and maximum speed) in each gear... in terms on mph? And are my estimates for the Base Cayman 09 accurate? Thanks.


Other news items I've picked up in my car shopping research....

*Base Cayman is rumored to go to a smaller turbo 4 cylinder engine in 2013....to beat new stricter pollution laws. Might save some weight, but it would be a shame to lose the 6 cylinder in the base car.

*How is the 09 "S" doing with its new fuel injection... any reports of carbon build-up with the new DFI technology. Is DFI ready for prime-time, or are there still bugs to be worked out?

*Porsche just brought out the new engine block for the 09's with better oil system to prevent oil starvation during fast cornering on the track, and fewer parts designed to fix rear main seal leaks once and for all.

 

Mark,
Can't really comment on the 2009's since I have not driven one. They sound great. I don't think the gear ratios have changed much, just more power. I use my '07 as a DD and it works great for that. I've heard there are some issues with DFI and intake valve fouling with various cars that are using it. I would investigate further before buying a DFI car myself.

Dave

 

Maybe you can comment on how warm the interior is? Some say the Boxster runs cooler (not the motor - but the interior). The first year of the current Z06 for example had a console that got very hot due to the lack of insulation to save weight.
CH

 

I never noticed, so not an issue I guess. I spent a few days in the Mojave desert with temps around 100 and the a/c was more than up to the task. BTW, my car is black.

Dave

 

Thanks Dave

 

I resemble that remark. Even after having owned 7 911s, I prefer the mid-engine Boxster and Cayman.