981 Help please: Cayman or Boxster; Spec.; Colour?

[DJMC]

Hello from Leicestershire. 55 greying, balding... time for my first Porsche!

Nine BMWs last 30 years, two convertibles last ten years (E46 330ci MSport cab for 9), DB7 (rubbish), Merc E350 cab (rubbish), and last summer chose between 987 Cayman and TTS. TTS won on "liveability". Had to be a coupe as the cab looks like Noddy's car!

Now I have £40k-ish to spend on a used 981. Extended test drive last weekend in a Boxster 2.7 PDK: http://www.sytner.co.uk/car-search/4830558-porsche...

Then 30 minute drive in Cayman 2.7: http://www.sytner.co.uk/car-search/5104921-porsche...

Having had convertibles for so long I did occasionally miss having the top down last 15 months in the TTS. But for the TT cab's looks I may have gone convertible.

The top down Boxster sounded wonderful at higher revs (Sports tailpipe both cars, not PSE). The Cayman more muted, but I forgot to put the windows down...doh! Absolutely no "booming" in the Cayman. Maybe that happens with PSE?

Haven't tried an S. Don't think I need the power and my £40k budget will point toward a Boxster in S guise.

My thoughts are that the Cayman is absolutely gorgeous. The. Boxster loses its beauty roof up, BUT can be coupe or convertible AND you get THAT soundtrack, even in a 2.7.

I'm 60/40 toward the Cayman. Colours: Guards Red, Agate, Silver, Black. Options: must have Dual climate, Nav, Phone, Cruise. Undecided on SD vs. MFSW (tried both).

Any thoughts on why to choose either, with which engine, best colour for each, and any other "must have" spec (and why?). Many thanks from a newbie Porsche wannabe!
David.

[DJMC]

Before I bought my '62 TTS I read a review saying the 1.8 was the best TT as you had to use all of the engine to get the most out of it. Certainly the TTS has a little too much power and is a "lazy" drive because of this. It's rare to have to get up into the power band, and the turbocharged engine is a little unpredictable in relation to what my right foot wants! Look out 981.2 owners!

0-60 in 5 seconds ( S-tronic) is great on the rare traffic light dash, as is the exhaust "blap" at full throttle. Otherwise it's too much engine for the car. My day and a bit test in the 2.7 Boxster allowed me to agree with some reviewers that this is a very sweet, free revving, engine with plenty enough power and a nice sounding 4000+ power band.

I'd prefer to see the beautiful Cayman in my drive, with its better over the shoulder and rear view, and luggage shelf but the slightly more visually compromised Boxster (roof up) has the roof down option (I'm type "3") which in turn improves the soundtrack, and it's cheaper too.
Well, it's cheaper at the moment, but I'm reading rumours that the Cayman will be the cheaper model in 2016 "in some markets" when 981.2 comes in. Will that drop the used Cayman's residuals through the floor, or will the Boxster price new increase by £10,000 to reposition it?

My current thoughts on colour are that Guards Red on either would work. Agate Grey or Silver better on the Cayman. Can't really see another Boxster colour that works so well?
Going off black as it looks really sinister (which is good) but you lose the gorgeous shape in the blackness.

[DJMC]

More rambling thoughts...

It's ridiculous that "manliness" comes into the decision process after all the alleged hairdresser jibes aimed at male convertible owners. But it does! It never bothered me in ten years driving E46 convertibles but I do feel more self conscious about being the stereotypical mid-50s greying, balding, man buying a sports car to fulfil a mid-life crisis.

Anyway... on to my spec so far:
MUST haves:
PDK
PCM
Dual climate
Sports tailpipe (not PSE)
SD wheel
Standard sport seats
Cruise
Park assist rear
Bluetooth phone prep
Dimming mirrors/Rain sensor
Seat heating

DESIRIBLES:
Park assist front
Folding mirrors
14 way memory seats (for the extending thigh support)
Seat ventilation
Leather package
Sound upgrade
DAB
Smoking package ( for 12v socket)

Colours:
Boxster in Guards Red, maybe Agate or Silver.
Cayman in Guards Red, Agate, or Silver.

What's the difference between Rhodium and GT silver, and why isn't Platinum silver listed when I've seen it on a few cars for sale? Is it a special order colour?

Wheels: 20" as on both test drive cars. Carrera S or Carrera Classic depending on body colour. Maybe black Carrera S if red Boxster with black roof.

More later...

[DJMC]

I have BOSE in the TTS. Similarly unimpressed.

2.7 seems the way to go having read up on this vs. 3.4.

[DJMC]

I'm just a little fed up with too much power I never get to use. 2.7 I had for a day and a half suited me just fine and allowed me to use more higher revs. Made the same mistake buying the TTS.

[DJMC]

Not so worried on price positioning now, as I see the Cayman is now cheaper than the equivalent Boxster (£175 - Black Edition). Also, base 2.7 Cayman only £141 more than a new Boxster now.

No doubt used Cayman and Boxster 2.7 prices will fall into line with each other very soon.

OPCs won't have any argument for Caymans being thousands of pounds more.

[DJMC]

Colour wise, my preference is Guards Red, followed by a silver, then Agate Grey.

Can't be doing with dirty black or white cars, and it's a 15k/annum daily driver.

I know Rhodium Silver has a blue hue, but how does GT compare?
Platinum is a little too yellow in some lights.