RE Chris Harris video: new Cayman

[CJP80]

The Pits said:

Do you know what Chris Harris is just doing his job. And he's very good at it. It's not his fault that people can't think for themselves.

But seriously, do you really need to ask this man's opinion for what to have to breakfast in the morning?!

As a self confessed Porsche-nut himself, yes, I'd quite like to read it. I'm sure there are a lot of us considering it. It's got a host of new tech which most of you will discount as a waste of money, but I'd like to know whether any of it makes an appreciable difference. As he's the only one here who's driven it, who better to ask?

[baz1985]

It's obviously a great car. Not enthusiastic about it, I was at this time in 2006, that's probably age related. Evora S all day long.

[Wills2]

Fantastic car, I've driven the 991 and new Boxster and the Cayman looks like another class leader.

Porsche really have nailed it with their current line up it's not going to be easy for the competition.

Just specced an S to the spec I'd want and it comes to 57k.

[J-P]

baz1985 said:

It's obviously a great car. Not enthusiastic about it, I was at this time in 2006, that's probably age related. Evora S all day long.

Not for me Evora S is nice but nowhere near as good as the Cayman as a package.

[Mermaid]

Wills2 said:

Fantastic car, I've driven the 991 and new Boxster and the Cayman looks like another class leader.

Porsche really have nailed it with their current line up it's not going to be easy for the competition.

Just specced an S to the spec I'd want and it comes to 57k.

That sounds OK, but has anyone here been quoted 3 year GFV's?

[J-P]

Mermaid said:

Wills2 said:

Fantastic car, I've driven the 991 and new Boxster and the Cayman looks like another class leader.

Porsche really have nailed it with their current line up it's not going to be easy for the competition.

Just specced an S to the spec I'd want and it comes to 57k.

That sounds OK, but has anyone here been quoted 3 year GFV's?

Should be on the website too?

[Ozzie Osmond]

CJP80 said:

For those of us considering the new Boxster, can you tell us which options you'd choose? I know you're not a fan of the dashboard wart but the Chrono seems to add some useful features that aren't available otherwise. I'd like to see the rev matchhing in action too.

I'd start with a base "S" model and then only add the options you REALLY think are necessary. Otherwise you'll get eaten alive by the expensive options list. IMO there's no point chucking an extra £15k at a car if you don't need to.

[Wills2]

J-P said:

Mermaid said:

Wills2 said:

Fantastic car, I've driven the 991 and new Boxster and the Cayman looks like another class leader.

Porsche really have nailed it with their current line up it's not going to be easy for the competition.

Just specced an S to the spec I'd want and it comes to 57k.

That sounds OK, but has anyone here been quoted 3 year GFV's?

Should be on the website too?

Not showing on the website at the moment.

[baz1985]

Wills2 said:

Not showing on the website at the moment.

Let's have some guesses. I'll say £27k.

[original guvnor]

I don't think the previous generation Cayman was a sales success and i don't believe this will be either. There are several reasons I believe this to be the case:-

a) The market for a two-seater sports car is overwhelmingly dominated by people who prefer a Roadster and for the reasons that Chris mentions in the video.
b) Not many of these will be "poverty spec" and when you get 991s's for the sort of money they are appearing on the second hand market for now, there isn't much difference between one and a new Cayman S. Even more persuasive for a lot of buyers will be the rear seats in the 991. Useless they may be for most adults, they nevertheless give a person with kids more flexibility than a Cayman can do.
c) The economy - have you seen how many pre-registered or nearly brand new Boxster S's there are in the PH classifieds? There are page upon page of them. Not exactly flying out of the showrooms.

I have to say though I think this is a lovely looking car and I'd love to have a drive in one. I am one of those few who prefer a 2-seater to have a permanent roof. I've owned a Z4MC for the last three years so I would personally always choose a Cayman over a Boxster but I recognise I am in a tiny minority. I'll be going down the 997GT3 route next though, for many reasons, but the fact that, after 3 years of ownership, I'll have much more cash in it than I would've done had i put the equivalent amount into a Cayman, seals the deal.

Edited by original guvnor on Friday 22 February 08:51

[marcng]

I carn't work out why everyone is saying it looks much better than the old one. The old one had some flair and individuality, this just looks like the rest of the range. If they said it had been reshaped to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency i'd say fair enough, well done but to say it looks better.. are they squinting realy hard?

[Nano2nd]

baz1985 said:

Let's have some guesses. I'll say £27k.

it'll be closer to 20k if its anywhere near a boxster S

[Mermaid]

Nano2nd said:

baz1985 said:

Let's have some guesses. I'll say £27k.

it'll be closer to 20k if its anywhere near a boxster S

Porsche expect/hope this will be a high volume car for them, so 50% or just below after 3 years would make sense.

[kambites]

Mermaid said:

Nano2nd said:

baz1985 said:

Let's have some guesses. I'll say £27k.

it'll be closer to 20k if its anywhere near a boxster S

Porsche expect/hope this will be a high volume car for them, so 50% or just below after 3 years would make sense.

Holding 50% after three years would be impressive for such a mainstream car.

[Porkie]

Low Pro said:

Well i drove the old one, and I know how well that drove....but!
Who wants electric steering, it completely ruins the feel of the front wheels, you might as well castors as front wheels, as for the looks, well they are terrible! Who looked and the orginal sketch and said "yes, I like that" its truly awful, and Chris you are forgetting that it might drive very well, but Jaguar are just over the hill with there new sports car and if im honest I think it looks better and will drive just as well, yes.. its front engined but its a far better looking car. Then we have Alfa with the 4C which is mid engined and brilliant looking. I think Porche have had to have tryed hard with this one as the compition coming from other manufactures is get tough.
Besides who wants to own a Porche Cockster

I and most people seem to think its a fabulous looking car.

The castors comment is just stupid...

as is the Cockster comment....

Personally I love the roof down experience and it really adds something for me, so I'd rather have a Boxster over the Cayman.

Both awesome cars though and now I think the Boxster and the Cayman both now look as good as they have always driven.

Great video. Thanks Chris

[Rew]

smilo996 said:

So to summarise then: It likes to drive into corners but lacks the steering feel of the previous car. But you can get inches close to where you want to go, not really close then.
If you cannot afford a 911, you buy a Cayman.
Interior is disappointing compared to the exterior. It has colour coded seat belts, how naff is that.
No boxer engine ever sounds any good when compared to a V. Especially Porsche engines.
Keen to overcome the rear wheels, that’s helpful.
Cabin full of induction noise.
And above all it looks like a Porsche, dreary then.
Mostly purchased by women as well.
So it is a winner. Blinkers off Mr Harris.
370Z cheaper, bigger boot, just as fast
1M, cheaper faster more practical
M3 2011 (15k miles). Nuff said.

Judging by your previous posts on threads where Porsche has been discussed, I guess this was to be expected. Yes, you obviously for whatever reason don't like Porsche but seriously, your post has a lot of drivel in its content.

The "If you cannot afford a 911, you buy a Cayman" and "Mostly purchased by women as well" comments are just ridiculous.

[Citrus7]

kambites said:

Citrus7 said:

Wonder how many of the haters have actually ever driven a Cayman.

I wonder where you're finding these "haters". I certainly haven't noticed any on any thread about this car on PH (with the possible exception of smilo996, and I can't make up my mind whether he's serious or not).

Ok haters is too strong a word. Should have said those who are dismissive of the Cayman.

[J-P]

The Pits said:

dank said:

Damn it ! Chris Harris should be a Porsche Salesman, just sold it to me too!

Looks amazing!

my point exactly.

His influence over the easily-led is disturbing. Jaguar and Lotus have to work very hard to fight against the pre-conceptions that he is propagating. No paid advert can possibly compete with such a strong recommendation from someone so admired among car enthusiasts. If they're not paying him, they should be. His relentless promotion of porsches is worth a significant sum. Equally the whole 'Lotus is dead to me' saga is hugely and expensively damaging, nice touch to kick them when they're really down too. If he's going to promote an already globally dominant car maker could he at least have the decency not to slag off the struggling minnows?! Surely even to Chris Harris the world would be unremittingly dull if there really were no alternatives to porsches?!

Journalists used to at least pretend to be objective. Now it's 'the word according to Chris'.

I felt physically ill recently seeing some weak-minded arse declare his desire for a 'Chris Harris dream spec' Singer 911. Are there seriously people out there so tragic? Sadly yes and all they'll ever do is buy whatever car Chris Harris tells them too, hence my concern. If it was just one journo who apologetically admitted to a personal fondness for porsche cars then that's one thing but to declare them without equal it's grossly overstepping the mark. As is pedalling the blatant deception that the car costs between £45-50k.

The cayman may well be best in class for Chris but to agree with that you have to be totally ambivalent to where your car is made (and where your £60k goes and where else it could have gone) you have to like the current porsche design language, you have to be able to tolerate electric spoilers, electric steering and extortionate extras.

Buying a porsche is a victory for conservatism even if you end up with a porsche at least try some other cars at the same price point. Even if Chris Harris doesn't think there's any point.

I know PH is a weird place but this has to be one of the most ridiculous posts I've seen on here.

If there are people who can't form their own opinion - what the hell has that got to do with CH? Your assertion also implies that only car enthusiasts buy cars - Who even knows CH outside of the tiny community of car nuts?

Car journos are followed because of their opinion - how can that possibly be objective? If somebody has driven a car, the whole point of the review is to get their opinion of it. You might agree, you might not but they are being paid to give their opinion.

Your last point is utter nonsense - what on earth has where your car is made got to do with whether or not a car is best in class? The amount of money you are spending is just one of the factors that define the class - otherwise you'd be comparing the new Mini GP to a 911 GT3 or MC Stradale as a class competitor.

It's also frankly bizarre that you make an assumption that when buying a Porsche, other cars are not tried. I had a go in an Evora before I bought the 911 - it wasn't as good IMHO.

[Fittster]

juansolo said:

Fittster said:

Citrus7 said:

Wonder how many of the haters have actually ever driven a Cayman.

Wonder if the supporters have driven a Lotus Evora?

I've done both, do I get a prize?

Depends which one you bought.

[Citrus7]

Fittster said:

Citrus7 said:

Wonder how many of the haters have actually ever driven a Cayman.

Wonder if the supporters have driven a Lotus Evora?

Drove one about a month ago, albeit only for about 40 mins. Wonderful car. Only small gripes were interior was not up to std of Porsche and exhaust was way too quiet, although a sports exhaust would sort that. Lot of car for the money too secondhand. From memory a 2010 car with 10k miles for low £30k's