Should I buy a Cayman R, or a Boxster Spyder?
Discussion
I fancy a 2-seat Porsche that I can buy new, enjoy, and that might go up in value over the longer term (20 years).
Of these two - which do you think would be the better option, for
A - immediate driving pleasure
B - investment potential (or smallest loss over 20 years)
Views (from owners?)
Of these two - which do you think would be the better option, for
A - immediate driving pleasure
B - investment potential (or smallest loss over 20 years)
Views (from owners?)
Seeing as you're thinking about keeping it for 20+ years do you not think you'd be better off deciding whether you prefer a coupe or a convertible first?!
As for investment-who even knows of petrol engines will still be allowed?! If you want investment buy old-look at say the caymenR's older brother, the 968 clubsport. They're knocking on 20 year old & anyone who bought new still wouldn't have seen a return-you can get a good 'un for under 15 grand.
None starter I'm afraid.
But having been in the driving seat-spyder all the way for me-just don't expect to make anything on it
As for investment-who even knows of petrol engines will still be allowed?! If you want investment buy old-look at say the caymenR's older brother, the 968 clubsport. They're knocking on 20 year old & anyone who bought new still wouldn't have seen a return-you can get a good 'un for under 15 grand.
None starter I'm afraid.
But having been in the driving seat-spyder all the way for me-just don't expect to make anything on it
spareparts said:
I think the Spyder is a more special car in general, practicalities aside.
The problem is, I think you're right...but I really really like the Cay R. Both £50k, both great value, both will see me to retirement.Blast you Porsche, with your keenly-priced driving warriors!
Here's my logic:
How much different from a standard Cayman S is the "R", and how much different from a standard Boxster S is the Spyder? The Spyder (IMHO) is further removed from the standard car, so will lose less in the long term than the "R" will. Neither will gain value above the initial new price.
I got the Spyder, and think it's a fine thing. No doubt the Cayman is (marginally) better to drive, but for me, you can't beat open top motoring, and that outweighs the (probably nigh on impercetible) handling shortfall. But I don't use the car every day, keeping it for "special", so don't mind putting up with a few compromises.
How much different from a standard Cayman S is the "R", and how much different from a standard Boxster S is the Spyder? The Spyder (IMHO) is further removed from the standard car, so will lose less in the long term than the "R" will. Neither will gain value above the initial new price.
I got the Spyder, and think it's a fine thing. No doubt the Cayman is (marginally) better to drive, but for me, you can't beat open top motoring, and that outweighs the (probably nigh on impercetible) handling shortfall. But I don't use the car every day, keeping it for "special", so don't mind putting up with a few compromises.
thecarfinders said:
Having driven both extensively, i think the Boxter Spyder is a nicer car to drive, but the roof is a nightmare. I think as most people have put, if you are thinking from an investment perspective, dont buy either.
I want criteria A and B in the car - so it has to be excellent to drive for the period of ownership.As much as I like the 968 CS, it doesn't fulfil criteria A (for me). I don't want a GTx 911, and I really like the Cay R and Spyder.
If I only wanted an investment for £50k, I'd buy a 1999 Ferrari 550. But thats A not new, B not something you can actually use every day and C probably not as good a drive as these two.
Hmmm.
A nice open ended question to which there are many answers and more questions
Mystic Meg says the following
Don't even think about depreciation over 20 years, if you are going to use these cars ( rather than store and look at them) your running costs will easily exceed your amortisation costs, especially if you need a new roof on the spyder during that time.
If you are using the cars - again you could easily have over 100k miles on the odometer and no one will really care much as there will be more recent versions probably of both but still very affordable second hand.
If it's going to see you into retirement remember that 1 in 6 people never reach retirement age so you might never know the answer ( where's that dice).
Hope this helps ...........
Personally i would go for the more practical car - having not owned either i can't answer that but i'm sure other will give their opinion
Mystic Meg says the following
Don't even think about depreciation over 20 years, if you are going to use these cars ( rather than store and look at them) your running costs will easily exceed your amortisation costs, especially if you need a new roof on the spyder during that time.
If you are using the cars - again you could easily have over 100k miles on the odometer and no one will really care much as there will be more recent versions probably of both but still very affordable second hand.
If it's going to see you into retirement remember that 1 in 6 people never reach retirement age so you might never know the answer ( where's that dice).
Hope this helps ...........
Personally i would go for the more practical car - having not owned either i can't answer that but i'm sure other will give their opinion
Easy choice this one : Boxster S
Open top motoring, comfort, practicality and 95% of the performance of the Spyder.
Just make sure you get pdk with sports chrono and switchable sports exhaust for maximum fun.
You can't beat open top motoring for enjoyment - only problem with the Spyder is the noisy and uninsulated roof at speed (and limited to a max of 120mph with it on)
The money which you save can be spent on navigation, media and phone interface, better stereo and some nice sports seats - I wouldn't bother with PASM, I think the standard supension car rides and handles better on UK roads.
Buy this car and you'll find it can do everything from, track days to traffic jams and intercontinental touring - it's all you'll ever need.
Open top motoring, comfort, practicality and 95% of the performance of the Spyder.
Just make sure you get pdk with sports chrono and switchable sports exhaust for maximum fun.
You can't beat open top motoring for enjoyment - only problem with the Spyder is the noisy and uninsulated roof at speed (and limited to a max of 120mph with it on)
The money which you save can be spent on navigation, media and phone interface, better stereo and some nice sports seats - I wouldn't bother with PASM, I think the standard supension car rides and handles better on UK roads.
Buy this car and you'll find it can do everything from, track days to traffic jams and intercontinental touring - it's all you'll ever need.
Based on your PH garage (5 cars at your disposal?) money does not appear to be a particular concern but I would agree that there's no harm in keeping an eye on such matters.
Inflation is our enemy and if we see it continue at 5% pa, then to get £40k back in 20 years time, you'd need to realise £106k in 2031...
With 5 cars practicality may not be an issue either? How about garage space?
I would say the Spyder is more special and as there could easily be another Cayman with similar attibutes to the R, the Spyder is likely to retain a particular appeal in the long term as is the case with late 80's 911 Speedsters. Keep it in mint condition and it would always find a buyer. I really doubt that petrol wil be gone by then but even if it is rationed, what better way to use your allocation than in a truly fun car like the Spyder!
In terms of the financials it would be interesting to pick up a mint example at a price starting with a £3X,XXX.
Inflation is our enemy and if we see it continue at 5% pa, then to get £40k back in 20 years time, you'd need to realise £106k in 2031...
With 5 cars practicality may not be an issue either? How about garage space?
I would say the Spyder is more special and as there could easily be another Cayman with similar attibutes to the R, the Spyder is likely to retain a particular appeal in the long term as is the case with late 80's 911 Speedsters. Keep it in mint condition and it would always find a buyer. I really doubt that petrol wil be gone by then but even if it is rationed, what better way to use your allocation than in a truly fun car like the Spyder!
In terms of the financials it would be interesting to pick up a mint example at a price starting with a £3X,XXX.
Peter Cee said:
Easy choice this one : Boxster S
Open top motoring, comfort, practicality and 95% of the performance of the Spyder.
Probably more like 99.5% of the performance of the Spyder...Open top motoring, comfort, practicality and 95% of the performance of the Spyder.
Thing is, you don't get that undefinable "something" that the Spyder offers. I can get excited about the Spyder, I can't get excited about a Boxster S. Not rational I know and for me personally, similar logic applies to the Cayman R.
I've driven all three - bog standard boxster S, Cayman R, and Boxster Spyder.
What you will miss mostly from the bog standard boxster S is the steering feel/light feel of the spyder. I believe this comes from the reduced steering rack and possibly the lightweight wheels.... The extra 10HP or whatever you get with the Spyder doesn't really make as much difference in my opinion. It's the feel.
I think that while the spyder is lighter, it's actually the way the car is set up that gives the great drive more than the hype around the reduced weight. It therefore may be possible to tweak a stock S if you have the budget?
Of the 3 I would be tempted by the spyder personally, but only if you can handle the noise when using it with the roof up. This is the biggest flaw in my opinion and would be a pain on long journeys. If it's for Sunday drives and mainly with the roof off, then you really won't care at all.
The cayman R would be my last choice - it's a hardtop and there is an awful lot of unenjoyable tyre roar due to reduced sound deadening over a stock cayman. It's also the most expensive. Once it has taken the 3 year depreciation hit I think it will become a more interesting proposition. I also found the Cayman R so fast (because you tend to drive faster in a hard-top I always think) and I would lose my license in that car.
What you will miss mostly from the bog standard boxster S is the steering feel/light feel of the spyder. I believe this comes from the reduced steering rack and possibly the lightweight wheels.... The extra 10HP or whatever you get with the Spyder doesn't really make as much difference in my opinion. It's the feel.
I think that while the spyder is lighter, it's actually the way the car is set up that gives the great drive more than the hype around the reduced weight. It therefore may be possible to tweak a stock S if you have the budget?
Of the 3 I would be tempted by the spyder personally, but only if you can handle the noise when using it with the roof up. This is the biggest flaw in my opinion and would be a pain on long journeys. If it's for Sunday drives and mainly with the roof off, then you really won't care at all.
The cayman R would be my last choice - it's a hardtop and there is an awful lot of unenjoyable tyre roar due to reduced sound deadening over a stock cayman. It's also the most expensive. Once it has taken the 3 year depreciation hit I think it will become a more interesting proposition. I also found the Cayman R so fast (because you tend to drive faster in a hard-top I always think) and I would lose my license in that car.
rob.kellock said:
Peter Cee said:
Easy choice this one : Boxster S
Open top motoring, comfort, practicality and 95% of the performance of the Spyder.
Probably more like 99.5% of the performance of the Spyder...Open top motoring, comfort, practicality and 95% of the performance of the Spyder.
Thing is, you don't get that undefinable "something" that the Spyder offers. I can get excited about the Spyder, I can't get excited about a Boxster S. Not rational I know and for me personally, similar logic applies to the Cayman R.
But, the Spyder is special - completely agree I'd find it hard to get excited about a Boxster S as another road car, and it definitely won't satisfy Criteria B - investment potential.
Cars from special marques that sell in low numbers always seem to creep up in value - as was mentioned the 911 Speedsters aren't cheap and are on the up - and the 968CS is coming out of it's banger phase and good examples are now climbing into 'collectable'.
In 20 years time I reckon the Spyder will get my money back, but the Cayman R won't - (as I suspect it will be a long and consistent sales hit, whereas the Spyder won't be around for long...). But the Cayman R is way more practical.
Hmmmm. Anyone with a Cayman R here?
TB303 said:
The extra 10HP or whatever you get with the Spyder doesn't really make as much difference in my opinion. It's the feel.
It's not about the extra 10hp (or 3% power-hike), it's about the weight that has been shed from the standard Boxster. Coupled with the 3% power increase, you have a power-to-weight increase of 10%. ...but yes, with the extra 'trick bits' and sharper dynamics, this 10% feels like 100%
Great cars!
Phooey said:
TB303 said:
The extra 10HP or whatever you get with the Spyder doesn't really make as much difference in my opinion. It's the feel.
It's not about the extra 10hp (or 3% power-hike), it's about the weight that has been shed from the standard Boxster. Coupled with the 3% power increase, you have a power-to-weight increase of 10%. ...but yes, with the extra 'trick bits' and sharper dynamics, this 10% feels like 100%
Great cars!
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