Sorry......it's another of these what car dilemmas
Discussion
Happy New Year to all. Long time lurker here with a Porsche itch to scratch and too much choice. Any thoughts much appreciated.........be gentle!
Currently running a low mileage 07 RS4 avant which has been an excellent all rounder but after nearly 4 years I feel the need to change. The RS is just too accomplished and I crave something a bit rawer that I can enjoy on public roads without fear of losing my license. The car would be a 2nd car, the main wagon being an XC70 which I have to say is excellent at hauling the brood in all weathers and has been unstoppable on snow tyres.
I am after something that will reintroduce a bit of fun back into driving, that will do less than 5000 miles a year and predominantly be used at w/e. Looking at spending up to 20k on top of RS4 on something with as flat a depreciation curve as possible that I will enjoy first and foremost.
On a driving day at Silverstone really liked the Cayman S and to a lesser extent a C2s, but did not get to try an R or a spyder, which I suspect I would have liked.
Current contenders are the spyder - but is that just too impractical in the North of Scotland?
A cayman R, although I suspect this will depreciate more than the above and costs a bit more.
Or a C2s which will be a bit more practical, although I suspect the more desirable gen2 is still out of my price range, and it may not be "raw" enough
Decisions, decisions....aargh - please help out.
Currently running a low mileage 07 RS4 avant which has been an excellent all rounder but after nearly 4 years I feel the need to change. The RS is just too accomplished and I crave something a bit rawer that I can enjoy on public roads without fear of losing my license. The car would be a 2nd car, the main wagon being an XC70 which I have to say is excellent at hauling the brood in all weathers and has been unstoppable on snow tyres.
I am after something that will reintroduce a bit of fun back into driving, that will do less than 5000 miles a year and predominantly be used at w/e. Looking at spending up to 20k on top of RS4 on something with as flat a depreciation curve as possible that I will enjoy first and foremost.
On a driving day at Silverstone really liked the Cayman S and to a lesser extent a C2s, but did not get to try an R or a spyder, which I suspect I would have liked.
Current contenders are the spyder - but is that just too impractical in the North of Scotland?
A cayman R, although I suspect this will depreciate more than the above and costs a bit more.
Or a C2s which will be a bit more practical, although I suspect the more desirable gen2 is still out of my price range, and it may not be "raw" enough
Decisions, decisions....aargh - please help out.
Having just picked up my Spyder and drove it home, it's a winner, doubt I will ever look at 911's again well not Gen 1's any way.
So if the Cayman R is just as good I would buy that over a normal 911 every time.
Depends if you want open top driving or not.
So if the Cayman R is just as good I would buy that over a normal 911 every time.
Depends if you want open top driving or not.
Edited by mrdemon on Wednesday 4th January 14:03
Personally a nicely spec'd, lightly used, Cayman S would be my choice given those criteria. Remove depreciation as a concern and I'd take a Cayman R, and move away from the north of Scotland and I'd have a Spyder. The Spyder can be driven roof off in the cold, but I reckon the North of Scotland may be a bridge too far to be honest.
AML said:
No probs with open top motoring- should get my kicks at lower speeds?
Concern re security, and how much I would realistically be able to use it though. Weather up here can be a tad inclement- sales of gore-tex soaring.
Don't think that follows - the Spyder's just as quick as the Cayman R (more or less) and so you'll be doing the same speed, just that you'll be able to hear the birds singing. And be freezing fConcern re security, and how much I would realistically be able to use it though. Weather up here can be a tad inclement- sales of gore-tex soaring.
king cold 
ETA - and that's what I mean, roof off you wouldn't be using it at all between about November and March I'd say, whereas some of the Southern Shandy drinkers on here like Khushy drive without the roof all year round - just not possible in Scotland.
jonny996 said:
I hate to say this as I am all for the modern cars BUT a 993 sounds like it fits your bill.
This. I would not describe either the cayman or spyder as "raw" which appears to be a requirement based on the original post. They are about as far from raw as it is possible to get whilst being in a 2 seater sports car.
pilchardthecat said:
jonny996 said:
I hate to say this as I am all for the modern cars BUT a 993 sounds like it fits your bill.
This. I would not describe either the cayman or spyder as "raw" which appears to be a requirement based on the original post. They are about as far from raw as it is possible to get whilst being in a 2 seater sports car.
"Raw" is a relative term - I am coming from an RS4.
Sensation of speed greater in convertible, although I appreciate that in terms of pace not much between spyder and R.
Overwhelmed by prompt responses- thank you one and all.
Incidentally still pi&&ing down here- 5th straight day - must be time to buy a convertible!
Sensation of speed greater in convertible, although I appreciate that in terms of pace not much between spyder and R.
Overwhelmed by prompt responses- thank you one and all.
Incidentally still pi&&ing down here- 5th straight day - must be time to buy a convertible!
AML said:
"Raw" is a relative term - I am coming from an RS4.
Sensation of speed greater in convertible, although I appreciate that in terms of pace not much between spyder and R.
Overwhelmed by prompt responses- thank you one and all.
Incidentally still pi&&ing down here- 5th straight day - must be time to buy a convertible!
I think it's a fair comment, because I wouldn't think of my Cayman as being "raw" (ok granted it's only a 2.7, but still). I like my extended leather, BOSE sound system etc. I would think of an RS4 as being more raw in that respect.Sensation of speed greater in convertible, although I appreciate that in terms of pace not much between spyder and R.
Overwhelmed by prompt responses- thank you one and all.
Incidentally still pi&&ing down here- 5th straight day - must be time to buy a convertible!
Doesn't take anything away from the wonderful balance and pleasure of driving it though, so I still thoroughly recommend the Cayman, albeit a slightly newer and faster one than mine

kotafey said:
AML said:
"Raw" is a relative term - I am coming from an RS4.
Sensation of speed greater in convertible, although I appreciate that in terms of pace not much between spyder and R.
Overwhelmed by prompt responses- thank you one and all.
Incidentally still pi&&ing down here- 5th straight day - must be time to buy a convertible!
I think it's a fair comment, because I wouldn't think of my Cayman as being "raw" (ok granted it's only a 2.7, but still). I like my extended leather, BOSE sound system etc. I would think of an RS4 as being more raw in that respect.Sensation of speed greater in convertible, although I appreciate that in terms of pace not much between spyder and R.
Overwhelmed by prompt responses- thank you one and all.
Incidentally still pi&&ing down here- 5th straight day - must be time to buy a convertible!
Doesn't take anything away from the wonderful balance and pleasure of driving it though, so I still thoroughly recommend the Cayman, albeit a slightly newer and faster one than mine

You either need to go older, or try something like a TVR or a Z4M if you want the capable edgyness thing rather than the surgical strike
pilchardthecat said:
jonny996 said:
I hate to say this as I am all for the modern cars BUT a 993 sounds like it fits your bill.
This. I would not describe either the cayman or spyder as "raw" which appears to be a requirement based on the original post. They are about as far from raw as it is possible to get whilst being in a 2 seater sports car.
You said: not as accomplished, raw, non-license losing, reintroduce the fun and I would reply that the most modern you want to be is a 993. After that things change quite dramatically and as good as the caymans and boxters are, they are very modern cars, highly accomplished, super light control weights, an ultra polished veneer to everything and very rapid and easy to drive and I certainly wouldn't call them raw.
Of course no one can decide for you on a forum and you'll have to go and test some cars out but I would definitely look at a basic 964 and a narrow bodied 993. They are still modern enough to not break down and to be used as much as you want but if its proper analogue mechanical man-machine driving that you want, low speed and high speed fun and bags of character and noise, then look no further. try and test drive good examples though because a tired one on baggy suspension could easily put you off for life.
Edited by jackal on Wednesday 4th January 16:14
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