Cayman Seats

[Seeker UK]

I'm beginning to think about buying a Cayman - it's one option that I think fits the bill. Clearly, as a 40-something male, I want a 911, but the 996s in my budget (<£15k) have too much risk of expensive problems so to have a Porsche, it has to be a Cayman.

However one thing that concerns me is how comfortable they are to sit in. My experience of Porsche to date has been limited to a 30 min test drives in a 944s2, 986 Boxster and 986 Boxster S. The 944 was OK but the Boxsters hurt my back (too firm) and the seat was too long and dug into the backs of my knees - I came out at the end of both test drives feeling uncomfortable but I know that any longer in one and I would be in real pain.

Now, the question is, given that a Cayman is a newer car than the 986, are the seats different?

I know I need to drive one but if there's any chance they have seats identical to a 986 then I don't want to waste my time and the seller's and I'll look at the other options.

Thanks.

[FisiP1]

Everyone is different I'm afraid. I'm 5ft 9ish and fairly thin(cyclists build).

The standard 987/997 gen seats were the most comfortable for me I have ever tried. Being thinner than most people they gripped me well.

Audi sports seats(as fitted to the TTS) meanwhile have too much Lumbar support for me personally, and give me intermittent back ache.

VW 'sports seats' are too wide for me, I feel as though I'd need to put on a good 5-10 stone to really have them hold me.

Fiat 'sports seats' have far too short a base, so half my thigh was not even on the seat, awful.

[Seeker UK]

Thanks both for the replies.

As per my first post, now I know that the seats are different, I know it's worth a sit and a test drive; risks of aggravating my back problem and getting a DVT mean I'm not just going to make a decision based on a forum (even with the good advice it can give).

[thegoose]

I think £15k is easily enough to get you a very good 996 without too much risk e.g. one that's had a Hartech rebuild or that can go on their maintenance plan. If you really want a 911 then that's what you should get.

As to seats, I'd suggest trying one with fully electric memory seats as these have a greater range of adjustment - you can lower the front and rear of the base independently, which may mean you find it easier to get comfortable.

[shoestring7]

Seeker UK said:

Thanks both for the replies.

As per my first post, now I know that the seats are different, I know it's worth a sit and a test drive; risks of aggravating my back problem and getting a DVT mean I'm not just going to make a decision based on a forum (even with the good advice it can give).

All Porsche seats are made by Recaro. As a result they just won't have serious design faults.

However they do rely on driver not making stupid mistakes when setting the driving position; I see too many people with seats set too high ("So I can see the corners"), too far from the wheel ("like Lewis, innit") or with the seat too far reclined.

I'm about 6' 2" and didn't find enough room in a 986, but with the Cayman non-option seat as low as it will go (it gives more leg room) and back, back reasonably upright so I could comfortably reach the top of the wheel (fully extended column) it was all-day comfortable. BTW I didn't choose slippery leather seat facings and the alcantara gripped as well as any sports seat.

SS7

[FisiP1]

shoestring7 said:

I'm about 6' 2" and didn't find enough room in a 986, but with the Cayman non-option seat as low as it will go (it gives more leg room) and back, back reasonably upright so I could comfortably reach the top of the wheel (fully extended column) it was all-day comfortable. BTW I didn't choose slippery leather seat facings and the alcantara gripped as well as any sports seat.

SS7

+1 to this seat setup; wheel fairly low(although taller people have problems with this bit I know) and close, seat fairly upright, seat low, adjust distance of seat from pedals depending on height.

[J-P]

FisiP1 said:

shoestring7 said:

I'm about 6' 2" and didn't find enough room in a 986, but with the Cayman non-option seat as low as it will go (it gives more leg room) and back, back reasonably upright so I could comfortably reach the top of the wheel (fully extended column) it was all-day comfortable. BTW I didn't choose slippery leather seat facings and the alcantara gripped as well as any sports seat.

SS7

+1 to this seat setup; wheel fairly low(although taller people have problems with this bit I know) and close, seat fairly upright, seat low, adjust distance of seat from pedals depending on height.

+2 - tried to tell somebody this yesterday, got a response along the lines of "we're not all the same you know". This is true but basic human physiology is pretty similar, so should be fairly close for most people. My car has buckets and they are the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in! Not great if you're too big a build though.

[Johnny Cayman]

The seats are essentailly the same as the 997 range, to which the whole car is closely related. I find mine superbly confortable, even for long journeys. I have the most basic seats of all, leatherette edges with Alcantara centres, which I much prefer to leather, breathes better and holds you in place nicely. It always amuses me that Porsche use Alcantra in the very cheapest models, but also use it as standard in GT3's and the like.