981 Cayman vs S
Discussion
So I'll keep this simple. I've been waiting to update to my 2nd car as I've been driving a Mini Cooper since I passed my test. After a long wait for the 981 cayman to be released it has lived up to my expectations. What I'd like input on is whether I should plump for the 2.7 base model or the 3.4 S? I've driven both and I liked both cars but I just can't make a decision. Specced up the cars are £52.1k and £58.5k respectively. Can't decide if it's worth the extra £6.5k for the S. I'll be paying cash rather than financing, if that makes any difference. What are your thoughts? Any input would be greatly appreciated!
itsybitsy said:
or save yourself a heap of cash and buy the fabulous caymanR or a gen 987.2 caymanS which is just as good
I see this line of thinking but to be honest something about the old styling just seems awkward, that's what stopped me from buying one two years ago. Definitely going to go for the 981 and I plan on keeping it for a long time.craigjm said:
The question for you to answer is.....
if you buy the 2.7 will you ever sit in it and think.... I wish it was an S?
This is what I fear. I think if I ended up getting the 2.7 I'd get over it, but there will probably be the niggling feeling that I should have just went for the S. Doesn't help that there's only a handful of reviews of the 2.7, most are of the S which is so well received. if you buy the 2.7 will you ever sit in it and think.... I wish it was an S?
leemkule said:
Ady128 said:
Well, it's only 10% (approx) dearer so I'd say get the S. But then again, I've always bought the base cars myself as they've always been enough for me.
Yep, that's pretty much how I'm justifying it to myself, with the 'it's only 10% extra' maths. 
Spend any money that you would have on various optional extras getting the 3.4 instead of the 2.7... it will be nicer to drive, you get a few options like 19" wheels as standard S spec, and you will get back some of the extra come the point when you sell the car. (Higher residual value of a basic S, compared to an optioned 2.7).
(How is that for an extension of man-maths?)
Go for the S if you can afford it. I image you can as you are asking the question.
(How is that for an extension of man-maths?)
Go for the S if you can afford it. I image you can as you are asking the question.
SimonOcean said:
Spend any money that you would have on various optional extras getting the 3.4 instead of the 2.7... it will be nicer to drive, you get a few options like 19" wheels as standard S spec, and you will get back some of the extra come the point when you sell the car. (Higher residual value of a basic S, compared to an optioned 2.7).
(How is that for an extension of man-maths?)
Go for the S if you can afford it. I image you can as you are asking the question.
Good point. OP what options have you loaded on?(How is that for an extension of man-maths?)
Go for the S if you can afford it. I image you can as you are asking the question.
I started with a 2.5 986 and it was great. The 3.2S was awesome and a totally different car. I then went 2.9 987 as it was supposed to be as powerful as the 3.2S 986. It wasn't as good, it cost me dearly as I had to sell up and upgrade.
If the 2.7 does it for you then that's your decision. You've never owned an S so its not a downward step. Once you have owned an S model you cant go backwards.
If you can afford the 3.4S I would do it, you always crave more power eventually and hence you can avoid the inevitable of needing to upgrade to an S.
If the 2.7 does it for you then that's your decision. You've never owned an S so its not a downward step. Once you have owned an S model you cant go backwards.
If you can afford the 3.4S I would do it, you always crave more power eventually and hence you can avoid the inevitable of needing to upgrade to an S.
SimonOcean said:
Spend any money that you would have on various optional extras getting the 3.4 instead of the 2.7... it will be nicer to drive,
Really? If its anything like any of my previous Porsche drives the 2.7 will be the sweetest to peddle. I never got into a modern Porsche and been happier with the bigger engine and wheels based on pure driving experience. For me, the smaller engine and wheels has always trumped the bigger one for basic driving experience. I found that the 2.9/3.6 lumps were a much sportier drive than the 3.4/3.8 lumps.
The engine in the new Cayman is now in excess of 100BHP/L, this would have been RS territory back in the day.
This new engine is a few titanium bits away from being a masterpiece, I can't wait to drive it.
I sat in the new Cayman for the first time yesterday, if i was the OP i would be running, not walking to the OPC to order one.
Just listening to this makes my hair stand on end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avFqEb6PbxM
Edited by Carl_Docklands on Sunday 31st March 12:17
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Thanks for your reply. I take it that is your picture? Saw it on twitter the other day and was drooling at it! I'm certainly not happy ploughing about at 120mph on back roads, thats for sure. This is partly why I was asking for advice. I do think even cruising that the 3.4 is more inclined to just gain speed. My current and only car i've ever had was is a Mini cooper 1.6 which has nothing like the power/agility of the cayman. Bah, such a hard decision.What's your thoughts on non-PASM/20 inch wheels? I appreciate what you're saying regarding the smaller wheels but I really dislike the look of all the 18/19inch wheels, despite what they add dynamically. Also, I presume that picture is in Scotland, which I'm from, did you drive any 20inch non-PASM cars? If so how was the ride?
I'm going for a manual, I tried out the PDK in a boxster and I just felt uninvolved. Technically brilliant but I knew after a few days/weeks/months I'd wish I got a manual. I completely agree with the full leather interior. My OPC said most people don't spec it but I spent an extended amount of time in the dealership comparing the different interiors. I think the dashboard in the standard interior, while it looks nice, feels a bit cheap, as do many other things. The leather really made the interior feel much more up market especially if you include the sports design steering wheel!. Guess it'd be wise if I pasted what I have as my sort of draft spec:
Cayman/S
White
Black full leather interior - Sports seats Plus (2-way, electric)
ParkAssist front and rear
Bi-Xenon lighting system with Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
20-inch Carrera Classic wheel/Sport Techno (can't decide which looks best with white)
Seat heating
2-zone automatic air conditioning
Porsche crest embossed on head restraints
SportDesign steering wheel
Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including navigation module with universal audio interface
Telephone module for PCM
BOSE® Surround Sound System
SimonOcean said:
Spend any money that you would have on various optional extras getting the 3.4 instead of the 2.7... it will be nicer to drive, you get a few options like 19" wheels as standard S spec, and you will get back some of the extra come the point when you sell the car. (Higher residual value of a basic S, compared to an optioned 2.7).
(How is that for an extension of man-maths?)
Go for the S if you can afford it. I image you can as you are asking the question.
(How is that for an extension of man-maths?)
Go for the S if you can afford it. I image you can as you are asking the question.
craigjm said:
Good point. OP what options have you loaded on?
This is sort of the motions that I went through, I've posted my spec above. I think I would be annoyed at myself if I omitted anything from the list aside from perhaps PASM and PDLS as I've no idea how much they add to the experience. I basically specced them via on recommendation of others. As you're all probably well aware, the porsche configurator is a frustrating experience. I don't want to know how long I've spent on it. Looking at that list, it isn't exactly outrageously optioned, they are just eye-wateringly expensive. Realistically, I can comfortable afford either. It's more about making the best decision for my circumstances. I'm not a particularly fast drive for the most part; but who doesn't like power? 
Really appreciate all the advice folks!leemkule said:
Cayman/S
White
Black full leather interior - Sports seats Plus (2-way, electric)
ParkAssist front and rear
Bi-Xenon lighting system with Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
20-inch Carrera Classic wheel/Sport Techno (can't decide which looks best with white)
Seat heating
2-zone automatic air conditioning
Porsche crest embossed on head restraints
SportDesign steering wheel
Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including navigation module with universal audio interface
Telephone module for PCM
BOSE® Surround Sound System
Fairly light spec but I can save you £80 already White
Black full leather interior - Sports seats Plus (2-way, electric)
ParkAssist front and rear
Bi-Xenon lighting system with Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
20-inch Carrera Classic wheel/Sport Techno (can't decide which looks best with white)
Seat heating
2-zone automatic air conditioning
Porsche crest embossed on head restraints
SportDesign steering wheel
Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including navigation module with universal audio interface
Telephone module for PCM
BOSE® Surround Sound System
as you dont need the telephone module if you only intend to connect via bluetooth, you need the preparation for mobile phone option. My spec on my 2010 CS is massive and if i replicate it on the new 981 it comes to nearly 68k
anonymous said:
[redacted]
From my experience of a 981 Boxster I would say the PASM vital argument is null and void now unlike on the old modelAnother thought about spec.....
I hate all the matt black plastic they have put on the new model so getting it coded would be essential to me. About an 800 note option i believe
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