997 vs Cayman S
Discussion
Hi all. Need a bit of advice. Currently have an order down for a GTR which i'm about to cancel. Not going to bore you all with the details so lets just say I've gone off it. Anyway, Porsche. Given the choice would you spec your own Cayman S or buy a used 997? How do the two compare and how well does the 997 wear interior wise? I dont mind buying used but forking out 50k+ on a visibly worn car would grate me, i know it. I know i will need to drive both to ultimately decide for myself but before i start talking to dealers any advice / opinions anyone could throw my way would be welcome. Cheers.
My 997 is a 2005, and has 51k on the clock.
Very slight wear on the interior but you would have to look very, very close to see anything and even then its very minor. I get it detailed once every 6 months and the leather products they use bring the leather back to 99.9% as new.
If thats your only concern then I would get the 997!!!
If 50k is your budget you should get a nice 997 for that. A late 07 or early 08 with good spec.
Do it!!!!
Very slight wear on the interior but you would have to look very, very close to see anything and even then its very minor. I get it detailed once every 6 months and the leather products they use bring the leather back to 99.9% as new.
If thats your only concern then I would get the 997!!!
If 50k is your budget you should get a nice 997 for that. A late 07 or early 08 with good spec.
Do it!!!!
tis a bit difficult because I'd want to see how the dfi engines were doing before ordering a new S. For the most part the interior of the cayman is the same as the front of the 997. My Cayman is over 2yrs old and has done 10k. The only places showing any wear are the drivers seat (sports seats) and the drivers mat.
Everything else still looks and feels as new.
I suppose it depends on how you look after the car. If you treat it poorly it'll show in certain areas...around the ignition etc..
If I were you I'd look for a design edition cayman at that price.
Everything else still looks and feels as new.
I suppose it depends on how you look after the car. If you treat it poorly it'll show in certain areas...around the ignition etc..
If I were you I'd look for a design edition cayman at that price.
will77 said:
Hi all. Need a bit of advice. Currently have an order down for a GTR which i'm about to cancel. Not going to bore you all with the details so lets just say I've gone off it. Anyway, Porsche. Given the choice would you spec your own Cayman S or buy a used 997? How do the two compare and how well does the 997 wear interior wise? I dont mind buying used but forking out 50k+ on a visibly worn car would grate me, i know it. I know i will need to drive both to ultimately decide for myself but before i start talking to dealers any advice / opinions anyone could throw my way would be welcome. Cheers.
Cayman S is widely regarded as the best handling Porsche out there. Interiors are close but the 997 seems different due to dash board and is allot more airy, rear seats although small are usefull and provide extra space. Similar outright performance but there is just something more prestige and worthy about a 911 - always has been since the days of the 944's and 968's. The cars also age very well so you will have no issues with visibly worn interiors/exteriors. Some OPC examples look and feel as good as new.What i dont get is the price of a fully specced Caymam S being £55k'ish! You could buy a Supercar eating GTR for that
The only issue and many will agree or disagree is that allot of Cayman owners want to rightly or wrongly upgrade to a 997, you will never hear of a 997 owner upgrading to a Cayman though i guess some have - all IMO may i add.P.S. I would re-look at the GTR if i were you, chap at Gym took me out in one and its in a different league to anything sub-£100k Porsche makes, i persoanlly think Nissan are taking a heavy loss in selling these at £55k - Phenomonal peice of kit.
I just replaced my Cayman which I had from new for a used 997 Turbo. On both cars (the Cayman had done 12K and the 997 had done 5K) the interiors were perfect so if you find the right car no problem. During my search (I only was looking at Porsche Centres) the only seats which showed bad wear were the fairly rare carbon sports seats. These all had saggy seat squabs. Another point to consider is if you find a car just over a year old on the Porsche used scheme you end up with 2 years warranty. The balance of the original new car 2 year warranty then another year when that runs out.
I have been pondering this same question ... New CS or a 2nd hand C2S?, So here are my random musings ...
A new CS would be all mine: my spec, my colour, my car, my collection.
A 2nd hand C2S would always be someone else's car. Yes, I would own it, but it would never truly be mine.
I accept the fact that a C2S has a greater cache than a CS; not that I understand that from a pure driving dynamics point. However, it is more expensive to buy and seems to hold its value "better". So may be a better longer term prospect.
The CS seems to consistently comes out on top as the "best handling car ever".
I have driven three; the pre DFI C2S, the pre and post DFI CS and have enjoyed driving them all.
The CS could be described as a tittle "cramped" on the inside. However I felt that there was a nice, snug, feel within the cabin. Felt homely.
I think that the dual boot option of the CS is more "honest" than the 2+2 option of the C2S.
And finally, and this can be a bit of a inflammatory opinion, so apologies in advance .... Browsing the various Porsche website/forums, I am left with a nagging feeling that there is a noticeable number of 911 drivers who seem to have a similar chip on their shoulder that the 3 Series BMW sales rep drivers of yesteryear had. It would seem that its not just me with this opinion either as I happened to be discussing this with a 911 RS owner and he too felt that this was an accurate description when talking to some 911 owners.
So have I made a decision as to what am going to get? ... No .... Am still debating that with the mirror!
TTFN
A new CS would be all mine: my spec, my colour, my car, my collection.
A 2nd hand C2S would always be someone else's car. Yes, I would own it, but it would never truly be mine.
I accept the fact that a C2S has a greater cache than a CS; not that I understand that from a pure driving dynamics point. However, it is more expensive to buy and seems to hold its value "better". So may be a better longer term prospect.
The CS seems to consistently comes out on top as the "best handling car ever".
I have driven three; the pre DFI C2S, the pre and post DFI CS and have enjoyed driving them all.
The CS could be described as a tittle "cramped" on the inside. However I felt that there was a nice, snug, feel within the cabin. Felt homely.
I think that the dual boot option of the CS is more "honest" than the 2+2 option of the C2S.
And finally, and this can be a bit of a inflammatory opinion, so apologies in advance .... Browsing the various Porsche website/forums, I am left with a nagging feeling that there is a noticeable number of 911 drivers who seem to have a similar chip on their shoulder that the 3 Series BMW sales rep drivers of yesteryear had. It would seem that its not just me with this opinion either as I happened to be discussing this with a 911 RS owner and he too felt that this was an accurate description when talking to some 911 owners.
So have I made a decision as to what am going to get? ... No .... Am still debating that with the mirror!
TTFN
I looked at the GTR when trading in my Cayman S of 3 years from new and plumped instead for a new C2S. Both the Cayman S and 911 are superb cars and you won't go wrong with either. My Cayman's 3 year old interior was mint when I handed it over and I never had it detailed once. The cabin is snug, but that's part of the appeal and it's great to have 2 boots.
In the 911's favour you are likely to get a late 997.1 for the money which means fewer reliability concerns but be sure to get the C2S which is a big step up from the C2, and you should see a good chunk of depreciation already sliced out of the previous owner's budget.
Drive them both and see which you like best. That would seem to be a good starting place. The 911 takes more time to bond with, the Cayman just seconds...
In the 911's favour you are likely to get a late 997.1 for the money which means fewer reliability concerns but be sure to get the C2S which is a big step up from the C2, and you should see a good chunk of depreciation already sliced out of the previous owner's budget.
Drive them both and see which you like best. That would seem to be a good starting place. The 911 takes more time to bond with, the Cayman just seconds...
In a similar situation 9 months ago and I opted for a C2S - and my word do I love this car, no regrets, it's superb.
I had a new Cayman as a loaner a couple of months back whilst my car was in for it's service and I have to say, I thought it was superb. I'd happily own one. It's so much more light & nimble - a much more accessible driving experience. Reminded me a lot of my old Works Minis, which by far are the most fun cars I've ever had.
But... The 997 is more of an event. It's more of a challenge. It's undoubtably more powerful, which you can feel across the rev range - even if the on-paper stats look marginal. It's heavier & not as easy to throw around but that doesn't make it less exciting in my book. It really gets under your skin.
I've well and truly been bitten by the 911 bug - and as great as I think Cayman's are, I just would no longer consider one over a C2S unless it was a budget thing.
All just my opinion of course. I'm sure the Cayman drivers will come and put me straight!
ps. Don't forget the C2S was Evo's 2004 car of the year!
I had a new Cayman as a loaner a couple of months back whilst my car was in for it's service and I have to say, I thought it was superb. I'd happily own one. It's so much more light & nimble - a much more accessible driving experience. Reminded me a lot of my old Works Minis, which by far are the most fun cars I've ever had.
But... The 997 is more of an event. It's more of a challenge. It's undoubtably more powerful, which you can feel across the rev range - even if the on-paper stats look marginal. It's heavier & not as easy to throw around but that doesn't make it less exciting in my book. It really gets under your skin.
I've well and truly been bitten by the 911 bug - and as great as I think Cayman's are, I just would no longer consider one over a C2S unless it was a budget thing.
All just my opinion of course. I'm sure the Cayman drivers will come and put me straight!
ps. Don't forget the C2S was Evo's 2004 car of the year!
A possible thought on deciding ... How will you use the car?
If it was a daily commute on town roads and motorways then I would consider the C2S more. On the other hand if you will use the car mainly for weekend/holiday hooning on back roads/track days, then I would be considering the CS more favourably.
I am not saying that the CS is not capable of commuting nor that the C2S is incapable of hooning! Its just that on balance (and in my mind) that's how I would perceive the two cars.
Also, if you do use the car to visit (non petrol head) clients, I would have thought that 911 would carry a better "image" over the CS.
YMMV
Cuch
If it was a daily commute on town roads and motorways then I would consider the C2S more. On the other hand if you will use the car mainly for weekend/holiday hooning on back roads/track days, then I would be considering the CS more favourably.
I am not saying that the CS is not capable of commuting nor that the C2S is incapable of hooning! Its just that on balance (and in my mind) that's how I would perceive the two cars.
Also, if you do use the car to visit (non petrol head) clients, I would have thought that 911 would carry a better "image" over the CS.
YMMV
Cuch
a year ago could have bought a 2007 c2s for circa £46k instead bought a new cs gen1 for a lot less from opc.if you go the new cs route (which are meant to be the dogs) buy over winter haggle with the dealers and you should get a nice discount.the advantage of a new car is they no longer have dreaded "ims".the gen 1 c2s is a great car but the std c2 gen 2 has similar power and in my book is a better proposition if you decide to go the 911 route,recently there was one on pistonheads classifieds 2009 09plate 450miles £56k and nice colour and spec.
Sideways Rich said:
Was in exactly the same boat in April this year, I drove both back to back and then did an extended test drive in a Cayman S, plumped for a Cayman S Sport in the end as I found it more fun to drive. Still keen to get into a 911 someday but in no rush as the Cayman is a superb car.
Same over here,I love 911's always have allways will 
and went to buy a new C2S in May,drove back to back, extended drives at that and not knowing how these Porky things were meant to drive I came away with a Gen2 Cayman S,because to me it felt somehow like I always imagined a Porsche should feel !! small,quick and I felt I was driving it !! the C2S felt too much like the V8 M3 I drove there in........quick,comfortable and remote 
The only thing I have too add is that for me untill the 998 thingy comes out I 'aint changing a thing and Porsche for me stiil means
and thats from a beemer bloke !Thanks for all the replies fellas, good to hear that the interiors wear well. Seems you're all pretty happy with your cars, 997's and Cayman's, which is reassuring confirmation of what i'd already assumed, that Porsche make great cars. To answer Cuchillo's question, i'll be using the car for communting, daily runner. Have done the sunday car thing in the past but to be honest being a bike guy anyway, the "toy" car never gave me the same buzz as a bike. So yeah, needs to be quick, comfortable and easy to get on with. I'm leaning towards a 997S based on comments here but i will drive both to be sure. Cheers.
squeezebm said:
Sideways Rich said:
the C2S felt too much like the V8 M3 I drove there in........quick,comfortable and remote
- the more I hear about the Cayman, the more it sounds like the 'spiritual' successor to the 993 (- if I ever decided to change it!). That doesn't mean the 997 C2S is not also an awesome car.This is what you want (providing you want to be noticed!)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1382600.htm
paddyhasneeds said:
Surprised nobody's suggested £30k on a used Cayman S.
I agree. I'm a 997 C2S owner and if I didn't use the back seat may have been tempted by a Cayman. With your budget though you could take a leaf out of 911 & Porsche World this month who reviewed a Cayman S with a Parr forced induction Turbo conversion. Nearly 500 bhp for £11,240. FYI Parr are Porsche factory's official technical partner for the Carrera Cup in the UK. Food for thought anywayGassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff