Boxster or Cayman? Gen 1 or 2?

[sharon1967]

Hello everyone.

I am looking at entering the world of Porsche. I am going to look to test drive of course but am thinking I will want an S model.

I am unsure between a Boxster or Cayman. I hear a lot of comments about Poor Mans (or woman's in this case!) porsche when the Boxster is mentioned, but less for the Cayman for some reason!

Is the Boxster usable all year round? Does it remain snug and cosy inside during the winter?

Budget is up to £20,000. Is it worth a stretch for a gen 2 Cayman / Boxster, or is the difference in terms of performance minimal?

Many thanks for taking the time to read this. And advice great fully received.

[jcarruthers]

I was looking at a Gen 1 but decided that the Gen 2 is just a better overall car.

There are subtle bits of styling that make it look better — plus the DFI engine is a little more punchy (a least in feeling)

[mikefocke]

I commuted in a Boxster in below freezing weather. (But don't use summer tires in that weather on any car.) Absolutely comfortable. And in the spring, couldn't wait for the top to go down.

Ask yourself why you want a Porsche and what you are going to do with it. If you'll keep the top up, then Cayman. But if you like top down driving....

I owned a base and an S. Never felt the base was any less fun or less a Porsche. The folks who worry about planting a negative image on a Boxster/Caymen are either defending their choice of a 911 type (of course my choice is superior and yours inferior) or jealous.

I never minded the complements I received when driving one, from surprising sources.

[PR36]

In terms of gen 1 or 2 I don't think there is that much in it performance wise, however the gen 1 engine doesn't have the best reputation for reliability and causes a lot of emotive responses when bore scoring is mentioned and doing a google search for those terms will give you hours of confusing and often contradictory reading. The gen 2 engine does not have the same reputation and it appears the flaws were corrected so common wisdom says if you can afford the gen 2 then get it.