Coxster Snobbery

[Dissolved]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You're absolute oddball aren't you, coming on a Porsche forum to bang on about how the ownership experience has been crap or the dealers are all in league with each other.

The amount of negativity that resonates from your posts is just weird. If I don't like something I tend to bin it off & move on. You're a bit obsessed, everything OK pal?

[Batlamb]

It has been an interesting read to see what everyone's experiences have been. I am happy with the car as for the cash it was a bargain, I just think I will stay away from the high end Porsche Indies from now on.

Thanking you

Ian

[SpyderT]

av185 said:

I think most of the moronic comments are from folks who quite rightly consider the Boxster easier to drive than a 911 which it is.

Great car that the Boxster and Cayman are (clearly excepting the 4 cylinder hairdressers cars) they really are no substitute for a 911 imo.

Drive a Spyder or GT4 then a GT3 and this will be readily apparent.

But a Spyder is a fun car for the road without doing crazy speeds. I do have one eye on the GT3 market BUT my main concern is that below 5000rpm will it be frustrating? And then if you're trying to ring it out to 9000rpm presumably in 2nd gear you've hit the speed limit. Head is winning over the heart at the moment. But I would welcome real world driving experiences. And never mind "Coxster snobbery" surely a GT3 of the winged variety will attract some interesting hand gestures??

[rufusgti]

I'm a badge snob, I've always wanted to own a Porsche since probably a toddler. I had a poster of a black 959 when I was a kid. I've wanted to get into a classic Porsche for at least 15 years. Coupled with the idea it may not get any easier to drive petrol sportscars within the next decade, and the fact prices had been running away with themselves I bought an old 944.
It's quite simple, I wanted a Porsche, and I couldn't afford a 911. I could afford mine and enjoy it immensely. There's no shame in any of that.

The real shame would be those guys who have always wanted a Porsche, but could never quite afford it because they couldn't quite afford the 911 turbo, so missed out.

But people are peculiar creatures. I've had to explain buying a Porsche way more times than I'd like, but people just seem either fascinated or humoured. It doesn't really bother me, I think it's a British thing. The world is a competitive place in many people's eyes. I just try not to fall for the same traps.

[SkinnyPete]

The only reason I have been driving Caymans for the last 6 years is because I can't afford a 911, or more accurately I can't be arsed to save up the extra £20-30k needed to buy the equivilant model.

While I think I prefer the two seater ambiance of the Cayman (and the price), I much prefer the 911 in every other way. 911's have more power, they handle better, they have better brakes, they are more fun to drive and they are definitely more rewarding. Not to mention the subjective points, such as looks etc.

If you are content driving a Cayman/Boxster then thats great, and you've saved a load of money in the process, but for me the Cayman will always lack an element of fun, it's that benignness that comes from a mid-engined chassis.

[bcr5784]

SkinnyPete said:

l.

While I think I prefer the two seater ambiance of the Cayman (and the price), I much prefer the 911 in every other way. 911's have more power, they handle better, they have better brakes, they are more fun to drive and they are definitely more rewarding. Not to mention the subjective points, such as looks etc.

If you are content driving a Cayman/Boxster then thats great, and you've saved a load of money in the process, but for me the Cayman will always lack an element of fun, it's that benignness that comes from a mid-engined chassis.

I,m sure you must know that the bulk of the motoring press would disagree with on the relative dynamics for the mainstream models - at least prior to the 718. Most would argue that a GT3 is dynamically better on track - but not necessarily better as a road car. To be honest neither a GT3 or a Cayster is the most fun car ont the road you can have at sensible speeds - it's why I sold my 981S and wouldn't actually want a 911 either - even a GT3.

[sunil4]

Take it to 9e in Horley. Ken and Adam are great and run a very fast Cayman demo car.

Edited by sunil4 on Thursday 24th October 22:34

[SkinnyPete]

bcr5784 said:

I,m sure you must know that the bulk of the motoring press would disagree with on the relative dynamics for the mainstream models - at least prior to the 718. Most would argue that a GT3 is dynamically better on track - but not necessarily better as a road car. To be honest neither a GT3 or a Cayster is the most fun car ont the road you can have at sensible speeds - it's why I sold my 981S and wouldn't actually want a 911 either - even a GT3.

Would they? I'll be honest, I wouldn't pay much attention to the motoring press as their target audience is just the average guy in the street who wants the flashiest white goods he can afford, all for a reasonable monthly payment.

I'd also disagree with them not being fun at sensible speeds, you just have to buy the right model. A 981 with PDK is pretty dull, but an older generation car with a manual transmission and an appropriate set of wheels? I couldn't think of anything better.

[bcr5784]

SkinnyPete said:

I'd also disagree with them not being fun at sensible speeds, you just have to buy the right model. A 981 with PDK is pretty dull, but an older generation car with a manual transmission and an appropriate set of wheels? I couldn't think of anything better.

I am talking about recent models in standard trim - it appears you aren't.

[edc]

SkinnyPete said:

The only reason I have been driving Caymans for the last 6 years is because I can't afford a 911, or more accurately I can't be arsed to save up the extra £20-30k needed to buy the equivilant model.

While I think I prefer the two seater ambiance of the Cayman (and the price), I much prefer the 911 in every other way. 911's have more power, they handle better, they have better brakes, they are more fun to drive and they are definitely more rewarding. Not to mention the subjective points, such as looks etc.

If you are content driving a Cayman/Boxster then thats great, and you've saved a load of money in the process, but for me the Cayman will always lack an element of fun, it's that benignness that comes from a mid-engined chassis.

Better handling? That's subjective surely. Better brakes? A 986S has the same brakes as the same generation 996 Carrera. If they made a 2 seater convertible 911 then I'd consider it.

[anonymous-user]

The only benefit of a 911 to me would be more space, I.e. the 2+2 seat for taking a passenger + my dog.

Boxster/Caymans look fairly innocuous in the company car park, and the average “photocopier salesman” can easily turn up in one without too much notice, they almost blend in. If I started turning up in a 911 however I suspect it would set a very different image and clients would start to think they were paying too much....

[Yidwann]

I had what some people have mentioned above "Couldn't afford a 911 then?!" that happened a lot.... I mostly just smirked though, I drove a 911, and chose a Cayman.... and like the above said, mostly from people driving utter mundane hatchbacks! The 118d M Sport brigade!

Edited by Yidwann on Friday 25th October 08:10

[bcr5784]

While there may be some legitimate debate Cayman vs 911 coupe, surely the Boxster wins hands down over the 911 Cab - the Boxster is much more torsionally rigid than the Cab and it really shows.

I'm not actually sure that the general public can tell the difference between a Cayman and a 911 Coupe, so I think in that case the perception of either will likely be the same. It may be different between the Boxster and the 911 Cab because they do look very different.

[Porsche911R]

bcr5784 said:

While there may be some legitimate debate Cayman vs 911 coupe, surely the Boxster wins hands down over the 911 Cab - the Boxster is much more torsionally rigid than the Cab and it really shows.

I'm not actually sure that the general public can tell the difference between a Cayman and a 911 Coupe, so I think in that case the perception of either will likely be the same. It may be different between the Boxster and the 911 Cab because they do look very different.

The GP only see a Porsche badge and then call you a dick even if its a £8k 2005 Boxster. that's life.

[BertBert]

Batlamb said:

sunil4 said:

Take it to 9e in Horley. Ken and Adam are great and run a very fast Cayman demo car.

Edited by sunil4 on Thursday 24th October 22:34

That was where I took it. Adam really could not be arsed to give me good service.

I just had a feeling that was what you were going to say!
I have had very good experiences with Carrera Performance. I've admittedly only taken my 911 there, but they have a great reputation and are very nice people.
Bert

[Porsche guy]

Just taken delivery of a Boxster 718 and it's a great daily

[sunil4]

Batlamb said:

sunil4 said:

Take it to 9e in Horley. Ken and Adam are great and run a very fast Cayman demo car.

Edited by sunil4 on Thursday 24th October 22:34

That was where I took it. Adam really could not be arsed to give me good service.

Care to elaborate?

[sunil4]

Batlamb said:

sunil4 said:

Batlamb said:

sunil4 said:

Take it to 9e in Horley. Ken and Adam are great and run a very fast Cayman demo car.

Edited by sunil4 on Thursday 24th October 22:34

That was where I took it. Adam really could not be arsed to give me good service.

Care to elaborate?

Arranged a lift home when booking the service as I was only a few miles away (Website said they offer this service). On the day no one was free to do so which was odd as I dropped the car of first thing in the morning. Had no cash on me so I had to walk 5 minutes in heavy rain to get cash to pay for a taxi and was late for work because of waiting around for a taxi in rush hour.

Sent me a health report via email with a few things on it. Missed a few items off it which needed doing and gave me the wrong price for a lot of the work. When I brought this up I was told that this mistake was reasonable as they price up so many jobs it is easy to missed things.

I had heard really good things about them but as a garage if you can't do the basics right how can you trust what you are being told. Ended up taking the car to JZM for a Health Report who where not too bad as I could not trust the 9e one. Also, I was expecting Excellence from 9e as it is in the garage title.

Edited by Batlamb on Friday 25th October 12:05

That's a bummer, sorry to hear. I have no affiliation and for my sins my car is a 996 turbo tip cab and my experience was rather different on many occasions but who knows. If you can find the time, have a chat with Ken as he does email out for confidential feedback?

I am sure you can find another place that will work as you expect, lots around in West Sussex.

Cheers

[av185]

SpyderT said:

av185 said:

I think most of the moronic comments are from folks who quite rightly consider the Boxster easier to drive than a 911 which it is.

Great car that the Boxster and Cayman are (clearly excepting the 4 cylinder hairdressers cars) they really are no substitute for a 911 imo.

Drive a Spyder or GT4 then a GT3 and this will be readily apparent.

But a Spyder is a fun car for the road without doing crazy speeds. I do have one eye on the GT3 market BUT my main concern is that below 5000rpm will it be frustrating? And then if you're trying to ring it out to 9000rpm presumably in 2nd gear you've hit the speed limit. Head is winning over the heart at the moment. But I would welcome real world driving experiences. And never mind "Coxster snobbery" surely a GT3 of the winged variety will attract some interesting hand gestures??

The gen 2 GT3 'manuel' is anything but frustrating as a road car and not just because of its great gearbox. The better torque and perfect gear ratios compared to the high inappropriate ratios of the 981 Spyder and GT4 make the GT3 performance more accessible and you don't have to be 'on it' up to 9k revs to reap the rewards of the whole driving experience.

GT3s are very colour sensitive in terms of hand gestures/public reaction/agression and only perhaps slightly more so than the GT4 or Spyder.

[Nineexcellence1]

Batlamb said:

sunil4 said:

Batlamb said:

sunil4 said:

Take it to 9e in Horley. Ken and Adam are great and run a very fast Cayman demo car.

Edited by sunil4 on Thursday 24th October 22:34

That was where I took it. Adam really could not be arsed to give me good service.

Care to elaborate?

Arranged a lift home when booking the service as I was only a few miles away (Website said they offer this service). On the day no one was free to do so which was odd as I dropped the car of first thing in the morning. Had no cash on me so I had to walk 5 minutes in heavy rain to get cash to pay for a taxi and was late for work because of waiting around for a taxi in rush hour.

Sent me a health report via email with a few things on it. Missed a few items off it which needed doing and gave me the wrong price for a lot of the work. When I brought this up I was told that this mistake was reasonable as they price up so many jobs it is easy to missed things.

I had heard really good things about them but as a garage if you can't do the basics right how can you trust what you are being told. Ended up taking the car to JZM for a Health Report who where not too bad as I could not trust the 9e one. Also, I was expecting Excellence from 9e as it is in the garage title.

Edited by Batlamb on Friday 25th October 12:05

On the Thursday prior to your booking of the Monday you phoned Adam and asked about a lift, to which you were told that this should be possible unless all the technicians were busy. You replied okay I will get a friend to pick me up. Unfortunately on that Monday morning everyone was. In that instance we always offer to arrange a taxi, and our receptionist offered to phone a taxi for you which you refused and wanted to do yourself. Minutes later you decided to walk out. Really not sure what else we could have done.

Adam sent you a report, which as you are aware on one line unfortunately the labour amount was omitted. Once he had spotted this (prior to you authorising any work) he informed you of the error. It is in the email chain. You sent an email back talking about other garages and other cars etc and not happy. Adam sent you a reply apologising for the omission, which had not affected you financially at the time, informed you that we would do the BFC for free.

Really not sure what else we could have done and fail to see how you could not trust us.

As Porsche enthusiasts ourselves we treat all Porsche cars the same. To insinuate that we treat owners of different Porsches different is a complete load of rubbish. We own two Caymans here.

Ken
MD