Coxster Snobbery
Discussion
dbroughton said:
had a 987.2 2.9 and loved it but felt the pull (push) to own a 911. Ego and a few sarky comments mostly from my brother (volvo 4x4 driver) got me into a 997.2. I enjoyed it but it actually wasn't that much better. Faster yes but not not a million miles away. Didn't help that from the drivers seat it didn't look the much different
6 month in and it was stolen from outside of the house when they found the spare keys during a burglary. With the insurance money I got right back into a 987.2 S with PDK. As fast as the 997.2 and much more suited to a slow crawl around the m25
I think thats kind of the problem, if you're use to a Boxster/Cayman and jump into a 911, you're still sat in the same seat, with the same steering wheel, looking through the same windscreen and over the same bonnet, making it difficult to see what you get for your extra money. 6 month in and it was stolen from outside of the house when they found the spare keys during a burglary. With the insurance money I got right back into a 987.2 S with PDK. As fast as the 997.2 and much more suited to a slow crawl around the m25
SkinnyPete said:
I think thats kind of the problem, if you're use to a Boxster/Cayman and jump into a 911, you're still sat in the same seat, with the same steering wheel, looking through the same windscreen and over the same bonnet, making it difficult to see what you get for your extra money.
Agreed - so it's difficult to understand why anyone (pre 718) with a 911 should look down on a Cayster. The interior is the same, the styling is so similar that only Porsche owners can tell the difference and the engine, give or take a few horses, is the same too. And the fundamental layout is inferior. Star bellied sneechers spring to mind.bcr5784 said:
SkinnyPete said:
I think thats kind of the problem, if you're use to a Boxster/Cayman and jump into a 911, you're still sat in the same seat, with the same steering wheel, looking through the same windscreen and over the same bonnet, making it difficult to see what you get for your extra money.
Agreed - so it's difficult to understand why anyone (pre 718) with a 911 should look down on a Cayster. The interior is the same, the styling is so similar that only Porsche owners can tell the difference and the engine, give or take a few horses, is the same too. And the fundamental layout is inferior. Star bellied sneechers spring to mind.
Bert
I went from a lightly optioned 997.2 Carrera 2S coupe to a very heavily optioned 981 Boxster S. I prefer the Boxster. Not quite as quick but a nicer cabin, more reassuring handling balance (for my ability!) and makes a nicer noise thanks to the sports exhaust. It doesn't feel like the poor relation, quite the opposite if the opinion of friends and family is anything to go by, as they prefer it too. As an added bonus it was a few £k cheaper than my previous car and a lot newer. I've not received any negative comments so far from the ignorant few who have probably never owned or driven one!
Thought I’d chip in for what it’s worth.
I have a 987.1 Cayman S which I suppose puts me in that club of people who “couldn’t afford a 911”, although if I had really wanted to I could have bought a 996 or early 997 if I was desperate for a 911 but they don’t interest me the way the Cayman does. Despite all the Gen 1 bore score horror stories etc, I had my heart set on the first gen because largely because I thought the Gen 2 headlights are a tad too fussy and some other minor styling features slightly spoil an otherwise good looking car. Bear with me here because I realise looks are all subjective, but I bought it not because I think it will be a modern classic in investment terms, (although I hope it is!) but because it is a modern classic in the way it looks and drives. I am a huge fan of 50’s and 60’s sports cars, their blistered arches, swooping bodywork, small dimensions and perfect amount of power for the real-world. Modern cars look too aggressive, too angular and have too much power to exploit safely but since my budget won’t stretch to a 1956 Ferrari 860 Monza or 1959 RSK Spyder, the Cayman, to me, is the most exotic thing I could comfortably afford. Mine, of course, is in Artic Silver (harking back to the racing days when countries used to race in their respective national colours), I’ve changed the front and side grilles to gloss black and done the same with the wheels, I think it looks great and always turns heads. There’s barely a straight line on it and I do find myself looking at it more often than is healthy. It’s a very underrated design to my mind. But the look is only half of the appeal, the way it drives was the deal breaker of course. The acceleration is plenty and the car handles beautifully. The 987 CS is modern enough to be usefully quick but now old enough to be a bit different. How many 911’s do you see every day compared to Cayman’s? I love that they are the less obvious choice.
There is too much snobbery within the Porsche community, full stop. They all look down on each other and the GT boys are the worst culprits in my experience. Cayster owners along with the poor ‘misfits’ with 914’s, 924’s, 968’s etc etc never get any respect. All good cars in their own way, but never “proper Porsches” to this lot. Then you have the Air-Cooled vs Water Cooled debate and don’t forget 996’s weren’t proper 911’s apparently, which they used to say that about the 993 and now look at the prices. Tell them their 911 shares many parts with Caysters and their faces are a picture! Without the 986 Boxster it’s likely there would be no Porsche today! Whilst I know there are 911 owners out there who are genuine enthusiasts, it’s fair to say most really don’t have a clue and have bought one for the badge. If you see a Cayster coming the other way, the driver will always waive back with some mutual respect, the same can’t be said of 911 drivers.
As for servicing, I use Autostrasse, just outside Colchester and they are brilliant. Real Porsche nuts and have always been great to me despite my ‘cheap Porsche’. They rate the Cayman as the pick of the bunch….although they always tell me that when I’m about to pay the bill….;)
Phew I feel better for getting that off my chest. Lol
I have a 987.1 Cayman S which I suppose puts me in that club of people who “couldn’t afford a 911”, although if I had really wanted to I could have bought a 996 or early 997 if I was desperate for a 911 but they don’t interest me the way the Cayman does. Despite all the Gen 1 bore score horror stories etc, I had my heart set on the first gen because largely because I thought the Gen 2 headlights are a tad too fussy and some other minor styling features slightly spoil an otherwise good looking car. Bear with me here because I realise looks are all subjective, but I bought it not because I think it will be a modern classic in investment terms, (although I hope it is!) but because it is a modern classic in the way it looks and drives. I am a huge fan of 50’s and 60’s sports cars, their blistered arches, swooping bodywork, small dimensions and perfect amount of power for the real-world. Modern cars look too aggressive, too angular and have too much power to exploit safely but since my budget won’t stretch to a 1956 Ferrari 860 Monza or 1959 RSK Spyder, the Cayman, to me, is the most exotic thing I could comfortably afford. Mine, of course, is in Artic Silver (harking back to the racing days when countries used to race in their respective national colours), I’ve changed the front and side grilles to gloss black and done the same with the wheels, I think it looks great and always turns heads. There’s barely a straight line on it and I do find myself looking at it more often than is healthy. It’s a very underrated design to my mind. But the look is only half of the appeal, the way it drives was the deal breaker of course. The acceleration is plenty and the car handles beautifully. The 987 CS is modern enough to be usefully quick but now old enough to be a bit different. How many 911’s do you see every day compared to Cayman’s? I love that they are the less obvious choice.
There is too much snobbery within the Porsche community, full stop. They all look down on each other and the GT boys are the worst culprits in my experience. Cayster owners along with the poor ‘misfits’ with 914’s, 924’s, 968’s etc etc never get any respect. All good cars in their own way, but never “proper Porsches” to this lot. Then you have the Air-Cooled vs Water Cooled debate and don’t forget 996’s weren’t proper 911’s apparently, which they used to say that about the 993 and now look at the prices. Tell them their 911 shares many parts with Caysters and their faces are a picture! Without the 986 Boxster it’s likely there would be no Porsche today! Whilst I know there are 911 owners out there who are genuine enthusiasts, it’s fair to say most really don’t have a clue and have bought one for the badge. If you see a Cayster coming the other way, the driver will always waive back with some mutual respect, the same can’t be said of 911 drivers.
As for servicing, I use Autostrasse, just outside Colchester and they are brilliant. Real Porsche nuts and have always been great to me despite my ‘cheap Porsche’. They rate the Cayman as the pick of the bunch….although they always tell me that when I’m about to pay the bill….;)
Phew I feel better for getting that off my chest. Lol
I took my 2006 CS to a local Irish Cars & Coffee meet up on Sunday.
There were about 300 cars there...at least half a dozen 911's but only one Cayman S (mine).
Mine seemed to get more attention than all the 911's put together. I think the color helped as it really shows up the curves.
The local hot hatch lads also appreciate seeing a Porsche actually getting a bit of a work out on the roads (legally of course) - how many times do you REALLY hear a boxster 6 screaming in 2nd/3rd on the roads?
There were about 300 cars there...at least half a dozen 911's but only one Cayman S (mine).
Mine seemed to get more attention than all the 911's put together. I think the color helped as it really shows up the curves.
The local hot hatch lads also appreciate seeing a Porsche actually getting a bit of a work out on the roads (legally of course) - how many times do you REALLY hear a boxster 6 screaming in 2nd/3rd on the roads?
Edited by Andyoz on Monday 4th November 17:18
Edited by Andyoz on Monday 4th November 17:19
Edited by Andyoz on Monday 4th November 17:22
bcr5784 said:
SkinnyPete said:
I think thats kind of the problem, if you're use to a Boxster/Cayman and jump into a 911, you're still sat in the same seat, with the same steering wheel, looking through the same windscreen and over the same bonnet, making it difficult to see what you get for your extra money.
Agreed - so it's difficult to understand why anyone (pre 718) with a 911 should look down on a Cayster. The interior is the same, the styling is so similar that only Porsche owners can tell the difference and the engine, give or take a few horses, is the same too. And the fundamental layout is inferior. Star bellied sneechers spring to mind.As a relatively recent Boxster owner I haven't noticed the snobbery thing but I've certainly noticed other drivers display worst road manners towards me than when I was in my Elise. Living in York means a lot of queuing to get out of side roads and a lot more people seem to blank me than when I was in the Lotus. I regularly have to join the busy A64 towards Leeds from a short slip road and it's the same thing. I don't get it.
Interesting to see I'm not the only one on here who doesn't aspire to a 911. They must be good, always win lots of awards but they do nothing for me. I always go to Classic Le Mans, the 911s are there in massive numbers parked infield but not many Boxsters. Last year I went with a mate in his 987 and we were firmly directed to the Boxster plot ten minutes walk away.
Interesting to see I'm not the only one on here who doesn't aspire to a 911. They must be good, always win lots of awards but they do nothing for me. I always go to Classic Le Mans, the 911s are there in massive numbers parked infield but not many Boxsters. Last year I went with a mate in his 987 and we were firmly directed to the Boxster plot ten minutes walk away.
I went for the 911 as I wanted the rear engined experience, which is really the USP of the car (all be it watered down with the amazing rubber fitted to cars these days). The rear seats are handy for the odd drive with my 2 boys in the back seats.
Having said that, the 911 has always looked odd to me as a convertible, whereas the Boxter has been designed as a convertible and is all the better for it. With both the Boxter and Cayman there is an opportunity to get into a quality mid engined sports car at a (relatively) low price point, so what’s not to like.
Having said that, the 911 has always looked odd to me as a convertible, whereas the Boxter has been designed as a convertible and is all the better for it. With both the Boxter and Cayman there is an opportunity to get into a quality mid engined sports car at a (relatively) low price point, so what’s not to like.
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