Cayman S Gen 2 Vs 996 C4S

Cayman S Gen 2 Vs 996 C4S

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Discussion

lewisf182

Original Poster:

2,084 posts

187 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
OK, so I've narrowed down to 2 cars so need to decide between the two, have literally thought all weekend and I just can not decide.

I loved the cayman interior and the way it drove, the C4S feels pretty dated compared and the infotrainment is hard to upgrade due to it being fibre optic. The C4S has a hartech rebuild 20k miles ago as well as other key things rectified (condensors etc) but is a tiptronic whereas the cayman is a manual.

I'm looking to hold for at least 3 years, my thoughts being the C4S shouldn't depreciate so is a realistic purchase for me, the cayman I'm getting at a very very good price (4.5k less than the next gen 2 for sale but with a trader) and should have at least 1 years depreciation free motoring in it.

Both have near 100k miles under their belts, the mileage doesn't really worry me as gen 2 engine is solid and the C4S has hartech and new IMS bearing.

If I go cayman will I always regret not going for the 911? In the long term will the value hold/appreciate of the C4S given that it'll be over 100k and a tiptronic?

I'm really struggling to decide which way to go - heart says cayman head says C4S.....

Med/long term which do you think is the better buy?

BubblesNW

1,710 posts

182 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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lewisf182 said:
OK, so I've narrowed down to 2 cars so need to decide between the two, have literally thought all weekend and I just can not decide.

I loved the cayman interior and the way it drove, the C4S feels pretty dated compared and the infotrainment is hard to upgrade due to it being fibre optic. The C4S has a hartech rebuild 20k miles ago as well as other key things rectified (condensors etc) but is a tiptronic whereas the cayman is a manual.

I'm looking to hold for at least 3 years, my thoughts being the C4S shouldn't depreciate so is a realistic purchase for me, the cayman I'm getting at a very very good price (4.5k less than the next gen 2 for sale but with a trader) and should have at least 1 years depreciation free motoring in it.

Both have near 100k miles under their belts, the mileage doesn't really worry me as gen 2 engine is solid and the C4S has hartech and new IMS bearing.

If I go cayman will I always regret not going for the 911? In the long term will the value hold/appreciate of the C4S given that it'll be over 100k and a tiptronic?

I'm really struggling to decide which way to go - heart says cayman head says C4S.....

Med/long term which do you think is the better buy?
I would have said C4S until you mentioned Tiptronic. Probably better to find a manual C4S or go for the Cayman.

Twinfan

10,125 posts

103 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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From what you say, you preferred the Cayman but think you should buy the 911.

Buy the one you prefer - buy the Cayman.

911wise

1,867 posts

208 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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Twinfan said:
From what you say, you preferred the Cayman but think you should buy the 911.

Buy the one you prefer - buy the Cayman.
The C4s with tiptronic is a step too far. The extra weight dulls the car down and the box is antiquated compared to modern autos. The four wheel drive not too bad on its own. Add the tiptronic (and I'm a fan of autos) and together the cars only saving grace is its looks.

lewisf182

Original Poster:

2,084 posts

187 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
911wise said:
Twinfan said:
From what you say, you preferred the Cayman but think you should buy the 911.

Buy the one you prefer - buy the Cayman.
The C4s with tiptronic is a step too far. The extra weight dulls the car down and the box is antiquated compared to modern autos. The four wheel drive not too bad on its own. Add the tiptronic (and I'm a fan of autos) and together the cars only saving grace is its looks.
Generally I'd agree, however, it has the aftermarket paddle shifters fitted and it did seem to pull much harder than other C4S's i'd been in which could be down to the stronger hartech engine?

Even with the tip the C4S should maintain/increase in value though right?

I'm constantly talking myself into one and then the other it's driving me insane haha. I wouldn't usually be bothered by the Cayman but the price really is very good and the drive out in it did surprise me how much I then liked it.

If it were your own money and you were at the very limit of your budget here which would you go for for med/long term ownership?

Stunters

575 posts

193 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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I'm biased, but Cayman all day long for me. Newer car and nicer to drive hard in my experience. If you don't need the rear seats, it's also more practical.

Scho

2,479 posts

202 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Find a c4s manual.

You might have to find some extra £ but it's money in the bank. There's a lot of noise around the car lately and they seem to be apreeciating fairly quicly of late.

What's your budget? £25k seems to be the sweet spot for a good manual coupe these days.

Good luck!

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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BubblesNW said:
I would have said C4S until you mentioned Tiptronic. Probably better to find a manual C4S or go for the Cayman.
Have to agree with this. Or find a decent 996 C2 manual & save some pennies.

lewisf182

Original Poster:

2,084 posts

187 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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My budget is max of £20k (started looking 6 months ago) and whatever I buy if it's a 996 it has to have a hartech engine rebuild or i'm not interested, which makes options very hard to find.

It does look about £25k gives more options but in the main most of those are manual C4S that haven't had any engine work so that engine will go, it's a matter of when not if in my opinion with these.

I'm not sure a manual C4S with a hartech rebuild will ever appear in my budget, let alone one that's had radiator condensors done + disks, pads and tyres less than 18 months ago so for me it seemed a good buy even with the hang up of tiptronic?

If anybody knows of/is thinking of selling their 996 with decent engine work done then let me know - I'm not hung up on it being a C4S really as long as the price is right.

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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lewisf182 said:
My budget is max of £20k (started looking 6 months ago) and whatever I buy if it's a 996 it has to have a hartech engine rebuild or i'm not interested, which makes options very hard to find.

It does look about £25k gives more options but in the main most of those are manual C4S that haven't had any engine work so that engine will go, it's a matter of when not if in my opinion with these.

I'm not sure a manual C4S with a hartech rebuild will ever appear in my budget, let alone one that's had radiator condensors done + disks, pads and tyres less than 18 months ago so for me it seemed a good buy even with the hang up of tiptronic?

If anybody knows of/is thinking of selling their 996 with decent engine work done then let me know - I'm not hung up on it being a C4S really as long as the price is right.
Have you driven a 996 tip? May be worth doing before you make a decision, you may like it.

lewisf182

Original Poster:

2,084 posts

187 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
Have driven manual, tip without paddles and tip with aftermarket paddles. Tbh the performance didn't blow me away in any of them and I didn't expect it to as realistically they won't be that much faster than my current car.

The tip with paddles did feel a tad bit more engaging, but overall i preferred the drive of the cayman S just don't want to be hit with masses of depreciation as i'll need to sell this car in 2/3 years for a house deposit so i'm seeing this as a way to have a bit of fun along the way.

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
lewisf182 said:
Have driven manual, tip without paddles and tip with aftermarket paddles. Tbh the performance didn't blow me away in any of them and I didn't expect it to as realistically they won't be that much faster than my current car.

The tip with paddles did feel a tad bit more engaging, but overall i preferred the drive of the cayman S just don't want to be hit with masses of depreciation as i'll need to sell this car in 2/3 years for a house deposit so i'm seeing this as a way to have a bit of fun along the way.
You need a 996 Carrera then, tip or manual, 2 or 4.

Prices have been firming up & will possibly continue to do so, buy wisely & you almost certainly won't lose over 2-3yrs, you may even gain.

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
lewisf182 said:
Have driven manual, tip without paddles and tip with aftermarket paddles. Tbh the performance didn't blow me away in any of them and I didn't expect it to as realistically they won't be that much faster than my current car.

The tip with paddles did feel a tad bit more engaging, but overall i preferred the drive of the cayman S just don't want to be hit with masses of depreciation as i'll need to sell this car in 2/3 years for a house deposit so i'm seeing this as a way to have a bit of fun along the way.
You need a 996 Carrera then, tip or manual, 2 or 4.

Prices have been firming up & will possibly continue to do so, buy wisely & you almost certainly won't lose over 2-3yrs, you may even gain.