Cayman as an everyday ???

[harry1972m]

Hi All,
Anyone got any thoughts on this - basically my company car is up for renewal and due to recent promotion my car allowance has become more generous - I test drove the usual suspects - Merc CLK, BMW coupe (had one for 3 years - a bit bored with it) an Audi TT (great to drive just don't like the image and feel the roads will be littered with them soon enough) then drove the Cayman 2.7 - I have actually ordered one with 18" S wheels and a few bits and bobs but I am really having second thoughts about whether or not it is capable of being an everyday car and have been reading some press articles giving the 2.7 a hammering - my only real alternative is the new BMW Coupe convertible in the 325 guise.

Convince me folks - one way or another !!

[Fidgits]

i cant think of a reason it couldnt be used everyday.

[bund]

I'm surprised you ask this question really, its not quite an RS is it?!?!?! The only reason it may not suit your everyday drive is if you need to take more than one client in it or you need more space.

[softinthehead]

i cant either. whats the problem? whats this "hammering" about - and does it echo your own experience in test-driving the car.

if you are considering a bmw cabriolet then why not a boxster with an additional hardtop? the money you save over the cayman can then be spent speccing lots of extra goodies

[Pugsey]

Absolutely it will do the job. No less civilised than a TT- -but much more fun. I had a BoxsterS which was my everyday car for 14 months and 12000+ miles and when I just wanted to get from A to B it did that without ever feeling compromised (and if anything the Cayman will be a tad more practical) but then was ready for fun and games when I was in the mood. Oh - and it's def. a 'real' Porsche too! As has been suggested, have you considered the Boxster - it's cheaper and you get a soft top when you feel in the mood.

Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 9th January 09:28

[thorny]

Go for it - I had one for a week and loved it and easily practical enough if you don't need to take more than one person with you...

[kennyboy]

Easily an everyday car - in fact how is it less practical than an Audi TT?

Yeah a lot more special but you can enjoy that bit rather than being worried!

Get the right toys on it and it'll be just like the BMW or Merc except you can enjoy the driving experience when you want to.

[911wise]

Its an everday car so long as you dont have kids or a hobby that involves lugging round a load of kit. These things, well any modern day porsche are as easy to use day to day as any BMW Audi etc. The only thing you will miss is the room, but you more than gain in the driving experience.

[pikey]

I think it sounds like a fantastic idea.

Can't think of any reason why it wouldn't be suitable (as long as you're okay with the tax!).

Pikey
(Cayman S owner)

[loach]

Is 'Everyday' the new cockey rhyming slang for 'Gay'? If so, the answer to your question is 'Yes'. I love learning new stuff


I had the chance to rack up about 800 miles in one day in a Cayman S last year. It might have been more - I can't remember. It was lovely, tbh. Very comfy, and I could happiliy have done the same journey the next day in the car. I'd say a Cayman would be no more difficult to live with day-to-day than a Z4 coupe/Nissan 350Z/Audi TT. Practical, too - it's filled with useful cubby-holes and has a decent sized boot. Economy wasn't desperate, either. Purchase price is the only daft thing about a Cayman. Pretty much everything else is spot-on.

[shoestring7]

I have a 2.7 Cayman, and will be using it everyday (at least once the courtesy Audi is returned - long story). If ride comfort is important to you (you've suggested a 325i cab, right?) then as you've gone for 18"'s consider ticking the PASM box too. In normal mode this gives a slightly softer ride than std., and has the option of switching to 'Sport' for the twisties. It works well.

At £1050, its a usual expensive Porsche option, but tick the Sport pack box, and for an extra £450 you get a 6th speed in the gear box, not bad for Porsche option prices. The closer stacked gears help offset the relatively poor torque of the 2.7, but its still quicker than 99% of stuff you find on the road (0-60 in 5.3-5.8seconds, 160mph).

More stuff on mine here: http://thecarlistblog.blogspot.com/20

SS7

[shoestring7]

softinthehead said:

i cant either. whats the problem? whats this "hammering" about - and does it echo your own experience in test-driving the car.

Quite, panned for being overpriced vs performance. Of course Porsche didn't help when they gave EVO a 2.7 spec'd to £47k (list price £36.5) and didn't include the option likely to appeal to that magazine.

All ironic considering threads recently suggesting 500bhp super-cars are too powerful for our camera infested roads full of numpties, and that more modestly powered sports car with superlative handling is the way forward.

The 2.7 will also happily return 30mpg, and for me sub £40k is financially managable in the way a £47k 's' isn't.

SS7

[harry1972m]

Thanks for all your rapid responses guys and have to say am pleased they are all in the positive - the "hammering" I referred to was some press jounalist I read on the internet and he was more slating the 2.7 versus the 3.4 and on reflection he is merely stating the obvious, as I have no kids and seldom have more than one client with me at any time and in any event could utilise any of the other company cars if this happened then all in all it seems a good choice - It was difficult to gauge the experience on the test drive as both BMW and Audi gave me the cars for the whole day where as OPC would only take me for a 1/2 hour spin of which I drove the car for about 20 mins with the sales guy by my side and the roads were very busy at the time, therefore considering the sales guy has the order and subsequently knows I am serious I think my next step will be to contact him today and request a longer test drive in a just to make sure sort of way, on the subject what are you guys experiences of OPC test drives, are they normally quite tight with them - it probably didn't help that my BMW was at the dealer for emergency repair and I arrived at the OPC in a rather nasty people carrier they had hired me !!!!

[pikey]

http://thecarlistblog.blogspot.com/20

Good that!

[968csreading]

Considering they have been offering 24hr test drives of late the least they can do is let you have it for a few hours.

[harry1972m]

Well there you go then - just phoned the sales guy and am picking one up on Saturday morning for the day !!!

Shoestring - I agree with your options choices however unfortunately I am at my limit with the stadard car + 18" S wheels rear park sensors ( for the missus of course ) and a 3 spoke sport steering wheel ( this was just to use up the last couple of quid on the monthly allowance ).

Pikey - I made the mistake of letting my head rule my heart and went all tax efficient when I got the BMW Coupe and ended up going for the 318 when my budget would have allowed a 330 - trust me after 3 years of being dissapointed with the performance the extra tax will be worth it I'm sure.

Cheers guys - I will no doubt post back on Saturday appologising for even questioning it !!!

[Pugsey]

shoestring7 said:

softinthehead said:

i cant either. whats the problem? whats this "hammering" about - and does it echo your own experience in test-driving the car.

Quite, panned for being overpriced vs performance. Of course Porsche didn't help when they gave EVO a 2.7 spec'd to £47k (list price £36.5) and didn't include the option likely to appeal to that magazine.

All ironic considering threads recently suggesting 500bhp super-cars are too powerful for our camera infested roads full of numpties, and that more modestly powered sports car with superlative handling is the way forward.

The 2.7 will also happily return 30mpg, and for me sub £40k is financially managable in the way a £47k 's' isn't.

SS7

Well summed up mate. I'm on my fourth Porker now - Boxster, BoxsterS, 997S and now into second month with 997GT3. Best for value, useability and just plain fun on our crap roads where frankly the odd 0.5 of a sec. or 20mph makes little difference? Boxster (cooking or S) without a shadow of a doubt. As a GT3 driver I am of course likely to deny that statement in the company of other rock hard GT3 owners.

[Dr S]

softinthehead said:

i cant either. whats the problem? whats this "hammering" about - and does it echo your own experience in test-driving the car.

if you are considering a bmw cabriolet then why not a boxster with an additional hardtop? the money you save over the cayman can then be spent speccing lots of extra goodies

Couldn't agree more. Put the saved money into the bigger engine and you're sorted. Enjoy

[loach]

Dr S said:

softinthehead said:

i cant either. whats the problem? whats this "hammering" about - and does it echo your own experience in test-driving the car.

if you are considering a bmw cabriolet then why not a boxster with an additional hardtop? the money you save over the cayman can then be spent speccing lots of extra goodies

Couldn't agree more. Put the saved money into the bigger engine and you're sorted. Enjoy

I'd agree. Nothing against the Cayman or Cayman S if money is no object; but if your budget allows a base Cayman with 18"s and a sports steering wheel, you'd be mad not to consider a Boxster S. If you think the Boxster shape is too common a sight and are prejudiced, then get a white one with painted wheel centres in black - Cayman attitude for Boxster money (you'll even have saved on metallic paint).


Edit - or drop me a mail, and I'll price one up for you in Hamburg. Full warranty, C16 etc - but at least if you're set on a Cayman, for the UK price you can afford to throw on a few more options or stretch to an S. Go on...spoil yourself a bit.

Edited by loach on Tuesday 9th January 12:34

[Adam B]

loach said:

I'd agree. Nothing against the Cayman or Cayman S if money is no object; but if your budget allows a base Cayman with 18"s and a sports steering wheel, you'd be mad not to consider a Boxster S.

couldn';t agree more - the Cayman 2.7 was given a hammering for being a rip off (rightly so IMO) especially when compared to a Boxster 3.4S

you are obviously allowed and are not aversed to a cab as you considered a 325i cab so why not the Boxster? - far more capable than a Cayman 2.7 in road use IMO, and unlike a 325i, it was designed as a roadster and will be far more capable as a result.