Cayman S to 993 C2 - what would you do ?
Discussion
I'm interested in others opinions to help my own thinking 
I've had my current 2006 Cayman S 2 years, with just over 100k km on / 62k miles, and dropped it this morning at my local OPC for it's 2 year service, Dutch version of the MOT and the end of guarantee check. I love the car. It has a full OPC history and the spec was exactly what I wanted. Black leather, black paint, 19" with PSM, PCM with telephone, sports exhaust, sports chrono, cruise control etc etc etc. I love the car, the noise and the handling. Just like my previous 3 Lotus's (Loti ?) but with more comfort - and I'm back in a Porsche - in a country where cars carry a huge "luxury tax".
Having owned 2 964's previously, I always have a hankering to go back to 911. Thought about a 996 Turbo but I would loose my license (especially here in the Netherlands !) . I'd love a Boxster Spyder or a 996 GT3 but these are rare here, and I really want to buy from an OPC.
Anyway . . . . . there in the corner of the showroom, looking wantingly for a new owner like a little puppy, was a 993 C2 from 1997 - one of the last and benefitting of course from Varioram. It has 73k km / 45k miles with one owner who used it as a 3rd car.
Silver paint, black leather, with onboard computer, cruise control, rear wiper, metal sunroof, comfort 4-way electric seats, automatic aircon etc etc etc.
It also had an option called a "Motor Sound Package" ?? apparently giving the engine / exhaust a throatier sound.
Just sitting in it and seeing those big "pull" buttons for the fog lamps, the centre console, the dials. Then starting the engine . . . . oh a "wet wipe" moment.
The deal I was offered to part-ex the Cayman for it was exceptional - almost "generous" if one can use such a word where an OPC is concerned. And at the moment as I'm traveling so often for work I have only driven 14k km in the past 2 years !
However here is my hesitation.
At some point, the clutch and DMF will need replacing in the 993, suspension parts, maybe heat exchangers.
I have no issue loosing creature comforts such as Sat Nav - I have a TomTom but will probably get a Becker unit if I buy it - but it's still a 16 year old car, and will almost certainly require more maintenance than the Cayman, with slightly higher costs.
But then on the flip side - the Cayman has over 100k km and will also need to start having things replaced on it soon - and of course if you believe what you read on t'internet, the engine could give-way at any time to RMS or bore scoring (I exaggerate of course).
Given the same position / situation - what would you do ? Is it a "why am I even thinking about it" moment ?
Cheers
1/2p
I've had my current 2006 Cayman S 2 years, with just over 100k km on / 62k miles, and dropped it this morning at my local OPC for it's 2 year service, Dutch version of the MOT and the end of guarantee check. I love the car. It has a full OPC history and the spec was exactly what I wanted. Black leather, black paint, 19" with PSM, PCM with telephone, sports exhaust, sports chrono, cruise control etc etc etc. I love the car, the noise and the handling. Just like my previous 3 Lotus's (Loti ?) but with more comfort - and I'm back in a Porsche - in a country where cars carry a huge "luxury tax".
Having owned 2 964's previously, I always have a hankering to go back to 911. Thought about a 996 Turbo but I would loose my license (especially here in the Netherlands !) . I'd love a Boxster Spyder or a 996 GT3 but these are rare here, and I really want to buy from an OPC.
Anyway . . . . . there in the corner of the showroom, looking wantingly for a new owner like a little puppy, was a 993 C2 from 1997 - one of the last and benefitting of course from Varioram. It has 73k km / 45k miles with one owner who used it as a 3rd car.
Silver paint, black leather, with onboard computer, cruise control, rear wiper, metal sunroof, comfort 4-way electric seats, automatic aircon etc etc etc.
It also had an option called a "Motor Sound Package" ?? apparently giving the engine / exhaust a throatier sound.
Just sitting in it and seeing those big "pull" buttons for the fog lamps, the centre console, the dials. Then starting the engine . . . . oh a "wet wipe" moment.
The deal I was offered to part-ex the Cayman for it was exceptional - almost "generous" if one can use such a word where an OPC is concerned. And at the moment as I'm traveling so often for work I have only driven 14k km in the past 2 years !
However here is my hesitation.
At some point, the clutch and DMF will need replacing in the 993, suspension parts, maybe heat exchangers.
I have no issue loosing creature comforts such as Sat Nav - I have a TomTom but will probably get a Becker unit if I buy it - but it's still a 16 year old car, and will almost certainly require more maintenance than the Cayman, with slightly higher costs.
But then on the flip side - the Cayman has over 100k km and will also need to start having things replaced on it soon - and of course if you believe what you read on t'internet, the engine could give-way at any time to RMS or bore scoring (I exaggerate of course).
Given the same position / situation - what would you do ? Is it a "why am I even thinking about it" moment ?
Cheers
1/2p
I've just returned from a 1200 mile round trip to Scotland with some friends one of which was driving a caymanS.
I was in my 96 vario 993 with no A/C
The trip was hot and I did get very sweaty- whereas my friend in his cayman would arrive at pit stops cool and refreshed. But I'd have the bigger smile.
the 993 is smaller, better looking, sounds better, and more of an event than the cayman could ever be.
If its just a weekend toy then you can enjoy it in the summer and fettle it in the winter.. Lots of opportunity to do ruins DIY which I guess can't be said for the cayman?
I was in my 96 vario 993 with no A/C
The trip was hot and I did get very sweaty- whereas my friend in his cayman would arrive at pit stops cool and refreshed. But I'd have the bigger smile.
the 993 is smaller, better looking, sounds better, and more of an event than the cayman could ever be.
If its just a weekend toy then you can enjoy it in the summer and fettle it in the winter.. Lots of opportunity to do ruins DIY which I guess can't be said for the cayman?
993 would be a cheaper option to run. Well it will be if you factor in depreciation. Zero on the 993, hate to think what the loss on a Cayman would be in comparison.
I'm with the other poster (other than the lack of aircon). You will get more smiles for your miles in an aircooled 911 IMO, and you don't have to be doing silly speeds to get them.
I'm with the other poster (other than the lack of aircon). You will get more smiles for your miles in an aircooled 911 IMO, and you don't have to be doing silly speeds to get them.
Thanks both - great advice.
This one did have aircon which would be re-gassed, but I do seem to remember from my 964's that the aircon was not as efficient as a more modern car - Porsche or not.
I can use the wife's Mini Countryman, but this would be my only car.
The more I think about it the more my heart is taking over . . . .
This one did have aircon which would be re-gassed, but I do seem to remember from my 964's that the aircon was not as efficient as a more modern car - Porsche or not.
I can use the wife's Mini Countryman, but this would be my only car.
The more I think about it the more my heart is taking over . . . .
If it is a LHD 993 you will never lose money on it. In fact, sounds very good deal. Might cost 2000 euros a year to run if you include annual service and big items averaged out. Clutch good for 80-100,000 miles. Might need slave cylinder/steering rack. Surprisingly complicated or simple depending in how you view things. Do not 'improve' it.
stevewak said:
If it is a LHD 993 you will never lose money on it. In fact, sounds very good deal. Might cost 2000 euros a year to run if you include annual service and big items averaged out. Clutch good for 80-100,000 miles. Might need slave cylinder/steering rack. Surprisingly complicated or simple depending in how you view things. Do not 'improve' it.
Cheers Steve - Yeab LHD 993 from OPC here in the Netherlands.Nurburgsingh said:
the 993 is smaller, better looking, sounds better, and more of an event than the cayman could ever be.
I don't mine people choosing a 993 over a cayman, but part from it being just a shade smaller, I have to disagree with the other 3 and would take my R over a. 993 every time.It's better looking, sounds better, handles better, and faster, and is much nicer inside, it also drives better than any 911 could ever be :-)
Pickled Piper said:
You can drop into another Cayman any time. Good 993s are getting harder to find and as others have said, a real event, each time you use it.
The aircon is not as good as a modern car, but blows cold when you need it.
pp
I never thought about it that way - very valid pointThe aircon is not as good as a modern car, but blows cold when you need it.
pp
it's a LHD car and will appeal to those living in Southern Europe including Switzerland, Austria and Northern Italy where it can be blooming hot. Plus, for resale even in UK, original-spec a/c (even if not working as "they are all like that") is pretty essential. Right now, at 25deg C in the UK, just having the windows and roof open on a non-a/c car that has been left in the sun will take quite a time to cool down. It's not very good, and mine is probably not working 100%, but I'm pleased I have got it.
OP, do it. If only because
1) you'll get to experience a new, great car.
2) it'll probably save you money in the long run, especially if it's only a high days an holidays car so mileage won't really accumulate
Double awesome
PS: I run my 993 as a daily drive and it's great, started on 110k miles (176k km), now on about 115k miles (185k km) after only about 6 months
1) you'll get to experience a new, great car.
2) it'll probably save you money in the long run, especially if it's only a high days an holidays car so mileage won't really accumulate
Double awesome
PS: I run my 993 as a daily drive and it's great, started on 110k miles (176k km), now on about 115k miles (185k km) after only about 6 months
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