Cayman S vs. Cayman R
Discussion
Morning all, I've got the fortunate 'first world problem' of trying to chose between a fairly basic Cayman S and a nicely specced Cayman R:
Cayman S - £23k - 2008 - 34,000 miles - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Cayman R - £45k - 2012 - 25,000 miles - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
My dilemma is whether the additional cost will be worth it in terms of enjoyment of the car and with half an eye on residuals when I come to sell it. Obviously the Cayman R is that bit more 'special' and definitely has a nicer interior. I also prefer the shape of the Gen 2 but whether that's worth paying almost twice the price of the 'S' I'm really not sure! The power difference is marginal and I'm sure that in the real world the 'S' is just as usable and probably all the car that I need.
I'm coming from a Caterham so the 'edginess' of the R is probably not going to be an issue for me and both are going to be far more useable in Aberdeenshire than the previous occupant of the garage!
My concern is that I decide after a year or so that I should have coughed up the extra for the R and end up moving it on and obviously losing some cash when doing that.
The only bit that I'd really like on the 'S' is a more vocal exhaust. I suspect the best way forward for this would be to get the OPC to fit a PSE but when I've discussed this in the past it's never been a cheap option. Another way would be to get some second hand back-boxes and send them to Carnewal for modification but, as I understand it this could cause issue with the Porsche warranty?
The heated sports seats on the R are obviously much nicer than the standard ones in the S but I don't think that's a deal-breaker for me...
Any thoughts welcome, I really can't make my mind up!
Cayman S - £23k - 2008 - 34,000 miles - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Cayman R - £45k - 2012 - 25,000 miles - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
My dilemma is whether the additional cost will be worth it in terms of enjoyment of the car and with half an eye on residuals when I come to sell it. Obviously the Cayman R is that bit more 'special' and definitely has a nicer interior. I also prefer the shape of the Gen 2 but whether that's worth paying almost twice the price of the 'S' I'm really not sure! The power difference is marginal and I'm sure that in the real world the 'S' is just as usable and probably all the car that I need.
I'm coming from a Caterham so the 'edginess' of the R is probably not going to be an issue for me and both are going to be far more useable in Aberdeenshire than the previous occupant of the garage!
My concern is that I decide after a year or so that I should have coughed up the extra for the R and end up moving it on and obviously losing some cash when doing that.
The only bit that I'd really like on the 'S' is a more vocal exhaust. I suspect the best way forward for this would be to get the OPC to fit a PSE but when I've discussed this in the past it's never been a cheap option. Another way would be to get some second hand back-boxes and send them to Carnewal for modification but, as I understand it this could cause issue with the Porsche warranty?
The heated sports seats on the R are obviously much nicer than the standard ones in the S but I don't think that's a deal-breaker for me...
Any thoughts welcome, I really can't make my mind up!
Thanks all for the thoughts - I realise it's not an apples vs. apples comparison - just happens to be what the local OPC have in just now!
Cheers for pointing out the potential over-pricing of the black Gen 1 - I guess it's easy to get blinded by prices when looking at a dealer's stock!
It's tricky, I'm pretty sure I'd really enjoy owning a Gen 2 'S' for a while (I test drove the 2.9 model with PDK and felt like it wasn't really quick enough) but will perhaps always wonder whether I should have just done the man maths and gone for an 'R'... Tricky one!
I do agree that the 'R' I've linked to could maybe do with the buckets and Sports Chrono but that doesn't really make or break the car for me. Guess it could make life a little more tricky when it comes to resale though... I've not sat in one with the buckets, what are peoples views on how comfortable they'd be for long journeys? I trek up and down to Glasgow and Edinburgh relatively frequently so need at least a modicum of comfort.
Quite keen to buy from an OPC just to keep things simple with warranties etc. and the free delivery nationwide helps but it seems there are no manual Gen 2 'S' for sale just now which is a pity. I've not tried the PDK with the more powerful engine but seeing as it's a toy car I'm much more inclined to go for a manual.
Cheers for pointing out the potential over-pricing of the black Gen 1 - I guess it's easy to get blinded by prices when looking at a dealer's stock!
It's tricky, I'm pretty sure I'd really enjoy owning a Gen 2 'S' for a while (I test drove the 2.9 model with PDK and felt like it wasn't really quick enough) but will perhaps always wonder whether I should have just done the man maths and gone for an 'R'... Tricky one!
I do agree that the 'R' I've linked to could maybe do with the buckets and Sports Chrono but that doesn't really make or break the car for me. Guess it could make life a little more tricky when it comes to resale though... I've not sat in one with the buckets, what are peoples views on how comfortable they'd be for long journeys? I trek up and down to Glasgow and Edinburgh relatively frequently so need at least a modicum of comfort.
Quite keen to buy from an OPC just to keep things simple with warranties etc. and the free delivery nationwide helps but it seems there are no manual Gen 2 'S' for sale just now which is a pity. I've not tried the PDK with the more powerful engine but seeing as it's a toy car I'm much more inclined to go for a manual.
Cheers, how much do you think the lack of the buckets and Sport Chrono on this particular car are likely to put off buyers in the future? I don't particularly mind as the Sports seats probably suit better and it's manual so won't get the faster shifts. Presumably it'd be easy enough to sell in a couple of years? Do think that owning an R is a bit of a bucket list item!
Welshbeef said:
OP surely you need to compare same age car not a gen1 S v gen2 R and then it's £20k more.., well it isn't really as one has more time depreciation.
Is be thinking what IF the R holds or has a shallower depreciation curve than the S then all up its a cheaper car to own and it's he better car to look at and to drive.
You're quite right - it would be more sensible to compare a similarly specced Cayman S rather than an Gen 1 but I'm just going with what's in stock at my OPC to be honest!Is be thinking what IF the R holds or has a shallower depreciation curve than the S then all up its a cheaper car to own and it's he better car to look at and to drive.
Pretty much discounted a Gen 1 to be honest, I think the changes that were made with the Gen 2 are worth paying a bit more for and perhaps the reassurance that bore scoring and IMS failures aren't such an issue.
Intriguing chat around the Sports Buckets, I have to say that the silver R that I've linked to in the first post is a very attractive option with the Sports seats...
Definitely sounds like the same car from how the adverts are written and looks a lot better value than the one at Aberdeen OPC to be honest. Guess Peridot is a bit of a classic colour for these but I'm stil not sure I love it! Will be heading down past Stirling in the next couple of weeks so will see about stopping by to see it...
Hi J-P,
Thanks for the insight! Glad to know that the R stacks up against a 911 GTS. Part of me would quite like to jump straight into a 911 but I don't really have need for the rear seats currently and have a very small garage so the Cayman seems like a more sensible option! The width will probably come in handy on some of the Scottish roads too!
This will be my first Porsche and my first 'proper' sports car (I've had a Z4 Coupe and an ex-Academy Caterham previously but nothing with 300+ bhp before) so wanting to make sure that I get on well with it and don't find myself wanting to move it on within a few months!
Going to have a look at PaulD86's Peridot green car later today to get a feel for the colour in the flesh and the buckets so will have a bit more to go on! Found out yesterday that I'm still gainfully employed so perhaps need to just man up and get the deposit placed on the Stirling car ASAP!
Thanks for the insight! Glad to know that the R stacks up against a 911 GTS. Part of me would quite like to jump straight into a 911 but I don't really have need for the rear seats currently and have a very small garage so the Cayman seems like a more sensible option! The width will probably come in handy on some of the Scottish roads too!
This will be my first Porsche and my first 'proper' sports car (I've had a Z4 Coupe and an ex-Academy Caterham previously but nothing with 300+ bhp before) so wanting to make sure that I get on well with it and don't find myself wanting to move it on within a few months!
Going to have a look at PaulD86's Peridot green car later today to get a feel for the colour in the flesh and the buckets so will have a bit more to go on! Found out yesterday that I'm still gainfully employed so perhaps need to just man up and get the deposit placed on the Stirling car ASAP!
PaulD86 said:
Took Chris for a short blast in mine so hopefully get his thoughts up here soon. 
Thanks again Paul, was great to see the Peridot green in the flesh and have a sit in the buckets. Definitely agree that they're a great addition to the car and that I want a set! Good to know how the door pulls work now to save embarrassment in the future too!Going to organise to view the Stirling car next week so, all being well, should get that sorted!
Went for a look at the Stirling car yesterday and couldn't resist buying it - collecting it next week!
Can't wait to get it out on some decent roads, spec and condition were pretty much spot-on and I was impressed with SP Autobahn's set-up and attitude; it'll definitely be back there for servicing.
Thanks all for the advice on this thread; there was a bit of man maths involved and I'm still not completely sold on the colour but I'm sure I'll have lots of good times with it!
Will get some pics up next weekend.
Can't wait to get it out on some decent roads, spec and condition were pretty much spot-on and I was impressed with SP Autobahn's set-up and attitude; it'll definitely be back there for servicing.
Thanks all for the advice on this thread; there was a bit of man maths involved and I'm still not completely sold on the colour but I'm sure I'll have lots of good times with it!
Will get some pics up next weekend.
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