I'm an '05 Boxster S owner lusting for a Cayman S. I've been looking, lurking, debating, evaluating for a long time and have even taken a few test drives.

Both color choices and financial restraints (only a little short on cash- if I fell in love, I'd trade in some stock and buy what I want) have prevented me from taking the plunge. (we're also doing major expensive home renovating, but still, if the right fit happened, I'd be driving off the lot in it)

I've run the gamut from carrera white to arctic silver to midnight blue (the color of my boxster) and now my latest fixation is guards red. My Porsche is my daily driving car and since I'm in outside sales, it takes a beating. Also, the interior is not very practical, but I deal with it because I love this car.

I was at the dealership this weekend (four new tires needed $1,800) for service and noticed the new Audi S5. It's all stuffed with horsepower and has a fairly gorgeous interior.

Since you guys are my touchstone/point of reference and the folks I believe to know more about cars than anyone else I was wondering what you think of this car and if it would give you second thoughts before buying a Cayman S ?

Like another poster said, Porsche is in my blood, so I'm still leaning toward the CS. Even so, that Audi S5 has me sort of walking back to the drawing board.

I drove the S5 manual not too long ago. It does have the "beans", doesn't handle like the Cayman, is drop dead pretty but the beauty of Audi's age quickly for some reason and the interior of the one I drove is the best around however the back seats are no more useful than a 911 so that is wasted space. I'm thinking about one when I replace the Avant next time if they drop the S4 Avant. But it would not replace the Cayman.

I saw one in the metal last week. Very nice looking. However, I share the observation that the exterior beauty of the Audi in general tends to age quickly whereas the Porsche, regardless of the model just keeps looking better and better. I dont think the S5 could be considered as a substitute for thr CS. After driving a Boxter, I think you would be dissapointed after the new wears off. I use my CS as a daily driver as a inside/outside salesman. It works very well. With the backseat in the S5 being pretty much useless, the CS also gets the nod for storage/ultilty value. Do yourself a favor and buy the CS.

The S5 is a fantastic car IMO. Great driver, very nice handler for the type of car, great power, fantastic exteriror and interior styling and great fit and finish. Not to mention all wheel drive for even better winter driving.

Altough, I do think it is difficult to compare the S5 to a Cayman S because of the different purposes. The Cayman S is still a sports car. The S5 is not a "sports car" but more of a sport coupe. It has much more interior room and haualing capabilities in my opinion than the CS. It is a better long distance hauler with slightly quieter ride and little more luxury than CS. Not that the CS is bad in these categories.

The S5 also weights significantly more. The CS, being lighter weight and possessing the mid engine layout has much better turn-in and more nimble handling characteristics, with a true rear wheel drive feel. If the interior room is necessary then by all means I think the S5 is a great choice. While it would be a squeeze you can take 4 to lunchin the S5. However, if the Boxster has worked for you then the Cayman S is going to work also. It really all comes down to what you want. I personally don't see that you can go wrong with either car. I do know what you mean about Porsche in your blood, I have strongly considered other cars but I aways seem to end up with a Porsche (this is my 4th in a row).

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Brian

Please remember to post topics in the correct forum, topics about Audis don't go in the Cayman forum. Thanks in advance!

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K-Man S

To me this becomes an apples to oranges comparison. S5 competes with sports coupes like the CLK and M3.

Audi S5 in a Cayman forum is as irrelevant as any Jeep information in a Cayman forum

Hahaha.....Ken you better duck....

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When I had my A3 in for service a couple weeks ago, the salesman tossed me the keys to their S5 demo. I like it, alot. Very good looking in person, nice color combo of dark grey with red/black interior. Not a sports car, but would make a great all around car if you could have only one. Only drawbacks to me were it being too quiet (you can barely hear the luscious V8 roar), and I'm sure it gets alarming gas mileage.

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Scott
2006 Cayman S
2008 MINI S