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I have read many of the very informative threads and posts regarding comparisons between the Cayman S and Cayman, as well as the posts regarding driving feel/experience with both cars.
Now that I know all of this, I'd like to know if there's anyone out there who has actually "downgraded" to a Base Cayman from a Cayman S; whether it was via dealer trade-in, or trade with another private seller, selling outright then buying another one, or whatever other scenario.
My question is, how did you go about it and what are your short or long term thoughts and comments about your decision? Do you regret it? What were the circumstances behind it? Transaction details (if you care to share)?
I anticipate there won't be many people who actually did this, but I thought I'd give it a shot and find out! My hope is that the thread stays on the personal side rather than getting to comparisons between the two, as there are many very informative threads already out there on that topic.
A little background on me...I own an '07 Guards Red CS and I love the car, however, I'm looking to "reorganize" a little financially and simply explore the option, for now, if I can get a deal that I find reasonable for my situation. There are plenty of base Cs out there for very reasonable prices and I'm considering all options (NOT having a Porsche is not an option, of course!)
I can't imagine that trade working out economically. The FMV deltas just aren't high enough to absorb the transaction costs (dealer profit or extreme hassle) and taxes.
Nothing against the 2.7-- great car and I used to have one, I just don't think it's a good financial move.
OTOH, you might do a private party "swap" and put a few thousand in you pocket-- but this might be hard to arrange (although this would be the place to fund your counterparty!).
We need to know what your financial 'reorganization' is: lower monthly payments, or getting cash out as you own your CS free and clear.
The base prices between the 2 cars are about $9k apart, so there is little doubt that if you start from square one, the base Cayman will be less costly to buy. The complication is that you have already bought a CS, so you are now dealing with the value of a used car. There are plenty of threads here detailing the first/second year depreciations, and it is not a pretty picture. So if you are hoping to get out of a used CS into a new base Cayman, the $9k price differential will not help you. Unless you are trying to get into a used Cayman, then they are taking similar depreciation hits as the CS.
I can tell you that the base Cayman is a very economical car to drive. For example, I kept the wheels at 17", and a good set of tires costs $420. No chance with the 18" on the CS. I average 24 MPG combined driving and 30+ pure freeway. It is as good a DD as it gets.
I started out with a stripped base Cayman and got in at close to invoice, so I have less 'hit' to take. I keep my cars for 10+ years anyways so resale was never much of an issue for me.
We need to know what your financial 'reorganization' is: lower monthly payments, or getting cash out as you own your CS free and clear.
The base prices between the 2 cars are about $9k apart, so there is little doubt that if you start from square one, the base Cayman will be less costly to buy. The complication is that you have already bought a CS, so you are now dealing with the value of a used car. There are plenty of threads here detailing the first/second year depreciations, and it is not a pretty picture. So if you are hoping to get out of a used CS into a new base Cayman, the $9k price differential will not help you. Unless you are trying to get into a used Cayman, then they are taking similar depreciation hits as the CS.
I can tell you that the base Cayman is a very economical car to drive. For example, I kept the wheels at 17", and a good set of tires costs $420. No chance with the 18" on the CS. I average 24 MPG combined driving and 30+ pure freeway. It is as good a DD as it gets.
I started out with a stripped base Cayman and got in at close to invoice, so I have less 'hit' to take. I keep my cars for 10+ years anyways so resale was never much of an issue for me.
Good luck with your venture here.
CP
Thanks.
I'm actually just looking for people who did it, and the details behind it/their decision if they care to share.
I'd just like to hear some experiences on actually making this unusual move, if any exist out there.
I can't imagine that trade working out economically. The FMV deltas just aren't high enough to absorb the transaction costs (dealer profit or extreme hassle) and taxes.
Nothing against the 2.7-- great car and I used to have one, I just don't think it's a good financial move.
OTOH, you might do a private party "swap" and put a few thousand in you pocket-- but this might be hard to arrange (although this would be the place to fund your counterparty!).
-Chris
While I appreciate your opinion, I'm not really looking for any "advice" on the financial side of things. Thanks, though, and you are definitely correct. It is a stretch to do something like this and come out even, or at least close-to.
If you could sell your CS to a private buyer and then shop for maybe a loaner car that a dealership was selling with 4-5 k you may be able to come out cheaper.
I have driven Base cayman loaners and I would consider one next time if finances went south.
It was quite a shock going from a base cayman loaner for 3 days back to a CS with mods(315 HP). You may want to really think this one out before doing anything.
when you say "downgrade" to a "base" from a cayman s, i presume you mean from a 3.4 to a 2.7, rather than from a cayman s with optional equipment to a base cayman s (without any options...just the standard equipment). if that is the case, i wouldn't consider it a "downgrade". as for the economic issues, i leave that to those who routinely deal with those kinds of issues.
when you say "downgrade" to a "base" from a cayman s, i presume you mean from a 3.4 to a 2.7, rather than from a cayman s with optional equipment to a base cayman s (without any options...just the standard equipment). if that is the case, i wouldn't consider it a "downgrade". as for the economic issues, i leave that to those who routinely deal with those kinds of issues.
Yes. And coincidentally, my current CS is a "base" CS (as in, with no options).
You've got me thinking. I've got a 2.7 and wouldn't mind upgrading to a 3.4. I haven't thought seriously about it because I know I'd lose too much trading my car in to a dealer. But, a private party trade might make the #s better. Assuming the cars are fairly equal otherwise, I wonder what the value difference between two used 2007s would be.
If you could sell your CS to a private buyer and then shop for maybe a loaner car that a dealership was selling with 4-5 k you may be able to come out cheaper.
I have driven Base cayman loaners and I would consider one next time if finances went south.
It was quite a shock going from a base cayman loaner for 3 days back to a CS with mods(315 HP). You may want to really think this one out before doing anything.
Yeah. I definitely will drive one first, and I have the benefit of hopping right back into mine to go home for a good comparison. Private will likely be the way to go, though the prices I'm seeing from some of these dealers and the amounts that they're willing to take off are in my ballpark so far.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmazz
You've got me thinking. I've got a 2.7 and wouldn't mind upgrading to a 3.4. I haven't thought seriously about it because I know I'd lose too much trading my car in to a dealer. But, a private party trade might make the #s better. Assuming the cars are fairly equal otherwise, I wonder what the value difference between two used 2007s would be.
That's a great question to ponder. I'm thinking the difference would be the MSRP diff, which is $10K. I'm thinking for "equivalently-used" base and S Caymans, the difference would be at least that, $10K.
Again, still just looking for anyone who may have actually done this.
...I'm looking to "reorganize" a little financially and simply explore the option, for now, if I can get a deal that I find reasonable for my situation.
It sure sounded like a financial question to me, but I don't think ChrisN was giving financial advice. People pay millions for that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by carsteve
Again, still just looking for anyone who may have actually done this.
I am crystal clear about the rock you are asking to be fetched, but I may be as close as you will get to an answer.
I had both in my possession for about a month and experienced switching from the 3.4 to the 2.7 and driving the 2.7 exclusively for a week or so. Except for WOT, you will not miss the 3.4...and even at WOT the 2.7 is still quite respectable. You will love the extra MPG on the highway. I drove the 2.7 for about 9 months on and off the track...then got a 3.4 and, like I said, had both for about a month. If a switch to a 2.7 could be done in a way that made financial sense I would not hesitate to do it based upon the idea that you will be disappointed with the 2.7. You won't be. Find someone who wants to move into a 3.4 and see what you can do. Good luck.
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It sure sounded like a financial question to me, but I don't think ChrisN was giving financial advice. People pay millions for that.
I am crystal clear about the rock you are asking to be fetched, but I may be as close as you will get to an answer.
I had both in my possession for about a month and experienced switching from the 3.4 to the 2.7 and driving the 2.7 exclusively for a week or so. Except for WOT, you will not miss the 3.4...and even at WOT the 2.7 is still quite respectable. You will love the extra MPG on the highway. I drove the 2.7 for about 9 months on and off the track...then got a 3.4 and, like I said, had both for about a month. If a switch to a 2.7 could be done in a way that made financial sense I would not hesitate to do it based upon the idea that you will be disappointed with the 2.7. You won't be. Find someone who wants to move into a 3.4 and see what you can do. Good luck.
I echo your sentiments about not hesitating. It's just a matter of being able to get a deal I'm comfortable with. I plan on driving one soon, maybe tonight, for the first time. Based on what I've read, I do not anticipate being disappointed. The base Cayman actually fits my needs more than the S, and I just wish I knew that ahead of time. The S was a heat of the moment decision, and while it was fine financially at the time....priorities have shifted and if I can free up a few hundred more a month, then I'm going to give it a shot! My first order of business is going through the dealer and seeing what I can get...then I'll go from there (not in a hurry, fortunately).
Until 
