As I posted elsewhere, last week I ordered a 2.7, Ruby Red with sand beige interior, bi-xenons, PCM 2.1 w/nav, Bose, heated seats, mats in interior color, and wheel caps with colored crest. Build date is September, so I have some time to finalize my order. I stayed with the 17" wheels and tires, but I've been vacillating between those and the 18" CS wheel/tires, which look nice and don't seem to ride too much worse than the base config. Flip side is that most Caymans seem to be equipped with those wheels and the 17's seem more distinctive and retro, even though they seem small by modern standards. (funny, I have 17's on my 2002 BMW 325i and my wife has 17's on her Volvo S40 and they are more than big enough.)

But now I am thinking that the $1235 (or whatever deal I get) for 18" CS wheels could instead be spent on lotsa (OK, not so many) desirable options. Here are some I am thinking about:

- Auto climate control - the Bimmer has this, it's nice but I fuss with it almost as much as normal climate control. The Bimmer requires you to manually activate the A/C, the ACC doesn't do it itself. Not sure it's worth $550.

- Sport steering wheel - For $250, seems worth it for its smaller diameter and thicker rim. Have driven 2 Caymans with sport wheel, 1 without.

- Self-dimming mirrors and rain sensor - A $685 option on this car, which my wife has on her $27,000 Volvo and I have (minus rain sensor) on my Bimmer. The self-dimming mirror is really nice, rain sensor not such a big deal - on the Volvo, it basically works only in a sudden downpour.

- Porsche Crest in Headrest - no particular practical value to this $270 option, other than it looks really cool. More an emotional choice here.

- Sport Seats - For $800, I do like the additional bolstering (one car I tested had them), and I have similar sport seating in the 325i. But the standard Cayman seats work well for me too. A toss-up here. One Cayman I drove had it, two did not.

So, does anyone have some thoughts on whether I should:

(a) keep my current configuration;
(b) just get the 18" CS wheels and be done; or
(c) instead pick from my alterna-list above? Which options above would be most worthwhile based on your experiences?

I could get it all but that adds almost $4k to the cost of the car pronto. Trying to keep things under control here (like $1k extra) - I could afford a more expensive ride, but then I would have to live in it.

go for option c

had auto climate on my Boxster, don't have it on my Cayman, wish I did

wheels are a personal choice=emotional, what looks good to you, don't think you'll be able to notice significant ride difference

sport steering wheel=yes

self dimming and rain sensors=yes but if you've got a cost cap, then no
first time I've had this option and it's like auto climate, set it and forget it (wish it was standard)

other choices, crest (not for me) and seats depends on the comfort factor, what feels best to you, I was going for adaptive sports but cost won out and got the standard electric instead plus wife wanted supple leather and you can't get it on sport seats

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Papa in Austin

"be young, be foolish, but be happy!"

2007 Speed Yellow Cayman S

I vote for option C as well. I picked three of your listed items on my spec, and love them:

sport steering wheel - absolutely worth it, for the enhanced steering feel

sport seats - I think they're awesome. They look and feel better than the standard seats. Plus they're highly desirable on the resale market if you decide to sell you car at some point.

Porsche crest on headrest - I felt the same way you do. It's a minor indulgence and a nice touch. After dropping $50K+, what's another $270?

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2008 Porsche Boxster - X1 Arctic Silver Metallic, V9 Black Top, P77 Leather Sport Seats, 342 Heated Front Seats, AT Black Full Leather, 403 19" Carrera S Wheels, 475 Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), 435 Sport Steering Wheel, XSC Porsche Crest in Headrest, 490 Sound Package Plus, 551 Porsche Windstop (Deflector), 584 Storage Box

The only think I'd recommend is the auto climate control, the others I'd agree about but not recommend, I would've liked the crest on the headrest plus the 17" wheels are too small for my taste (that's why I have 19"), cant really say about the sport wheel coz I never tried it (and I wanted the multifunction wheel which I was not sure it was possible with the sports one)

But I dont see SportChrono in your specs, think this is one of the best things to invest in

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"Sir! We're surrounded!" - "Excellent! We can shoot in any direction!"

A good car will get you from point A to point B. A great car... will just get you into trouble!

As others stated, I think option C above is your best bet. Here are the 3 I think are the most important.

Auto Climate Control is excellent, I've had mine set at 68 since my pickup and I've only touched it once on an extremely hot day to cool down the cabin more quickly after being parked in the sun for a couple hours.

Sports Steering Wheel- I'm kicking myself for not adding this for $250, I had it in my test drive and should have insisted on them swapping it into my vehicle prior to pickup. I've been looking at doing it aftermarket, but having to buy the round airbag insert ~$500 to go with the sports wheel $700-1500 (standard sports - XPA sports) just seems like a lot for a wheel.

Sports Seats- I was only in the standard leather seats for one test drive, but I definately prefer the feeling of the sports seats. The cost for this upgrade is more than the others on your list, but when you start driving agressively these seats will pay for themselves.

The above 3 should put you in the same ballpark as upgrading to the 18" wheels, and they are things you will feel every time you drive the car. The aesthetic things, wheels and crest in headrest are always nice to look at, but they will only be noticed when you're not driving.

Out of your choices, I have the sports steering wheel in my car, and I would highly suggest it. Well worth the $250.

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Dan

My

Keep the 17"s....a Cayman with any wheel/tire combo will still outhandle just about anything out there. It's in the mid-engine layout and suspension, not the tires. Most people here couldn't even reach the limits of the 17"s.

Auto A/C: I have it on mine, but in all honesty I still mess with it a lot. I would probably be just as happy with the regular control and put the $550 somewhere else.

Sport Wheel: Yes!....one of the better bargains out there for the money.

SD Mirrors: Nice to have, but not for $685. My CS doesn't go out in the rain so who cares about the rain sensor. If you could get them apart from the rain sensor for $200-$300 I would have gone for them. The ONLY time I miss them is when some moron with a grossly misaligned headlight is behind me,....and I make quick work solving that problem. The slight back window tint I have for the most part takes care of their job anyway.

Crest in head rest: Pass, looks nice, but in the Cayman no one sees it!! I'd get it if I had a Boxster or Cab.

Sport Seats: Nice to have, but again not necessary, the base seats are just fine.

As a suggestion: Ruby Red and Sand is such a great combo,.....add a painted center console, it would look awesome. It really makes a statement and something you (and everyone else) can see and admire.

So, add the Sport Wheel + Painted Center Column = about $1k. You just upgraded the interior to another level.

Good luck!

definitely get the sport wheel. I think it looks a lot better and it feels great. for $250 you won't regret it. I would always get this option.

I'd stay with the 17"s. cheaper tires when they wear out and the ride will probably be somewhat softer. Plus they look good.

AC climate control, take it or leave it. it's nice, but probably not 550 nice.

headcrests, have it, definitely would get it again

autodimming mirrors. not worth it unless this is a daily driver even then at 700, probably not the best cash outflow!

the nav is great btw!

Sorry to be the dissenter here; but keep the seats, climate, embossed badge, Bose, wipers etc., and spec. PASM and Sport Chrono.

Its the single option package that tops the 'my Cayman regrets' polls here, and adds a whole dimension to the driving experience. And unlike some of those above (wheels, seats) PASM/S_C is also almost impossible to retro-fit.

SS7

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Carrara white pauper's 2.7
Snickers wrapper in the door bin
Flies on the number plate
Church's scuffs on the kickplate
'Goodwood' umbrella in the back

Wow.....looks like somewhat of a consensus here, at least for the sport steering wheel..... Now I'm debating between the sport seats and the rear console in exterior color (thanks, Atlas-croc). I've stayed clear of PASM because then I would get tempted to buy bigger wheels and then other things I crave like a blood red full leather interior, but at that point with all those options I might as well get the S model or a slightly used 997 Carrera.

Thanks all...

make sure you sit in sports seats before you buy, some people don't like how they feel, though they do look better.

If you're not doing a lot of track time, you really don't need the extra support. Sports seats are harder to get in and out of the car.