I've been reading and enjoying this great forum for a few weeks now, and decided this morning that I should register. I belong to several forums related to other interests, and I have to say that this forum is awesome, and a breath of fresh air.

I've decided that the Cayman is the car for me. BK (before kids), I enjoyed several Porsche's. The last one was a 95 Carerra, one of the last of the air cooled generation 911's. To say I enjoyed that car would be an extreme understatement. A busy schedule and the need to easily haul child seats from time to time led me to a period of more "practical" transportation. Last year I was feeling like something fun as a second car. My kids were 5 & 7, and in order to not feel selfish, I figured I should get something that could easily seat four. I looked at, and liked, the BMW M's (I own BMW motorcycles and am a fan of the marque), but they just didn't do it for me, for some reason. I ended up getting a Jaguar S, 4.2. It was luxurious, and fairly fun to drive, but it lacked that certain German feel that I really like, and miss. I recently sold that.

My wife recently told me to think about getting a second car that I would really enjoy, and that since we have two other vehicles capable of hauling the whole family, that practicality needn't be part of the equation. I really like the 2002 and newer 911's with the vario cams, but the style of the Cayman and the midengine have really swayed me.

I'm debating whether to go used or new, and S or standard. I haven't driven either yet, though I know the S has much more punch. I've been going over the extensive options lists at length. If I go new, it looks like I could get a standard with the smallest option pack, xeon's, and 18" wheels for about what a basic S would cost. I'd live with the five speed and less power. The base S would already have 18" wheels and a six speed. Honestly, I can live without heated seats as my daily driver has them, and the Cayman would stay in the garage during inclement weather. What are the feelings on the stock audio setup opposed to the upgraded unit in the smaller option pack?

With regard to used, there seem to be a lot of them out there. I'm leaning towards Carerra White, and they don't seem rare. Is it true that a dealer can print a list of over-revs to give an idea of how the car has been driven? A certified car from a dealer seems like an attractive option, though some of the finance incentives and programs from Porsche probably aren't available?

Since I like this site so much, I'd prefer to do business with one of the sponsors, like Park Place in Dallas. I've already checked on enclosed shipping and it's reasonable, as is the possibility of taking the time to fly down and drive home. A good friend recently purchased a used 911 in Florida, and found the prices there to be quite a bit less than elsewhere. Looking at autotrader and such it looks like Cayman's are a bit less there as well. Any thoughts or advice or good dealers there?

Thanks in advance for any advice or thoughts.

Welcome and good in your choise of car, I have the 2.7 and my father has the 3.4 and i have driven both, you will be not be disappointed attall with either, as everyone knows with this car it is the handling and country road drive that is special, the 0.60 time should never come into it IMHO. I could have bought the S but as i said in a previous post i sat in this car and without driving it i knew i wanted it Previousley i had a Boxster S so i know what i was giving up.... for me it is about posing and the handling on the back roads, 80mph is still 80 mph whatever size your engine is. As its my 2nd car and i only drive it on sundays now as i work 6days i couldnt want more, and im adding the Borla for that little extra excitment. Im 25 and totally happy with the 2.7.

Hope this helps Bud and good luck

James

__________________
99 DC2 Honda Integra typeR 00 Audi TT 180 coupe
02 DC5 Honda Integra typeR 01 Alfa Romeo spider 3.0 V6 01 Honda s2000 03 Audi TT Roadster 225
02 Porsche Boxster S 07 Porsche cayman 2.7
2007 Design Edition 1 Cayman S

Thank you James. The fact that you've driven both means quite a bit, and your thoughts are most appreciated. I'm not as concerned as much with brute power as I am the handling aspects. I'm probably leaning most towards a new standard Cayman with a few options. As the model year ends I'm thinking that there may be some deals to be had on 08's.

Anymore, I tend to keep things for quite a while, take great care of them, and over maintain them. Because of that, new has quite a bit of appeal, though a well cared for certified car has some appeal too.

Welcome to the site, if you don't mind my asking since I am curious about such things, what made you decide to register and join the site after surfing it for awhile as a lurker? I'm glad you did, but I'm always curious as to what it is that drives someone to sign up vs. those who continue to lurk for a long time or forever.

Let me know how it goes with Park Place are you working with Dave Campbell there? If so, be sure and tell him you came to them through our website, it helps them assess their advertising effectiveness.

__________________

My Gallery | My Articles | My Blog |My Classifieds
K-Man S

Welcome the the club!

One good thing about Park Place is that its almost walking distance from Love Field Airport. Not sure if you will be flying in from there but its very easy if you do. I did not buy from Park Place, but it seems that most everyone I've met locally did, and most likely will buy from them next time.

I have a 2.7 and had no intention to take it to the track, but now days that all I think about doing! I've been very pleased with the car, and have no regrets having opted for the 2.7.

Actually, Park Place staff will pick you up at Love Field - probably in a Cayenne GTS! They've kept in touch over the past year, even though the car is now in Baton Rouge, and provide excellent and timely service.

There are also some great cars listed on the Classifieds section of this website. You could pick up a well maintained & upgraded S for a great price.

Good luck and welcome to the club!

__________________

If you plan to to be a hardcore track guy get the "S". But as the others stated you wont be dissapointed with either. I opted for the standard just because i had certain price range i wanted to stay within and wanted certain options.

If you do decide to go with Park Place please send me a PM and i will give you a name and contact.

Enjoy.

First, thank you most sincerely for the nice welcomes, and the information.

K-Man, to answer your question about why I finally registered after lurking for a while; I've read a LOT of pages on the forum, and have learned a lot, and been more than impressed. It seems that there is very little ego involved, and just an exchange of a lot of useful information. I've read some of the install articles, (including yours on the 9500 ZR3 install). It's obvious from the quality of such articles that there are a lot of very dedicated enthusiasts here that don't mind taking the time to take pictures and document a procedure to help out others. I think the quality of some of the numerous sponsors also says something about the site. I've just been very, very impressed. This site helped me decide that a Cayman is my next car, and I thought it was time to join so that I could ask a few questions, and hopefully become a productive, active member over time.

Already, I think you've all helped me decide to go for a standard Cayman. The thought of doing some autocross and such has entered my mind, mostly as a way to learn the handling characteristics of the car though, and become a better driver. Being a serious track day guy, or having a desire to be competitive isn't part of the equation for me, and it sounds like the standard Cayman will satisfy me in every way.

I'm going to now try to decide if I want to wait to see if there are some deals to be had on 08's, or possibly order an 09. I am going to print this thread, and will take you up on the kind offer to suggest some sales folks to work with.

Thanks again for everything.

Welcome, NWdrysider.

Please remove the words "base" and "standard" from your vocabulary.

The 2.7 liter Cayman is an AWESOME machine. Period.

The difference between it and a 3.4 on the track/AX is the driver.

You MUST do at least one track day. Just to see what it is like. Your bone stock 2.7 is perfect and they rent helmets.

The brakes are perfect. The 5 speed is perfect. It gets as near as matters 30 mpg on the highway and will top 160mph.

Enjoy!

__________________

2007 Speed Yellow Cayman GT 2.7 (retired)
2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
"Carpe Cayman"