Considering getting a 981 Cayman S

[simon_c]

Looking around for something different and looking at a manual 981 Cayman S. I’d probably have to sell my current E46 M3 which I’m pretty hesitant to do but I’ve had my current M3 for 7 years and have had one for the last 10 years. Looking for purely a weekend/fun car that prioritizes driving over pure speed. Light weight chassis + manual are a must and something that has the chance to appreciate is a bonus. Who here has the made the jump? Pros / cons?

[01SG]

Very different cars. I think the Cayman would be much more accessible in terms of fun. But it is also a much less challenging, and therefore in a way less involving car. The legendary Tony Brooks lost interest in F1 when they switched to mid-engine, because he felt anyone could then drive them.

Cayman will win in weight, steering, and brake feedback. The M3 has the over-steer and the s54. The only totally right answer is both. I don't think you can go wrong either way. But the Cayman would likely be easier to have fun with. I have never driven one though, so I'm kind of talking out my ass.

[Maxima SE]

I looked into one for a bit but ended up in a Z4M and I love it far more than my E46 M

[01SG]

I have had my eye on the Z4 M, roadster though. And I pretty much decided I'd have one over a Boxster.

[WestBankM4]

I plan on getting rid of my M4 CS and buying a M4 GTS. I'll keep the GTS in the stable along with the E46 M3 while I start building the P car inventory. I'm eyeing a 991.1 GT3 or even a 997.2 Turbo if I can find a clean example. I don't think you can go wrong with a P car but getting rid of your E46 M3 would be a mistake. I'm thankful to have found a solid platform and don't plan on getting rid of it ever, hopefully going to my son.

[Xmetal]

I looked into one for a bit but ended up in a Z4M and I love it far more than my E46 M

Funny how we all want what others have I've owned (and still does) a Z4M Coupe for over 13 years and have been thinking about trading it for a Cayman for the longest time. Had thought really hard about pulling the trigger on a GT4, but as fate would have it, all the last of the 2023 GT4s have been spoken for I guess it's meant for me to keep my Z4MC. Who know, I may take a GTS4.0 for a spin one of these days and see if it's enough to justify 3x the price of my Z4MC to make the switch.

[simon_c]

Appreciate the feedback so far. I just can’t justify having 2 weekend cars along with two daily drivers between my wife and I. I need more garage space but that simply isn’t happening and don’t want to keep anymore cars outside.

I’m not in a place to buy GT4 so wanted something to kinda step foot into the P car world that wouldn’t break the bank. A 981 GTS would be ideal but a manual one with the right options is just out of my price point unfortunately. I’m pretty set on manual but a 981 GTS with PDK is in the range but I just feel like I need a manual for a weekend car.

997.2 or 991 manual GTS is probably my halo car but those aren’t even close to being options. Trying to be at $60K or so.

Maybe I just need to be happy with my E46 M3 🙂

[simonnim]

I considered buying into a cayman s before and still do. If you have the chance to experience ownership then I would. Being an enthusiast should lead you towards owning all the cars.

[S54B32]

Very different cars. I think the Cayman would be much more accessible in terms of fun. But it is also a much less challenging, and therefore in a way less involving car. The legendary Tony Brooks lost interest in F1 when they switched to mid-engine, because he felt anyone could then drive them.

Cayman will win in weight, steering, and brake feedback. The M3 has the over-steer and the s54. The only totally right answer is both. I don't think you can go wrong either way. But the Cayman would likely be easier to have fun with. I have never driven one though, so I'm kind of talking out my ass.

I have a Cayman (but 1. gen) and it looses in near every aspect compared to my M346. From build quality(!!), over (interior)sound, steering, brake, shifting feel, engine noise etc…only 2 things are better imo, the flat 6 exhaust sound and of course the little special feel that comes with a „P car“.

[maw1124]

I have a Cayman (but 1. gen) and it looses in near every aspect compared to my M346. From build quality(!!), over (interior)sound, steering, brake, shifting feel, engine noise etc…only 2 things are better imo, the flat 6 exhaust sound and of course the little special feel that comes with a „P car“.

This is kind of what I’d expect.

I helped a friend buy his 997 and when I drove it after he got it (newer w fewer miles than my E46M) I was like “yeah, I’ll take the M.” The 997 had a better exhaust note but that was it.

Then one day I went driving Porsches — just showed up at the dealership and started shopping (which I wholeheartedly suggest people do). That sort of cured me of any sport beetle desires. Though the Macan GTS might make a good Allroad replacement.

Finally a friend bought a Cayman, manual. He was coming off Achilles surgery and would tire of driving it, so I’d switch with him from time to time. Just ain’t it. He was out of that car in 2 years — I think it was a midlife thing after his wife passed.

They’ve done a great job marketing (like Vans sneakers at triple the price or David Yurman), but I don’t see how they stay in business. They must have massive margins per unit, which would make sense as they have people paying for the mystique of the 993 / 964 era cars, decades after they no longer make anything close to those.

For me, the only sensible thing I’ve read in this thread is, don’t keep another car outside. The last few years one of mine has been outside, and it’s shocking to me how much outside is actually not for cars.

maw

[01SG]

I have a Cayman (but 1. gen) and it looses in near every aspect compared to my M346. From build quality(!!), over (interior)sound, steering, brake, shifting feel, engine noise etc…only 2 things are better imo, the flat 6 exhaust sound and of course the little special feel that comes with a „P car“.

Interesting, I have always heard about the magical Porsche steering and pedal feel. I don't doubt the e46 is better all around, or at least an equally good answer to the same question, but I find it hard to believe such a light, mid-engine car does not have better feeling from the controls. Of course, on the Porsche forum they are the greatest cars ever.

For the prices, I am not that interested in them. They have indeed been marketed into overrated territory when they are not hand-built and as special as the old days. My father has driven them all working as a mechanic, from the 550 Spyder to the Carrera GT. He enjoyed them, but never seemed that excited about them compared to the Ferraris and Aston Martins.

If an absolutely pure weekend car is the objective, perhaps a Lotus would be the answer?

[Cubieman]

There's an everday driver episode (freely available on YouTube) in which they compare the new Lotus (Evora??), Cayman, and C8, I find what they have to say interesting.

It is most definitely worth watching imo as those guys have driven about everything and I personally at least take some interest in their opinions.

They have driven the cayman quite a bit, youll find it in numerous episodes, I believe one was the cayman newest M2, and the newest Supra with a 6spd.

[repoman89]

Cayman will win in weight, steering, and brake feedback.

I have never driven a Porsche EPS system so who knows, but I have doubts that any EPS will be better than the E46 hydraulic setup. I know people generally like it but internet people also generally like ND2 Miata steering and I know from experience that it sucks.

OP check out recent posts in Casa de Mesa’s build journal, I know he recently added a Cayman R and wrote some thoughts about it.

[usdmej]

They have indeed been marketed into overrated territory when they are not hand-built and as special as the old days.

it's not the marketing it's the owner speculation imo

a lot of the people making the jump from normal luxury cars to porsches are using the appreciation potential as a justification and it really drives the price up from both the buyer and seller perspective

[Casa de Mesa]

OP check out recent posts in Casa de Mesa’s build journal, I know he recently added a Cayman R and wrote some thoughts about it.

Thanks for the shout out. Mine is a 987.2 (2009-2012), and I prefer the interior build color choices to the 987.1 (pre-2009). I feel the cabin is functional first without any flair. My car also has AP Racing brakes and host of other mods.

IMHO, the Cayman R is pretty special. Hydraulic steering feel is quite good. Some of that could be my alignment, but not all of it.

This was a great episode:

https://youtu.be/fxikL9CxBiM

Can opine more later, but check out one of the last posts in my build thread for my impressions.