Cayman announced
 

The non-S Caymans (Caymen?) are coming. At under 50k.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060522/FREE/60522006/1041/rss01&rssfeed=rss01

Base Cayman
 

If I've read the article correctly, you get the base Boxster engine,tranny,, suspension, brakes and interior combined with the steel top for ONLY + $5K.

My, those Germans have Chutzpah if nothing else. You would think that they'd add some peripherals (18" wheels, better radio...) to the car to make it more distinct from the base Boxster. It comes off looking like just another opportunity to shake the Porsche customers by their heels.

so, would this be the first instance in history that a hardtop version of a car is actually more expensive than the convertibe? or, is porsche banking on the fact that because the car's have different names and some slightly different exterior features, the (porsche) consumer won't fuss over slight details like hardtop and convertible :rolleyes:

i think we'll see the speculated changes for the boxster roll out, but if that means a starting tag greater than $50k - will this mean that those of us with 05 and 06 models might see a good position for resale?

I don't get it, but whatever. People will buy it anyhow I suppose.

Mach, I think you are on to sumthin. The new Porsche consumer might not realize that the Cayman is a Boxster coupe and think it is a de-contented 911 coupe! So to the uninitiated Porsh buyer, it looks like a deal on a mini-911.

I have seen pleanty pictures of Caymans and even looked at one at the dealer, but the interior photo in the link looks very drab...maybe it's the color??

A user on Rennteam (from Italy) reported a 1.5% price increase on the Boxsters to go with the increases in HP, which seems a little low to me.

The base Cayman is also the current pic at Porsche USA.

http://www.porsche.com/usa/

I just don't get it. Why would anyone pay more for a Boxster coupe that a ragtop? 200 cc and a precious few hp? When a 996/7 cabrio is a 10k premium. Something does not compute. :rolleyes:

Speculated changes for the Boxster in '07? I must have missed something...please clue me in!!! :cheers:

Finally!

a Boxster coupe is what a very small but ravenous group of enthusiasts have been waiting for since 1997.

The car will far more rigid than any Boxster which in terms of performance can't be underestimated. Imagine your Boxster without the cowl shake and flexing (very little though compared to other drop tops).

Tuners will snatch up the Base Caymans and go to town with this car. Rip out the engine drop in a big-ole 3.8 or maybe add some forced induction, rip out the interior add some carbon doors, trunk lids, Ceramic brakes, and look out!

In the second hand market a Base Cayman will do even better than a CaymanS.
Surely they won't produce too many of these which will keep supply down and demmand up. A very good situation to be in as a 2nd owner once the 4 year depreciation has set in.

I use to drive a Miata and with the Hardtop on it was a great driving experience.
Super loud, ultra tossable, and very responsive in the throttle department.
With a lowered suspension and a 13lb. set of wheels on Falken Azenis = a small coupe that is a blast to drive. Looks nicer with the top on too!
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...7_109_full.jpg

Perfectlap, that's a Badass Miata, two words I never expected to combine.

Xclusive, we're talking about the new 245 HP Cayman Base, and the forthcoming 245/295 HP '07 987/987S (with the "Cayman" engines), and the anticipated ripples that the cars will cause throughout the time-space continuum.

The 295 HP 987S is the number I was looking for...They couldn't just round it to a nice clean 300...could they?!?!?! :D

With a few needed options, this car will approach 60k delivered.

Who else is missing the value propostion here. A 245HP coupe for 60 large?????????????

Boy, the Germans are an arrogant lot!

:cheers:

I always kick myslef for not having put in an FM Turbo kit. The car would have had more power than the Cayman all for $5K. I sold the car with 110K miles for $7K.
Just couldn't stomach a mod that was almost equal to the value of the car.
It was indeed a real head turner while I had it. But I don't miss that color
one bit!!!

I don't disagree but the Caymen is building a reputation as the best handling sports car around at any price...

As some have noted, it would seem that Porsche is attempting to build another product line with the Cayman. Not just a Boxster Coupe, but a whole new car. More expensive? Sure, but it's a different car!
Maybe they will come out with a Cabriolet version. With the appropriate premium for the droptop.

Maybe just raise the Boxster price point 8-10k and call it a Cayman.

"Sure, but it's a different car!"

How is it a different car? If they take the roof off of it, is it not a Boxster?

Since when has Porsche ever positioned itself as the VALUE carmaker?

Porsche has been successful by "not" deciding for the customer what he/she will pay.... for anything.

Here's my take:

1) Porsche has a taste for profit now, and they know that by offering a car that is cheaper to make than the already very profitable Boxster (cheaper because there is no convertible top, but all other parts are the same) but costs more, they will make more profit. Simple economics.
2) One would say 'whoa! Not so fast on the simple economics - why would people pay more for the hardtop version of the same car, Todd?' Porsche likely realizes that nobody is cross-shopping the two. Even with the 911, nobody goes in thinking they want a convertible and then switching to coupe - or at least VERY few. On this vehicle, you either want a tight, small coupe, or a ragtop. One costs X, the other X+$5k.
3) Porsche will be adding the same engines in the Boxster in 2007, which means the difference at that point is simply the top and the intake grill, pretty much. They will raise the price of the Boxster because then they can make more profit, and nobody has to speculate why there is such a price discrepency, because there won't be!