Is the Bloom off the Rose?

[Brucelee]

I really like the concept of the Cayman and for the most part, its execution. A fine driving car that looks pretty darn good.

If I were king of the world, the Cayman would:

Be called the Boxster. One could order a coupe version of the Boxster for LESS money than the ragtop, say $5k UNDER the existing price of the ragtop.

The ragtop would have gotten the engine upgrades identical to the coupe.

Both Boxster versions would have AT LEAST 300HP in their S versions.

Both Boxsters would have a bit richer array of standard features.

It is my belief that if the above were true, the COMBINED sales of the Boxster would be higher, although who knows for sure.

I doubt Porsche is unhappy with the Cayman, but likely unhappy with the Boxster. Frankly, if they are, I think they have themselves to blame.

[Ronzi]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I doubt Porsche is unhappy with the Cayman, but likely unhappy with the Boxster. Frankly, if they are, I think they have themselves to blame.

I understand your point, Rich, but Porsche shouldn't be TOO unhappy with the Boxster. After all, it saved their bacon at a time when the 911 appeared to be wheezing it's last (again).
The Box and the Cayenne bankrolled the development of the upcoming Panamera, and enabled them to get what appears to be control of Volkswagen, a circumstance that probably has ol' Ferdy doing cartwheels in his grave.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by Ronzi

I understand your point, Rich, but Porsche shouldn't be TOO unhappy with the Boxster. After all, it saved their bacon at a time when the 911 appeared to be wheezing it's last (again).
The Box and the Cayenne bankrolled the development of the upcoming Panamera, and enabled them to get what appears to be control of Volkswagen, a circumstance that probably has ol' Ferdy doing cartwheels in his grave.

You are totally correct. I was thinking about the Boxes more recent sales decline, which I don't think was inevitable. The Box has tons of sales life left IMHO IF Porsche wants to invest a bit of technology, packaging and marketing into it.

Given their past treatment of the 928 and 968, I would not bet money on that.

I saw a red 997 TT a couple days ago, and ive seen a couple 997's and 987's. Maybe its kansas city, but damn did that turbo make my skin crawl

[Ronzi]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

The Box has tons of sales life left IMHO IF Porsche wants to invest a bit of technology, packaging and marketing into it.

Given their past treatment of the 928 and 968, I would not bet money on that.

I think the Boxster has "steady" sales potential. There is a significant market for a quality, (moderately) high performance roadster in the 40 to 60 thousand dollar range.
Other mfrs. have taken a shot at the Box but none of them have thusfar been able to provide the package that Porsche has. A part of that package is, arguably, the little crest on the nose, but the bottom line is still that the Box is a damn good sports roadster. Porsche would be foolish to drop the Boxster and reignite the whining for an entry-level Porsche sports car.
It took them almost thirty years and two tries to finally hit it out of the park with the Box, so I think they'll hang on to it for a while.
Now if they can just do a little something to placate the natives about engine reliability, we'd all have a merry Christmas.