Next Pcar...CaymanS

[RandallNeighbour]

Last night I uttered this confession to my wife:

"As much as I wanted a convertible Porsche, I'm not buying another one new or used. My next Porsche will be a mid-engine hard top with the biggest motor I can get in it."

My reasoning for this is two important factors that when combined, made the decision easy.

1. I live in Houston Texas. It's hotter than hell here most of the year. And it's unbearably humid too... which means I bake AND steam with the top down and suffer a lot with the top up as well due to the lack of insulation in the canvas. I really do not enjoy driving the car from May to September during daylight hours.

What I loved most about the boxster was the way it looked with the top down, not the actual top-down experience living where I live. The Cayman looks great with the top up, and has all the handling benefits of the boxster plus more rigidity.

2. The top itself, the motor, the cables, the transmission, the electronics, and the switches are all maintenance items that seem to fail in older boxsters. It's like having two engines to look after when you look at the dollars involved. Granted, the top isn't nearly as expensive as a new Pcar motor, but it sure is the same price as the motor in my Toyota!

Since I buy used Porsches and keep them a long time, #2 is a really important issue to me. I must have the peace of mind knowing I don't have twice the repair bills and repair hassles ahead of me in the years to come.

So, when it's time to trade my old boxster in for a newer Porsche, it's gonna be something like a Cayman S.

[unklekraker]

Randall...that thought has been lingering into my head ever since i convince m friend to get one...although I love the 911 line ups, cayman s would be the next new affordable car

But I'm still keeping the Boxster...and that's where the struggle begins
I would like to have a convertible and a coupe in my garage

[drburton]

Very interesting it seems there is a bit of a natural migration from Boxster to Cayman. Although I go to the Cayman forum and there was a thread earlier this week regarding how many of the Cayman owners miss their Boxsters in nice weather - now that they can't put the top down.

Personally, since I have a 987 Boxster, going to the Cayman next would seem a bit redundant, basically the same car with a fixed top. Therefore, I would consider the 911 as a potential new experience. I have always liked them anyhow. The new 997 Targa really peeks my interest.

[IowaS]

Originally Posted by drburton

The new 997 Targa really peeks my interest.

yep, no doubt...

[Adam]

Originally Posted by unklekraker

But I'm still keeping the Boxster...and that's where the struggle begins
I would like to have a convertible and a coupe in my garage

Get a hardtop Unk! Best of both worlds!

[CJ_Boxster]

I'd go with a 996 or 997 model, 2 words... Back Seats! There small but hey you can fit more than just 1 person in the car with you which is nice and dont forget, YOU CAN ROLL YOUR SEAT BACK SOME MORE!

[Boxter]

911 cab for me...either a 996 or 993

...echoing CJ_Boxster - back seats
I have three boys under the age of 6, it would be nice to take them all along and not limit trips to just the wife, or just one of the boys...
..this is in addition to the fact that I have dreamed of owning/driving a 911 since childhood.

[unklekraker]

@ adam...I thought about that too but if I want to get a "newer" Porsche coupe, Cayman S would be the next affordable one that's only 2 or 3 years older by the time Im ready

[Chills]

I love my Boxster. I love the way it looks and how much fun it is to drive. When it is time to trade her in on a newer car I'll most likely get a 911 (997 by that time). I've always loved 911's and I like new experiences. While the mid-engine car is amazing I've always wanted to drive a rear-engine car.

Hopefully I'll be able to keep the Box and get a 997 in the next 4 years. Best of both worlds.

Would I get a Cayman? Probably not. Like drburton said it would be a bit redundant.

[Ronzi]

Amen, Randall. But it would be a 911 in my case.
When the top goes down, the price goes up, but it takes quite a while for that to happen.

[hamstur]

The 911 has always had the iconic mystique, but the 987 is definitely Porsche's greatest chassis. The Boxster is as "pure bred" as you can get being a direct derivative from Dr. Ferry Porsche's original vision, but the Cayman is definitely a more "pure sports car."

Aesthetically, the Cayman gets my vote and I'll definitely swap my non-S Boxster for a Cayman S in a couple years.

[porsche986spyder]

Why not just get the 987 Boxster and add the hard top. That way you can still have the look and feel of both cars. Here is an image of a 987 with the longer extended hardtop now availible. Makes it look just like the Cayman. Only made in Europe, but you can have it shipped here to the U.S.

[kelly1005]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

So, when it's time to trade my old boxster in for a newer Porsche, it's gonna be something like a Cayman S.

I'm with you 100% on that.

I bought my boxster because I love the look with the hard top, or no top. With the soft top I just think it's funky. I had the hard top stored for the summer but when the wife and I wanted to go on a road trip I ended up putting it back on to cut down on the noise. When we got back I didn't bother to take it back off (but I did wash/wax the car, I'm not that lazy. )

I seriously doubt the top will come off until it's time to show prospective buyers that it is in fact a convertible.