2009 (or 2008) M3 or Porsche Cayman S

[gmantx]

I wanted to get some input from y'all on this topic. I drove a Cayman S at my dealer and it was absolute bliss.

I have driven about 500 miles on a 2006 M3 w/ comp package and I love that car as well. The edge goes to the Cayman S though.

Since it appears these two cars will be in the same price range, what does everyone thing since they are likely alternatives for those who cannot get an M3 right away? Additionally Porsche dealers will deal some on the Caymans, and it looks more and more like the new M3s will go for MSRP or possibly a little more. Any thoughts other than 1 has 2 seats and the other has 4?

[andrew 330i]

cayman s ...

i've driven both... and owned an '02 M3.

the discounts on the cayman s are about 8k... shop around... to get the deal.

[gmantx]

That white one looks great. Where have you seen 8k discounts? On 2007s or 2006s that remain?

If I order one, do you know if they are dealing?

BTW, I am thinking arctic silver, or the yellow, and if I feel like splurging, I may add the turbo wheels for $2440. I think those look great

[SpencerM3]

The new M3 will be hard to turn down, but the Cayman S is a real screamer.

[porscheC4S]

Originally Posted by gmantx

That white one looks great. Where have you seen 8k discounts? On 2007s or 2006s that remain?

If I order one, do you know if they are dealing?

BTW, I am thinking arctic silver, or the yellow, and if I feel like splurging, I may add the turbo wheels for $2440. I think those look great

You can't go wrong with yellow

Seriously, I have never driven the Cayman, but I owned a Boxster which is essentially the roadster version. It might be the best handling car out on the road today. If not, then one of the best. The mid-mounted engine provide almost perfect balance. Plus, as far as looks go, I think it is visually stunning and unique.

However, the Cayman lacks the power that the M3 will have and sometimes having 2 extra seats is useful (I can think of other times not having 4 seats is useful). I guess it all depends on your wants and needs and how much you value each.

You can't go wrong with either IMO.

[Hans Delbruck]

Wait until the specs come out for the 2008 Cayman S/Boxster S. I've driven it (the '06) extensively and while it's super-fun, it could still use a little more power, to be honest. The chassis deserves it.

[jbake]

Even as a BMW enthusiast, I would have to choose the Porsche.

[BMW320i]

so you are talking about the E92 M3 or E46??

if E46, i guess i will go with the cayman...

E92, im sorry but cant resist that ride! and im sure the specs would be astonishing as well

[swiss_cornholio]

Cayman?? I never understood why they introduced this car at all. A Boxster is only half a Porsche (911 Carrera beeing the real one); now Cayman is a 3/4? Additionally I think you should rather compare the Cayman to a Z4M Coupe...

[porscheC4S]

Originally Posted by swiss_cornholio

Cayman?? I never understood why they introduced this car at all. A Boxster is only half a Porsche (911 Carrera beeing the real one); now Cayman is a 3/4? Additionally I think you should rather compare the Cayman to a Z4M Coupe...

I don't want to turn this into a Porsche discussion (btw, I agree the new M3 will be fantastic). I have to respectfully disagree with this post and saying the Boxster is half-a-Porsche is almost ignorant. In fact, I would say the Boxtser/Cayman is what the 911 should have been! The 911 was/is a flawed design and has not changed only because of it's iconic status, not because of it's design. In any case, most Porsche "purists" only consider air-cooled 911's "real Porsche's". But i will happily enjoy my water-cooled 911 C4S

[gmantx]

All of the major mags have done comparisons with M coupe vs. Cayman S and the cayman S has won nearly all of them. I am not really interested in an M coupe much, but really would like the new M3. All signs are showing this isn't going to be quick. As far as the Cayman being 3/4 Porsche, drive one and you will see. To be honest I am just tired of rumors and hearsay on the M3, just like all of you I want to know when we will actually begin to see them and at what price

[ksfrogman]

The Cayman-S platform is very nice, and it is a work of art in both a modern and traditional sense. Of course it has less trunk space and carrying capacity for larger objects, but if that's not an issue, I'd probably go the Porsche route. The M3 will be a monster, but I fear you may have to wait awhile till BMW works out the kinks of its entry of another new model.

[2002 Tii]

The Cayman S is a REAL porsche and then some with it's centrally mounted motor and perfect weight distribution. In a Road & Track article a Porsche insider was quoted saying "the reason the Cayman S will not get a mechanical differential; is that it will be faster around the track than the 911. Which is another reason they will not produce an RS version either." The car simply has the most balanced handling of any car in production today and with another 100HP which the chassis can handle easily it will belong in the super car territory. My brother bought one of the first ones and I have driven it on the track and the road a number of times, although his has a stinking automatic (another reason not to get married) which realy robs the car of charachter it is just an awsome car.
If you don't care about having no back seats, I would highly recommend the car, the fabrication quality is way superior to anything BMW offers. You can find very low mileage examples in the low 50s! arguably the
biggest bargan out there today. Drive it for a couple of years and then buy the M3 post hype era, that's what I'm doing. Or maybe a used R8!

[MI6]

2 very different vehicles.........V6 vs. V8.........They look totally diff as well...........All comes down to taste and preferences......

Personally I am not a Cayman fan though.....

How can you name a car after a small, cute South American alligator?.

[ase2dais]

Porsches are more fun cars to drive

[carnuts3]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

Porsches are more fun cars to drive

Yes, they are fun cars...but a in a totally different class. Hard to compare one-on-one. As was already said, it comes down to personal preference and need..... If I could live with a two seat-er, I would have had a 911 a long time ago...but I can't. So an M3 with four seats fits my needs better, and I still have speed and handling.

[tek818]

I smoked a Cayman S 0-100 in my E92 335i w/ Turbo Tuner like it was a Civic! Sooooo not impressed with that car. I even looked into purchasing one, however I am 6'4" and couldn't even test drive it.

[ase2dais]

Dollar for dollar, tque for tque, for sure! you'll get the best bang from a 335i against a Cayman. But there are the better class Porsches

[zumbalak]

Originally Posted by AB Tek 818

I smoked a Cayman S 0-100 in my E92 335i w/ Turbo Tuner like it was a Civic! Sooooo not impressed with that car. I even looked into purchasing one, however I am 6'4" and couldn't even test drive it.

And that Cayman S smoked you in the track like your 335 was a Geo Metro.


And if you are able to fit in to 335 you can fit into a Cayman easily even though you are 6'4". You could have test driven one without a problem. The head room and shoulder rooms are similar (advantage Cayman on the head room, and BMW on shoulder room). The leg room is plenty in the Cayman S.

[Mii]

"The 2008 Cayman GR-P will boast an all new 401 hp 3.6 liter, normally aspirated engine that incorporates the use of gasoline direct-injection and shares much of its ancestry with Porsche's current GT3 power plant. The Cayman GR-P will be the first Porsche production model available with PMSG, Porsche Multi Shaft Gearbox."

"The new GR-P will be the first new Porsche model to break into the previously protected performance
levels of the 911 model line, promising to sprint from 0-62 mph in just 4.1 seconds and able to reach a top
speed of 197 mph."

"The Porsche Cayman GR-P will go on sale in the United States beginning October 12, 2007. U.S. and Canadian retail pricing will start at $79,401 and $112,007 respectively."

Source

[monsta]

Originally Posted by Mii

"The 2008 Cayman GR-P will boast an all new 401 hp 3.6 liter, normally aspirated engine that incorporates the use of gasoline direct-injection and shares much of its ancestry with Porsche's current GT3 power plant. The Cayman GR-P will be the first Porsche production model available with PMSG, Porsche Multi Shaft Gearbox."

"The new GR-P will be the first new Porsche model to break into the previously protected performance
levels of the 911 model line, promising to sprint from 0-62 mph in just 4.1 seconds and able to reach a top
speed of 197 mph."

"The Porsche Cayman GR-P will go on sale in the United States beginning October 12, 2007. U.S. and Canadian retail pricing will start at $79,401 and $112,007 respectively."

Source

Damn that thing is gonna fly, should be great for track duty...:rocks: but I'll stick w/ my m3

[M3onTwomps]

Originally Posted by monsta

Damn that thing is gonna fly, should be great for track duty...:rocks: but I'll stick w/ my m3

Good idea since that is an April Fool's joke.