I test drove a 2008 Cayman S loved it, handles like a go-cart my z fells faster though but the cayman s more refined. Last year I was looking for a 2009 and up Cayman S as it has more hp at 320hp but they are hard to find.

More power can be added and fairly cheap for considering Porsche tax!

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I agree, but the interior of the 06-08 was really bad all pictures of the switches paint chips and bad quality plastic, sort of like the 350z interiors

I’m glad I’m getting some feedback. I genuinely love the Z, it is a good and loyal friend. It’s just you know, it’s been a looooong time.

I don’t really “need” a new car today, but will soon enough, maybe another year or two at the most—like I said, it’s been a loooooooong time. Cost is an overall concern. Maintenance cost is a concern, I understand that maintenance is more costly on the Pcar; it’s not going to break me or anything, but I am fiscally conservative and it does give me pause.

I’ve really only had my eye on two cars over the last few years the Vetter and the Cayman. I think I’ve outgrown the Vette, they look spectacular, although I’ve really done no real research on the C8, but I honestly just don’t see myself driving one at this point. I test drove the 718 base and GTS recently. Realistically I’m in the market for a base, but having skipped on the Z Sport last time, I am aiming to spring for the 718S (if that’s where I end up).

Here’s the thing, I wasn’t blown away by it. I mean it handled FANTASTICALLY, much better than the Z; you feel the less weight, you feel the crips, on-rails style turning. The power was there, definitely in the GTS (and hence the S), not completely sure there wasn’t turbo lag at the bottom of the tach in the base though. Like I said, I’m not sure. Need more seat time. Dealer has me attending a Porsche Experience event at a nearby track next week; although this will primarily be a DD car, and I haven’t done any significant track time since my autocross days more than a decade ago, I have driven that track before. I guess I’ll see how I feel after the track event. I also plan on asking for an extended (over the weekend or similar) test drive. I guess I just feel that if I’m consider getting (my first) Porsche, and spending what is a lot of money to me, I should be blown away (for lack of more colorful language) but so far I’m not sure that I am. The question I keep asking myself is, is this a big enough (if at all) of an upgrade after more than a decade? Is this “upgrade” worth the money?

Alright, I’m going to stop ranting. Again, if anyone has any personal experience they’d like to share, I welcome it. Thanks in advance.

PS. I should note that I am aware a new Z “may” be in the works, but 1) I don’t see it coming out for at least 3 years, 2) as much as I love the Z, and as LOYAL as I am to the Z (I mean common you guys must see that), I feel like life is to short to be driving basically the same car your entire life.

I felt the same way after driving a 718 S a couple times, on streets and highway. It felt very... German. And slower than the Z. The handling difference was noticeable and the transmission is absolutely superior. Basically perfect.

The four cylinder is really unexciting. It is turbocharged, so I imagine there's easy power to gain, but I can't imagine what it costs to modify a Porsche.

Then take maintenance and insurance into account... to me the 718 S is great as a millionaire's toy. If you can drop 80k on a car and not feel it, I would. For the other 90% of us, it makes no sense.

Then there's the fact that you have no easy access to the engine compartment in the Cayman. That right there was a deal breaker for me when I was shopping for a sports car 3 years ago. That's like having a hot girlfriend and you can never see her junk.....:rofl2:

If you want a P car then you got to be willing to pay and put up with all that comes with it. Another overlooked car not quite on the scale of the Porsche for consideration is Lotus. They are very nice cars and handle almost as well and come with a Toyota Camry engine.

What Porsche and what Lotus?

Thanks for input everyone, keep it coming, especially those who test drove and/or own(ed) one.

To answer everyone's questions, no sadly, I can't drop $80k on a car and not feel it. I can in theory afford the Pcar, and frankly, if I end up going this route, I'll prob be looking for '17 or '18 low miles car anyway as people say the initial depreciation is downright depressing. I can do the basic maintenance myself, plus a friend (see below) just told me of a guy who used to work at Porsche who has for years now had a garage 10 min away from me where he specializes in german cars, and is reasonably priced.

Side story: hung out with a few friends yesterday, one has an '08 (I think) Cayenne which he got of a lease about 4 yrs old and 40k on it, he now has 155k on it and is looking to sell it, wants to get a Panamera. I got good idea of repairs and maintenance that he's had to do on it. Then so happens that another acquaintance had a '14 Panamera -- drove that last night -- that he is currently selling b/c he just bought an '08 911 4S Cab (in retrospect, although almost no alcohol was involved, this may have been the funnest Halloween ever :)

Then walked into the office this morning and one of my bosses is there with a brand new 718 Boxster S fully fully f'in loaded. Just drove that also and I'll say it sure is an impressive car if I can swing for the S with not to mention some of the performance options.

I have no intention of modding the car in any way. I'm looking for a DD primarily, and hope to start doing at least a few track events a year, which would of course require brakes, brake fluids, tires. But between the Z already being a great cruiser/GT car, and the uncertainty of what's happening in the US over the next year or two with the 718 models featuring 4T I AM REALLY TORN.

Depends on what the shopper is looking for. If it were me, I would be looking at a used 911 Carrera S. There are plenty of them on the market and in good condition. My first pick in Lotus would be the Evora given my size, followed by the Exige.

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It's definitely a tough decision. First world problems, though! ;-)

I was where you were at before buying the 4C. That car won my heart, and I couldn't do the Cayman after seeing the Alfa. But it's not really a suitable daily - neither is any Lotus although the Evora comes close (but is still a Toyota made of Tupperware). If we could get it here, the new Alpine 110 might be a suitable comparison. But we can't, so it's moot.

Will the Cayman give you enough storage? The Z is positively cavernous by 2-seater sports car standards. And not particularly low or small to get in and out of. I test drove a GT4 the other day (again, couldn't see myself parting with my 4C for it, nice as it was). it definitely is going to be more difficult to live with than the 370Z. Also, consider the visibility out of the mid-engine car if you are dailying it. Backing out of parking spaces and merging/changing lanes "by the force" gets old fast, if that sort of thing figures into your commute.

The Porsche is a performance car which you can track, and also comfortably cruise anywhere in. The more performance-oriented you spec it, the less daily/GT-worthy it becomes. If you want something with amazing performance and is still a comfortable daily, then you move into 911 territory (or a McLaren, or a Merc AMG GTR, or even go with a less expensive performance saloon car in an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio, or a BMW //M-something or Audi S5..., any of which will match or better the Cayman you are looking at in terms of performance and handling). I know - I'm not making your decision any easier! :-P


When the decision comes down to dollars / performance / and utility there are always compromises to be made. I always liked the saying "Good, cheap, fast - pick 2" with regard to having work done. You can have a good job cheap, but it won't be fast, or a fast job cheap but it won't be good. Or a good job fast, but it won't be cheap. I think you'll find a comparable result in your deliberations!

In the end, if your heart is set on the Porsche, and you can at least live with its cost to buy and maintain and the compromises that it may demand of you, then go for it. That is the kind of decision that you need to make with your heart, and not your head.

There's no wrong answer, except to wait because you're afraid of making the wrong decision!

Interesting thread. Looking forward to more input.

Oh, and be wary of Rennlist - it's not nearly as friendly, helpful, and accommodating as this board. ;-)

^^^Agreed!!! I am glad you jumped in as I forgot about the Alfa...great car for the not so tall. As for the Audi s5 I own a 14 and the car rocks but you will pay the same kind of tax that comes with a P car. Or you can just do a v8 Corvette. The reviews are amazing and it is supposed to rival the German and Italian supercars in street manners. $80k will get you all the upgrades.

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can't lie

i have eyed the Evora GT, the latest version with less weight, titanium exhaust i believe, and wider front fenders

tight driver's compartment might be the biggest drawback because all reports are the handling is nuts

@ZCanadian Thank you for your post! I wanted to quote portions of it and comment on them, but you're so spot on, and your comments are so well and thoughtfully written that I would just end up commenting and complimenting and agreeing with every sentence/phrase of your post.

That said, a few choice quotes still deserve it.

Yes, first world problems for sure. I, like I am sure many others, work hard, and life is not easy, but man, man, we are lucky, life could be much much worse...knock on wood. It's Friday, and I recommend everyone take a minute and reflect on that.

Very true, I've done my research and due diligence. It comes down to a heart driven decision.

This is interesting, but decision paralysis is a real thing, and right now I'm leaning towards waiting until at least the spring/summer to see what happens to the 718 line in US.

Oh man, for sure! I can already see that after hanging out there for the last week or two. I have to say, online forums are not known for bringing the best out in people, but I've been a member here since early 2009 and this forum is the best!!!

Yes, yes, yes! More input folks please!

PS: Whereas the BMW M/Audi S something were cars I always wanted in the past; I want one more "impractical" 2 seater in my life before I end up driving something that's a 2+2 sports coupe/sedan. Also I am of very little opinion of the reliability of BMW/Audi/Merc--I would not buy those cars with the intention of holding long term. I know I'm considering a potential gamble in that regard on the Porsche. Lastly, I like the classic look of the sports car, which is what the Z, the 718 (and for that matter the 911) offers; I'm not dying to get into a sports coupe in terms of appearance.

If I were to get a Porsche, it would HAVE to be a flat six.