Feb 3, 2009 3:02:53 AM
2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd
Conrad:
In my country, the price for a nicely optioned 2.9L. Cayman with PDK, PASM, 19" alloys, LSD & sport exhuast system is roughly the same as a standard Boxster S. So which is better? Please let me know your thoughts, thanks!
If I understanded you correctly you asked what is a better choice:
Cayman 2.9L with PDK, PASM, 19", LSD, SC Plus(a must with PDK!) and sport exhaust(not a must of Cayman since it is sounding more agressive then any Carrera)
or
Boxster S with standard items(No PDK, PASM, 19", LSD or SC Plus)?
In short Cayman with tha options.
It will be faster on all tracks then standard Boxster S. Despite 310hp that optional items(PASM, 19", PDK, LSD and SC Plus) are making the car faster on the track. My answer is here different then from member that posted above-if you plan to visit track occasionally Cayman with all that options is better choice again. For city driving as well since PDK is excellent for slow driving in traffic with standard programm.
Conrad:
In my country, the price for a nicely optioned 2.9L. Cayman with PDK, PASM, 19" alloys, LSD & sport exhuast system is roughly the same as a standard Boxster S. So which is better? Please let me know your thoughts, thanks!
Down entirely to your own priorities. Want a soft top? Obviously go for the Boxster S, which would be quicker in road use than the 2.9 Cayman, even with PDK. Not sure whether the Cayman 2.9 PDK would be quicker on a track than a manual Boxster S, having been driven expertly at incredible speeds on the 'Ring in a 3.2 Boxster S courtesy of Porschejeck which really opened my eyes to the amazing reserves and handling of the mid engined 987. You'd need to be a very very good driver in a Cayman - even a Cayman S - to keep up, let alone get by! Maybe PJ could comment on this - he's much better qualified than me!
Plan to do track days or not keen on a rag top? Then choose the Cayman for its marginally sharper handling due to the greater rigidity of a fixed head coupe. But you'd need to be on top of the game to notice the difference between the two cars handling, despite what certain Cayman enthusiats might think.
First of all, it depends on your use and personal preferences. I am fairly uncertain if a convertible would be sensible on China´s crowded streets and if you favour the open-top motoring. That´s up to you.
Secondly, the above mentioned options, namely PDK, PASM and sports exhaust, transform these models significantly - so you should ask yourself if you would want to sacrifice driving experience for a bit more hp or, alternatively, pay a bit more money.
I think the choice comes down to whether or not you want a convertible. Equally equipped -the rest is small by comparison.
Keep in mind that PDK and PASM are options that cannot be retrofitted later. if you're seriously considering the options, then you'd be better off getting them when you order the car.
...Just curious; does the Chinese government really tax 100% the cost of the car if it is not built in China? I visited last summer, and our tour guide mentioned it.
Just this week, I had my '08 Boxster S serviced and was given a Base '08 Cayman with a 5speed as my loaner. The Cayman is a remarkably solid car, but I am more at home in my Boxster S. The power difference between a Base and S model car is considerable, while the Base is more than adequate, the "S" is noticeably more powerful. The Cayman was a great deal more noisy inside than the Boxster, as the Cabin seems to act as sound chamber for tire noise. With the standard suspension, the Cayman was a bit more harsher, especially in the rear. I have PASM on my Boxster S, and must say the difference is considerable, with the standard suspension on the Cayman feeling somewhere between my normal and sport setting on PASM. In short, there are tradeoffs of the rail-like handling of the Cayman with the suspension and noise. A Cayman with PASM might be a very good way to go, and the new base engine may get it closer to the feeling of an 'S" engine, but my bias would be to take a Boxster S over a Base Cayman.
vincesf