Once the 72T was sold, I wanted to get something a bit more modern to drive and have fun with. I think I found it...
https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...0&d=1645330493
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Once the 72T was sold, I wanted to get something a bit more modern to drive and have fun with. I think I found it...
https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...0&d=1645330493
Those are WAY under-rated. Tune it to it's potential and blow doors on 911's.
Cheers,
John
You can have it both ways you know?! I had a 2014 Cayman S for a year or so while waiting for my Macan, and it was a blast. And unlike our early cars, you don't have to worry that it will melt in the salt and snow.
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OH, have I been wanting one of these myself... I don't have much desire for the bloated flagships and lets face it, if you aren't tracking, a GT2/GT3 is a waste of performance unless you're in the game to make money down the road with low mileage 'collectors'.
I could make the exception for the GT4, LOL...
Back to the smaller scalpels for carving on a VERY REGULAR basis rather than the sledge hammers.:cool:
Arne, I wouldn't consider this anything close to the dark side. They remain more true to the early 911s than anything else in the current Porsche lineup. Caymans are so underrated being overshadowed by the 911.
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others have said it, I will repeat, these Caymans, especially the early 987 and 981 generation are light, tossable and extremely visceral. I owned a Cayman R, got a great deal on it because it had a few miles on it and PDK. When the market went bonkers, I was able to upgrade to a 2016 GT4...and it is sublime. Very balanced, very connected and the shifter is simply outstanding. I got a great deal but I expect this might be the last real, mechanical car I will ever own.
The 987 was fun because it was more mechanical. But the GT4, well, it's just outrageous. last of the normally aspirated flat-6, gobs of power and still under 3000 lbs. just barely.
I drove all 3 generations - 987, 981 and 718. The 981 felt just a touch more "GT car" than either of the other two, despite the 718 being much the same chassis as the 981. This one is a local, one-owner base 2.0L with PDK and 22,000 miles. Wasn't first delivered until May 2019, so still has over a year of original warranty left.
And it is a total kick to drive...
I love Caymans and they are great cars.
But the dark side? Ha I say....
I just recently bought this guy, and this indeed is a move to the "dark" side if you ask me.
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I love it doug !!!
Whoa, Congratulations Arne! Your posts on the Z forums are still a wealth of information.
The burbling exhaust in my 981 gts is just as intoxicating as an earlyS.
Last night together. The '72T should be picked up by transporter tomorrow.
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This is really a fun car to drive. Far better than any other modern car I've tried.
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The fun thing about these is that they are much more livable than an early 911, so you use them all the time and that adds up to a lot of enjoyment. I once rented a 718 Boxster in LA and it was much better than I expected. For me that was the trigger to buy a more modern Porsche and I've been enjoying my "dark side" 996 for a few years now... very practical and still quite analog/old-school.
The mid-engine Porsches are very underrated.....they're a blast to drive.
Well, as we all know, sometimes life gets in the way of our "fun" time.
For one reason or another, I hadn't had a lot of time to drive the Cayman much until last Saturday, my first opportunity for a "real" drive. I drove it to a Porsche Cars & Coffee in Medford, 350 miles round trip. The group in Medford is part of my PCA Region (Cascade), but due to the distance the members in the two population centers rarely get together. Taking a drive in my Cayman was a great excuse to go visit.
The route consisted of a variety of roads. Some freeway, but a fair amount of pleasantly twisty secondary roads. And the car just ate it all up. Neutral handling, flat cornering with very little body roll, tons of grip, incredibly responsive steering, firm but not harsh ride, and 31 MPG to boot. Just a fantastic car to get out and drive - anywhere.
Late comer to this thread. I sold my 1966 912/6 hot-rod 'El Chucho' to buy a 981 Cayman as I'd never owned a modern Porsche, despite having driven many through my magazine work. Great car BUT too perfect, had no soul. Other drivers reacted to it in a totally different way, constantly tailgated, etc. After less than a year sold it at a great loss and bought a 914 to build up as a project. Love it far more than I ever loved the Cayman. To me fun cars should be a little challenging – modern Porsches are not. They make great daily drivers, but they don't set my heart racing. A well set-up five year old Audi TT is the equal of a Cayman, for a fraction of the price. Just doesn't have that Porsche badge (if that really matters).
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Well said Keith... I followed both your 12/6 and 14 projects...
My commuter car is a '15 2 door 6 speed GTI...
It's the equal, or better, then almost anything my S can do (except throttle response and the DOT tires)... and do it with the A/C and stereo on...
However it's boring as hell !!! .... :rolleyes:
It’s an easy place to go.
I get it. The air cooled cars ar fun, noisy and lively, but in current terms most generic cars can at least keep up, while in "D",sitting in a/c comfort and the stereo blasting.
Then there is the issue of parts, finding and scheduling a true mechanic rather than a parts changer that is willing to learn while you pay.
Add in traffic, distracted drivers, tailgaters, SUV's and PU's cruising at 90+ and poor road surfaces.
A few years back an old time engine builder, told me" he saw the light, surrendered , and got a 996 GT3".
Guess I'm still willing to fight the "fight." Even with all the obstacles, etc...I'm up for the challenge and I'm a glutton for punishment.
This is my dark sided Kettle .:)
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d869b48d_c.jpg8889ba1a-271c-40d8-aa5b-5b4b2790aa28-IMG_2456 by stretch1985, on Flickr
Oh you mean the dark side!
A very 'cool' and dark place indeed Kent... ;)
Huge difference between a 996 GT3 and a GTI though! I've been having a lot of fun in my 996 Carrera but am going to trade it for a 996 Turbo now -- could not resist the Mezger pull.Quote:
Originally Posted by 50/50
Beautiful car!Quote:
Originally Posted by stretch
Thanks. My air cooled friends make fun of me after purchasing a 996. I had to buy this one, early 98 car with 32k miles from new. I love it already although i will put it back on it's correct turbo twist wheels.Quote:
Originally Posted by frederik
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5b610b85_c.jpg1a9c7e92-31a2-4e5a-98ca-c30056aea5b9-IMG_2454 by stretch1985, on Flickr
The early 996's are the best. Although, the Turbo is definitely growing on me.
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Considering a Boxster. More than a little clueless about years, updates, etc. Somewhat aware of IMS bogeyman. Suggestions?
I am no expert. But when i had that itch i was encouraged by those that know better to buy the newest Boxster you can.
I bought a 2005 Boxster S with 30,000 miles. that was back around 2012 before the twin turbo 4 bangers were around
I have never regrated it.... love the car.
I have test driven the twin turbo 4 banger and that car is awesome.
most of 2005 and on up, the ims is more b.s. than reality. (According to the lawyers that did the class suit)
a typical italian classic...great design...nice performance...low quality... had an evo2 la perla edition many years agoQuote:
Originally Posted by skinnerd
Thanks, Bob. I wondered if the 4 cylinder cars would be a disappointment. Sounds like that isn't the case. There's a part of me that's drawn to ordering a new one with the custom paint option. Ridiculously expensive but they offer Aetna blue, same as on my 356. (You only live once.) I don't need to go fast, but would I be foolish for not spending extra for an S?Quote:
Originally Posted by bob joyce
there may be an unwritten rule that if you buy a Porsche, especially if you are getting it second hand (discounted). You go with "S".
But the late Boxster i tested was not an "S" and was a blast. (I did not get to test an "S" and My imagination was all that I had)
So ..... Go out with an open mind and test drive them to see what you think.
Modern cars (any Boxster/Cayman/WC 911, etc) are outrageously fast and I have driven many of them ... but to have real fun one have to drive TOO FAST for the real world road and traffic conditions ... that becomes at the same time dangerous and frustrating ... (unless you live close to certain area of Germany and lucky enough to find an empty autobahn in dry conditions).
I have a 1993 964 Turbo 3.6 ... she is too much already.
I'd only go for GT3 RS / GT4 RS (to add to aircooled, not to replace them) ... so irrationally uncomfortable that give you the shivers even in the parking lot :D
My 0.50 eurocents ...
I've read more than once (among others by Pete Stout - 000) that the very first non-S 2.5 Boxster is a real blast. Not fast but with a great engine note.Quote:
Originally Posted by swcarroll
@Biancaneve: you are right of course! But Turbo power is addictive. :) And the GT3 is not practical for more-or-less daily use. I find the 996 Turbo also fun to drive slowly in the city... the somewhat nervous but at the same time soothing growl from the exhaust always reminding you of the possibilities on an open road... where it changes into a metallic snarl...