[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by W///

You can actually get access to the top, the panel is removable (at least on the earlier cars). But you are still right, it would be more work to own than the BMW's.

I was looking at some of the DIY's for a 997TT and some of them looked like a nightmare (plug and coils being one of them)

I wish that panel was clear - I want to see the engine - I wonder if that is something that can be changed out?

As far as maintenance goes, I am a big fan of "Aunt Bea, call the man" - aka, I will happily drop that baby off or let them come and get it if something is wrong - which is another good reason for me to buy new.

[W///]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

This is along the lines of what I have heard as well - with that being said, I have had mostly good luck (knock on wood) with all of my BMWs, and when something has gone wrong, my local dealers have typically figured it out pretty quickly.

This would actually matter more to me in this potential situation, because I am thinking I would just buy the thing if I am going to spend 1K a month in payments.



Price-wise, the M2 is definitely going to be the "better buy" in terms of what performance you are getting at that price point. I think I might have spoiled my own experience by getting the 235 and not liking it very much - I indeed have high hopes for the M2, but I can't imagine that it would be on par with what I was driving yesterday.

As far as the dealer goes, it makes sense for them to want you to drive stuff - they let me drive the Cayman twice, and told me to come back as many times as I needed - I mean, it is a 70, 80 or whatever purchase. It works to their benefit for people to get comfortable with how each car feels. I am glad they were cool to me yesterday.

In terms of driving experience, I don't see any car from BMW beating the Cayman. It's a peach of a car.

I know for sure I'd at least want an S. Would love a GT4 as well, but I just went from looking at $50k something for the M2 to over $85k+. That is just day dreaming at that point haha.

[Canaletto]

Anyone that thinks the Cayman drives great should try a Lotus Evora--they're even better! And they beat the Cayman on looks, too.

[css]

Originally Posted by W///

In terms of driving experience, I don't see any car from BMW beating the Cayman. It's a peach of a car.

I know for sure I'd at least want an S. Would love a GT4 as well, but I just went from looking at $50k something for the M2 to over $85k+. That is just day dreaming at that point haha.

At least get an S, Cayman Non-S is so slow on everyday use...

[W///]

Originally Posted by Canaletto

Anyone that thinks the Cayman drives great should try a Lotus Evora--they're even better! And they beat the Cayman on looks, too.

I disagree. I'm not a fan of the rear end of the Evora at all.

The Cayman on the other hand, is just beautiful inside and out. I would love to try a Lotus though, any model really. I want to see what the big deal is for myself.

Originally Posted by css

At least get an S, Cayman Non-S is so slow on everyday use...

I wouldn't say it's THAT slow haha. I'd say it's adequate. The dealership had this amazing Cayman (base) that only had sport exhaust and heated seats as the only option. I really considered it, because it sat on the lot for like half a year. I'm assuming it's because it was 6MT and the car was metallic brown (it was GORGEOUS).

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by css

At least get an S, Cayman Non-S is so slow on everyday use...

The lack of BHP and torque would certainly be more noticeable in the non S - but we don't think that it's really slow do we?

I understand your point though...

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Canaletto

Anyone that thinks the Cayman drives great should try a Lotus Evora--they're even better! And they beat the Cayman on looks, too.

Definitely a good looking car - I know even less about Lotus than I do about Porsche - and the only dealer I am aware of in the area isn't very close to me. No idea how big of a deal that would be, but it is something to consider for sure.

Hot car for sure though.

[W///]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

The lack of BHP and torque would certainly be more noticeable in the non S - but we don't think that it's really slow do we?

I understand your point though...

Whatever you do, don't go test drive an F80 and then hop into a Cayman right afterwards like I did

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by W///

Whatever you do, don't go test drive an F80 and then hop into a Cayman right afterwards like I did

Tell me more about the differences!

[BMW335iOn18s]

dmboone25 would you say the gap between the 135i and 1M is smalled than the gap between the M235i and 1M? I haven't driven a 1M, but I have driven a 2012 6 speed 135i....it's a fantastic car, but the M235i is even better! Specifically I like the seating position, interior, short shifter, and lighter flywheel on the M235i..the 135i just has a better front and rear end (for me). I test drove a cayman and I thought it was superb, but realistically it's much more expensive than an M235i. Even though the performance numbers are comparable, the real-world price isn't.

[W///]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Tell me more about the differences!

It just depends what you are after. If you want an engaging car that you have to work for, then the Cayman S destroys the M3 and pretty much everything in the BMW lineup. But the M3 just makes the Cayman S feel lethargic around town just because it has so much torque (even though the Cayman S is not a slow car by any means). Two very very different cars obviously.

This is where the M2 makes sense for me. It's got the advantage of being FI (around town) while at the same time being much more compact than the F80.

The way I see it, I already have a high revving engine in the S65, and I have the light/compactness in the E36. Don't get me wrong, if I could afford a GT4, I'd have that car in my garage in a heartbeat man. That whole platform is seriously amazing.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

dmboone25 would you say the gap between the 135i and 1M is smalled than the gap between the M235i and 1M? I haven't driven a 1M, but I have driven a 2012 6 speed 135i....it's a fantastic car, but the M235i is even better! Specifically I like the seating position, interior, short shifter, and lighter flywheel on the M235i..the 135i just has a better front and rear end (for me). I test drove a cayman and I thought it was superb, but realistically it's much more expensive than an M235i. Even though the performance numbers are comparable, the real-world price isn't.

Good question for sure - I think there is a significant gap between the 135 and the 1M - just want to make that clear from the outset. I had two 135s (N54/MT and N55/DCT) and my order would go something like this:

1M
135 (N54/MT)
135 (N55/DCT) / 235 (tie)

I have always enjoyed the N54 better than the N55, and the version in the 1M feels even crazier than the standard 135. It also has much wider tires and a much more sorted suspension, not to mention the awesome bulldog looks.

In comparison to the Cayman S though, the 1M was feeling a bit old and was generally less sorted on the road. That can be good or bad, depending on your view point and what you're looking for.

In terms of which is closer to the 1M - I really think the E82 N54 135 is much closer - it is more raw (non-electric steering, more capability out of the motor) and engaging in my opinion.

With that being said, the main things I like about the 235 are cosmetic (better dimensions, nicer interior) - but to reiterate, I have never thought it drove as well as my N54 135. I have been a little let down by the 235, which is why I am looking for a potential replacement.

[Canaletto]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Definitely a good looking car - I know even less about Lotus than I do about Porsche - and the only dealer I am aware of in the area isn't very close to me. No idea how big of a deal that would be, but it is something to consider for sure.

Sadly, the small Lotus dealership network really is an issue for the company. I hate to say it, but if you own a Lotus it seems like you *will* need to take it to the dealership, and often sooner rather than later. That becomes an issue when your dealer is three hours away.

[abp689]

As soon as I settle back into my decision to wait for the M2, a thread like this comes along,,, and totally redeems my decision to get a weekend warrior.

And below is the unicorn I'm after:

Originally Posted by W///

The dealership had this amazing Cayman (base) that only had sport exhaust and heated seats as the only option. I really considered it, because it sat on the lot for like half a year. I'm assuming it's because it was 6MT and the car was metallic brown (it was GORGEOUS).

[caycep]

How is the maintenance/repair costs for a Cayman S? Is it dealer-only?

[MTHRAR]

Originally Posted by W///

In terms of driving experience, I don't see any car from BMW beating the Cayman. It's a peach of a car.

I know for sure I'd at least want an S. Would love a GT4 as well, but I just went from looking at $50k something for the M2 to over $85k+. That is just day dreaming at that point haha.

Come on...This one is easy for you...Sell both the E36 and E92, then also the money you intend to allocate for the M2. Proceed to then throw it all in on the GT4. It's like playing roulette, place it all on red!!!

[W///]

Originally Posted by abp689

As soon as I settle back into my decision to wait for the M2, a thread like this comes along,,, and totally redeems my decision to get a weekend warrior.

And below is the unicorn I'm after:

Trust me, I think the M2 will be worth the wait. We've made it this far, might as well wait it out a couple more months. It'll be interesting to compare the Cayman and the M2 when it comes out!

Originally Posted by MTHRAR

Come on...This one is easy for you...Sell both the E36 and E92, then also the money you intend to allocate for the M2. Proceed to then throw it all in on the GT4. It's like playing roulette, place it all on red!!!

Haha, I've got a good buddy getting a yellow GT4 in August. More than once, he told me I should totally just sell everything except the beater 4Runner and get a GT4.

Now that they are all gone, it's not like I have a choice anyway

[vantagesc]

If you really want a GT4, you will be able to find one eventually. People drop off all the time. Same thing happened with the GT3.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by abp689

As soon as I settle back into my decision to wait for the M2, a thread like this comes along,,, and totally redeems my decision to get a weekend warrior.

And below is the unicorn I'm after:

The dealer in Fort Worth has a 2014 with MT and a few other options - I am going to go down and drive it on Thursday. I will report back.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by vantagesc

If you really want a GT4, you will be able to find one eventually. People drop off all the time. Same thing happened with the GT3.

I went through nearly every state's dealer inventory tonight (within a reasonable distance of Dallas) on the Porsche website - there are roughly 10 GT4s that are showing up as "available" - but most of them have the Porsche option problem - aka, they're almost all over 95K, which is simply too much for me.

It will definitely be interesting to see how long it takes for some to become available on the second hand market, and hopefully at a price point that is reasonably achievable.

[vantagesc]

Not even sure those cars are truly available. Dealers put every incoming car in their inventory list even if it's already sold. The best thing to do is let a few dealers know you are interested and then also monitor Rennlist forums. GT3 allocations popped up here and there last time around and you could build them to your spec. My build came out to $91k. Not cheap by any means. Anyway, I think those really interested will be able to snag a car at some point in the next year.

Very different car than M cars though. M2 is more comparable to Cayman S IMO.

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by W///

Trust me, I think the M2 will be worth the wait. We've made it this far, might as well wait it out a couple more months. It'll be interesting to compare the Cayman and the M2 when it comes out!



Haha, I've got a good buddy getting a yellow GT4 in August. More than once, he told me I should totally just sell everything except the beater 4Runner and get a GT4.

Now that they are all gone, it's not like I have a choice anyway

I know you're joking but I would much rather have a gt4 than an e92 and e36. Great stable of cars either way