New Camaro or used Cayman?

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Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: SF0059
Porsche all the way. It is so obvious a choice I'm not even going into the reasons


....The Porsche is obviously the superior label and associated with class and money and overall sex appeal......

Do you use the criteria for everything you buy? Comments like this make me wish I was still in sales.
 
I would get the Cayman in a heartbeat...

While some parts on the car are super-expensive (true of many German cars...ask me how I know...), many common parts are normal cost (e.g. the 12,000 mile OCI fleece oil filter on my V-12 is $12). Further, the Cayman is a well-built and engineered machine that you will love driving...and the used one will not depreciate in value the way the new Camaro will.

You'll find a larger aftermarket for modifying the Chevy - tons of bolt-on stuff that you can tinker with to your heart's content...but all of that stuff is worth zero at the time of sale...and I know folks who have literally thrown away 10s of thousands of $$ modifying their car (Mustang, Camaro, etc.) only to find that the next buyer won't give them any more for all the cool tuner parts. Viewed in that light, the Porsche is cheaper...

Don't buy parts from the dealer - the cost is crazy, a place like FCP Euro will have genuine Bosch parts for far less. You can save quite a bit too by having parts rebuilt (e.g. dealer price on a 2002 Volvo alternator, $450, on-line price, $280, rebuilt by local guy, $105).

Join the Porsche club - all of those members will have dealt with maintenance/repair issues and be able to point you to the most cost-effective solution to maintaining the car.

The cars really aren't comparable. One is a precision-built, finely engineered sports car that will hold its value. One is a fun to drive muscle car.
 
I rent the Camaro's from time to time.

My impression:

I initially hated the Camaro. It had a high "waistline" and a low roof. Making the driver (me) feel like I'm sitting in a deep bathtub. The car also felt heavy and large for a "sports car", the cheezy instrument panel did not help, and the automatic was as non responsive as humanly possible. Always in a gear too high. Manual shifting does not help, as most of the time it simply refuses to shift when asked and waits 2 seconds.

However, after living with it for a while, I came to appreciate and actually like/enjoy the Camaro. It was comfortable, quiet enough, quite capable handling and achieved fantastic fuel economy on the highway. (I drove it like an old lady in an attempt at maximum mpg)

I especially liked the suspension on rural roads. It was capable of absorbing bumps in corners without feeling like it was upsetting the car. (unlike some Mustangs with the live axle) And, I found the large bucket seats a very comfortable place to be for hours on end.

It's not likely I'd purchase one. But, that's only because I don't want a 4000 pound sports car. On second thought, maybe I will look into one.

The Cayman/Boxster cars are perfect right from the start. Fast enough, super responsive, excellent powerful brakes, and comfortable seating. If I were to choose between the two, I'd pick the Porsche first. Even a bottom of the line Cayman is super fun to drive, and quite a good performer.
 
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Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Im thinking of buying a fun car, sporty yet economical enough to drive 400 miles a week. im considering the new DI v6 camaro which is and excellent looking car and has impressive power and economy, or a 2007 Porsche Cayman S with 35-40k miles. what are your guys thoughts. both can be bought in the neighborhood of $30-35k


Depends on your income bracket.

If you will have the extra disposable income going forward, the Porsche will be more fun. Otherwise, it will be more painful.
 
I can't believe anyone looking at a Cayman would even consider a Camaro!

Good for the OP being open minded. But two vastly different cars.

It should be noted that Camaros are a lot better than the automotive press said they were. The actual owners like them a lot.

But if you are an involved DRIVER the Cayman will rock your senses. And possibly your wallet as well.
 
Originally Posted By: whip
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: SF0059
Porsche all the way. It is so obvious a choice I'm not even going into the reasons


....The Porsche is obviously the superior label and associated with class and money and overall sex appeal......

Do you use the criteria for everything you buy? Comments like this make me wish I was still in sales.


No.. i don't i was mearly stating how a porsche is veiwed compared to GM. i think from my postings most can tell im very locical when it comes to choosing between the two. i do think the porsche is overall a higher quality car, but is it in fact the best and most logical car to put 15k miles a year on? this is what i base my logic on.

I can afford to buy and maintain a Cayman, but the question is not weather i can afford it, but can i still save and invest the amount of money i would like to and own a cayman?

From a pure drivers car perspective and cool factor the Cayman wins hands down for me, while the camaro would more than likely be cheaper to maintain, service, and insure. and the new DI Camaros are very efficient.
 
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Since you're not yet obligated to other things, get the one you really want...and then keep it forever.

When you find, someday, that baby seats won't fit, buy something else in which they will fit and keep this car...put it in the garage, or at least get a good cover...and when those kids grow up and go off to college, start driving it every day again...
 
Originally Posted By: code5coupe
That kind of money would put you into a pristine used Corvette that will blow the socks off the Cayman, give you better mileage than the Camaro, and be worth just about what you paid for it when it comes time to sell. Maintenance parts are cheap, too. (it's a Chevy).
The Vette will also be a viable daily driver and are far better long-distance cruisers than you'd think.

Between the Camaro and the Cayman, I'd go Cayman.


This is a thought.
Any Corvette of the last several years will suck the headlights out of any Cayman or Camaro.
The Camaro has the outward visibility of a light tank and weighs like one as well.
A porky caricature of the '67-69 model.
The Cayman would be fun to drive, but maybe not for 400 miles a week.
OTOH, I'm sure a Cayman is more comfortable than my old BMW and I've averaged more than 400 miles a week in it since mid-April when I put it back on the road after being stored for the winter.
It will shortly be going back in the garage for the winter.
 
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Since you're not yet obligated to other things, get the one you really want...and then keep it forever.

When you find, someday, that baby seats won't fit, buy something else in which they will fit and keep this car...put it in the garage, or at least get a good cover...and when those kids grow up and go off to college, start driving it every day again...


+1.

NEVER let that one dream car you love get away!!.. and having had this happen several times.. It won't.
 
Originally Posted By: donnyj08


I can afford to buy and maintain a Cayman, but the question is not weather i can afford it, but can i still save and invest the amount of money i would like to and own a cayman?


Only you can answer that one.

But if you can afford to buy and keep either, and you love fine motoring, it seems like a no-brainer to me.

The Porsche will cost more to own, but should have better resale recovery as you're buying it used.
 
Thanks guys, its always great to get your opinions and thoughts. im thinking im going to search for a Cayman S. also to the Corvette guys, i will check out some C6 vettes as well.
 
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Caymen, its just a better car. One of the best driving cars Porsche has ever made, and that says a lot coming from a company like Porsche.

You can't see properly out of a Camero, and if you get the V6 you will be the brunt of V6 jokes.
 
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Originally Posted By: d00df00d


If I had to choose between those two, I'd take the Cayman without even blinking.
BINGO
 
neither. you are all over the map on the vehicle choices. buy gran turismo 5 on the ps3 and save yourself a ton of money.
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Originally Posted By: code5coupe
That kind of money would put you into a pristine used Corvette that will blow the socks off the Cayman, give you better mileage than the Camaro, and be worth just about what you paid for it when it comes time to sell. Maintenance parts are cheap, too. (it's a Chevy).
The Vette will also be a viable daily driver and are far better long-distance cruisers than you'd think.

Between the Camaro and the Cayman, I'd go Cayman.


This is a thought.
Any Corvette of the last several years will suck the headlights out of any Cayman or Camaro.
The Camaro has the outward visibility of a light tank and weighs like one as well.
A porky caricature of the '67-69 model.
The Cayman would be fun to drive, but maybe not for 400 miles a week.
OTOH, I'm sure a Cayman is more comfortable than my old BMW and I've averaged more than 400 miles a week in it since mid-April when I put it back on the road after being stored for the winter.
It will shortly be going back in the garage for the winter.


A ZL1 Camaro will suck the doors off any Corvette except a ZR1!
 
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