I was just wondering...if the Elise and Cayman S cost the same, what would you buy?

cayman s only because I have another convertible. But the actual 20k difference makes the choice easy otherwise

 

Between an Elise and a Cayman S, I would choose a Cayman S. Between an Exige and a Cayman S, it's a toss up. Between Exige S and Cayman S... well you guys know what I chose.

 

I'm not a fan of the look of the cayman at all, mainly because it's a hardtop boxster, and I never liked the boxster :sad:

 

Never interested in the Cayman. Already had a Boxster and one was enough.

 

should compare elise to boxster s (which now has the same engine as the cayman S)... once the boxster depreciates like crazy it is probably a pretty good deal...but I wouldn't buy one new.

 

I was just wondering...if the Elise and Cayman S cost the same, what would you buy?

That's the problem with the question - the Cayman S doesn't cost the same. If they dropped the price to the same level, the Cayman S would be quite a different car. Prpbably better to compare the Elise with the Boxster.

 

For the price of a nice Cayman S, I would rather have a new Elise and a new Jeep.

 

The Cayman S has better performance...

but the Elise is more fun. The Cayman actually has more grip b/c it does the same numbers on the skidpad with Pilot Sports (street tires) that the Elise does with A048s (R compounds). They both have a 10:1 weight/power ratio. The Cayman is tons more refined and practical but the Elise is a more involving ride.

I had a deposit down on a 07 Boxster S (295bhp 3.4L) and cancelled it after driving the Elise. After driving the Elise for a day, I found myself tossing back this question. Which do I want? I couldn't figure it out because they both have great performance, terrific steering response, and excellent brakes. I ultimately decided that if I can't figure out which one I want more, I might as well pick the cheaper one. (I was spending $77k on my Boxster S)

 

I think it depends on if you are increasing the price of the Elise to meet the Cayman or dropping the Cayman to meet the Elise.

 

I ultimately decided that if I can't figure out which one I want more, I might as well pick the cheaper one. (I was spending $77k on my Boxster S)

$77k? Why pay $22k more than MSRP of $55,500?

 

If it was between the exige and the cayman s then i would buy the exige, but elise and cayman s then I would have to go cayman s.

 

I was just wondering...if the Elise and Cayman S cost the same, what would you buy?

It's odd to compare these two cars when each model has a different package that compares with each other.

Elise vs Boxster
$43,990 vs $45,600

Exige S vs Boxster S
$56,990 vs $55,500

Exige S vs Cayman S
$56,990 vs $58,900

 

It's odd to compare these two cars when each model has a different package that compares with each other.

Elise vs Boxster
$43,990 vs $45,600

Exige S vs Boxster S
$56,990 vs $55,500

Exige S vs Cayman S
$56,990 vs $58,900

Hi Matt,

That's the whole point of my hypothetical question. If the Cayman S was $15k less, would you get it over the Elise?

 

cayman s

drove the cayman s and didn't really like it too much. Love the sound of the engine & transmission though. The seats and steering wheel sucked. The profile and rear design is ugly. I am sooooo damn happy with my Exige S. No way I would buy any other car. You cannot beat the performance and design of this car. (I know the comparison is with Elise)

 

Cayman S, no doubt. Such a much sweeter sound, even with stock, which I'd never keep stock anyway. As for MSRP, til today I do not know anyone who's bought a plain no option Porsche and the options are damn high and easily can pack an extra 10k to the msrp. Tons of after market upgrades available.

 

Cayman S is soooooo much more refined. You feel like you are getting your moneys worth based on fit and finish (where as the Lotus - yeah I know about the phillosophy crap-but we are getting ripped). Cayman's Engine roars and the torque kicks you into the seat at a much better range. Also much easier to get in and out of, has a stereo that works, does not leak..........
On the negative side, $55K is the base model and you almost never can find just a base model. Porsche nickel and dimes you to death with options.

 

Cayman or Elise? Yes. They seem like they would compliment each other nicely. I wonder if a Boxster S might do 95% of what a Cayman/Elise combo could do, however, for about 60% the price of both.


If the Cayman had an AWD option and could tow a small sailboat or jet ski, it would be the perfect single guy SUV however. Space for my sticks and some luggage, and a rack for the MTB. What more could I want?

 

Cayman or Elise? Yes. They seem like they would compliment each other nicely. I wonder if a Boxster S might do 95% of what a Cayman/Elise combo could do, however, for about 60% the price of both.

The difference in handling between the Boxster and Cayman is noticeable on hard push due to the flexibility of the Boxster's convert config. Is it a big deal? Not really and for as much as 10K less equally equipped, the Cayman doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Each to his own though.:sheep:

 

Cayman S, no doubt. Such a much sweeter sound, even with stock, which I'd never keep stock anyway. As for MSRP, til today I do not know anyone who's bought a plain no option Porsche and the options are damn high and easily can pack an extra 10k to the msrp. Tons of after market upgrades available.

friend of mine took delivery of one wiht just floor mats, chrome exhasut, and one small option (dont remember what it was). $1k over invoice. it you look hard, you will find it.

 

Someone just traded their Cayman S on an Elise. I think that says it all.

 

$77k? Why pay $22k more than MSRP of $55,500?

You've obviously never looked at a Porsche option list...

 

Someone just traded their Cayman S on an Elise. I think that says it all.

lol. that's me. hahah, well, i didn't trade in, but I changed my mind. But honestly, if Cayman S is about the same price as Elise ($44 - $45k) MSRP, I would get Cayman S. But the sticking point for me is about the $10k difference. No brainer, I am a sport car guy, I wouldn't pay $10k for leather seats, etc (basically practicality issue) unless it's definitely $10k worth of performance, and Cayman S, IMHO, is not $10k worth of performance from Elise as if I use that $10k difference on an Elise, that would blow away any Cayman S (including the talked about 3.8 L Carrera S X51 swap to Cayman S chassis)

 

They're just totally different cars. For the track, I'd take the Elise any day (and I did and I'm really glad I did). The Elise is SOOOO much more engaging on the track like a true race car. The Cayman is a good track car, but a great street/GT, so for everyday use I'd take the Cayman. It's not a car for a purist, but more pampering for those of us that require such niceties. Fortunately, I don't have to drive a sports car every day!

 

Cayman S is soooooo much more refined.

Which is a nice trait when running to the grocery store but not so important when carving up a canyon...

You feel like you are getting your moneys worth based on fit and finish (where as the Lotus - yeah I know about the phillosophy crap-but we are getting ripped).

I feel like I'm getting my moneys worth when looking at the Elise's chassis and suspension...

Cayman's Engine roars and the torque kicks you into the seat at a much better range.

Have you driven an Exige S yet?

Also much easier to get in and out of,

Not important in a pure sports car.

has a stereo that works,

Again, not important in a pure sports car.

does not leak..........

I don't know of any Elises that leak. If yours does, I'd take it to the dealer.

On the negative side, $55K is the base model and you almost never can find just a base model. Porsche nickel and dimes you to death with options.

True dat. Porsches are not the best value for money out there.

 

lol. that's me. hahah, well, i didn't trade in, but I changed my mind. But honestly, if Cayman S is about the same price as Elise ($44 - $45k) MSRP, I would get Cayman S. But the sticking point for me is about the $10k difference. No brainer, I am a sport car guy, I wouldn't pay $10k for leather seats, etc (basically practicality issue) unless it's definitely $10k worth of performance, and Cayman S, IMHO, is not $10k worth of performance from Elise as if I use that $10k difference on an Elise, that would blow away any Cayman S (including the talked about 3.8 L Carrera S X51 swap to Cayman S chassis)

i love cayman s and i love elise/exige.
exige/elise is about same speed as cayman s on track.
exige s eats cayman s for lunch
but elise/eixge will not have a chance against 3.8L X51 cayman s, i am pretty certain of that. a 3.8L cayman is faster than 997gt3 and handles better.

exige s vs 3.8L cayman would be interesting though.

of course these comparsion are made without consieration to price, FWIW.

 

I knew Porsches were over priced...

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2007/01/22/report-porsche-profits-28000-per-car/