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My 718 is

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41 - 60 of 255 Posts
#41 ·
Wiscombe64 said:
Only bit I genuinely don’t understand is, what does a Cayman give you over a Boxster with the hood up?
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Because I think the Cayman has better rearward visibility, less claustrophobic inside (yes, I've driven the Boxster before), and is subjectively better looking than a Boxster with the top up which is how I would use a Boxster 99% of the time for the reasons I explained in my earlier response. Plus a convertible top is an extra exterior material and mechanism that I would need to consider how to best take care of and maintain. So for me, the cons far out way the pros of owning a convertible that I would put the top down for the 1% of my use.

I'm glad there's a choice. This is literally the definition of different strokes for different folks.
 
#42 · (Edited)
Walt Disney always drove a convertible..... Good enough for me... And to add.. I have done a 1 month road trip in California in summer and hired a convertible top down all the way and a two week road trip on Florida in summer, convertible roof down all the way. Being able to see views at 360 degrees almost is like living g life in panavision
 
#44 ·
I was searching for a used Cayman (never considered a convertible before), but had my search open to any 718. A good deal came up on a Boxster S (like 20% cheaper than equivalent Cayman). I was hesitant but figured if I did not like the convertible I could sell it easily to get my money back. Turns out I love it. Perfect for Sydney, and is driven top down almost all the time. It does get hot in the middle of summer, but as long as I am not sitting in traffic not moving, never too hot. In winter with all the heated bits going, it is great. And night driving in summer top down is my favourite.

One factor that got me into the Boxster is that the 718 is just as light and handles just as well regardless of the roof which cannot be said for many (any?) other convertibles.
 
#46 ·
Arne said:
That was the only situation I really enjoyed with the MG. But I drive so seldom at night these days...
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One of my favourite things about this car is a summer evening drive to the beach around sunset to grab some fish and chips. About 45 mins each way and through some nice canyon roads. Summer evening temps around 25-30C.
 
#47 ·
vosadrian said:
One factor that got me into the Boxster is that the 718 is just as light and handles just as well regardless of the roof which cannot be said for many (any?) other convertibles.
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I think that's attributable to the Boxster having come first so it has always been in the minds of the engineers to develop the coupe off of the convertible and not the other way around like most other manufacturers.
 
#48 ·
Had a 944 convertible. Loved the way it looked---Wasn't a fan of the hatchback's look either. Lived in CA. Always wanted a top down car.

Despite wanting a convertible so much I found driving top-down was "meh". On the one hand I could enjoy the view on Route 1. On the other, it got hot and I found the wind annoying if I had a passenger. The idea of a convertible proved much better than the reality.

Went to check the Boxster as soon as it came out. Frankly, I was disappointed in the way it looked. With the top up the rear half of the car just didn't call to me. Neither that or the fact it was a convertible is not why I didn't get it. Embarrassed to say I found the clutch to be too light with an oddly high point of engagement. Ended up with a 996.

Then, the Cayman came out. Those hips and the sloping roof fixed more than just the Boxster proportions that I wasn't wild about---I thought it was the best looking car Porsche has ever made. But a move to Montana necessitated I find 4 wheel drive sports cars.

Each generation of the Cayman was as good looking as the last. And after a VW R32, Audi S4 and Golf R (modded all the way up to a big turbo), and a beater Honda Element to handle the winter it was time.

Done. And couldn't be happier.

I will say, though, that the Spyder's shape is a close 2nd to my eye. Whatever you call those protrusions behind the seats, WOW.
 
#49 ·
Kor 446 said:
I will say, though, that the Spyder's shape is a close 2nd to my eye. Whatever you call those protrusions behind the seats, WOW.
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I think they Spyder is the best looking modern drop top Porsche in existence. Much better than the 911 Cab and 911 Speedster.

I think it's called a speedster cover.
 
#50 ·
rasetsu said:
I think they Spyder is the best looking modern drop top Porsche in existence. Much better than the 911 Cab and 911 Speedster.

I think it's called a speedster cover.
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I'm not a fan of the Spyder look, or the 911 Cabriolet. I think the Boxster looks better than either. But, to each their own...
 
#51 ·
I chose a Cayman for a couple of reasons:
1. I hate soft-tops;
2. I found the blind-spot visibility with the top up in the Boxster to be pretty terrible;
3. As much as I would enjoy the convertible experience, many of my expected passengers would likely tire of it quickly.
That said, if there were a retractable hard top option (like in a Miata RF), I would have been very tempted.
 
#52 ·
Hal H said:
our temperatures can ramp up in April and last until October, and July - September are the most humid months. Humidity tends to drop off by late September

by 8am it can be 26* C and mornings can be 85 - 90% humidity. Its not pleasant.

For a major portion of the year, you wouldn't have the top down until after sundown and in August some nights are downright sticky - that's why I wouldn't have a Boxster.

On a mild(er) day I can drop the windows and run the vented seats - hot days aren't a novelty for me, as there's no shortage of them in North Carolina
(and we're "mild" compared to the Southeast region overall)
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I would not want a convertible in North Carolina. Summers are super muggy, winters are cold but not snowy, and the period of "perfect" convertible weather is pretty narrow.

I was sorely tempted to get one for my own locale in California - it's kind of perfect for convertibles 9 months out of the year. But I couldn't get past the poor top-up visibility or my deep and abiding hatred of soft tops.
 
#55 ·
Obviously a clear case of personal taste. To me the Cayman looks so much sleeker specifically when comparing to the boxter with the top up. Plus sitting in the cabin with the top up feels cramped when compared to the Cayman.
 
#56 ·
AmosA said:
Plus sitting in the cabin with the top up feels cramped when compared to the Cayman.
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That may well be true... but with the top down, the opposite applies!! :)

I purchased my Boxster before really spending any time in a Cayman. I then sat inside a Cayman after many months of owning my Boxster. I thought the Cayman would feel much bigger inside and have more head space. I was surprised that this did not feel to be the case. Certainly there is more space behind the seats (top up) that you can sense and see in the mirror. Visibility is better top up... but all that changes with top down.

If you did not anticipate having the top down more than half the time, a Cayman is probably the better choice. For me the top is down about 90% of the time.

For me the Cayman looks better than Boxster top up... but the Boxster takes it top down. I personally am not too taken by the Spyder. I don't hate it.. but I don't find it looks better to my eye (though it looks good from some angles) and there are compromises in roof operation.

When comparing 911 cabriolet to coupe, it is totally different. The cabriolet just looks wrong to me and the couple looks so right!

Clearly personal preferences vary... so great to have the choice and not have to compromise the performance of the car for that choice.
 
Discussion starter · #57 ·
Interesting: Geography and local weather seem to play a significant part in decision making.
I was expecting to see that Caymans were further in the lead than Boxsters!
In the south/south west of England are fortunate in that it is unusual for it be too cold to run hood down, the heater and heated seats make a difference in winter....but I'm a former biker and simply love the feel of wind and sun....
 
#58 ·
I find the NE FL summer (late-ish May to early-ish September) far too hot and swampy to enjoy a top down, plus the sun here is BRUTAL and I hate sunscreen. Subjectively I much prefer the lines of my Cayman to those of the Boxster, but I would take a Boxster Spyder in a heartbeat.

Also my wife does not appreciate the wind in her hair (I have none myself).
 
#60 ·
gobble said:
Can I vote for both?

Being a ladies car, my wife has a Boxster. I have a Cayman S. We both think they are the perfect choice for our different driving.
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What do you mean, "a ladies car?"
 
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