The Audi TTS-RS looks to be a great vehicle. I have lusted after an Audi TT for a number of years and finally the performance with the TTS and TTS-RS match the appearance. The Cayman/Boxster is outstanding, and many folks with a lot of Porsche experience will tell you it handles better and is easier to drive well than a 911 (996) especially if both are just off the showroom floor. Are you planning on keeping the JCW if you go with the Audi or another Cayman?

I really love my MCS, but I am beginning to wish I had taken the $$$ leap and gone with the JCW. With regard to a Cayman, Boxster or TTS, that day will have to wait a long time. Maybe someday after all the other priorities of life have been met. One can always dream. Until then, I continue to work on restoring my 66 912. Not fast, but like a MINI, very fun to drive in the twistys.

 

The million dollar question. Well really only the $35K question .
One reason I've had four MINI's in six years is having a bad habit of selling one to get something else, then wanting another in a matter of months.
The TT-RS could be an only vehicle for my needs. It's got a decent amount of space for carrying stuff (not so much people unless they're really little), should be fairly reliable and get acceptable gas mileage. But, I'm really attached to MINI's for their utility/fun factor balance. If the TT-RS comes in at around $60-65K as expected, I'm going to try keeping both. If it's more than that, I'm probably out. I believe I can still get a new Cayman S in the upper limit of that range, or an almost new one for less. A wild card would be a Lotus Evora. I drove one when they first came out last year and thought everything about it was awesome except for its price. Lotus has since lowered the MSRP and sent some dealer incentives out, and it's now possible to find one in my range. No way the Evora could be my only car.

 

if by any chance you do sell oscar... i may have to swipe it up... probably my favorite mini i have ever seen... and im obsessed with mine so that says a lot!

 

I have to admit I LOVE the Cayman too.

Also as I heard the US version of the Cayman R will have A/C and radio as an option so you don't have to give it up.

 

You could always sell it to someone...say in Florida!!! LOL!!! Then you would never have to see it.

I get the same way...I got rid of a 2007 Trailblazer SS for my MCS and luckily the person that bought it, lives in Minnesota and wanted it, so I don't have to worry about seeing it!!

 

Mark, nice find... Good video, was that your orange on that MINI or is it my monitor?

Don


As Way said, you can get air on the R.

 

Ok, if this doesn't make you go buy the Cayman, I don't know what will...

 

Wow, that was freakin’ hot... I wish the mini sounded that good....lol.


Mark

 

I still vote for for the Z4MC over the Cayman.. but then I'm biased.

 

Z4M are beasts!! I used to have a 02 M3 which had the same engine and was way heavier and still a damn nice car around the track.

 

I've driven quite a few Cayman's, they're even more fun to me than 911's. I really regret not buying this leftover new '08 when the '09's came out. A friend of mine who's a Porsche sales manager offered it to me at something like 16k off, but I didn't bite since I was a little afraid for my job at the time.

Z4M would also be a really nice choice, but they don't drive nearly as nice IMO.

 

They're completely different cars. Definitely a matter of preference. But to say "not nearly as nice" is waaaaay to harsh IMHO. "Not my cup of tea" would be much fairer.

 

I did say in my opinion. The Porsche just feels a lot more nimble. It's also a more expensive car, so it's not a fair comparison. I'm just saying if I had the choice between the two, I'd for sure get a Cayman S of a Z4M. I love the way the Z4M looks, but the Porsche's transmission is so much nicer, motor revs smoother and the steering is amazing.

 

I'm one of maybe the few who've owned both a Cayman S (almost 3 years), and a Z4M (for about a year). I liked the Cayman a lot more but it's complicated. When they both came out, they were considered natural competitors so there were many magazine/online comparisons. In every one I read or saw, the Cayman always got the edge, but the BMW was never considered a "bad" car, it was usually the overall refinement of the Porsche that got the edge.
From my standpoint, the Cayman was smoother riding, a tick faster, higher limits, and "easier" to drive fast. I autocrossed it twice, and took it to the track two times, and it was a natural. Cabin ergonomics and visibility were much better, passenger and luggage space more useable. Steering and transmission were exquisite as was the growl of the flat 6.
The Z4M was rawer. Great engine, crapola transmission. BMW boards were full of suggestions for tweaking the shift/clutch interfaces to make the 1st/2nd shift smoother, I shouldn't have to do that IMHO. Cabin was claustrophobic and I didn't have the sense of place in the car, i.e. knowing where my corners were that I did in the Porsche. In its defense, I never got to take it offroad to test its limits, but on the street, it was much harder to drive smoothly compared to the Cayman.
So there's my mini-review (pardon the pun.) Both good cars with similar purposes but very different execution. The Cayman was $10K higher to begin with, but still holds its resale value pretty good. The market for Z4M's seems to have stabilized somewhat, but it plummeted in the first couple of years (and they were not big sellers to begin with.)

 

Mark, didn't she get her tanning bed and you had to give up your truck for that? I think the Cayman is at least an equal (or lesser) trade . Maybe you get another car and still hold something in reserve

 

Yes, yes I did... (and since then added at least another 40K for her for a new shop)

I don’t need her permission but I’ve decided to keep Oscar and just drive him. He’s paid for and he’s a blast... can’t beat that.

I really enjoyed the Porsche on the test drive but Oscar can outhandle the Porsche, has more tq and HP, is lighter and more fun to drive.

Out of the box, stock for stock, hands down the Porsche would win but now that Oscar is in the condition he’s in, I’ll keep him.

Perhaps another toy soon...


Mark

 

Great decision. Oscar's the 2nd best looking Mini in Charlotte

 

I had a 1998 M Roadster - what a beast! And that was the S52 (240hp) engine...

I say get the Porsche and keep your mini, but if either of these cars will be a track ****, the Porsche would feel right at home on the track

 

love OSCAR....AWESOME...nice paint Mark...Glad to hear you are keeping him....Would love to see a picture of the wifes pink jeep.

Thanks Jeffrey

 

Here ya go...

 

Now that beats the crap out of mine.

 

Well, you either love it or hate it. I have to say that it’s almost embarrassing to drive (or ride in it) because she can’t stop at a traffic light without someone taking a pic. It’s definitely noticeable.

As long as she’s happy....


Mark

 

I noticed that you live in the Pacific Northwest. When it snow are you really going to take out the Porsche? I would hope not. Don't get me wrong the P is a sweet car but not as much fun nor as practical as a MINI. Besides it's a heck of alot easier to customize a MINI

 

OOPS Charlotte is East coast and not much snow Why oh Why did I think Pacific Northwest? I must not have had enough coffee this morning 6am ish

 

Love that jeep Mark.....

Jeffrey