Ever since its debut in 1964, the Porsche 911 has remained one of the best German cars on the market. The two-door rear-engined sports car is adored by many for its great looks, fantastic performance, variety of trim levels, and the fact that it handles like a dream.
But, while there's no denying that the 911 has earned its place among the automotive greats, many would argue that there are other cool Porsche models that aren't a 911. The Porsche Cayman, in particular, has accumulated a lot of fans in recent years, with some even claiming that it's better than the 911. Despite being the entry-level Porsche sports car, many believe that the Cayman is better than the 911 in physics, finances, fuel economy, and more. The following are five reasons why the 911 is incredible and five reasons why the Cayman might just be the better option.
10 911: Potent Powertrains And Performance To Match
The Porsche 911 comes in various models with multiple engine options – from a 3.0-liter H-6 to the 4.0-liter H-6. The base 911 comes with a 3.0-liter H-6 engine with a power output of 370 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque.
Buyers who need more power can opt for the 4.0-liter engine cranking out 520 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque. Those who still feel that it's not enough can select the Turbo S model and get a 3.8-liter turbocharged H6 with a massive 580 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
9 Cayman: Handles Better
Although the 911 has excellent handling, it has a massive engine in the back, which can hamper its handling in some instances. On the other hand, the Porsche Cayman is mid-engined, just like a proper supercar, which means that it has superior weight distribution and better handling than the 911.
The Cayman is also 4.4 inches shorter than the 911 and lighter by 154 pounds. This weight difference makes it a bit easier to handle when it approaches and exceeds its limits.
8 911: The Variety
There are so many Porsche 911 models – so many that it can be intimidating at first. There are 16 variations of the 911, ranging from cabriolets to coupes and stripped-out racers to four-wheel-drive models.
Any buyer can get a 911 that's built for whatever they need it to be. Those who need a daily driver with excellent fuel economy can opt for the base model. Similarly, there are several excellent options for those who want a 911 to dominate a racetrack. The 911 is available as a coupe or convertible, and those who opt for the convertible can also choose between a soft-top or hardtop.
7 Cayman: More Spacious
Though the Cayman is smaller and lighter than the 911, it still manages to have more luggage space. Luggage space is not usually the main thing one looks for when buying a sports car, but it can be essential for those who use their Cayman as a daily driver or a vehicle for taking occasional weekend road trips.
The Cayman has 5.3 cubic feet of space in the front trunk, which is larger than the 911's 4.8 cubic foot front trunk. Unlike the 911, the Cayman also has 9.7 cubic feet of space in the back, bringing the total to 15 cubic feet.
6 911: Good Fuel Economy
The 911 may be a high-performance sports car, but it still impresses when it comes to fuel efficiency. The base 911 has an impressive combined rating of 25 mpg - 30 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. This is comparable to some of the ordinary sedans and hatchbacks.
The larger 4.0-liter 911 variant also performs well in this category with its combined fuel economy rating of 17 mpg. Regardless of the trim level or type of engine chosen, the 911 is sure to provide its buyers with better fuel economy than its competitors.
5 Cayman: Better Fuel Economy
There's no doubt that the 911 has pretty good fuel economy for a sports car, but it just can't beat the Cayman. The Cayman is a lot more fuel-efficient than the 911, which makes perfect sense considering that it's smaller, lighter, and less powerful.
The PDK-equipped standard Cayman has an EPA rating of 32 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. The more potent Cayman S has a rating of 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the road.
4 911: The Never-Aging Classic Sporty Look
The Porsche 911 has an unmistakable look. Even after seven generations, the design of the 911 remains mostly unchanged and can be easily identified from far. Its minimalistic body shape combined with its simple, streamlined curves defines Porsche's unmistakable style and cement the 911's position as one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
From the front, the 911 looks sleek as it has no radiator or drag-inducing openings. The slippery front end also improves acceleration and fuel efficiency while the tear-drop shaped rear end boosts aerodynamics.
3 Cayman: Less Expensive
The 911 and Cayman are almost identical when it comes to looks, power, handling, and performance. However, when it comes to price, they are entirely different. The base Cayman starts at around $53,550, which is more than $30,000 cheaper than the base 911.
On the other hand, the Cayman S is worth $64,750, which is a lot less than the almost $100,000 price tag of the Carrera S. As mentioned earlier, the Cayman is also more fuel-efficient than the 911, which means that running costs are even lower. For the budget-conscious buyer, the Cayman is the best choice.
2 911: A Premium And Easy To Customize Interior
The 911 is loved for its classy, sporty exterior. But those who have stepped inside one can testify that it has a high level of craftsmanship inside as well. Every material used is of premium quality, from the Nappa Leather to the high quality wooden and metallic accents in the dash.
Everything from the center console to the stitching on the upholstery is beautifully designed. Best of all, buyers get a ton of choices and options to ensure that they end up with a car that meets their unique aesthetic needs.
1 Cayman: Got The Potential
There's no doubt that the 911 is superior to the Cayman when it comes to power and speed. However, experts believe that's only the case because Porsche is restraining the Cayman to prevent it from stealing 911 sales.
If Porsche decided to give the Cayman the same grip and power as the 911, there's no doubt that it would destroy the 911 in every test of speed. This is because the Cayman has its engine in the middle, whereas the 911 has its engine in the rear. However, the chances of Porsche ever allowing this to happen are almost zero.