Covering the ground between the Boxster and 911, Porsche believes, will attract a relatively young buyer who cannot afford a 911 but wants more performance than is available in the Boxster. As for the hardtop/convertible difference, we often prefer convertibles but recognize that coupes tend to make for better-performing cars. And some people just don't like roadsters, or don't have good weather for them--say, buyers in Seattle, where rain so often spoils nice drives.
The Cayman will be a hit. As a classic two-seat, mid-engined Porsche sports car, it is as safe as the Cayenne was risky, and the company is too conservative to build it if they weren't sure the demand was there. Its executives speak candidly about the gap it will fill.
"The 911 is still a very, very big commitment, and the roadster market is flat," said Michael Bartsch, chief operating officer of Porsche Cars North America in an interview in Siena.
More importantly, in Porsche's eyes, the Cayman will attract the upwardly mobile. The company expects more Cayman buyers will be people moving up from the Boxster than down from 911. Only 3% of customers, it projects, will be downsizing from the 911.
Do you agree?
Or will more 911 drivers opt for the Cayman?
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