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I've ordered a m240i manual LCI for September, more everyday friendly than the Cayman I had before and more subtle looking than the M2 suits me. Got a great deal paying 32k with a few options. Plan is to fit a locking LSD and perhaps the Birds B2 suspension package. Tried a golf R and it very good, almost too good in some ways. Ultimately preferred the six pot engine and rear wheel drive with manual box, a combo that won't be around for long.

I respectfully disagree with your disagreement The 2.9 hated to rev, never got any more exciting at the top end, no DFI, the only thing it had going for it was the removal of the IMS. I mean, the car as a whole is better with the PCM3 and the vastly-improved PASM (if optioned), but I found the engine to be very weak. Was yours a PDK or manual? The test car I had for a day was a manual, which maybe just didn't suit the lump. It's odd that you had such a different experience to me. How many miles had it done? Mine was a manual, and I took it from 18k to 25k miles. I love cars with peaky power delivery, had a couple of type R and an exige NA before it, and found the Cayman liked to rev just as much. The delivery was more linear, so not the same kick they had, but still very good. Most criticism of the 2.9 is lack of torque, which I find a nonsense anyway as it's a sports car.

The trouble with the PH section is that there are some very strong opinions in there, and that most conversation seems to be about the latest and "best". Hundreds of threads about GT4, now the 718, etc.

I respectfully disagree completely with this comment. It is an exciting engine, that loves to rev and sounds great. Better than the gen 1 2.7. On paper it is as quick as the gen 1 S but does require more work, which isn't a problem for me as that's part of the fun. I've just sold my 2.9 to fund a house purchase, but it's a cracking car and engine. Carnewal is a must have mod to open up the exhaust noise.

Cayman 2.7. Similar pace to the early 350z but a massively better sports car. Get a suspension refresh and Carnewal exhaust and it would be a great car, without the reliability problems of the 996 or 3.4 cayman. Alternatively, you might find a gen 2 2.9 boxster, fantastic cars.

Anyone on here?

I don't really understand how you can compare a V6 exige and an F-Type. Totally different cars. They might both be "cool" and both quick but that is where the comparison ends. One is a fast GT, and the Lotus a fairly hardcore sports car. I had an S2 exige for a bit and its a fantastic weekend car to take for a blast, but it's also difficult to live with in most normal situations. A Cayman R probably fits nicely between the 2.

Octavia Scout. Why would you need anything else unless crossing Africa.

A friend recently went looking at these and found them too small, got a Leon ST in the end, far more space, more power, better to drive and cheaper.

Gen 2 cayman S, probably the best sports car you can get for that budget.

Drove a 430 scuderia on track in Vegas a few months back, my Ferrari cherry and it was absolutely incredible, can still hear that noise!

We've got a 1.4 FR ACT, mileage is at 16k miles since we got it new last october. It's an excellent car, drives very well, loads of equipment, well made and the engine delivers an economy/performance balance I didn't think was possible from a petrol. Its long term average is 47mpg and we have seen over 50mpg on longer runs. This is from a 1.4 turbo that doesn't feel much slower than my old Mk 5 Golf Gti in most driving. It's also so refined and quiet compared to the diesels we tried. We tried a 184bhp diesel, which was quick and a torque fest, but the petrol was just a much nicer drive if not quite as quick.

Sold my Zed last year and a Cayman will be my next car, I think a 2.9 Gen 2 is what I want. I expect it to be as quick as my zed due to less weight. I want something that enjoys revs more and feels a bit more nimble. The lower powered caymans seem to fit the bill, and the 2.9 potentially more reliable.

Sold, collected this evening

Silver HR with black wheels