Haha! I went hunting for a 2008> cayman S the other day, was quite impressed with what I found for ~22k
What sort of budget are you shopping with?
The only thing that upsets me about the whole porsche arrangement is that I'd much much rather 22k of 911, but then you hit engine problems.
So you're basically driving a shitter car than you could be, that'll depreciate more, because porsche can't obt build a working f**king engine
I'd be perfectly happy with a gen 1 or 2 CS, IMO a Porsche warranty is essential from what I've read regardless of what model you go for! The gen 2 Cayman doesn't seem to have the engine issues that plague the 1, but I can't seem to find many <25k?
I don't have a set budget, anything up to about 25K I guess but if I could find a decent Cayman S with warranty for 15k I'd be well in. Depreciation is negligible tbh, values are fairly strong, especially if you're looking at a gen 1 as the majority of the loss has already happened.
I wouldn't really call the Cayman shitter than a 911, but I hear what you're saying. On UK roads I'd actually imagine the cayman is more fun as the limits are slightly more accessible, and fun can be had within the speed limit which I think would be more difficult in the 911.
Like you though, I couldn't have a boxster!
Personally, I need something that's fun, built well, projects a good image (I'm sick of driving an impreza!), I can take it on track if I choose to, and the running costs aren't going to break me. Cayman S fits the bill tbh, in the exact same way the Z4 did.