What Porsche should I buy?

The dilemma

Tony has his heart set on a Porsche but isn't sure whether to get a Cayman or 911. His six-foot-plus frame has him thinking he might fit better in the latter but he's tempted by the former's value.

He'll be using it for both daily commuting and weekend spurts but has no track-day plans or need for a back seat.

The budget

$130,000

The shortlist

Whether a Cayman is better than a 911 is quite the dilemma but a great one to grapple with here.

It does, though, invite one big question – should Tony be restricting his choice only to products of Germany's most famous sports-car concern?

Certainly there are other possibilities. Some, though, seem too close to the 'ordinary' in this context (BMW M4 and other hyper versions of volume coupes) or too hard-core for everyday use (Lotus Evora). Others expose him to potentially finicky/expensive upkeep (Aston Martin DB9/V8 Vantage, Ferrari 360 and other older exotics).

That is one option, however, that isn't quite so easy to dismiss.

2013-16 Porsche Cayman S, from $99,800*

This Porsche is more snug inside than a 911 and misses out on its (tiny) back seats. It has smaller, less powerful engines and isn't quite as quick.

But the cabin's snugness isn't a physical limiter for the driver – bigger bods in the Drive test team fit just fine – and the loss of a back seat is balanced by a boot in the back. You also get the usual boot up front.

The Cayman might not quite be 911 quick but 3.4-litre S models have 4.7-second 0-100km/h credentials – that's hardly tardy – and their mid-engined layout makes them sweeter balanced through the bends.

Another benefit of choosing the little Porsche – 2014 models with sub-20,000km odometer counts can be targeted in this price range, years newer and many long drives fresher than 911s costing similar money.

Read Drive's Porsche Cayman reviews:

Porsche Cayman S quick spin
Porsche Cayman S first drive

2008-11 Porsche 911 Carrera S Series II, from $95,100*

Buying a 911 is buying a ticket to the kind of universal street recognition a Cayman can't match.

These 997 Series II S models – the picks of the litter at this budget – have 4.3-second 0-100km/h credentials and ring church-sized bells through the bends with their planted, precise handling.

They also offer plenty of liveability – the cabin is easy to get into and see out of, the back seats double as a handy load space and you get a boot up front.

However, examples in this price range – typically of about 2008/09 vintage and with 50,000km-plus on the clock – will open the door to reliability/servicing niggles and cost blowouts more than a newer Cayman.

911s are epic through the bends but their rear-engined layout means they can be a bit flighty in the front end in some scenarios, and feel a bit weird to the uninitiated.

Read Drive's Porsche 911 reviews:

Porsche 911 Carrera S road test

2014-on Jaguar F-Type V6 S Coupe, from $103,900*

This Jaguar has no answer to the sheer pace or handling precision of its Porsche rivals.

Its boot has better load-carrying credentials than its convertible sibling but that's not saying much as both are tiny, so the German sporties are more practical still.

However, the F-Type's comparative rarity and aggressive styling give it a sense of occasion even the Porsches struggle to match.

The V6 S's 3.0-litre supercharged V6 punches hard (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds) and sounds spectacular. In isolation, it's responsive, engaging and great fun to drive.

Like the Cayman, it offers access to fresher stock than similarly priced 911s, with a low-kilometre (i.e. sub-20,000km) 2015 models a possibility in this budget range.

Read Drive's Jaguar F-Type reviews:

Jaguar F-Type V6 S Coupe road test
Jaguar F-Type V6 S Coupe manual quick spin

Drive recommends

The F-Type isn't this group's benchmark for pace, driving enrichment or practicality, and Tony is clear he wants a Porsche, so it really can't win. But if he values drama over ticking every last driving box he should try it out.

The 911's performance, handling, practicality and heritage are a tempting combination no matter how you cut. And if you were going to take a risk on an older sports car, this generally sturdy German would be the one to do with.

But the Cayman serves up similar go, even better handling and more practicality in a newer, fresher package. Forget about the esoteric matter of street cred, it's not only a better driver's car but the better car and better buy, too.

* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.