ecurie25 Update - Mmmm, Cayman S.....

[beefmeister]

Well, i thought i was going to get the M5 this weekend, but someone pulled out of having the Cayman S, so i jumped at the chance, as i had plans for some serious B-Road blasting...

Lets just get one thing straight. I love this car. I love it like a man loves a woman, like a fat kid loves cake, like Prescott loves pies/jags/women.

Keep your 997, i'll have one of these please....











I have a feeling i may have one of these in a couple of years. Just simply amazing. Its noticably smaller than the 997S when you're driving it, it just seems so much more compact. And the fact that there aren't many on the roads is a real bonus to me, exclusivity...

I much prefer the looks over the 997S too, really well balanced. And the interior is great too, especially in this car's Cocoa leather, seriously nice...

Its up there with the AMV8 in desirability for me....

[SamHH]

Yup, the interior really looks nice in that colour. Might not date too well though.

[Zod]

Saw one going up Hampstead High Street this morning when I was taking my new son out to buy bread. It looked and sounded great. It was that colour too. Wasn't you was it?

[chris.mapey]

Sorry but the Cayman does nothing for me at all... may be stunning to drive, but look at it...it seems really badly proportioned, and with a saggy arse, with a boxster front.

and that one with a brown interior as well - Silver with BROWN - what were they thinking when they spec'd that car (or more probably when they paid a premium to get it, after the guy that originally spec'd the car saw sense & cancelled...)

I saw one the other day in Woodbridge. I'll pass thanks and I'll leave that one to you.

Now the AMV8 on the other hand

Chris

[R988]

chris.mapey said:

Sorry but the Cayman does nothing for me at all... may be stunning to drive, but look at it...it seems really badly proportioned, and with a saggy arse, with a boxster front. and that one with a brown interior as well - Silver with BROWN - what were they thinking when they spec'd that car (or more probably when they paid a premium to get it, after the guy that originally spec'd the car saw sense & cancelled...) I saw one the other day in Woodbridge. I'll pass thanks and I'll leave that one to you. Now the AMV8 on the other hand Chris

True, it does look a bit crap in silver with those wheels, but it can look quite good in black with the brown interior and some decent looking wheels, some of those RUF examples certainly look the business

[Beefmeister]

A bit of a mini-review i knocked together last night:

OK, since I had the Cayman S for long weekend, I changed my plans a bit, and took the wife up to Lincolnshire for weekend. Programmed Lincoln into the satnav, clicked shortest route, and no motorways, and off I went…

This car is fantastic, it easily swallowed all our weekend stuff, and then allowed me to tootle the first bit of the journey with perfect comfort, then, as we got onto the open roads of Cambridgeshire + Lincolnshire, I let rip…

The Cayman may only have 295bhp, but it lets you use every one of them – it’s so friendly and never gets upset by the bumps of our crappy roads. Perfect steering, loads of feedback, and brakes like only Porsche seem to be able to make them.

So now I’ve driven écurie25’s 911S, and their Cayman S, which would I choose? Well, after quite a few miles in both, I’m going to give it to the Cayman. Why? Because although it is more manly to say the 911 is better, the truth is very few of us are the next Mr Schumacher, myself included! and the slightly softer, friendlier less aggressive nature of the Cayman means I can drive it that little bit harder without pushing my personal boundaries…. Yes the 911 might occasionally give you a higher adrenaline hit, but for most of the time, the Cayman S is just that little bit friendlier, and hence better. Without a doubt the Cayman S would be as quick as the 911S along the B-roads with a ‘normal’ driver, and I’m willing to accept that challenge…. ;-)

So to summarise, I absolutely love the Cayman, and even more I love the fact that by joining écurie25 I’ve got to drive the Cayman, Aston V8 Vantage and the 911S, and so can have an informed view on these cars having spent a good amount of time in each of them… Now what shall I take next….. I think I fancy a go in the Exige before booking myself into the big guns like the F430 Spider and Gallardo...

If anyone is considering joining one of these clubs, just go for it. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I’m now in the middle of convincing myself to rejoin next year! I’m glad I went with écurie25, as I doubt I would have got any more pleasure out of joining P1… After the weekend in the Cayman, the wife doesn’t even need convincing, she’s hooked!


>> Edited by Beefmeister on Tuesday 2nd May 09:46

[Oakey]

Does this not work out more expensive than getting something on PCP or whatever?

Having a quick look at the site I see it costs about £8k a year, for what amount to 35 days of driving a supercar. In event of an accident the excess is £5k, £4k and £3k depending on the car group and you also have to pay for damage and repairs that may occur.

I don't see the benefit?

[4WD]

Indeed, at the end of year one you could have paid 10k towards your own cayman anyway. Loopy

[jamesk]

Yes you could have. And the Cayman will have lost half that in depreciation already.

Now try your sentence with Cayman replaced with Ferrari F430 spider, or Gallardo. £8k isn't such a big deposit on the Ferrari's £135,000 price tag is it? Annual running costs of the F430 - 5k? More?

If people dont "get" the idea of these clubs then thats fine but dont distort the benefits of joining by using their cheapest cars as reasoning.

[fruitcake]

4WD said:

Indeed, at the end of year one you could have paid 10k towards your own cayman anyway. Loopy

True, and with finance over 5 years now readily available...

[combover]

chris.mapey said:

Sorry but the Cayman does nothing for me at all... may be stunning to drive, but look at it...it seems really badly proportioned, and with a saggy arse, with a boxster front. and that one with a brown interior as well - Silver with BROWN - what were they thinking when they spec'd that car (or more probably when they paid a premium to get it, after the guy that originally spec'd the car saw sense & cancelled...) I saw one the other day in Woodbridge. I'll pass thanks and I'll leave that one to you. Now the AMV8 on the other hand Chris

Quite agree. Although, I think it looks very lithe and athletic from the back and fat and saggy at the front.
Not a good looking car I'm afraid.

C

[Oakey]

Here's what I see wrong:

1) Membership - £8k. That's an awful lot of money for 'hiring' a few supercars for 35 days out of 365.

2) £8k gets you 600points and 5000 miles. When those are used up, membership expires meaning you have to rejoin (£8k again).

3) Insurance Excess. £5k on their 'F1' group cars. I'm pretty sure Fully Comp insurance doesn't even cost that much on a 30 year old (minimum joining age) with minimal points and claims (more joining requirements). My bosses 21 year old girlfriend was insured on his 911 Cab for £3k.

4) Responsible for damage and repair costs. Does each car get checked out on return? They make you pay for new tyres should anything go wrong, do you have to pay for anything else that may go wrong due to normal wear and tear? What if the previous driver did something that doesn't reveal itself until you drive the car, are you responsible for those repair costs?

If it was £8k all in and they took care of insurance, damage, repairs, etc then I could see why it might be appealing. But at £8k a year, minimal driving and responsible for all the other costs too I don't see any benefit at all.

[maxf]

Oakey said:

If it was £8k all in and they took care of insurance, damage, repairs, etc then I could see why it might be appealing. But at £8k a year, minimal driving and responsible for all the other costs too I don't see any benefit at all.

Surely cars would come back ed left, right and centre though??

Assuming no accidents it IS 8k pa. If you have an accident in your own car you have an excess to pay, plus a hike in premiums.

[Oakey]

jamesk said:

Yes you could have. And the Cayman will have lost half that in depreciation already. Now try your sentence with Cayman replaced with Ferrari F430 spider, or Gallardo. £8k isn't such a big deposit on the Ferrari's £135,000 price tag is it? Annual running costs of the F430 - 5k? More? If people dont "get" the idea of these clubs then thats fine but dont distort the benefits of joining by using their cheapest cars as reasoning.

I still don't think £8k a month (£234 a day) is a better proposition than £10k for a full years driving even with depreciation and running costs.

[I HATE GATSO]

Oakey said:

jamesk said: Yes you could have. And the Cayman will have lost half that in depreciation already. Now try your sentence with Cayman replaced with Ferrari F430 spider, or Gallardo. £8k isn't such a big deposit on the Ferrari's £135,000 price tag is it? Annual running costs of the F430 - 5k? More? If people dont "get" the idea of these clubs then thats fine but dont distort the benefits of joining by using their cheapest cars as reasoning. I still don't think £8k a month (£234 a day) is a better proposition than £10k for a full years driving even with depreciation and running costs.

I agree

[off_again]

Oakey said:

Here's what I see wrong: 1) Membership - £8k. That's an awful lot of money for 'hiring' a few supercars for 35 days out of 365. 2) £8k gets you 600points and 5000 miles. When those are used up, membership expires meaning you have to rejoin (£8k again). 3) Insurance Excess. £5k on their 'F1' group cars. I'm pretty sure Fully Comp insurance doesn't even cost that much on a 30 year old (minimum joining age) with minimal points and claims (more joining requirements). My bosses 21 year old girlfriend was insured on his 911 Cab for £3k. 4) Responsible for damage and repair costs. Does each car get checked out on return? They make you pay for new tyres should anything go wrong, do you have to pay for anything else that may go wrong due to normal wear and tear? What if the previous driver did something that doesn't reveal itself until you drive the car, are you responsible for those repair costs? If it was £8k all in and they took care of insurance, damage, repairs, etc then I could see why it might be appealing. But at £8k a year, minimal driving and responsible for all the other costs too I don't see any benefit at all.

Or alternatively, you could look at it like this:

1) Buy a 3 year old Porsche for £45,000 - a tidy deposit of say £10,000 and then monthly payments of around £500 should secure a decent loan for 3-4 years. Basically its £10k down and £6k-£7k a year to repay the loan (no balloon payments etc)

2) You then need insurance at say another £1k - if you are lucky

3) Then you need to maintain it at another £1k a year - assuming minimum mileage etc

Basically you are looking at shelling out close to £10k a year for the car, which after 3-4 years will have lost a further £15k-£20k bringing a potential resale of about £25k to £30k. So you are not looking at a major cost saving here - maybe it might be cheaper, but the risk is higher and all it takes is one set of tyres and a big service and the maintenance jumps from £1k to £4k a year.... putting a dent into your budget for running a sports car. And running a sports car on a budget is always a BAD move....

These clubs have done their numbers. To some it looks a good deal, others it doesnt. Fine, each to their own. But some people want the motor on their drive while others love the thrill of a selection to drive every-so-often.....

[Oakey]

off_again said:

Oakey said: Here's what I see wrong: 1) Membership - £8k. That's an awful lot of money for 'hiring' a few supercars for 35 days out of 365. 2) £8k gets you 600points and 5000 miles. When those are used up, membership expires meaning you have to rejoin (£8k again). 3) Insurance Excess. £5k on their 'F1' group cars. I'm pretty sure Fully Comp insurance doesn't even cost that much on a 30 year old (minimum joining age) with minimal points and claims (more joining requirements). My bosses 21 year old girlfriend was insured on his 911 Cab for £3k. 4) Responsible for damage and repair costs. Does each car get checked out on return? They make you pay for new tyres should anything go wrong, do you have to pay for anything else that may go wrong due to normal wear and tear? What if the previous driver did something that doesn't reveal itself until you drive the car, are you responsible for those repair costs? If it was £8k all in and they took care of insurance, damage, repairs, etc then I could see why it might be appealing. But at £8k a year, minimal driving and responsible for all the other costs too I don't see any benefit at all. Or alternatively, you could look at it like this: 1) Buy a 3 year old Porsche for £45,000 - a tidy deposit of say £10,000 and then monthly payments of around £500 should secure a decent loan for 3-4 years. Basically its £10k down and £6k-£7k a year to repay the loan (no balloon payments etc) 2) You then need insurance at say another £1k - if you are lucky 3) Then you need to maintain it at another £1k a year - assuming minimum mileage etc Basically you are looking at shelling out close to £10k a year for the car, which after 3-4 years will have lost a further £15k-£20k bringing a potential resale of about £25k to £30k. So you are not looking at a major cost saving here - maybe it might be cheaper, but the risk is higher and all it takes is one set of tyres and a big service and the maintenance jumps from £1k to £4k a year.... putting a dent into your budget for running a sports car. And running a sports car on a budget is always a BAD move.... These clubs have done their numbers. To some it looks a good deal, others it doesnt. Fine, each to their own. But some people want the motor on their drive while others love the thrill of a selection to drive every-so-often.....

but you're responsible for any repairs, including any tyres that may go on the ecurie cars. Like I said, are they checked and serviced after every driver? If not, what happens if it's a dog when you get it and fails with a day or two, lumbering you with repairs costs?

Here's a realistic scenario. You get one of these cars, then some vindictive muppet keys it, now you're left with the cost of having someone elses car resprayed.

>> Edited by Oakey on Tuesday 2nd May 12:20

[off_again]

Oakey said:

but you're responsible for any repairs, including any tyres that may go on the ecurie cars. Like I said, are they checked and serviced after every driver? If not, what happens if it's a dog when you get it and fails with a day or two, lumbering you with repairs costs?

I guess sports car clubs are not for you then..... Like I said, some people love'em and judging by old'beefy here, he loves it. If that means we get pictures of loverly spanking new motors on PH then I am all for it..... Its his money and he enjoys it....

... as I stare out of my window and day dream as my car broke down yesterday and is currently in at the garage. God knows how much to fix but fingers crossed its not much. So currently dont even have one motor at the moment and the bloody accountants didnt do the salary run correctly so I didnt get paid this month - so I am stoney broke too..... no car, no money and a bunch load of fines on my bank account... just the way to start a new week eh?....

[thetruemackie]

I hope your company will be covering your bank charges (which are illegal anyway)!

[amcphillips]

Just a small point re above (and OT). Bank charges are not illegal....