Cayman R. V. Golf R
Discussion
dunc_sx said:
Totally disagree. I went out for a long backroad blast with someone in a tuned up Megane 265 to see how it compared to my gen 1 Cayman S. The megane had track tyres, brakes and an engine tune up. My Cayman only has an exhaust and different springs. Both pilots have track experience (the megane driver lots in that car, zero track time in the cayman for me).
They were matched in a straight line but everywhere else the Cayman was noticeably faster, you can't compare a mid engined car with a front engined car when it comes down to it. The conditions were dry, damp and finally wet - at all times the result was the same. Can't see any of the other hot hatches being night and day faster either?
In addition the Cayman should be better fun too, I've had my fair share of hot hatches but you can't compare with a MR car imo.
Rgds,
Dunc.
Cayman will carry more speed at the apex, and should be a bit better on the brakes as it's lighter, but a Golf R has better traction out of the corner, and a broader spread of power and torque, so easier to be 'on it' at the exit. Put another way I couldn't see a Cayman S, driven by a driver of a similar standard to me, get away from me on my usual back roads - particularly as the speed at the apex they'd have to carry would be dangerous. Think the same could be said for any 'battle' on the road - you may be able to drive away from a hot hatch in a Porsche, but you'd probably have to be driving like a tThey were matched in a straight line but everywhere else the Cayman was noticeably faster, you can't compare a mid engined car with a front engined car when it comes down to it. The conditions were dry, damp and finally wet - at all times the result was the same. Can't see any of the other hot hatches being night and day faster either?
In addition the Cayman should be better fun too, I've had my fair share of hot hatches but you can't compare with a MR car imo.
Rgds,
Dunc.
Edited by dunc_sx on Wednesday 10th September 13:03
t to do so in any meaningful way, which brings me back to my earlier point - slower, purer cars... I'd love Porsche to build a back to basics car, a spyder with an n/a 2 litre that you can rev out or something like that. Won't happen of course, but still.Actus Reus said:
Cayman will carry more speed at the apex, and should be a bit better on the brakes as it's lighter, but a Golf R has better traction out of the corner, and a broader spread of power and torque, so easier to be 'on it' at the exit. Put another way I couldn't see a Cayman S, driven by a driver of a similar standard to me, get away from me on my usual back roads - particularly as the speed at the apex they'd have to carry would be dangerous. Think the same could be said for any 'battle' on the road - you may be able to drive away from a hot hatch in a Porsche, but you'd probably have to be driving like a tt to do so in any meaningful way, which brings me back to my earlier point - slower, purer cars... I'd love Porsche to build a back to basics car, a spyder with an n/a 2 litre that you can rev out or something like that. Won't happen of course, but still.
I'm not sure that is right. Assuming that you are both driving sensibly and within the speed limit, the Porsche will pull away because it will have to brake less for corners. This has been my experience of being chased by hot hatches - they catch up on the straight bits (where they hit 100mph) and drop back every time they have to use the steering wheel.t to do so in any meaningful way, which brings me back to my earlier point - slower, purer cars... I'd love Porsche to build a back to basics car, a spyder with an n/a 2 litre that you can rev out or something like that. Won't happen of course, but still.On track I'd agree, but on the road I think you'd be taking corners at dangerous speeds to do it. Even then what's the difference in speed around the corner? Can't be more than a few mph, surely? And in a Golf R the better traction on exit would bring it even closer. Watch Meaden's review of his Clio 182 - quicker, he says, in the corners than a Gallardo Superleggera. Just hyperbole or an element of truth in it?
ETA: and yes, I can carry way more speed in the Golf through a corner than is safe - so pretty irrelevant if a Cayman is quicker or not? More fun though - yes, I agree. I'd have the Porsche every day.
ETA: and yes, I can carry way more speed in the Golf through a corner than is safe - so pretty irrelevant if a Cayman is quicker or not? More fun though - yes, I agree. I'd have the Porsche every day.
Edited by Actus Reus on Wednesday 10th September 14:45
anonymous said:
[redacted]
O/T, but what did you think of the Focus? I am trying to decide whether or not to add it to the list of test drives still to go in choosing my wife's car. I hate the 1.0 engines and the dash, but I could just about see myself testing one if the facelift engines are any good.Actus Reus said:
I'd love Porsche to build a back to basics car, a spyder with an n/a 2 litre that you can rev out or something like that. Won't happen of course, but still.
Sounds like you want a lotus elise or similar 
anonymous said:
[redacted]
My last statement wasn't based on speed, I find RWD more fun than 4WD and RWD that's all. That's down to the individual though.Out of interest is the golf a lot faster than say the Megane over twistys then? I'm well out of date but always though the Renault Sport stuff was usually considered pretty handy.
Cheers,
Dunc.
I've been looking at Elises quite a bit actually. Nice things, but wonder if I might want just a tad more practicality and reliability hence MR2 and S2k etc...
As to the Megane, I think it would 'have' a Golf R over a twisty road, whereas the 'R' would probably get the better of it either in the wet or on a more 'power' based circuit. The Golf is a great compromise car, but as you can see on here, certainly not everybody's cup of tea.
As to the Megane, I think it would 'have' a Golf R over a twisty road, whereas the 'R' would probably get the better of it either in the wet or on a more 'power' based circuit. The Golf is a great compromise car, but as you can see on here, certainly not everybody's cup of tea.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Ah I see, I misunderstood - I enjoy carrying speed round corners and into braking so I would say it doesn't have naff all to do with driver enjoyment in my case. Different people will enjoy driving for different reasons, for me I like fast cornering and late braking, others may like straight line speed etc.Actus Reus said:
I've been looking at Elises quite a bit actually. Nice things, but wonder if I might want just a tad more practicality and reliability hence MR2 and S2k etc...
I've been close to purchasing an elise on many occasions but in the end I tell myself I have enough impractical cars 
For what it's worth I believe mk3 MR2's are actually excellent cars if you can handle the image and as you say s2k would be a good choice as well
Cheers,
Dunc.
Edited by dunc_sx on Thursday 11th September 08:06
ORD said:
hondansx said:
SkinnyP said:
You're driving a Porsche, their driving a glorified hatchback on finance.
I wouldn't worry about
Well, that's a pretty bigoted statement there.I wouldn't worry about
I had a previous generation Mk6 R. The Mk7 seems to have moved the game on considerably and i've been very impressed by the reviews. I had it up to 360bhp and it kept the Turbo S honest up to three figures! Round corners, you can just lean on them without fear and it's for that reason it will be quicker than more exotic cars on your average B road.
The Turbo S is crazy fast; too fast perhaps. I jumped into my dad's Boxster S the other day and was taken aback (but highly amused) that you could prod the throttle and send the car sideways at will in situations where the Turbo would be rock solid. As seems to be case for others in this thread, it gets you thinking - would i be having more fun in a technically less competent car?
Perhaps i've answered my own question, as the Turbo S is now gone!
Interesting thread this. Lots of valid points but for me in a MR car on the road, the comment below about speed at apex is the deciding factor. On average British B roads which as already mentioned are generally unsighted, a sorted MR car will be carrying somewhat terrifying (to you but perhaps also other motorists!) speed at the apex when driven anywhere near its cornering ability.
Scenarios are either carry mental apex speed or back off, the latter leaving room for hot hatches such as the R to bridge the gap as let's face it they are as quick onto throttle and on straights the main advantage is turn in and apex speed which on the road are difficult to maximise IMO.
Scenarios are either carry mental apex speed or back off, the latter leaving room for hot hatches such as the R to bridge the gap as let's face it they are as quick onto throttle and on straights the main advantage is turn in and apex speed which on the road are difficult to maximise IMO.
Actus Reus said:
Cayman will carry more speed at the apex, and should be a bit better on the brakes as it's lighter, but a Golf R has better traction out of the corner, and a broader spread of power and torque, so easier to be 'on it' at the exit. Put another way I couldn't see a Cayman S, driven by a driver of a similar standard to me, get away from me on my usual back roads - particularly as the speed at the apex they'd have to carry would be dangerous. Think the same could be said for any 'battle' on the road - you may be able to drive away from a hot hatch in a Porsche, but you'd probably have to be driving like a tt to do so in any meaningful way, which brings me back to my earlier point - slower, purer cars... I'd love Porsche to build a back to basics car, a spyder with an n/a 2 litre that you can rev out or something like that. Won't happen of course, but still.
t to do so in any meaningful way, which brings me back to my earlier point - slower, purer cars... I'd love Porsche to build a back to basics car, a spyder with an n/a 2 litre that you can rev out or something like that. Won't happen of course, but still.hondansx said:
MR is Mid Engined and Rear Wheel Drive, i believe.
I owned a Cayman R before a Vantage v12. The v12 sounded fantastic but on occasion struggled to the get the power down with wheel spin on anything but warm tyres and bone dry road (and it could still wheel spin in 1st to 3rd!). The Cayman was if anything very slightly underpowered but gave me far more confidence and was more 'fun' to drive. According to the EVO mag the Cayman R was also a few seconds quicker around the Bedford Aerodrome.I have ordered the Boxster GTS which I feel will give me the right power level and fun all in one package, plus some sunshine in the cabin :-) More BHP doesn't necessarily equate to more fun and speed!cibble10 said:
hondansx said:
MR is Mid Engined and Rear Wheel Drive, i believe.
I owned a Cayman R before a Vantage v12. The v12 sounded fantastic but on occasion struggled to the get the power down with wheel spin on anything but warm tyres and bone dry road (and it could still wheel spin in 1st to 3rd!). The Cayman was if anything very slightly underpowered but gave me far more confidence and was more 'fun' to drive. According to the EVO mag the Cayman R was also a few seconds quicker around the Bedford Aerodrome.I have ordered the Boxster GTS which I feel will give me the right power level and fun all in one package, plus some sunshine in the cabin :-) More BHP doesn't necessarily equate to more fun and speed!Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff