I have to say one of the joys of Porsche ownership is dealing with the Carlsberg OPC. They are utterly excellent. Where in a normal car any slight thing going wrong would irritate me no end, with the Porsche it's an excuse to go to Mid-Sussex and have a look around. Also, you can book a courtesy car and being Porsche, you can't really get a crap one!

Anyway, today (after a Maserati drive) I realised I could take the car to the garage early, so I asked if that would be OK. They said fine, but the Cayman S we had planned for you won't be ready but you can have a std Cayman instead, to which I said fine.

When I arrived at the dealership, there was a gorgeous Cayman R there, which I commented on and they asked if I'd rather have that instead! Errr... yes please!!!

Anyway, after sorting out the paperwork and having a quick listen to the Panamera GTS (Jesus Christ that thing sounds good!), I pootled off in the Cayman R...

I can sort of understand why people refer to Caymans as a "poor man's 911", it's very similar inside but not quite as nice but there's nothing wrong whatsoever or even slightly low-rent about the way it drives. It has lovely steering and a supremely well-judged ride / handling balance.

The ride feels somewhere in between comfort and sport mode in the GTS, which is spot on and it shifts too! Engine noise could be a little better, I find the GTS is worth pushing round to the redline because the noise between 6 and 7,00RPM is worth it, in the R it's louder but just missing that final, exhilarating yowl.

However, down a bumpy back road not far from where I live, I reckon it's pretty much untouchable, the car is beautifully damped and a savage mid corner bump was absorbed with consummate ease. Also because it's a small car, it's fantastic on small roads all the while getting this constant stream of information from the steering.

Needless to say, I think it's an incredible little motor, sounds great with the PSE on perfect pedal position for H&T, nice gear change (but not quite as sweet as the GTS (mine has the short shifter, which may be the difference) and peerless handling.

I'd love to drive it on a track to really give it some beans but it's an incredible car and fantastic value for money!

Now all I have to do is convince the Mrs that we really need a dedicated track car, that she can also use on the road

I agree, I still think its Porsche's best handling car, if the R had decent HP I would have traded my GT3 for one. Just lacks the correct engine, everything else is excellent. If you are tall, have the carbon seats, I am 6'+ and with the CF seats its just perfect.

funnily enough the reason i have had a decent go in a GTS (like yours) is because OPC M-S lent me one for the day when doing an oil change on my RS. you are right, they are a brilliant dealer and a fabulous asset to Porsche.

yes but you can almost use all of them horses and it is easier to pivot than a 911. A driver of mediocre talent like myself can't seem extract enough out out a gt3 (other than buzzing that lovely engine) is ultimately why I chose a CR. The fact that I got a new one versus a well used 997 mk 1 GT3 for the same cash is sweet... Not to mention that it is likely to be quite rare is a nice bonus. Still, you would need the bucket seats, PSE and SS for the full fat experience (PCCBs would also add to that).

Had a good blatt in it this evening - it's very quick, definitely need to take one on the track I simply can't believe the pace. I actually think that I couldn't keep up with my own car on the road and I'd have to really push, feeling ever so slightly sweaty, where the Cayman R driver would just be out for a hoon, thoroughly enjoying himself and effectively taking no risk - the brakes are epic and it is the perfect size for the small country lanes around here.

It's much easier to drive fast than the 911, so by definition less challenging but it's heroically good!

How much do they weigh? Feels like it weighs fk all when you're on it!

I think they're around 1325 kg.

Cayman S with full leather package and TCP turbo is probably best P-car for money.

Bored ? You just go looking for bigger challenges !

Cadwell in the pouring rain ? Bring it on.

At Oulton in the dry on road tryes we were two up doing sub 2 min cooling down laps.

It's not the car that creates the challenge, --- unless there is something wrong with the car ---

Sorry, TPC

Well it is what it is, just opinion. But I feel that cayman presents better value for money than a 911.
Cayman R is according to some best driver's car. For me a cayman is a sports car while 911 is a GT.
Not talking about GT2 and GT 3 here Why Cayman turbo? Because 300hp is not enough for some to say 'sports car'.

I cannot afford a nice 911 anyway... So maybe it is just difficult for me to imagine spending that sort of money for an icon.

Just had a superb blat in my R. Combination of B and single track roads, virtually to myself. Interestingly the odd car I did chance upon was quick to let me past ( and no I wasn't sitting 6 inches from their rear bumpers). Perhaps these little cars have some presence? Or maybe I chanced upon some very courteous drivers. Anyway I don't think I would have enjoyed myself more in a 911- certainly would have been no brisker in that setting with my level of (in)aptitude.
Just a shame that my nearest track is over 100 miles away. Having seen how well it copes with extremely demanding twisty, bumpy single track roads am now itching to really give it a workout.