cayman 2.7 or 3.4 or even Megane rs cup

[shaunwest]

Hi,
Looking to upgrade at last from my mini cooper s (supercharged) to a proper car. Looking at cayman 2.7/3.4 around 2006/2007 or even a totally diff car a Megane sport RS CUP 2010/2011. Cant decide both about same money (15-18k)to do a hand full of track days/year plus few hill climbs (have another car for every day). Worried about Cayman problems without a warranty as looking to buy privately.
Any thoughts/running costs etc please help.

[jonm01]

Just gone from a Meg 250 to Cayman S.. Meg was a brilliant car and supremely capable but the Cayman feels very special. Especially the noise.

[james_gt3rs]

Never driven either but I can't imagine a FWD hatchback being in the same class as a Cayman to drive, even if it has equivalent performance...

[FlavaDave]

Cayman is a sublime piece of kit. Upgrade to it from ANY car.

[RobM77]

If it's for weekends, track days and hill climbs I'm not sure either car is really suited. The Cayman is great, sure, but it's *extremely* refined and smooth. Personally I'd look at a Caterham, Elise or Exige at that price point, or if you fancy something a bit different maybe strip out an old 964, NSX or even a Clio V6 or Z4M.

ETA: Why is the MINI not a 'proper' car, but the Megane is? I'd have thought a Cooper S would be a great base to build a good FWD track car? The only thing I can see you wanting beyond what the MINI can offer is something with more balance - i.e. RWD.

[Jurassic pork]

I'd have to say go for the 3.4 Cayman over the 2.7. After having a 2.7 Boxster and then the 3.2, the 2.7 really doesn't cut it. I even got better mpg out of the 3.2 but you don't need to know about that

[shaunwest]

After driving the Cayman/Boxster have to have one, not sure Cayman or Boxster (next decision probs Cayman) but would 2.7 say 2008 with PASM be suitable for a couple of track days/year and fun weeken driving and is the 2.7 more reliable than 3.2/3.4 ?
Drove a 3.2 05 boxster at weekend felt nice, drove 08 2.7 boxster today very nice but slight less power although drove a 3.4 06 cayman 3 weeks ago and cant get that out of my mind ! really confused !
Guidance needed !

[Jurassic pork]

3.4 Cayman with Pasm, if you can get one with the sport chrono pack, I'd go for that too. It's a bit of a gimmick but if you're going to track it a couple of times, you can time your own laps and also change the map of the car with the sport button.