Cayman vs AM Vantage
Discussion
I'm new to this forum and would appreciate any thoughts on a dilemma I'm having.
I'm considering getting a fun car mainly for weekend use - 5 - 6k miles per year. I've shortlisted the Vantage Coupe (4.7 V8 Manual 2009 onwards) or a Cayman 981. I know both are very different cars and each has its pros and cons, but I love the styling of both. Running costs aren't the primary concern obviously, although the Vantage's real world mpg might take a bit of getting used to. My thoughts are as follows;
Vantage
Pros - gorgeous and timeless styling inside and out, V8 engine, straight-line performance, rarity, hand-built, likely residuals
Cons - initial cost probably £50k, weight, heavy-ish clutch and gear shift, mpg, potential for big bills outside normal servicing
Cayman
Pros - I think the styling is excellent, handling, mid-engined, easier daily drive, reliability, mpg, great 6 cyl. engine, cost for a 2 -3 year old from a main dealer £35k - £40k for the base model, £40k plus for the S
Cons - more common, residuals, torque and power of base model
There seem to be varying views on whether the 2.7 Cayman feels 'slow' and whether the S is the one to go for - it's all relative of course! Also, PDK vs Manual. My initial thoughts were a 2.7 Manual might be a really good fun car and that 275hp would be more than enough for a good blast, but quite a few seem to swear that the S is the one to go for.
My daily drive is a BMW F31 330d x-drive which is pretty quick with a lot of torque - the engine and gearbox are superb but it's no sports car. I'm not expecting the same low down grunt in either a Cayman or a Vantage, but want something that'll be fun on the twisty stuff as well as the ability to do some long road trips on motorways.
I am going to go and drive both, but any thoughts from members who've driven either would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
I'm considering getting a fun car mainly for weekend use - 5 - 6k miles per year. I've shortlisted the Vantage Coupe (4.7 V8 Manual 2009 onwards) or a Cayman 981. I know both are very different cars and each has its pros and cons, but I love the styling of both. Running costs aren't the primary concern obviously, although the Vantage's real world mpg might take a bit of getting used to. My thoughts are as follows;
Vantage
Pros - gorgeous and timeless styling inside and out, V8 engine, straight-line performance, rarity, hand-built, likely residuals
Cons - initial cost probably £50k, weight, heavy-ish clutch and gear shift, mpg, potential for big bills outside normal servicing
Cayman
Pros - I think the styling is excellent, handling, mid-engined, easier daily drive, reliability, mpg, great 6 cyl. engine, cost for a 2 -3 year old from a main dealer £35k - £40k for the base model, £40k plus for the S
Cons - more common, residuals, torque and power of base model
There seem to be varying views on whether the 2.7 Cayman feels 'slow' and whether the S is the one to go for - it's all relative of course! Also, PDK vs Manual. My initial thoughts were a 2.7 Manual might be a really good fun car and that 275hp would be more than enough for a good blast, but quite a few seem to swear that the S is the one to go for.
My daily drive is a BMW F31 330d x-drive which is pretty quick with a lot of torque - the engine and gearbox are superb but it's no sports car. I'm not expecting the same low down grunt in either a Cayman or a Vantage, but want something that'll be fun on the twisty stuff as well as the ability to do some long road trips on motorways.
I am going to go and drive both, but any thoughts from members who've driven either would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
Cayman S PDK is the one if you want to really feel Porsche performance and a giggle fest of acceleration.
Cayman 2.7 manual if you want something revvy for b road corners, rather than out and out speed.
Vantage if you want something that makes you feel special with that extra pazzaz and wow-factor.
Cayman 2.7 manual if you want something revvy for b road corners, rather than out and out speed.
Vantage if you want something that makes you feel special with that extra pazzaz and wow-factor.
The Vantage isn't a B Road warrior but if you want a compact GT that'll feel special at 20mph but will still get a move on when required whilst adding a killer exhaust note then I'd be taking the Vantage & if you go for the Cayman with your budget I'd be looking for a Cayman R:
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Had a similar dilemma two years ago and went 981.
You choose the Aston with your heart and the Cayman with your head. Depends what sort of person you are and how much cash you are prepared to spunk annually and if this will annoy you. If it will, you will soon fall out of love with the Aston. I spoke to a number of vantage owners and they all said be prepared for very large bills, rattles and electrical issues. The cayman is cheaper to run by a long way and i think they are two of the best looking cars of the last decade. I’ve grown to love the cayman whereas I think with the Aston it would be reversed.
Having spent some time in a 991 recently has reinforced my view that the 981 is such a complete car and a really good value, practical sports car that doesn’t cost the earth to run.
You choose the Aston with your heart and the Cayman with your head. Depends what sort of person you are and how much cash you are prepared to spunk annually and if this will annoy you. If it will, you will soon fall out of love with the Aston. I spoke to a number of vantage owners and they all said be prepared for very large bills, rattles and electrical issues. The cayman is cheaper to run by a long way and i think they are two of the best looking cars of the last decade. I’ve grown to love the cayman whereas I think with the Aston it would be reversed.
Having spent some time in a 991 recently has reinforced my view that the 981 is such a complete car and a really good value, practical sports car that doesn’t cost the earth to run.
Cayman 981S all the way.
You'll miss the low down punch of your 330d, the Cayman will feel awful at low revs, but once the noise kicks in you'll forgive it.
Buy one with a good spec, extended leather a must for me, and you wont lose a fortune if you keep the mileage sensible.
Owned my last one for a year, sold it to a dealer for the same as what I'd paid, and it was due a service, I think it would actually be worth a little more now looking at adverts.
I tried to replace it with a new 718, couldn't bear the noise.
Astons can have hideous repair bills, and they rust, seen so many bubbling around the door handles and various other places. Maybe the best sounding car ever though..
You'll miss the low down punch of your 330d, the Cayman will feel awful at low revs, but once the noise kicks in you'll forgive it.
Buy one with a good spec, extended leather a must for me, and you wont lose a fortune if you keep the mileage sensible.
Owned my last one for a year, sold it to a dealer for the same as what I'd paid, and it was due a service, I think it would actually be worth a little more now looking at adverts.
I tried to replace it with a new 718, couldn't bear the noise.
Astons can have hideous repair bills, and they rust, seen so many bubbling around the door handles and various other places. Maybe the best sounding car ever though..
Many thanks everyone - it is very much a head and heart debate as 7184c says. I guess if you buy a low mileage 4.7 Vantage from an AM dealer and keep the warranty running you hedge against the big bills a bit, but still an expensive beast to run. I need to drive both, but the Vantage definitely seems more of a junior GT car, perfect for long cruises and special days, but obviously doesn't have the Cayman's lightness and handling. Is yours 2.7 or S, manual or PDK - preferences? Many thanks.
Had the same decision some years ago so was 4.3 V8V vs 987S (or 997S) and the Cayman won. Just so much more of a driver's car and very usable day-to-day with it (we had no kids at the time).
The Vantage was a triumph of style over substance for me, I didn't like the interior when it came down to it, and it wasn't actually that fast considering the size of the motor. A friend bought one though and loves it, but he has spent thousands on repairs, whereas my Cayman never cost me a bean.
If GT is your thing the Aston makes a stronger case I suppose, but I'd rather have a 911 in that case, boring as that is, or throwing caution to the wind a Maserati Gran Turismo.
The Vantage was a triumph of style over substance for me, I didn't like the interior when it came down to it, and it wasn't actually that fast considering the size of the motor. A friend bought one though and loves it, but he has spent thousands on repairs, whereas my Cayman never cost me a bean.
If GT is your thing the Aston makes a stronger case I suppose, but I'd rather have a 911 in that case, boring as that is, or throwing caution to the wind a Maserati Gran Turismo.
Lots of sensible comment here already. I had the 4.3 Vantage, so not as quick as the 4.7, but from my experience I’d just add that it rather depends what you do with it at weekends.
If it’s social, and the aim is to take yourself/ someone else off somewhere in style and comfort, the Vantage is unbeatable. Feels a million dollars, gets lots of compliments, and feels special for anyone to ‘go in the Aston’.
Whereas if your weekend use is for the sheer pleasure of driving, may well be better off with the Cayman. I’ve had cars that I used to just ‘go for a drive’ in, but the Vantage wasn’t one of them. Always a pleasure to drive, just not what you’d call ‘thrilling’ at legal speeds.
One other thought. At that price, could also get a Jaguar F-Type, which probably sits between the two. Decisions, decisions...
If it’s social, and the aim is to take yourself/ someone else off somewhere in style and comfort, the Vantage is unbeatable. Feels a million dollars, gets lots of compliments, and feels special for anyone to ‘go in the Aston’.
Whereas if your weekend use is for the sheer pleasure of driving, may well be better off with the Cayman. I’ve had cars that I used to just ‘go for a drive’ in, but the Vantage wasn’t one of them. Always a pleasure to drive, just not what you’d call ‘thrilling’ at legal speeds.
One other thought. At that price, could also get a Jaguar F-Type, which probably sits between the two. Decisions, decisions...
Thanks - all really helpful advice. I've never been a huge fan of Porsche from a styling perspective, but I think the proportions and styling of the 981 Cayman make it a very atheistically pleasing car. Combined with the handling, engine and usability it seems hard to beat. Entirely subjective of course, but the F-Type and Grand Tourismo styling aren't for me - both great cars I'm sure.
I've read that a lot of the problems on the early 4.3 Vantages were sorted out in the 4.7 and that the latter is more reliable? Both engines are supposedly pretty solid units but I've been told clutches can go after 20,000 miles and you're looking at £2k plus to replace at an AM dealer. I'm guessing with the Aston you'd want to have a contingency fund of say £5k - £10k in addition to annual servicing? Performance wise there's a jump of 40 bhp in the 4.7, but I think 80 Nm in torque which is probably where it's most noticeable.
I've read that a lot of the problems on the early 4.3 Vantages were sorted out in the 4.7 and that the latter is more reliable? Both engines are supposedly pretty solid units but I've been told clutches can go after 20,000 miles and you're looking at £2k plus to replace at an AM dealer. I'm guessing with the Aston you'd want to have a contingency fund of say £5k - £10k in addition to annual servicing? Performance wise there's a jump of 40 bhp in the 4.7, but I think 80 Nm in torque which is probably where it's most noticeable.
The clutches can be replaced for a fair bit less than 2k a good independent will keep you're running costs down, a contingency of 2k will be enough for either obviously you could have one off expenses (Alternator etc) but both have the potential to throw up a big bill.
If it's a drivers car you want then I'd be looking for a Cayman R preferably a manual but the PDK is no bad option either.
If it's a drivers car you want then I'd be looking for a Cayman R preferably a manual but the PDK is no bad option either.
Indeed, a Cayman R is a very solid place to put your money too.
That said a 981S is a very fine car - and seriously fast too - I recall an Evo test where it absolutely murdered a V6 F-Type up to 100mph. Very long gearing in Pork though, which i started to find frustrating as my ability improved. Indeed the car is almost too capable for its own good.
That said a 981S is a very fine car - and seriously fast too - I recall an Evo test where it absolutely murdered a V6 F-Type up to 100mph. Very long gearing in Pork though, which i started to find frustrating as my ability improved. Indeed the car is almost too capable for its own good.
ZX10R NIN said:
The clutches can be replaced for a fair bit less than 2k a good independent will keep you're running costs down, a contingency of 2k will be enough for either obviously you could have one off expenses (Alternator etc) but both have the potential to throw up a big bill.
If it's a drivers car you want then I'd be looking for a Cayman R preferably a manual but the PDK is no bad option either.
I looked into clutches a year or so back and although I've seen a few comments saying they can be done cheaper, I've never found anywhere that could (and tried several Indy's). And unless I'm remembering wrongly, £2k is an underestimate.If it's a drivers car you want then I'd be looking for a Cayman R preferably a manual but the PDK is no bad option either.
But the rumours about poor clutch life are a little exaggerated. Many people get far more than that out of them and a bad driver could destroy a Cayman clutch just as quickly. Plenty of people on the Aston forums with clutches that have lasted 50k+ miles - mine is on just over 40k and has never been replaced as far as I know.
I have not found my Aston to be anything like as unreliable and expensive to run as the stereotype suggests. It is just as reliable - and in fact has cost me less - than the 911 turbo it replaced. The clutch will be a pain when I need one - but then again it's likely to last me 10 years or so.
Forgot to add if it's a drivers car you're looking for then don't look past the Evora.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ZX10R NIN said:
Forgot to add if it's a drivers car you're looking for then don't look past the Evora.
Actually that’s a very good call. I’ve only driven two cars I thought handled as well as the Evora: an Exige at twice the price, and a 458 at four times the price. Certainly made my 997 feel very lardy indeed. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff