New Cayman S test drive

[halfpenny43]

Unlike the launch for the new 911 and Boxster, there was no razz-a-mataz at Porsche Centrum Amsterdam this afternoon for the launch of the new Cayman.

Initial impressions - nicer in the flesh than in the pictures. it looks nice from the side - a little lower than my 2006 car, perhaps helped by the slightly longer wheelbase. From the front it looks more purposeful with the wings sitting a little higher. The back end on the new car I like less.
I felt the radiators looked more exposed from the front, but the salesman assured me that stones rarely go into the radiators but tend to deflect onto the nose or bonnet - not convinced about that at all. Interesting that the non-S version had covered front intakes.

I dislike the interior personally. The switchgear behind the gear selector are nicely weighted and come to hand, but the ones behind the gear selector look messy and cluttered. As I'm not particularly tall (5' 7") it was not easy to see the temperature of the interior heating.
The sat nav systemise excellent and far superior that PCM2 with full postcode search.

The dashboard dials are nice. Easy to read with the 3rd dial being a switchable electronic display between engine stats, g indicator,radio, telephone, moving map display from the navigation system, etc etc.

The car in the pictures is the demo. Spec'd with standard sports seats, sports plus, full sat nav and PDK.

Having never driven a PDK I was interested to see how it felt.

First noticeable thing about the car is the steering. I found it weighted too light compared to my Cayman S. I believe that sports plus stiffens the steering, but I didn't feel it.
Second thing is the power. It felt that it had far more pull across the rev range in all gears. Really noticeable over my S making it feel on the whole, quicker. Very nice.

The PDK was interesting. In full auto mode the change was slow and quite relaxing. With sports plus - well - it really holds onto the gears and the throttle blip on each down shift was lovely. The flappy paddles were ok but on a 20min drive not something I got used to really - if you forgot about changing the car digit for you both up and down. The stop / start system was annoying but I'm told it can be permanently disabled if you so desire.

Overall it's a great car. Feels better put together than my S, faster but with less steering "feel". Would I buy one ? At a starting price here in the Netherlands of EUR82k I doubt it - but never say never

[FrankCayman]

Many thanks for the post....interesting stuff. Glad I didn't order a grey one... ;-)

[beeej]

Thanks for the info. Looks good in grey. Is that the Aqua Blue behind it? Not sure its a very Pork colour.

[pete.g]

Looks good to me.

Not sure it's worth my while making a 150 mile round trip to the launch event on Tuesday evening.

Could loads of you order sensibly specced cars and keep them for 10 - 12 months?

[MDian]

Interesting stuff, thanks for sharing.

[halfpenny43]

beeej said:

Thanks for the info. Looks good in grey. Is that the Aqua Blue behind it? Not sure its a very Pork colour.

The aqua blue car was a 991.

They also have a basalt black standard car inside the showroom - also looked great with satin wheels.

[IainF]

82,000 euros?

[Ed from Cyprus]

The world is big and very different - here in CY Cayman (non S) with my configuration (nothing special actually, no PCCB or 20 rims or PAS) came to Euro 95k, and Carrera with very little options starts from around Euro 150k.

I was desperately waiting for a new Cayman, and first show cars already arrived to be launched on coming Friday, but...

I'm now seriously thinking to wait a bit and bring from UK 2 years old 991 for about the same money as new regular Cayman.
It's government dutyes, so you can't do anything about it. Either pay them and enjoy Porsche or ride Golf 1.4...

[Raitzi]

IainF said:

82,000 euros?

It is over 90k€ here without options.

[SimonOcean]

The cloggies have to pay a c.23% car registration tax (exact cost dependent on CO2, weight and fuel type I believe), then 21% VAT / BPM on top (including BPM on the aforementioned car tax I think!!!). Meanwhile folks in the UAE pay zero tax and it is just as flat there. (Just kidding).

[Actus Reus]

Just back from Hatfield launch. I wasn't totally sold. A 981S with toys near as damnit £60k... I'd be looking at 997 GT3s I think, or used Boxsters. Oh, and to the 991 on the A10 roundabout - driving like that is why people think Porsche drivers are all wkers!