RE: Porsche Cayman S
Discussion
I have been toying with the idea of getting a new car for a while. I currently have a Cayman and whilst I love it, because I only have the 2.7, it doesn't feel quick enough for me anymore.
So...I took the 997 Mk1 out for a spin and felt very underwhelmed. There isn't a big difference in speed between the base Cayman and the base 911. I was expecting there to be a much bigger difference to justify the cost increase. Particularly as when you're sitting in the car, they don't feel massively different (from an asthetic perspective).
I then took out the 997 S and ... woow ... there was a marked difference in speed. I needed to feel that extra poke to justify the extra cost.
But, when all is said and done, the road handling of the Cayman was better. I can throw my Cayman around the country lanes and it is glued to the road. It puts such a huge smile on my face in the process.
Having read the excellent PH review, I can see that I will find it even more difficult in the future to go from a Cayman to the 911. Now that the S has been given more poke and the LSD, I struggle to see why, in these dodgy economic times, anyone would go for a new 911 over a new Cayman, unless the two extra seats are a necessity.
Ultimately though, I have lost so much money on my Cayman in the past two years, I have vowed never to buy a new car again. So for me at least, I will have to keep dreaming about what car I get next.
I don't know about you, but the anticipation is always the best bit for me anyway!
So...I took the 997 Mk1 out for a spin and felt very underwhelmed. There isn't a big difference in speed between the base Cayman and the base 911. I was expecting there to be a much bigger difference to justify the cost increase. Particularly as when you're sitting in the car, they don't feel massively different (from an asthetic perspective).
I then took out the 997 S and ... woow ... there was a marked difference in speed. I needed to feel that extra poke to justify the extra cost.
But, when all is said and done, the road handling of the Cayman was better. I can throw my Cayman around the country lanes and it is glued to the road. It puts such a huge smile on my face in the process.
Having read the excellent PH review, I can see that I will find it even more difficult in the future to go from a Cayman to the 911. Now that the S has been given more poke and the LSD, I struggle to see why, in these dodgy economic times, anyone would go for a new 911 over a new Cayman, unless the two extra seats are a necessity.
Ultimately though, I have lost so much money on my Cayman in the past two years, I have vowed never to buy a new car again. So for me at least, I will have to keep dreaming about what car I get next.
I don't know about you, but the anticipation is always the best bit for me anyway!
shalmaneser said:
I don't see why the Caymen gets a slating all the time...If I had the cash I'd choose one over a 911 any day of the week
Very similar performance and they've actually put the engine in a sensible place.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I also prefer the Cayman's looks.
Did anyone read the Cayman RS vs Megane 26 comparison test in Autocar a few weeks back?
Like the PH writer they too had it in the rain, but came to what I believe is a different conclusion..that is the cayman has no trouble and is indeed confidence inspiring on demanding wet wales roads- easily a match for the Megane.
To me that seems a bit odd. One would think the front wheel drive front engine car would at least have some stability confidence advantage somewhere? NO? JL
Like the PH writer they too had it in the rain, but came to what I believe is a different conclusion..that is the cayman has no trouble and is indeed confidence inspiring on demanding wet wales roads- easily a match for the Megane.
To me that seems a bit odd. One would think the front wheel drive front engine car would at least have some stability confidence advantage somewhere? NO? JL
Chris71 said:
shalmaneser said:
I don't see why the Caymen gets a slating all the time...If I had the cash I'd choose one over a 911 any day of the week
Very similar performance and they've actually put the engine in a sensible place.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I also prefer the Cayman's looks.
IMO the Cayman S is more fun to drive than a 911 on UK roads. You can get it sideways with little provocation and it just eats twisty B roads the suspension tune is spot on. Excellent car. Personally I don't like the looks at all and it's way overpriced so would have trouble buying one new over a 911 as it's not only about performance is it? I also agree that the Mk2 911 is a let down, the engine in particular sounds pretty rubbish compared to the Mk1 and that PDK steering wheel, what a joke. A second hand 997S manual is good buy at the moment if you want a fast every day car, but if you want more involvment and fun get the Cayman S.
I prefer the looks and the way it drives over a 911 C2 but I have to admit I'm still not a great fan of either. Why oh why couldn't they give it some proper steering feel and a throttle pedal that was actually connected to the engine in some meaningful way?
Still, if I was after a sportscar which was suitable for covering long distances, it'd be near the top of my list.
Still, if I was after a sportscar which was suitable for covering long distances, it'd be near the top of my list.
Edited by kambites on Monday 8th December 10:14
Lagerlout said:
IMO the Cayman S is more fun to drive than a 911 on UK roads. You can get it sideways with little provocation and it just eats twisty B roads the suspension tune is spot on. Excellent car. Personally I don't like the looks at all and it's way overpriced so would have trouble buying one new over a 911 as it's not only about performance is it? I also agree that the Mk2 911 is a let down, the engine in particular sounds pretty rubbish compared to the Mk1 and that PDK steering wheel, what a joke. A second hand 997S manual is good buy at the moment if you want a fast every day car, but if you want more involvment and fun get the Cayman S.
Wierd that you should label a £45k Cayman S as 'way over-priced' vs a £20k more expensive Carrera, which shares practically all the components foward of the B pillar. For your £20k you get slightly bigger holes in the engine and 2 almost useless seats.
I'm quite will to bet Porsche make more margin on the Carrera's than the any Cayman. In my book that makes a Cayman good value. Or does it just make all Porsches incredibly overpriced?
SS7
Edited by shoestring7 on Monday 8th December 14:26
I'm considering getting another next year - Been very pleased with mine so far.
I'd love to get the PDK but until they move away from the buttons on the steering wheel rather than paddles - then it's not an option. They really screwed up with that. Apparently - they're waiting until they get rid of the full stock of steering wheels with the buttons on and then will go to paddles.
I'd love to get the PDK but until they move away from the buttons on the steering wheel rather than paddles - then it's not an option. They really screwed up with that. Apparently - they're waiting until they get rid of the full stock of steering wheels with the buttons on and then will go to paddles.
Edited by Asterix on Monday 8th December 18:56
The gentleman in the Porsche garage said that the LSD was available only with the PDK gearbox option. Strangely enough, he said you can't have a heated steering wheel without the PDK either. Now, I don't want the steering wheel, but the LSD is definitely on the list. And on a manual.
Anyone know if there is any truth to this, or was he just spouting excrement?
Anyone know if there is any truth to this, or was he just spouting excrement?
j123 said:
Did anyone read the Cayman RS vs Megane 26 comparison test in Autocar a few weeks back?
Like the PH writer they too had it in the rain, but came to what I believe is a different conclusion..that is the cayman has no trouble and is indeed confidence inspiring on demanding wet wales roads- easily a match for the Megane.
To me that seems a bit odd. One would think the front wheel drive front engine car would at least have some stability confidence advantage somewhere? NO? JL
I expect a Cayman S would see off the new megane no problem on a dry twisty road especially on the straights.Like the PH writer they too had it in the rain, but came to what I believe is a different conclusion..that is the cayman has no trouble and is indeed confidence inspiring on demanding wet wales roads- easily a match for the Megane.
To me that seems a bit odd. One would think the front wheel drive front engine car would at least have some stability confidence advantage somewhere? NO? JL
Why would a front wheel drive car inspire more confidence in the wet than a RWD one? They will both suffer from a lack of traction (but both have traction control of one form or another to help out those drivers who think the throttle is a binary device), but the RWD one will (usually) give the driver a far better idea of how much grip he has left.
I can't think of any situations where I'd be more confident in a FWD car than a RWD one (hence switching back to RWD after trying FWD for a bit in the shape of my Corrado), and very few where the FWD comes even close.
I can't think of any situations where I'd be more confident in a FWD car than a RWD one (hence switching back to RWD after trying FWD for a bit in the shape of my Corrado), and very few where the FWD comes even close.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 9th December 07:41
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