997 v Cayman - discuss

[Lagerlout]

Hard to believe some of their times. Some of those poor results has got to be down to condition and the fact these were made by the old stig. I'd like to see what the new stig on a dry track could punt the GT3 Mk2 around in. I find it really hard to believe the Cayman is quicker in the same hands.. or maybe I'm deluding myself??

[bob944]

Thanks Pikey, couldn't have put it better myself.
I think the 928 was intended to replace the 911 but didn't hit the spot.
I thought the Cayman looked great, apart from the silly spoiler. A fixed job more integrated into the design would have looked better. Even JC spotted its potential as a speed indicator for the boys in blue.

[drcarrera]

The thing I think lets it down is the "cut-off" rear quarterlight (side window!). Is there a technical reason why they couldn't have had graceful curve, following the body contours, like in the 911?
Get a photo of the Cayman and 997 in profile, and draw the rear glass shape of the 997 on the Cayman, and see what a difference it makes!

[james_j]

bob944 said:

The Cayman is yet another attempt by porsche to wean diehard 911 owners away from the aweful rear engine concept.

I know, voted best sports car in the world by many journalists over the years, winning thousands of races over the last 40 years. Yes, an awful concept.

[james_j]

bob944 said:

...spoiler. A fixed job more integrated into the design would have looked better. Even JC spotted its potential as a speed indicator for the boys in blue.

You may be able to raise it manually. That would fix the "...must have been travelling at 75..."

[DanH]

pikey said:

Lets be fair - they've been trying to make that concept work for a long, long time. What is it now? 35 years? I've got a 1982 911 and I can tell you the engine is DEFINITELY in the wrong place! When I first had it I was worried about an 80 litre fuel tank and battery being the only things protecting me from a frontal impact... until I got to know the car and realised I was quite safe. Any impact would be from the rear!

Its much easier to engineer a safe front crash structure when you don't have an engine in the way.

I don't even agree that the engine is in the wrong place in a modern 911. It work fabulously. I doubt you'd much like the handling of a 1982 front or mid engined car either

[abarber]

People forget that later 911s have the weight distribution that more even than say an Elise.

Also the weight is carried very low, unlike those cars with a FWD engine placed midships, engine on top of the gearbox. Obviously the 987S doesn't suffer from this, yet the one I drove felt bloody boring and lacking torque if you're used to a 911. Lovely balance to it though and top down is a big plus for me.

Really cannot see the point in the Cayman at all. A hard top worse looking Boxster for 50k. I'd get a second hand 3.6 996 for 37k, or a second had 997.