What's more fun everyday - Cayman S or MX5 Sport Tech?

[daveknott5]

Torn between these two. Both look good fun - but which would give me more smiles per mile on a day to day basis? (don't concern yourself with cost/mpg or anything boring like that - I'm just interested in which would be more fun to drive and not risk my licence!)

Thoughts?

[Luke.]

Err.. the Cayman S?

[daveknott5]

Well, that's what I would have thought, but from what I've heard the Cayman S doesn't have a limited slip diff and has almost too much grip to have fun in......wheras the MX5 sport tech has a LSD as standard and can be kicked into oversteer very easily........

[5lab]

would the natural competitor not be the boxter for top down thrills?

depends on your idea of fun. the Cayman is definately quicker, and more accomplished. However, you can reach the limits of grip in an mx5 more easily than you can the cayman, and I'd assume that, being mid-engined, the cayman would be a bit 'snappier' once at the limit. The Cayman would sound better, but loses out on top down thrills.

I'd have the Cayman, but its not necessarily more fun

[Major Fallout]

My guess would be the MX5.

[daveknott5]

Anyone actually owned both?

[kambites]

As much as the Cayman is the sharper driving tool, I'd say the MX5 - being able to take the roof off is a big element of fun for me. I'd rather have a Boxster than either, though.

[redgriff500]

daveknott5 said:

which would be more fun to drive and not risk my licence

So in other words which has less grip and has an LSD.

MX5 !

I currently own a 350bhp RX7 and a 210bhp supercharged MX5.

I really like the RX7 and it's the more "special" car BUT without a doubt the MX5 is more fun and far less likely to cause me to lose my license.

[carsarecool]

MX5 would provide more fun - if you're after 'tail-out' antics.

As said above, Boxster would be a good bet as well if you're after a convertible.

[daveknott5]

Not necessarily after a convertible, but woud definitely appreciate a car that offers tail out antics !

[BoRED S2upid]

daveknott5 said:

fun to drive and not risk my licence!)

Thoughts?

If it wasn't for the risk my licence bit I would be saying Cayman s as the more fun but as the owner of a bog standard MK1 MX5 the one with the lower BHP you are never going to risk your licence the only power comes from 20 - 60 just where I want it, its pretty much done at 70 ideal for some RWD fun and a clean licence.

[Jakub]

Why not Cayman base (non-S)?
With just 2.7, you can rev it more without risking your licence and still got the beautifully balanced mid-e car.

[daveknott5]

Because the 2.7 just doesn't have enough guts and its gearing is ridiculously long. Just doesn't feel quick enough for a Porsche

[VladD]

Intersting this. So to throw a curve ball, so to speak, Cayman S or BBR Cosworth MX5 Sport Tech?

[hornetrider]

daveknott5 said:

Anyone actually owned both?

Owned a Boxster S and two MX5s... currently on a 2 litre Sport Tech Coupe. Boxster more of an event in terms of grunt and engine noise. The Porsche is also in another league in terms of ride quality as well. However... there's a reason I came back to an MX5 after having the Porsche - the 5 is more fun to drive.

[chris7676]

Boxster, convertible (like MX5), powerful enough (like Cayman) and sweet to drive.

[LukeBird]

I test drove a 987.2 with a view to replacing my Mk2.5 MX-5 with a Boxster (although not one that late, it would have been a 986 or an early 987) and I didn't find it as much fun to drive. The engine was lovely, the noise was great, the extra performance was nice (but that wasn't the reason I wanted one) but it just didn't feel as 'alive' to drive as the '5.

[broker1]

daveknott5 said:

Anyone actually owned both?

Kind of... My Mum has the MX5 so I get to compare pretty regularly.

Not that I have done much comparing. They are really very different; as a DD the 987 is definately more livable with all the mod cons etc But the cost of upkeep and repair keeps me well away from the track. Nice thing about the MX5 to my mind would be the 'trackability' of the machine without the huge costs.

Agree with others about break away limits but tbh during ownership you'll come to know exactly how to get it to 'play' if you want, as with any car really.

I know its not very PH to admit it but I suffer from image issues when i drive the MX5. I KNOW its an awesome little machine but it doesn't feel very mature and I always wince a bit when I see a fully grown man with elbow scraping along the road and head a clear 3 inches above the roll over frame.

None of this applies to a fully stripped out, cage fitted, track beast of course; thats just cool as f*ck.

[300bhp/ton]

daveknott5 said:

Torn between these two. Both look good fun - but which would give me more smiles per mile on a day to day basis? (don't concern yourself with cost/mpg or anything boring like that - I'm just interested in which would be more fun to drive and not risk my licence!)

Thoughts?

I think the answer is complex here.

If you sit back and analyse what it is that brings enjoyment, then the MX-5 would tick all the boxes and especially help with the not risk your licence so much.

However, in reality I think you'd not be able to get away from the fact that with the MX you'd hanker for more power and the desirability of owning a Porsche and not a Mazda.

So the question really is, can you live with owning a Mazda over a Porsche and not regret it?

[daveknott5]

300bhp/ton said:

So the question really is, can you live with owning a Mazda over a Porsche and not regret it?

you've hit the nail on the head I think. For 90% of the time I think the MX5 would provide more fun as it's limits are more easily found. However, the prestige of having a Porsche on the drive and a lovely sounding flat six counts for a lot.

Having said that - perhaps an MX5 with a light tune (Milltek exhaust, Cosworth panel filter, new hoses + an ECU remap) would give a more interesting sound, a little more power, and still 30mpg+ and much lower cost consumables than the Porsche.