Tuesday 18th November 2014

Ruf 3400K: You Know You Want To

That 400hp manual Cayman we're all after? There already is one!

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Thanks to a very yellow, very fast and very sideways 911, everyone who knows a bit about cars knows a bit about Ruf. An independent and established manufacturer in its own right, Ruf is in the business of making Porsches more so. Actually, that does Ruf a disservice; 'optimise' would seem more appropriate. Very good cars made even better with some significant upgrades.

Nobody will know from here!

The first Cayman was always ripe for a bit of aftermarket fettling. A gorgeous chassis denied a real range-topper thanks to that old rear-engined elephant in the Porsche range. There is still the very exciting possibility of a flagship for the current Cayman range but the first 986/7 model finished with the 'R'; an exceptional car, yes, but not much different to the S.

The Ruf 3400K is very different to a Cayman S. It makes 400hp for a start. That's thanks to a supercharger on the 3.4-litre flat-six, making the 3400K a 180mph car. That 911 look at the front is a deliberate move by Ruf to give this Cayman a more assertive appearance to match the performance. There were of course a raft of suspension and brake tweaks to cope with the additional performance.

Three pedals, hydraulic steering, 400hp; yes

And it's a manual! Back then an automatic Cayman would have been a Tiptronic and that just wouldn't do for this. From the images the gearknob doesn't look like the most pleasant thing to use though. The wheel isn't very nice either. But they can be changed.

The 3400K was introduced in 2007 as a 25th anniversary special of Ruf production cars.The original owner clearly didn't fancy marking the occasion by driving the 3400K much as it has only covered 7,800 miles in seven years. It was priced back then at 75,000 euros as a more affordable entry point into Ruf ownership. With this car listed as POA, it's hard to be accurate but a figure still in that region seems likely. For a Cayman with the power it deserves and the Ruf reputation behind it that doesn't seem ridiculous.

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RUF 3400K
Price: POA (est 75,000 euros/£59,750)
Why you should: It's a Ruf Cayman. People who know will love it.
Why you shouldn't: It's a Ruf Cayman. You will have to explain.

See the original advert here.

[dlockhart]

possibly the 2nd best Porsche ever (918 being top)

[MikeGoodwin]

Those Ruf Porsche cars have been listed on PH for a long time! I eye them up everytime I play the lottery

[TTwiggy]

Do they do anything else to the engine? All that extra power has got to be 'interesting' for the suspect IMS...

[Lordbenny]

Once I'd clicked on this I realised I was being too optimistic to think I could buy a RUF Porka for £3400....

[Meoricin]

Lordbenny said:

Once I'd clicked on this I realised I was being too optimistic to think I could buy a RUF Porka for £3400....

3400k would have been £3,400,000 though?

[pSynrg]

Meoricin said:

3400k would have been £3,400,000 though?

Unless it were pennies!

[Podie]

Corking looking thing - always fancied one. Shame it's a leftie.

[TTwiggy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Agreed, however I do believe that IMS failure is an issue in the 987.

[J4CKO]

Sort of looks like they started with grand ideas at the front and got a bit bored when they got to the back, styling wise, kind of unbalanced.

[TTwiggy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sorry, you are quite correct - this would be from the era of 2.9 and 3.4 engines yes? As you say, IMS not an issue. Other things, of course, might be!

[TaylotS2K]

Slightly less ugly than the normal 1st Gen Cayman

[TTwiggy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Ah - clearly my pork knowledge is lacking!

[Impasse]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

So, death by stabbing or death by gunshot?

[myhandle]

Why the US spec front marker lights? Orange does not match.

[BIRMA]

Myself I'd just give a nice example of either model to Parr and get them to upgrade it.

[richyd]

Parr actually have something orange and turbo-charged currently for sale. Far nicer than this Ruf car, and with almost 500bhp.

Thats the one to get!

[Ubar]

What about the De la villa R1? Certainly a looker...

http://www.delavillavrs.com/modeles/r1/

[soad]

Ubar said:

What about the De la villa R1? Certainly a looker...

http://www.delavillavrs.com/modeles/r1/

Didn't know it existed. I like the rear.

[Oddball RS]

Do something with the front, and delete the stacked exhaust pipes and replace them with just big round exits, one either side and they have something there, the skinny hips and horrible side vents are a thing of the past!

[British Beef]

richyd said:

Parr actually have something orange and turbo-charged currently for sale. Far nicer than this Ruf car, and with almost 500bhp.

Thats the one to get!

Good call.
Just had a look at that, looks like much better value and faster option to this, less than half the price and nearly 100hp more... Bargain!!