987 Cayman vs. Lotus Exige V6
Discussion
Hi - Has anyone made the move from 987 Cayman to Exige v6 or vice versa.
If I keep my current 987.1 Cayman S, I'll most likely start down the modification rabbit hole, exhaust, suspension, etc.
I had seriously considered a Cayman R but an Exige V6 (either S or 350) is similar money. I've driven a mates 2006 Exige S2 with the 4 cylinder Toyota engine and personally couldn't live with the on/off cam after having the linear power delivery of the flat 6.
No slanging matches pls, just interested in real world experiences - Porsche and Lotus are both great brands in my eyes.
I just want to experience as many cars as possible and a year in a Lotus is one on the bucket list.
This will be my event car so I can live with the entry/exit as that's part of the event. Also, I didn't find my mates Exige all that rough a ride on the road but it had Nitro shocks so must check if they were adjustable and he had them to 'street'.
If I keep my current 987.1 Cayman S, I'll most likely start down the modification rabbit hole, exhaust, suspension, etc.
I had seriously considered a Cayman R but an Exige V6 (either S or 350) is similar money. I've driven a mates 2006 Exige S2 with the 4 cylinder Toyota engine and personally couldn't live with the on/off cam after having the linear power delivery of the flat 6.
No slanging matches pls, just interested in real world experiences - Porsche and Lotus are both great brands in my eyes.
I just want to experience as many cars as possible and a year in a Lotus is one on the bucket list.
This will be my event car so I can live with the entry/exit as that's part of the event. Also, I didn't find my mates Exige all that rough a ride on the road but it had Nitro shocks so must check if they were adjustable and he had them to 'street'.
Edited by Andyoz on Wednesday 3rd June 11:31
I haven't driven an Exige V6, but I have driven an Evora 410 and I have to say I preferred the engine to that in my 981S, despite its prosaic origins. The power delivery is MORE linear and it makes lovely noises. Clearly if you go Exige you are going to sacrifice practicality and it will be noisier - but presumably you are OK with that
Andyoz said:
Hi - Has anyone made the move from 987 Cayman to Exige v6 or vice versa.
If I keep my current 987.1 Cayman S, I'll most likely start down the modification rabbit hole, exhaust, suspension, etc.
I had seriously considered a Cayman R but an Exige V6 (either S or 350) is similar money. I've driven a mates 2006 Exige S2 with the 4 cylinder Toyota engine and personally couldn't live with the on/off cam after having the linear power delivery of the flat 6.
No slanging matches pls, just interested in real world experiences - Porsche and Lotus are both great brands in my eyes.
I just want to experience as many cars as possible and a year in a Lotus is one on the bucket list.
This will be my event car so I can live with the entry/exit as that's part of the event. Also, I didn't find my mates Exige all that rough a ride on the road but it had Nitro shocks so must check if they were adjustable and he had them to 'street'.
Nothing to add to your Exige V6 question sorry but just to add that I had the exact same feeling about the power delivery of the Toyota Unit (mine was in an Elise 111r). Despite a lot of good reviews I couldn't stand it!If I keep my current 987.1 Cayman S, I'll most likely start down the modification rabbit hole, exhaust, suspension, etc.
I had seriously considered a Cayman R but an Exige V6 (either S or 350) is similar money. I've driven a mates 2006 Exige S2 with the 4 cylinder Toyota engine and personally couldn't live with the on/off cam after having the linear power delivery of the flat 6.
No slanging matches pls, just interested in real world experiences - Porsche and Lotus are both great brands in my eyes.
I just want to experience as many cars as possible and a year in a Lotus is one on the bucket list.
This will be my event car so I can live with the entry/exit as that's part of the event. Also, I didn't find my mates Exige all that rough a ride on the road but it had Nitro shocks so must check if they were adjustable and he had them to 'street'.
Edited by Andyoz on Wednesday 3rd June 11:31
Edited by John Laverick on Wednesday 3rd June 13:28
John Laverick said:
Nothing to add to you Exige V6 question sorry but jsut to add that I had the exact same feeling about the power delivery of the Toyota Unit (mine was in an Elise 111r). Despite a lot of good reviews I couldn't stand it!
Yes, I had read about it and was expecting it but it was very on/off. Still a great buy at cuirca £20k though but just interested what the options are if you push the budget up to Cayman R money.The rest of the car left a lasting impression which I think Lotus's tends to do. After a day or so you forget about how hard it was to get in/out and the size and want to have another go.
There were two of us in the Exige on my drive and the interior size did throw me but if I ended up with one there would only be me in it. My wife can't handle speed so wouldn't go back into the Cayman so I can't see her in the Lotus at all. My teenge kids don't care which worries me for the future of sports cars...
bcr5784 said:
I haven't driven an Exige V6, but I have driven an Evora 410 and I have to say I preferred the engine to that in my 981S, despite its prosaic origins. The power delivery is MORE linear and it makes lovely noises. Clearly if you go Exige you are going to sacrifice practicality and it will be noisier - but presumably you are OK with that
At this stage I 'think so' but have to really think this through. I love the Cayman so there is no rush and I can wait for the right car to appear even if it's next winter...There is an Exige V6 S owner here in NI that I'm hoping to meet up with. I can tell the interior has come on a bit - I don't want a luxury car but the next strep up from the bare 111R would be nice.
Lotus is a fascinating brand and hopefully their financial backers do well as they are making some amazing cars that barley anyone even test drives.
I'm checking insurance too as even though tax is the same £550 as the Cayman the Cayman insurance is silly cheap...I'm 50 so have age on my side for once..
Porsche911R said:
yes the S2 Exige, was a great drive after the remap.
Elise 220's are where it's at today imo the exige got a bit fat, but a 410 would be nice but still £65k min.
OK, that's interesting - I see they are pretty new so no depreciation kicking in yet.Elise 220's are where it's at today imo the exige got a bit fat, but a 410 would be nice but still £65k min.
The Exige V6 S and 350 have a nice bit of depreciation already to take the edge off.
I was actually drawn to the V6 for the slightly longer wheelbase.
I also like the idea of a coupe given the weather where I live. We do have some decent spells of 'zero chance of rain' though and I understand there is a removable roof version of the coupe (maybe they are all like that) that could give me the open air driving fix a few times a year.
Edited by Andyoz on Wednesday 3rd June 12:36
I went from a 981 Cayman GTS to an Evora 400, and I didn't look back. the Evora competes with gt4/gt3s when it comes to involvement so no comparison to a standard cayman. The new supercharged engines in the 400 range of either the Evoras or Exiges are wonderful things. Defo go for a test drive in an evora as its a halfway house to an exige.
I used to have an Exige V6 and have owned a string of Porsches so can give you some perspective hopefully.
First thing I would say is the Exige is in a completely different league of outright performance to every 987 Cayman derivative. It's definitely an event to drive and a lot more focused that the Cayman, steering is fantastic, very well damped (not crashy), brakes are excellent helped by the lack of weight and the V6 has character and plenty of punch - despite the internet BS you read about it "just being a Toyota engine".
The Exige S3 is nothing like the S2 in terms of power delivery, ride, or outright performance. It's a much more resolved car - much better on the road - the torque being the big difference and a slightly longer wheelbase and wider track but it's no less competent on track. In fact, the extra punch will make it faster on many circuits. Obviously there are less creature comforts than the Cayman but you know that already. If you're doing lots of long distance touring, the Exige V6 is liveable but would not be as habitable as the Cayman.
At mid to late 30s the early V6s represent great VFM. Highly recommended.
First thing I would say is the Exige is in a completely different league of outright performance to every 987 Cayman derivative. It's definitely an event to drive and a lot more focused that the Cayman, steering is fantastic, very well damped (not crashy), brakes are excellent helped by the lack of weight and the V6 has character and plenty of punch - despite the internet BS you read about it "just being a Toyota engine".
The Exige S3 is nothing like the S2 in terms of power delivery, ride, or outright performance. It's a much more resolved car - much better on the road - the torque being the big difference and a slightly longer wheelbase and wider track but it's no less competent on track. In fact, the extra punch will make it faster on many circuits. Obviously there are less creature comforts than the Cayman but you know that already. If you're doing lots of long distance touring, the Exige V6 is liveable but would not be as habitable as the Cayman.
At mid to late 30s the early V6s represent great VFM. Highly recommended.
Heathrow said:
I used to have an Exige V6 and have owned a string of Porsches so can give you some perspective hopefully.
First thing I would say is the Exige is in a completely different league of outright performance to every 987 Cayman derivative. It's definitely an event to drive and a lot more focused that the Cayman, steering is fantastic, very well damped (not crashy), brakes are excellent helped by the lack of weight and the V6 has character and plenty of punch - despite the internet BS you read about it "just being a Toyota engine".
The Exige S3 is nothing like the S2 in terms of power delivery, ride, or outright performance. It's a much more resolved car - much better on the road - the torque being the big difference and a slightly longer wheelbase and wider track but it's no less competent on track. In fact, the extra punch will make it faster on many circuits. Obviously there are less creature comforts than the Cayman but you know that already. If you're doing lots of long distance touring, the Exige V6 is liveable but would not be as habitable as the Cayman.
At mid to late 30s the early V6s represent great VFM. Highly recommended.
I agree with most of that but they perform pretty bad on track vs the on paper states. CofG too high I was told by a race team manager. And the none charged cooled cars loose power VERY quick once pushed.First thing I would say is the Exige is in a completely different league of outright performance to every 987 Cayman derivative. It's definitely an event to drive and a lot more focused that the Cayman, steering is fantastic, very well damped (not crashy), brakes are excellent helped by the lack of weight and the V6 has character and plenty of punch - despite the internet BS you read about it "just being a Toyota engine".
The Exige S3 is nothing like the S2 in terms of power delivery, ride, or outright performance. It's a much more resolved car - much better on the road - the torque being the big difference and a slightly longer wheelbase and wider track but it's no less competent on track. In fact, the extra punch will make it faster on many circuits. Obviously there are less creature comforts than the Cayman but you know that already. If you're doing lots of long distance touring, the Exige V6 is liveable but would not be as habitable as the Cayman.
At mid to late 30s the early V6s represent great VFM. Highly recommended.
I would not touch an early non charged cooled car. build is also crap in the early cars, the gearbox design poor and the weight was a bit high.
newer cars build is up 10 fold, the gear change is nice and the 410 and 430 have charge coolers and adjustable shocks and lower weight.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yes, that's what put me off Lotus last year when looking at options but the more research I do my NI location might not be a showstopper.As it stands, it's well over an hours drive to get my Cayman seen to by McMillan's and I'm hearing decent things about the local NI Lotus service/parts representation
The Mechanical Engineer in me just loves what Lotus are about...funny enough the Exige 111R I drove was also owned by a Mech Eng.
Porsche911R said:
Heathrow said:
I used to have an Exige V6 and have owned a string of Porsches so can give you some perspective hopefully.
First thing I would say is the Exige is in a completely different league of outright performance to every 987 Cayman derivative. It's definitely an event to drive and a lot more focused that the Cayman, steering is fantastic, very well damped (not crashy), brakes are excellent helped by the lack of weight and the V6 has character and plenty of punch - despite the internet BS you read about it "just being a Toyota engine".
The Exige S3 is nothing like the S2 in terms of power delivery, ride, or outright performance. It's a much more resolved car - much better on the road - the torque being the big difference and a slightly longer wheelbase and wider track but it's no less competent on track. In fact, the extra punch will make it faster on many circuits. Obviously there are less creature comforts than the Cayman but you know that already. If you're doing lots of long distance touring, the Exige V6 is liveable but would not be as habitable as the Cayman.
At mid to late 30s the early V6s represent great VFM. Highly recommended.
I agree with most of that but they perform pretty bad on track vs the on paper states. CofG too high I was told by a race team manager. And the none charged cooled cars loose power VERY quick once pushed.First thing I would say is the Exige is in a completely different league of outright performance to every 987 Cayman derivative. It's definitely an event to drive and a lot more focused that the Cayman, steering is fantastic, very well damped (not crashy), brakes are excellent helped by the lack of weight and the V6 has character and plenty of punch - despite the internet BS you read about it "just being a Toyota engine".
The Exige S3 is nothing like the S2 in terms of power delivery, ride, or outright performance. It's a much more resolved car - much better on the road - the torque being the big difference and a slightly longer wheelbase and wider track but it's no less competent on track. In fact, the extra punch will make it faster on many circuits. Obviously there are less creature comforts than the Cayman but you know that already. If you're doing lots of long distance touring, the Exige V6 is liveable but would not be as habitable as the Cayman.
At mid to late 30s the early V6s represent great VFM. Highly recommended.
I would not touch an early non charged cooled car. build is also crap in the early cars, the gearbox design poor and the weight was a bit high.
newer cars build is up 10 fold, the gear change is nice and the 410 and 430 have charge coolers and adjustable shocks and lower weight.
I've also tracked and driven on road a friend's Sport 350 with the newer open gated gearbox - it's a bit better but not night and day different. The marketing and internet heresy has been successful in this regard!
The charged-cooled cars are the pinnacle if budget will stretch. But whilst the CoG and weight difference between V6S and 350 might be real, it doesn't translate to a radically different driving experience on road or track in my experience.
cypriot said:
I went from a 981 Cayman GTS to an Evora 400, and I didn't look back. the Evora competes with gt4/gt3s when it comes to involvement so no comparison to a standard cayman. The new supercharged engines in the 400 range of either the Evoras or Exiges are wonderful things. Defo go for a test drive in an evora as its a halfway house to an exige.
Hi, yes I won't discount an Evora. I guess it's the 2+2 thing that puts me off and their weigh is similar to the Cayman. This isn't a daily car otherwise Evora would be the no brainer option. My circa max. £40k budget goes further in a Exige too so I am nowhere near Evora 400 money. I assume the extra weight really needs that 400 engine.I will at least get a look at one for sure though. No rush here.
Ex-Exige V6 owner here.
You’d need to drive one to appreciate just how brilliant they are to drive and how silly fast they feel.
Great as a toy but hopeless at anything a normal car (like a Cayman) might do. I sold mine because i couldn’t use it for two-up long weekend trips (eg camping at Le Mans, Belgian GP, Silverstone Classic etc). Just not enough room inside for all the gear, nightmare getting into fields/campsites.
Easily the best drivers car I’ve owned though.
Cayman next for me, if I can find the right one, hence loitering in Porsche forums.
You’d need to drive one to appreciate just how brilliant they are to drive and how silly fast they feel.
Great as a toy but hopeless at anything a normal car (like a Cayman) might do. I sold mine because i couldn’t use it for two-up long weekend trips (eg camping at Le Mans, Belgian GP, Silverstone Classic etc). Just not enough room inside for all the gear, nightmare getting into fields/campsites.
Easily the best drivers car I’ve owned though.
Cayman next for me, if I can find the right one, hence loitering in Porsche forums.
Heathrow said:
I can only go on my own experience. I disagree that all the early cars have poor build quality but it may be more hit and miss. The gearbox difference is vastly overdone. The earlier cars are perhaps more sensitive to gear linkage set-up but the shift in my 2015 V6 Exige was excellent.
I've also tracked and driven on road a friend's Sport 350 with the newer open gated gearbox - it's a bit better but not night and day different. The marketing and internet heresy has been successful in this regard!
The charged-cooled cars are the pinnacle if budget will stretch. But whilst the CoG and weight difference between V6S and 350 might be real, it doesn't translate to a radically different driving experience on road or track in my experience.
Just to clarify, which models and years are we talking about here.I've also tracked and driven on road a friend's Sport 350 with the newer open gated gearbox - it's a bit better but not night and day different. The marketing and internet heresy has been successful in this regard!
The charged-cooled cars are the pinnacle if budget will stretch. But whilst the CoG and weight difference between V6S and 350 might be real, it doesn't translate to a radically different driving experience on road or track in my experience.
swanny71 said:
Ex-Exige V6 owner here.
You’d need to drive one to appreciate just how brilliant they are to drive and how silly fast they feel.
Great as a toy but hopeless at anything a normal car (like a Cayman) might do. I sold mine because i couldn’t use it for two-up long weekend trips (eg camping at Le Mans, Belgian GP, Silverstone Classic etc). Just not enough room inside for all the gear, nightmare getting into fields/campsites.
Easily the best drivers car I’ve owned though.
Cayman next for me, if I can find the right one, hence loitering in Porsche forums.
I doubt an Exige would be my forever car. Some form of Cayman will most probably be the one.You’d need to drive one to appreciate just how brilliant they are to drive and how silly fast they feel.
Great as a toy but hopeless at anything a normal car (like a Cayman) might do. I sold mine because i couldn’t use it for two-up long weekend trips (eg camping at Le Mans, Belgian GP, Silverstone Classic etc). Just not enough room inside for all the gear, nightmare getting into fields/campsites.
Easily the best drivers car I’ve owned though.
Cayman next for me, if I can find the right one, hence loitering in Porsche forums.
It's just I am thinking of enjoying my Cayman 'stock' for a bit longer then jump into something else otherwise I will start modifying it and that's a rabbit hole.
If/when I tire of the Exige, I would move back over to a Porsche of some form...maybe a Cayman 987.2 that someone else has sorted nicely for me already...
Edited by Andyoz on Wednesday 3rd June 14:05
Porsche911R said:
I agree with most of that but they perform pretty bad on track vs the on paper states. CofG too high I was told by a race team manager. And the none charged cooled cars loose power VERY quick once pushed.
I would not touch an early non charged cooled car. build is also crap in the early cars, the gearbox design poor and the weight was a bit high.
Having owned one (V6S) I would agree with this. I would not touch an early non charged cooled car. build is also crap in the early cars, the gearbox design poor and the weight was a bit high.
Still a quick car on track. Brakes were fantastic (I was running Alcons, with Pagid pads though), but my experience with my particular car wasn't great. Had gearbox issues that were never resolved, and the overall integrity of the car was sadly lacking. Being my second Lotus I'd hoped things had moved on since the S1 Elise I bought in 1998...
I would argue very strongly that you should try before you buy
Andyoz said:
Hi, yes I won't discount an Evora. I guess it's the 2+2 thing that puts me off and their weigh is similar to the Cayman. This isn't a daily car otherwise Evora would be the no brainer option. My circa max. £40k budget goes further in a Exige too so I am nowhere near Evora 400 money. I assume the extra weight really needs that 400 engine.
I will at least get a look at one for sure though. No rush here.
They may (do) weigh as much as a Cayman but to drive the Evora feels lighter. Partly lighter steering, but also it is just somehow lighter on its feet if that makes sense. I will at least get a look at one for sure though. No rush here.
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