Cayman S and chrono sport pack question

Cayman S and chrono sport pack question

Author
Discussion

pauly

Original Poster:

434 posts

283 months

Sunday 11th December 2005
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Hi all
I have a Cayman S on order for March delivery and was wondering if any of you have got one with the CSP?
Thing is I watched Tiff´s review on 5th gear last week and he seemed to think it was a waste of money unless you go trackdaying which I won´t be, and now I am thinking I should take it off my order.
Help please

willr

363 posts

254 months

Sunday 11th December 2005
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I think Tiff was right - on the road you can probably go just as quickly without SCP. On the other hand, it's one of the "lower cost" options - so treat it as a toy and it might be worth it...

Assuming you have a manual transmission, SCP does the following:
* Makes the throttle respond faster to small pedal movements
* Reduces PSM intervention
* Makes a hard rev-limit (ie engine revs until it is cut), rather than the normal softer one (engine is gradually cut)

Many people seem to like the more agressive throttle response - but you can achieve the same thing by treading harder on the pedal. It's quite easy to compare by switching sport on and off during a test drive - so suggest you do that. The other features are more track-oriented.
And of course there's the stopwatch sitting like a wart on the dashboard, which you may or may not like.

I've got SCP, but have left sport mode off most of the time so far. Waiting to see what difference it makes on track...

pauly

Original Poster:

434 posts

283 months

Sunday 11th December 2005
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Thanks for that but I will be swapping out the CSP for the Bose system,not much relation in the two things I know but I will be doing lots of m´way driving so I think it makes more sense for me

tim993

82 posts

231 months

Sunday 11th December 2005
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i believe that option will more than pay for itself come resale, consider it an investment

pauly

Original Poster:

434 posts

283 months

Sunday 11th December 2005
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Which option do you mean tim993, the bose or the CSP. You know the German resale market which do you think would be better?

Yex

4,583 posts

221 months

Monday 12th December 2005
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I test drove a Cayman with the SCP and PASM options as I have these fitted to my car. They do make small but noticeable differences when switched on and off. However, I was driving the car on a 'B' road to start with so the PASM system could be felt when switched on but not so sure you would notice on an M'way. The SCP certainly enhanced the pedal input whilst accelerating and you could hear and feel it whilst blipping on down shifts. When both systems were on they transformed the car to a more focused sports vehicle. This is my own opinion and others may disagree (which is part of the fun of this place ) but I felt the SCP made pedal input more controllable. I prefer to roll the pedal down to the floor when pushing on hard as opposed to slamming it down. The SCP option certainly made my driving style smoother and still dleivered the punch in the back that I wanted.

As I've said before you pay your money and you take your choice. I wanted a sports focused car so went for the sport focused options, just need to get it on a track to see their real worth Didn't stop me going for the BOSE pack though

Yex

pikey

7,700 posts

285 months

Monday 12th December 2005
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I didn't think too much of Tiff's review. Thought it wasn't more than a country drive that didn't allow him to explore much.

I disagreed with him on the PASM point. On my test drive I drove from London to the country. With PASM on, the car was nasty and teeth rattling in London, but really firm and great on the twisty country roads. With PASM off it was quite nice and more relaced in London, but a little too wallowy when giving it Monsta on the twisties. I could definitely tell the difference.

However, the sports pack didn't really do it for me. I mentioned this to the salesman, who said its more noticable and a "must-have" option on the Tiptronics cars.

I also disagree with Clarkson and his "MUST-HAVE, IF YOU DON'T IT'LL BE WORTH BUGGER ALL 2ND HAND" point of view on the Sat Nav. Reasoning:
- It doesn't do 3D
- Its out of drivers view (you have to move your eyes far from the windscreen to read)
- It doesn't have whole of Europe
- The phone module isn't bluetooth
- Its outrageously expensive
- You can't have Sylvia turn you on whenever you have to take the 5th exit
A TomTomGO_700 beats it on every single feature... and is £450. Compared to £2,300? Yeah, right.

So the point is, that I doubt a lot of these options will change the price of a car too much on resale. If I bought a Sports Chrono Pack it'd be 'cos I thought it was worth it and *I* wanted it.. not the bloke I was selling the car too.

If YOU think its worth it and you want it, then fine... but I'd make your mind up after you've had a play in one with and one without rather than listening to another's opinion. You see if you listen to one opinion, you have to listen to all... and then you'll get REALLY confused

btw, I, having an S2000 with them, I think Xeons at £750 are an absolute essential. Others who've never had Xeons would think they're a waste of time.

Adam B

27,298 posts

255 months

Monday 12th December 2005
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Agree with others - PASM definitely noticeable and not bad value if you consider what after market coilovers etc cost
I thought SCP was a waste of money.
I am considering a nearly new Cayman if I can't find the right 996tt but it will have to have the nav module.

To pikey's points
- It doesn't do 3D (not bothered)
- Its out of drivers view (use vocal commands more than the screen)
- It doesn't have whole of Europe (not bothered - car won't be going to Cyprus etc)
- The phone module isn't bluetooth (this is separate from nav but agree Porsche should offer a bluetooth option)
- Its outrageously expensive (agreed but its not £2300, more like £1800 - you are including the phone module)
- A TomTomGO_700 beats it on every single feature - technically I am sure it does but I don;t want something ugly stuck to my dash / windscreen with wires dangling everywhere, nav screen also makes the interior look much nicer IMHO

>> Edited by Adam B on Monday 12th December 14:26

willr

363 posts

254 months

Monday 12th December 2005
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Tiff didn't say that he couldn't tell the difference with/without PASM or SCP - he said that he would probably be no faster on normal roads. I think that's true.

Anyway, both PASM and SCP are just "options" - in no way would I say they are "essential". It's up to the individual to decide how much value they get out of them.

kayc

4,492 posts

222 months

Monday 12th December 2005
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pasm,scp,fwd,sat nav,psm,dsc,bose...blah,blah..who cares its a gutless over safe 290 bhp 'sports car'..buy a bmw 325 its got all of that for standard spec...the comments on this link qualify the reason for the cayman to exist...its supposed to be an enthusiasts driving machine not a psp!!what has happened to everyone...go and buy a lexus if electrical gizmos are the main talking point!

hobo

5,768 posts

247 months

Monday 12th December 2005
quotequote all
kayc said:
pasm,scp,fwd,sat nav,psm,dsc,bose...blah,blah..who cares its a gutless over safe 290 bhp 'sports car'..buy a bmw 325 its got all of that for standard spec...the comments on this link qualify the reason for the cayman to exist...its supposed to be an enthusiasts driving machine not a psp!!what has happened to everyone...go and buy a lexus if electrical gizmos are the main talking point!

You have a point, albeit maybe not made in the best of ways.

290bhp is not a huge amount & personally think people should consider spending the extra money on additional training, not a button you press & hope it does it for you.

p.s We have the SCP in our Boxster S, and you press a button saying 'Sport' which alledgedly does something. All I know is that it with the button pressed or not it can't catch my cheaper gadgetless TVR T350

Yex

4,583 posts

221 months

Monday 12th December 2005
quotequote all
hobo said:
kayc said:
pasm,scp,fwd,sat nav,psm,dsc,bose...blah,blah..who cares its a gutless over safe 290 bhp 'sports car'..buy a bmw 325 its got all of that for standard spec...the comments on this link qualify the reason for the cayman to exist...its supposed to be an enthusiasts driving machine not a psp!!what has happened to everyone...go and buy a lexus if electrical gizmos are the main talking point!

You have a point, albeit maybe not made in the best of ways.

290bhp is not a huge amount & personally think people should consider spending the extra money on additional training, not a button you press & hope it does it for you.

p.s We have the SCP in our Boxster S, and you press a button saying 'Sport' which alledgedly does something. All I know is that it with the button pressed or not it can't catch my cheaper gadgetless TVR T350


True, some people on here could spend some money on communication training and understanding an opinion doesn't mean anything unless you can put it over in a constructive manner

Perhaps it's me but the SCP button did change the dynamics of the car I drove when linked in with the PASM option, to others it might not if chosen on it's own.

willr

363 posts

254 months

Monday 12th December 2005
quotequote all
When you press the SCP button it also engages PASM (if that was not previously engaged). But you can switch PASM between normal and sport independently of SCP.

bumcrack

977 posts

266 months

Monday 12th December 2005
quotequote all
kayc said:
pasm,scp,fwd,sat nav,psm,dsc,bose...blah,blah..who cares its a gutless over safe 290 bhp 'sports car'..buy a bmw 325 its got all of that for standard spec...the comments on this link qualify the reason for the cayman to exist...its supposed to be an enthusiasts driving machine not a psp!!what has happened to everyone...go and buy a lexus if electrical gizmos are the main talking point!



Had a bad day?

Adam B

27,298 posts

255 months

Monday 12th December 2005
quotequote all
kayc said:
its supposed to be an enthusiasts driving machine not a psp!!what has happened to everyone...go and buy a lexus if electrical gizmos are the main talking point!


its one talking point not the main one, and one Pauly was interested in having (presumably sorted out the rest when he chose to buy one)

and for some (such as me) we can only afford one car, so it has to do more than one thing - be an entertaining weekend car for me, an A-B practical car, have a good stereo when stuck i a jam, get the misses from a to b (hence satnav)

so maybe start your own thread about your criticism/dislike of the car?

xxplod

2,269 posts

245 months

Monday 12th December 2005
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I think you have to consider what you're going to use the car for. Not many people will be buying a new Cayman to put it on a track, and IMHO that is the only place PASM or Sport Chrono will make a blind bit of difference. As has been said, a bit of driver training would be far more beneficial to most people. And I'd include myself in that most people, regardless of holding a Police Class 1.

I spent my cash on the Bose for my Cayman. Once I heard it, the box accidently got ticked. And I also agree with the post about the Sat Nav. I think the Porsche option is outrageously overpriced and will never pay a dividend at resale. Not only that, I remain to be convinced I need it. Funnily enough I look at an atlas and manage to find where I'm going. As drivers have for decades. Odd.

A3Targa

98 posts

223 months

Thursday 15th December 2005
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Test drove a Cayman S without CSP on Tues; mostly short quick straights and roundabouts (it was between Canary Wharf and London City Airport after all). Even so, it does exactly what it says on the tin: pure 'driver's car', superb piece of kit in all respects. CSP prob necessary on track only. Just my .02

kayc

4,492 posts

222 months

Thursday 15th December 2005
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Took everyones advice and drove the cayman...first impression is that the car is beautifully balanced and handles and brakes superbly.However its just not got enough power which unfortunately drops it into the having to 'drive the nuts' of it territory on the the road to escape the boy racers in there r32's,vxr's,elises etc.Its a shame but other manafacturers are closing the gap fast on Porsche and with the new m3 out in the near future..allegedly 400bhp and probably 45k..its going to be hard to beat.

silver993tt

9,064 posts

240 months

Thursday 15th December 2005
quotequote all
kayc said:
Took everyones advice and drove the cayman...first impression is that the car is beautifully balanced and handles and brakes superbly.However its just not got enough power which unfortunately drops it into the having to 'drive the nuts' of it territory on the the road to escape the boy racers in there r32's,vxr's,elises etc.Its a shame but other manafacturers are closing the gap fast on Porsche and with the new m3 out in the near future..allegedly 400bhp and probably 45k..its going to be hard to beat.


Why are you bothered about other drivers? Porsche have made a proper drivers car for the enjoyment of the driver not other people in other cars. Maybe you're better of with a Mistsubaru with a huge wing on the back and 37 computers that do the driving for you

kayc

4,492 posts

222 months

Thursday 15th December 2005
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My point is that as a track car or being driven hard all the time the cayman would be excellent,the drawback is that to enjoy the car you would have to drive it at 90% of its performance capability all the time which is in my very humble opinion is not particularly safe..i had a c4s which fell in the same category.for the occasional straight line rush available with cars like the 996tt the cayman cant deliver,for any bikers out there its the difference between an r1 and a r6..track times fairly similar..road speed no comparison..