Cayman S - First Impressions

[S1XXR]

A pal of mine has just taken delivery of a Cayman. Persuaded him to give me the keys for a quick drive this afternoon and here are some first impressions...

I've read comments that it looks better in the flesh than in pictures. I don't think I agree. It looks like it looks in the pictures...which to my eyes is nice but no more...6 out of 10. Fit and finsish appeared very good. Right up there with a 997...and during my brief time with the car there were no squeaks, rattles or such like.



Interior is ok space wise. My pal and I are both 6 foot and we had plenty of space without the seats being fully back on their runners. Interior design is pretty much identical to current Boxster as far as I can see. Too many fiddly switches around Sat Nav screen as many folks have commented before. Porsche ergonomics are certainly not in the Audi league. Seats (sports seats in this car) are a good balance between comfort and support for sporty driving. My overall view of the interior is again just OK. It's the fine details that are missing. Leather on the dash and a better grade on the wheel (as standard) would help a lot.



On to the driving experience. The car is brand new with just over 100 miles on the clock so no chance to test engine performance. Clutch is as light as a Nissan Micra. Small amount of throttle travel. Brakes typical Porsche ie not over assisted. Engine feels tight of course. Very quiet when cruising, note deepens under load. Ride is good. Very compliant yet controlled. Well damped. Minimal roll. Good grip and the sensation that the car is working underneath you...balance aside, closer to 911 than boxster. Probably due the improved rigidity.



Overall I liked the car but I can't see myself ever buying one. Even although I'm aware that Porsche have engineered the car to fit precisely in the gap between Boxster and 997, somehow I was expecting more.

[softinthehead]

well, you're coming at it from a GT3 which is probably the ultimate 911, so you're going to be more picky! personally i think it looks fabulous (though agree about the slightly fussy dash). they have corrected all the things that werent right about the boxster shape, and put in the right engine at last.
I hope to be test-drving a cayman next week and this post has NOT put me off!

[pesty]

looks awsome to me

[purpleperil]

I'm test driving one of these babies tomorrow - can't wait!

[simonharrod911]

From the first photos I wasn't impressed by the looks at all. I saw one in the flesh for the first time the other day and my jaw dropped. I'm converted.

[Adam B]

los angeles said:

It's a far better choice than the Nissan 350Z, for example, at which it is aimed.

not sure that is a fair comparison given the pricing

[bruiser777]

What are the must have options on the Cayman?

[Raven Flyer]

I've seen Yex's one a couple of times and love them.

[doctorD]

bruiser777 said:

What are the must have options on the Cayman?

There's an article which tries to answer that question in this month's GT Purely Porsche magazine.

[DanH]

bruiser777 said:

What are the must have options on the Cayman?

The full leather dash option imho (and echo'd above). Not sure its a good one for resale, but in terms of enjoying the car yourself...

[jjr1]

Adam B said:

los angeles said: It's a far better choice than the Nissan 350Z, for example, at which it is aimed. not sure that is a fair comparison given the pricing

Your not wrong. Bloody hell its double the price how the hell can they be considered competitors. If they are the 350Z wins hands down.

[muzaa]

I wasnt sure about the looks, but I saw one when I tok my car infor a service and i was very impressed. I'm thinking about taking one out for a test drive, just worried that I'll spend yet more cash on cars this year, should be feeding the kids really... Ah well car it is :-)

[pikey]

That colour looks great!

Strange that whenever you see the thing in pictures you wonder why it doesn't look as good as in the metal. It has so much presence that can't be reproduced on an image (even the press pics).

[S2rr Kitty]

I saw one for the first time in the flesh at Reading on Saturday, I kinda quite like it now.... more than I thought I would... the interior was not as nice & lux as I would have expected - can't really explain that one (girl thing) and ......(this is probably just me) but from the back it looks like a chrysler crossfire! *runs for cover*.

[bruiser777]

i agree, Dan. I looked at one on the w/e and thought the same thing.

I took home the brochure and options, and ended up speccing a car that was about £52k - which i find quite hard to justify.

PCM for example is £1800, but maybe hard to trade in the car without having that particular option.

[purpleperil]

Following an enjoyable drive along a mixture of country roads and dual carriageway I have now had time to reflect on my test drive. Its hard not to draw comparisons with your current wheels but I can't help feeling it maybe time to put away the hairy chest wig and reach for another set of car keys - perhaps its an age thing or I may be just going soft. All I can say is that if I'd had a test drive in one of these before the current chariot then this one maybe sitting in the garage right now.

First impressions (and they count don't they?) The car felt so solid and well put together. Making progress and there are no untoward noises, rattles or shakes, just the pleasant rasp of the engine in your left ear. The car feels well planted even with the standard suspension set up with minimal roll, yet compliant over uneven surfaces - I didn't feel the need to avoid potholes for fear of it shaking me to death!

As for performance - I don't know why but I was expecting the car to be slow - perhaps a misconception coming from plastic rocketship ownership - but I was pleasantly surprised. Most of all the pick-up in sixth gear from around 2000 revs demonstrates the torque on tap from that auraly rewarding engine.

Please Sir can I have some more?!

>> Edited by purpleperil on Sunday 29th January 12:42