Audi TT-RS v cayman s v 997 s

[davey68]

Hi all, what are peoples thoughts if you were lucky enough to have £40k burning a hole in your pocket? The TT-RS is a bit of an unusual option but its stunningly quick in any gear and also reasonable to run. I doubt it handles as well as a cayman s or 997 s but running costs for the porkers would i imagine be alot more? I presume the PH consensus would be 'its a 911 so its a no brainer' but anyone with those options go for the cayman s or TT?

[ollie854]

If I had 40k it would be the TT just to be different and for that 5 pot growl

[kambites]

I'd argue that unless you need four seats, the Cayman is a better car than the 911. I haven't driven a TT RS to comment, but the reviews suggest that it's not as good to drive as the Cayman.

[Welshbeef]

For that money doesn't a Gallardo or a fezza 550 give an interesting itch

[kambites]

You can get a Gallardo for 40k?!?

[davey68]

The TT-RS seems to be a heart and head purchase, doesnt cost the earth to run and 40k gets you a nearly new car. They sound great and a very quick. I love the cayman and 997 but the car would be that much older and pretty costly to run i imagine. A choice i hope to have in the not too distant future!

[Debaser]

I'd get the 997 S.

[Welshbeef]

Id even add how about a 996 gt3 RS?? Bang on the budget exclusive track focused and frankly depreciation will be something other people suffer not you.


OR if it has to be from that list ... 911 only not gayman would like to try tt-rs but I know it's not suitable

[plfrench]

I can't comment on the TT-RS or the 911, however, I was blown away by the balance of the Cayman I drove round Thruxton yesterday.

It was so perfectly matched in terms of power, grip, involvement. I genuinely preferred it to the Ferrari F430 Scuderia and Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV that I also drove. Obviously they were significatly quickly (although even the Cayman topped 125mph down Woodham Hill to Club Chicane), but they lacked the delicate poise and consistency of control feedback of the Cayman.

[quigonjay]

for me it would be the tt rs, especially if it is a daily driver/only car
400 hp with just a remap

[RobM77]

kambites said:

I'd argue that unless you need four seats, the Cayman is a better car than the 911. I haven't driven a TT RS to comment, but the reviews suggest that it's not as good to drive as the Cayman.

Have you driven both the 997 and Cayman? I'm interested because I've been reading your posts for a few years now and would be interested in your opinion. I've driven a couple of Cayman Ss, but never a 911.

As for the OP's dilemna, without wishing to be awkward I don't think I'd go for any of them. The Cayman Ss that I drove I found to be very capable cars, but they had niggles with them that I wouldn't spend £40k to get frustrated by. A trusted car obsessive friend of mine said the same about the 997 that he spent a weekend with. It's a personal thing though, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to a friend. As it is, I'd probably get a BMW 3 series and an Exige S, an ex racing Caterham for £10k and an E92 M3, or as mint an NSX as I could find.

[James Dean]

TVR Sagaris.

[kambites]

RobM77 said:

Have you driven both the 997 and Cayman? I'm interested because I've been reading your posts for a few years now and would be interested in your opinion. I've driven a couple of Cayman Ss, but never a 911.

Yes, although neither extensively. The 997 is undoubtedly the more impressive car, not because it drives better than the Cayman (it doesn't) but because it gets so close whilst having four seats and the engine hung out over the rear axle.

I suppose I can understand why someone would prefer the way 911s drive, but to me it just didn't quite gel. I've been told that you need to really give them a chance, but in my experience so far, cars tend to either feel "right" to me straight away, or never do. I'm hopeless at explaining what I like about a car's handling, but I suppose to me the 997 feels like a GT that can have a reasonable stab at being a sports car, whereas the Cayman feels like a cross between a GT and a sports car. Having said that, I'd struggle to say what felt more sporty about the Cayman's handling...

You really need to find an excuse to drive a 911.


ETA: In many ways, the 997 felt more like an Elise than the Cayman did, perhaps just because of the similar weight balance, but ultimately it just didn't seem to make the kind of intuitive sense that the Elise or Caterham does and that the Cayman would if they sorted out the steering ratios.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 21st November 22:48

[PKLD]

might be slightly biased but out of:




I'd have the TT

but.....


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[Wills2]

davey68 said:

Hi all, what are peoples thoughts if you were lucky enough to have £40k burning a hole in your pocket? The TT-RS is a bit of an unusual option but its stunningly quick in any gear and also reasonable to run. I doubt it handles as well as a cayman s or 997 s but running costs for the porkers would i imagine be alot more? I presume the PH consensus would be 'its a 911 so its a no brainer' but anyone with those options go for the cayman s or TT?

Drive them...and then you decide.

I'd get the 911 (I'm biased) The TT sounds interesting doesn't it, but the throttle response will be mostly awful and it will be nose heavy (but still a nice car) The Cayman well "they" say its the best car Porsche make but I'm not buying that. Maybe you will?

Enjoy the search.

[RobM77]

kambites said:

RobM77 said:

Have you driven both the 997 and Cayman? I'm interested because I've been reading your posts for a few years now and would be interested in your opinion. I've driven a couple of Cayman Ss, but never a 911.

Yes, although neither extensively. The 997 is undoubtedly the more impressive car, not because it drives better than the Cayman (it doesn't) but because it gets so close whilst having four seats and the engine hung out over the rear axle.

I suppose I can understand why someone would prefer the way 911s drive, but to me it just didn't quite gel. I've been told that you need to really give them a chance, but in my experience so far, cars tend to either feel "right" to me straight away, or never do. I'm hopeless at explaining what I like about a car's handling, but I suppose to me the 997 feels like a GT that can have a reasonable stab at being a sports car, whereas the Cayman feels like a cross between a GT and a sports car. Having said that, I'd struggle to say what felt more sporty about the Cayman's handling...

You really need to find an excuse to drive a 911.


ETA: In many ways, the 997 felt more like an Elise than the Cayman did, perhaps just because of the similar weight balance, but ultimately it just didn't seem to make the kind of intuitive sense that the Elise or Caterham does and that the Cayman would if they sorted out the steering ratios.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 21st November 22:48

Thanks very much

That sort of confirms what I've always thought having driven Caymans and Boxsters, and that's that Porsche have it in them to build my ideal car, but always seem to slip just wide of the mark. Would you agree?

[zakelwe]

The TTRS is an interesting car, it is only a 2.5 but it costs £55k. However it is a 5 pot and sounds great, with ecu and Miltek exhaust goes and sounds even better too. However it seems to not handle which much finesse, but then again has a great deal of grip and safety factor so you can be enthusiastic without being spanked.

If it was a card in a pack of Top trumps you'd win exactly 50% of the time with it

Andy

[RobM77]

zakelwe said:

The TTRS is an interesting car, it is only a 2.5 but it costs £55k. However it is a 5 pot and sounds great, with ecu and Miltek exhaust goes and sounds even better too. However it seems to not handle which much finesse, but then again has a great deal of grip and safety factor so you can be enthusiastic without being spanked.

If it was a card in a pack of Top trumps you'd win exactly 50% of the time with it

Andy

Traction

[Evil.soup]

For that money you can buy something special and a TT in any suit just doesnt tick that box, neither does the Cayman for me. The 911 GT3 idea up the page is a great one, but if it was my money, It would be this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2165444.htm

Very very special and a real head turner. The TT, 911 and Cayman parked on the same street as the above wouldnt get a look in!!

[Bill]

I haven't driven any of them but I'm not sure I could live with myself if I bought the TT. If it's the running costs putting you off the Pork then save £10k for a fighting fund.