Thanks for the advice - I did it!

[AshVX220]

Hey all, thanks for the advice over the last few weeks with my very naff questions.

On Saturday I went to look at a 987.2 2.9 Cayman and after a test drive and good look around the car a deal was struck and I collect this coming Saturday.

She's on 68k miles with a FPSH, a wallet full of receipts for everything and appears to have been very well looked after by her previous owners.

[AshVX220]

ATM said:

I think I see the 18 wheels.

PASM or standard?

Did you drive many before choosing this one?

Hi, I don't think it has PASM, but it is well equipped, the only thing missing is sport chrono and PASM from what I can see. It has the Bose sound, heated seats etc.

It's the first one I've driven, but I've been looking and seeking guidance for about 13 weeks now, well, since lockdown began in fact. The 2.9's tend to get snapped up pretty quickly, there were a few that were within my price range, a few of those went before I was in a position to buy. Mostly black, grey with a couple of aqua blue ones.

Everything I'd read and been told made me head for the 2.9, or I would have probably gone for a 2.7, then this one came up and it seemed to tick a lot of boxes for me. It has FPSH, and will have a new service, MOT and warranty (3 month dealership).

I'm taking it to JMG Porsche for a health check next week, which they offer potential customers, so any major issues that may bring up (hopefully none) I'll get sorted.

So excited, can't wait to drive it home Saturday, I'll be taking the scenic route!

[AshVX220]

Yeah, I'll try to keep this thread updated with how I get on, I won't do much to the car other than enjoy it. I did consider different wheels though for the future, depending on cost and I'd be looking at tyre pressure suggestions when I get on track too.

[AshVX220]

14 said:

I bought a 2.7 Cayman a month ago tomorrow and the only disappointment is the halogen headlights.

Nice, I'm only 4 days in and nothing has disappointed me yet.

[AshVX220]

ATM said:

Come on man. We're expecting more than that. What do you like about it?

OK, so far there's only a few techy issues I've not liked.
So, the Cons - for some reason it's not as straight forward connecting my phone, my phone is connected but I have no data when it is connected, not a major issue to be honest, but weird none the less. Everytime I get in the car I get a text from my network provider suggesting I install or change some settings to enable this, which I've done, but still no data. I think the way connects basically connects my SIM to the car through bluetooth, Vodafone tell me my SIM is in another device and as such has limited connectivity (no data). As I said, no biggy really, but not as straight forward as the connection I had in my 2009 C Class Merc.
Just remembered another Con, there's quite a bit of wind/road noise, I'm guessing from the huge tyres and also I'm guessing to reduce weight there may not be much sound proofing, which is in contrast to the reduced engine noise mentioned below. Again, not a massive issue, just an observation, probably more noticeable coming from the Merc.
Pro's - Well there are loads.
The handling obviously, it feels really stable and planted all the time, like my VX, but obviously far more refined.
The pace I like, it does fly, however, you need to use all the gears to really get the best from it, if I'm doing 30 and put my foot down, even in 3rd, it feels a little sluggish until the revs build, to really get the best from it in this situation you need to drop a gear and then go for it.
Everything feels well built and obviously German, everything feels solid, the switches, the gear change, it all feels so well engineered, you know that you're doing something whenever you do anything.
The seats are really comfortable, after a 2.5 hour drive home it was absolutely fine with no back ache at all, but then even my VX was pretty comfortable considering.
The engine feels and sounds so smooth, and the noise that comes into the cabin from it is minimal, again, remarkable considering how close it is to me, I thought I'd here it more, it's nice, but not invasive.
The storage, there are cubbie holes in the frunk and behind each seat, plus the huge frunk and the space above and behind the engine. It's all so well designed and has been so well considered.
I love the colour, unusual to find one that isn't Black, grey, silver or white it seams, though there are a lot in the aqua blue, I've not seen many at all for sale in midnight blue.
I'm only maybe 400 miles driven, but so far I love it, I'm glad I stretched the extra money to get a Gen 2.
Now I can't wait to get her on a track day to see how she performs in that environment, I'll insure her for trackdays on a daily basis for now and the first one I do will be close to home (just in case), so will probably aim to do Goodwood, or Thruxton first.
I like the idea of doing the training type events they do at Silverstone Porsche centre, but I'll need to ask if it's possible to do that in my own car.
All in all, I love it, it's very comparable to the VX in performance and very close in handling (from what you can do on the road anyway), but more refined, comfortable and easier to live with day to day than the VX was. So better for me as I get older.

[AshVX220]

ATM said:

Much much better, thanks. Yeah I cant help with the infotainment. Until recently the radio in my 996 was dead due to needing the code input. I think its taken me nearly 6 months to get round to that. I dont go far in it although I did spend a few hours in it on Sunday.

Which seats do you have - standard or the sport seats?

Just standard I think. I only really need data so I can listen to music through youtube music, but that's downloaded enough for me to listen to. If I need data for anything else I won't be driving anyway, so it's not a massive problem to be honest.

[AshVX220]

Philvrs said:

AshVX220 said:

Just standard I think. I only really need data so I can listen to music through youtube music, but that's downloaded enough for me to listen to. If I need data for anything else I won't be driving anyway, so it's not a massive problem to be honest.

That's the correct operation for rSAP on a pcm with telephone preparation I believe (mines the same). I understand later firmware allows it to be changed to simple hands free protocol ( uses the pcm like a headset only) but doesn't use cars built in antenna and phone book on the screen etc.
PIWIS is needed to change modes I believe, it's not user selectable, so dealer/indy required.
Only repeating what I've read so far, my pcm 3.0 is still on original firmware (version V ) so I've no experience of using the Bluetooth any other way, but the cost to upgrade software/maps is not worth it for me.

Cool, thanks for the info. I don't think I'll bother changing anything, I can make calls on my phone and listen to music from my phone via the AUX connection, so it's enough for me.

[AshVX220]

A1VDY said:

Lovely looking sex on wheels the Cayman.
I particularly wanted a Carrera White Gen 1 3.4S and looked at various ones all over the country for around 3months for the perfect example.
Eventually found a one owner 23k mile never used in the wet example 2 miles from my house!

Yours looks superb BTW..

Thanks, I'm really pleased with it so far.

[AshVX220]

Thanks for the advice Shiverman and ATM, I'll look into those options, it may make the car that bit more "fun" on track days etc.

[AshVX220]

ATM said:

AshVX220 said:

Thanks for the advice Shiverman and ATM, I'll look into those options, it may make the car that bit more "fun" on track days etc.

I found the sport mode a bit too angry on my early 997.1 c2s. So its not a firm recommendation from me. I'm just informing you that its available if you decide to go that way.

Thanks ATM, good insight as always, I think I'll get a couple of track days under my belt first and see how she is there before I do anything to it.

[AshVX220]

ATM said:

AshVX220 said:

ATM said:

AshVX220 said:

Thanks for the advice Shiverman and ATM, I'll look into those options, it may make the car that bit more "fun" on track days etc.

I found the sport mode a bit too angry on my early 997.1 c2s. So its not a firm recommendation from me. I'm just informing you that its available if you decide to go that way.

Thanks ATM, good insight as always, I think I'll get a couple of track days under my belt first and see how she is there before I do anything to it.

Never drove mine on track. The 997 gen 1 may have been different throttle wise and obviously the bigger 3.8 may respond differently to a more aggressive throttle map. I just found that once you were used to the throttle then altering its behaviour via the sport button meant you had to almost learn how to use the throttle pedal all over again. I didn't want to do that.

Yes, that's a really good point actually, I'm not normally one for modifying cars to be honest, I always worry that when you take them away from how they were initially designed you run the risk of causing more problems sometimes (though a map probably wouldn't hurt). I'm no driving God so I expect I'll stick with it and just get used to the way it is. I am however, still very much smitten with it, I love how it handles and how smooth everything seems to be.

[AshVX220]

14 said:

The Sport button also changes the PSM settings.

That's part of the Sport Chrono pack isn't it? Either way, I don't have a sport button on mine.

[AshVX220]

Shiverman said:

Andyoz said:

ATM said:

AshVX220 said:

ATM said:

AshVX220 said:

Thanks for the advice Shiverman and ATM, I'll look into those options, it may make the car that bit more "fun" on track days etc.

I found the sport mode a bit too angry on my early 997.1 c2s. So its not a firm recommendation from me. I'm just informing you that its available if you decide to go that way.

Thanks ATM, good insight as always, I think I'll get a couple of track days under my belt first and see how she is there before I do anything to it.

Never drove mine on track. The 997 gen 1 may have been different throttle wise and obviously the bigger 3.8 may respond differently to a more aggressive throttle map. I just found that once you were used to the throttle then altering its behaviour via the sport button meant you had to almost learn how to use the throttle pedal all over again. I didn't want to do that.

I don't get it either

Why learn heel/toe with one setting and then have to adjust...I've found the stock 987 setting fine. Just push the pedal harder and faster! I thought we were buying these cars for their analogue feel.

I guess that's why we're all different. I use 'sport' all the time unless I'm poodling around and the slightly sharper response from sport (or the pedal box) makes H&T a little easier imo to blip the throttle. I also haven't had any issues recalibrating my brain/foot to the different modes. When you want to be 'on it' I'm concentrating anyway and appreciating the more twitchy and aggressive sport mode when the car lifts its skirts and just goes.

OP - I'm also not a fan of modding cars tbh partly as I run with Porsche warranty. I chose pedal box at the time as it was cheaper than having my OPC install the sport button and after I sold the car I sold the pedal box separately and recouped a chunk fo the money I'd spent on it.

I think the best way to see if the sport button is going to be for you is to drive a car that has one installed and switch it on and off to see what it does and whether this appeals to you.

In the end you've got a lovely car so maybe you don't need this feature as you seem to be massively enjoying it without.

Yeah, I agree, I am loving the car so far, it does everything I would want from a car and feels so nice to drive. I'm no driving God and don't even know how to H&T! I know the theory but don't know how to do it in practice and I'm not too keen on trying it on the public roads etc and when I'm on track I don't feel comfortable enough to try it when I'm focussing on lines etc. Maybe I'll do some training somewhere that will give the opportunity to learn it in a safe environment.

[AshVX220]

ATM said:

AshVX220 said:

Shiverman said:

Andyoz said:

ATM said:

AshVX220 said:

ATM said:

AshVX220 said:

Thanks for the advice Shiverman and ATM, I'll look into those options, it may make the car that bit more "fun" on track days etc.

I found the sport mode a bit too angry on my early 997.1 c2s. So its not a firm recommendation from me. I'm just informing you that its available if you decide to go that way.

Thanks ATM, good insight as always, I think I'll get a couple of track days under my belt first and see how she is there before I do anything to it.

Never drove mine on track. The 997 gen 1 may have been different throttle wise and obviously the bigger 3.8 may respond differently to a more aggressive throttle map. I just found that once you were used to the throttle then altering its behaviour via the sport button meant you had to almost learn how to use the throttle pedal all over again. I didn't want to do that.

I don't get it either

Why learn heel/toe with one setting and then have to adjust...I've found the stock 987 setting fine. Just push the pedal harder and faster! I thought we were buying these cars for their analogue feel.

I guess that's why we're all different. I use 'sport' all the time unless I'm poodling around and the slightly sharper response from sport (or the pedal box) makes H&T a little easier imo to blip the throttle. I also haven't had any issues recalibrating my brain/foot to the different modes. When you want to be 'on it' I'm concentrating anyway and appreciating the more twitchy and aggressive sport mode when the car lifts its skirts and just goes.

OP - I'm also not a fan of modding cars tbh partly as I run with Porsche warranty. I chose pedal box at the time as it was cheaper than having my OPC install the sport button and after I sold the car I sold the pedal box separately and recouped a chunk fo the money I'd spent on it.

I think the best way to see if the sport button is going to be for you is to drive a car that has one installed and switch it on and off to see what it does and whether this appeals to you.

In the end you've got a lovely car so maybe you don't need this feature as you seem to be massively enjoying it without.

Yeah, I agree, I am loving the car so far, it does everything I would want from a car and feels so nice to drive. I'm no driving God and don't even know how to H&T! I know the theory but don't know how to do it in practice and I'm not too keen on trying it on the public roads etc and when I'm on track I don't feel comfortable enough to try it when I'm focussing on lines etc. Maybe I'll do some training somewhere that will give the opportunity to learn it in a safe environment.

I dont H+T but dont tell anyone. I think H+T is only really useful when braking relatively hard as you are approaching a bend. I dont like late braking especially on roads so instead I also try to get my enjoyment from picking better lines. I try to watch my steering inputs and think about throttle. Ideally you want to apply lock and then remove as you apply throttle. So assuming you are not starting to slide around and need adjustment then your steering wheel should turn and then straighten in two movements. And the throttle should follow so no on and off with the throttle if trying to be smooth. Thats one of the the best bits for me from that video of jackie stewart teaching james may to to drive better - you never press the throttle until you know you will never take it off. And perhaps the harder bit to understand [for me] about leaning on the car. I will never have a training session with jackie stewart so I like to watch that one regularly

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2o54o2

Sounds exactly like the way I drive on track to be honest, I don't even late brake on track and I never go near the red line, I'll change with a good 500-750 rpm to spare normally. I also don't do any cadence braking, preferring to get all my braking out of the way in a straight line and before turning in. Trying to be as smooth as possible, which has served me well in the past, I'm not chasing lap times and only ever span my VX once on track at a very wet Donnington.

[AshVX220]

ATM said:

I dont want to start banging on about 911's here but maybe just a little if I may. The difference when you drive a 911 is you can feel the weight at the back of the car. I dont care what is quicker or better for now just think about that weight in the back. You can be a bit more brutal with the throttle mid bend and just give it full throttle once turned and it will almost never slip or slide. It feels like that weight is on top of your outer back wheel pressing it down so it will just grip - which it kind of is. But the play off is that sometimes the car doesn't feel like it wants to turn in or rotate. You can easily adjust that with the throttle - so even though we are not supposed to be adjusting the throttle mid bend you can really feel the difference a bit of adjustment makes. Lifting off the throttle will move weight forward and give you more front end grip and its really noticeable in the 911 because all the weight is in the back. I find it harder to feel that in a mid engined car. I also like the way a 911 seems to have so much rear end grip when powering out of a bend that you can basically forget about the chance of it starting to slide as it will just dig in and grind its way out. OK 911 waffle ends.

911 waffle continuation
I know what you mean, when I moved abroad I had to sell my VX, but the mate I tracked the VX with had a 996 and so for my last track day we took that instead and you're right you could really feel that wight over the back end and it instilled confidence to accelerate harder out of the corner. But compared to the VX the added weight was really noticeable to me. I'm hoping (and from my "less than 2 weeks" with the Cayman I think) I will notice the added weight on track, but not much, especially as it's mostly in the "right" place.

[AshVX220]

ATM said:

Brilliant

Yes I think you might learn more using a heavier and perhaps slower car but that depends on your skill set so dont want to sound like a know it all. I've been de-tyre-ing my cars so that I can feel more movement and at slower speeds. If a heavier car moves around more than a lighter car or if it is easier to feel that movement you might find the heavier cayman better to learn in or improve in than the vx. But again its all swings and rounds.

There is still the little 17 inch wheel set available for your cayman which has teeny tiny 205 fronts and 235 rears.

I'm going to get a picture at some point comparing the 205 fronts on the 996 with the massive 235 on the 981.

Yes, the tyre size on the Cayman is huge (to me at least) at 235 front and 265 rear on 18's. My VX had 175 front and 225 rear on 17's. So I think the Cayman will stick a lot more than the VX did, but the VX weighed nothing and was extremely agile. I imagine I'm going to notice the extra weight and grip when I really push on in the Cayman. I may save up a bit and see if I can get those thinner tyres for the Cayman for track days, I don't mind if they slow my cornering speed, I'll still be having fun and the tyres won't be as expensive to replace!

[AshVX220]

ATM said:

I'm becoming a thinner tyre is better bore especially in winter as I did this Dec 18. If you've never aquaplaned at speed then trust me you dont want to. Second Porsche I have destroyed due to aquaplaning so I should know better.

Bloody hell, that must have been horrendous!! I aquaplaned once in the VX (mainly due to lightness), but fortunately it was in a straight line and after about 25-30ft I was back with grip again, horrible feeling though.

[AshVX220]

Excellent, thanks ATM. I reckon in those sizes I could get the same Bridgestones I had for the VX which were a good track and road tyre.