P-Car Thoughts
 

Just wanted to get your thoughts on the Cayman S. I test drove one this weekend and it was pretty sweet. I thought it was a little under powered but the handling was great. It's definitely not a 911 but everyone I've talked with says that it will out handle the 911 hands down. I'm keeping this on my 07 purchase radar. Let me know your thoughts.....Phil

well all the tests i've read suggest that in the real world, the 911 is faster. but on a track, it's a driver's game and i'd suggest a "lesser" driver will be able to get more out of a cayman than a 911 just because of the better weight balance.

that said, i REALLY do not understand porsche's biz strategy: for a pure driving enthusiast, the cayman S is really the best porsche to buy (aside from the CGT of course). but due to marketing methods, it still has the "i got a boxster cuz i couldn't afford a 911" feel about it.

simply put, the 911 is realy just an image thing now, if not the better ROAD car, whereas, to be perfectly honest, i think the cayman S is the better TRACK car.

that said, my dad has a 2002 carrera 4S and i do love it, but honestly, i like a car that inspires confidnece when driving at the limit ... not a car that makes you think it's trying to kill you. i don't like having all that weight in the butt, and my dismal track performance showed it:

i was only 3 seconds faster round thunderhill raceway in the porsche than in my track-suspension/weight reduced/STOCK power *V6* mustang. go figure?

[QUOTE=crosvs]" "i got a boxster cuz i couldn't afford a 911" feel about it.

I hear what you are saying, but who really cares what they think. Would you say that members here purchased 3.0 and 4.4 because they couldn't afford 4.6 and 4.8? I think people of that mind set are quite shallow and around here we call them "Haters".:throw: The facts are this...the Cayman is a well put together car. If one can afford a Cayman, more than likely he(she) can afford to spend a lil' more and get a 911. It's all about choices. Some are willing to give up HP for handling......Phil

Phil-

I totally agree with you and apologize if it sounded otherwise: I think the Cayman is a FINE car ... I was just reminding you of this one questionable "negative" thing about it. Moreover, I love its looks :)

Crosvs, no offense taken...like you, I was just making a statement. It wasn't directed towards you:thumbup: ......Phil

completely disagree. Rear engine -apply power and able to rotate the car better, can apply power earlier. I am sure Hayaku will completely disagree with you also. In the hands of a good driver, the 997 especially the S, GT3, GT3RS and turbo's are world apart from the 987's and Cayman's. In the hands of a stupid driver, of course you are going to swap ends near the limit.

True- I guess I was speaking from the point of view of someone who is inexperienced driving 911s. That said, yes I should have specified that I was talking about your "average" driver, not someone with extensive 911 experience.

I actually had a Cayman S on order and drove it when it came in. My impressions were nice car, a little faster and handles a little better than my '02 Boxster. But the incremental increase in performance did not justify the price increase plus I love the convertible. So I passed on it. But for the right buyer, it's a nice car!

For more info and other owner's experiences, check out:

http://www.caymanclub.net/fhome.asp

yeah.. the other alternative was much better!! :) btw.. took Dan C. out in the M5 today .. think he's gonna get one..

Yes, had lunch with him last week. He was thinking about the Gallardo, but kind of wanted a 4-seater also.