P-Car Thoughts

4.6is Ryder · #1 08-28-2006, 02:18 PM

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

crosvs · #2 08-28-2006, 03:17 PM

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?

4.6is Ryder · #3 08-28-2006, 11:05 PM

[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".

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

SANguru · #4 08-28-2006, 11:39 PM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crosvs

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?

crosvs · #5 08-28-2006, 11:09 PM

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

4.6is Ryder · #6 08-28-2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crosvs

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

......Phil

crosvs · #7 08-29-2006, 12:02 AM

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.

AutoXer · #8 08-29-2006, 01:06 AM

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

SANguru · #9 08-29-2006, 01:14 AM

yeah.. the other alternative was much better!!

btw.. took Dan C. out in the M5 today .. think he's gonna get one..

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoXer

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

AutoXer · #10 08-29-2006, 11:16 AM

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