The Cayman S isn't brand-new to the world. Today, however, I got the chance to spend about 30 minutes behind the wheel with a lovely young lady as my co-pilot.

I approached the dealership inquiring about 996 911's - they had none, but as we were walking back to the car I asked the saleswoman if she'd let me drive a Cayman S instead.

"Absolutely" she said enthusiastically.

After taking my license, she returned with the key for a well-appointed (~$72K) Cayman S in front of the building.

As we pull out of the dealership she says "take this right - there are a few very nice turns down that way - but I saw a cop here earlier, so be careful!"

The first major turn was a round-about.

"Take this around about - all the way around, then exit just to the right"

I enter about 30mph and steadily apply throttle as we finish our loop. First thing I noticed was the car felt much heavier than my RX8. Down the way, and out behind warehouses

"Do a panic stop if you want"

Burrrrrpppp - the tires skidded a bit as the ABS provided a nice stop. My first thought: "My Rx8 stops better..."

Down the way to a hard right - over bumpy/lumpy asphalt.

UNDERSTEER! May have been the surface of the road hurting front end traction, but a little throttle and I managed my way thru the turn.

One thing about the engine right now - Similar power characteristics (Feeling) as my RX8. Whereas my RX8 needs to be above 5,000-5500 rpms for any feeling of urgency, the Cayman S needed to have the tach swing past 4000 before the car seemed to get serious about going fast.

Down the road she said "There's a sweet on-ramp up ahead, then follow the freeway down to a clover-leaf!"

I <3 this girl.

As I entered the on-ramp in 2nd gear, I road the gear to near redline.

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammppf! or whatever. Hard to explain the sound other than "WOW - I MUST have more of this!"

Freeways brought a lot of tire-noise, but an otherwise well-composed car. I felt a little claustrophobic in the car - a bit like I was sitting in a tub. The rear fenders' arches in the side-view mirrors was sexy to me.

Down a few miles then crossing over the freeway lead me to a back-the-way-we-came HARD right hand on-ramp. I set up in 2nd gear and held the throttle as I turned-in to the corner.

Understeer at the limit - I had to (but was able to) muscle the car through the corner - just as I hit apex I rolled onto the throttle and the car sorta squatted and shot forward with a LOT of urgency and an AMAZING sound.

Yeah - I could get used to this car. Pretty easily.

Overall I really enjoyed the car -

Likes

• It's a Porsche. Sitting at traffic lights, getting looks and gawks. Made me feel as though, at least for a little bit, I'd caught-up with the Benjamins.
• Exhaust note. Stunning. Breathtaking. Sexy.
• Interior fit and finish. Everything seemed well-positioned and well-thought-out - if a bit confusing. (Scores of buttons - everywhere.
• Civility. Rode reasonably well. 28mpg hwy.

Dislikes:

• Cost. It's a fun car - a very capably fun car. But it's not $35,000 MORE fun than the MSRP of a loaded/optioned RX8. It's DEFINITELY not $50K + more-fun than my probably $17-18k used RX8 would be worth.
• Feeling of heaviness. The car just FELT heavier and slower-to-respond than I thought it should have. I wouldn't call the car 'nimble' - I'd call it 'sorted, planted, and capable.'

Verdict: If I had $72,000 laying around to purchase a car, I'd first look at other options. I think, minus the status, the same amount of 'fun' and 'capability' could be had for less money.

That's my $.02

 

Thanks for the review! I'd love to try one out...

 

So... are you talking about a Cayman S or a Boxster S here? I ask because you mention both in your writeup.

 

i bet its the cayman because of the fender flares in the back

 

I was all over the place deciding on what kind of "fun" car I wanted. My first two options was a 350z Roadster (new) or a used boxster. Once you get over the fact that your in a Prosche it is just an okay drive. IMO the lower cost Porsches (Cayman & Bosxter) don’t even compete with the more expensive versions.

Thanks for the write up.

 

doh! It's the cayman - I had boxsters on the mind when I got home, due to their lower-cost.

 

Cayman S is a great car from everything I've read. I'm jealous!

 

i'd like a cayman.

 

Dmp, have you ever driven, or better yet, owned a mid-engine RWD car before? I have a feeling the understeer is more from you not knowing how to drive the car. Also, was the car equipped with PASM (for that price I bet it was) and what mode did you have it in?

 

I have not - so you're probably right. I drove it in 'sport' mode.

 

This is interesting. I drove a Cayman S last year on track and loved the way that you can steer with your right foot. But after the stint, I thought that the limit of that car kinda reminded me of RX-8 (at that time, I didn't even have an 8).

 

Lovely car, can't understand why it costs more than a convertible. Well I can because it's a Porsche and if you want one Porsche says you pay extra.

Was following a Boxster this morning. We both took a right hand turn from a stoplight at what seemed to be about the same pace (it was wet so I was taking it easy). He went fine and I fish tailed the **** out of the 8. Pushes the DSC button back to on.

 

A couple things about your write-up surprise me:

I'm surprised the the Cayman S felt 'much' heavier to you than the RX-8. The Cayman S does feel a little more "planted" to me...I guess the RX-8 may feel a little lighter, but it also feels bigger to me, which cancels lighter out (for me).

I'm surprised you think the RX-8 stops better...Sure it does have good brakes that perform well, but the Cayman S has 4-piston Brembos at all four corners, with cross-drilled rotors of pretty good size. Needless to say, some of the best brakes on any production car, coupled with the mid-engine weight distribution and you've got one of the quickest braking cars you can buy. Oh and they don't fade.

The Cayman will understeer at the limit, but once you have the car set up in a corner, with the proper amount of weight transferred to the front axle, that limit is very high.

I'm also surprised that the power delivery of the Cayman S felt similar to the RX-8 in your opinion...They both do make most of their power up top, but the Cayman S does have a lot more low-end grunt.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the ride. I'm hoping to own a Cayman some day...have to wait a few more years and get a good deal on a used one though

 

It could be, in large part, the steering. The RX8 has rather light steering - which I enjoy.

The only thing where the P-car could have the advantage is in fade - I couldn't compare directly. In straight stopping power, my car with Axis Ulltimates stops quicker, easily. And I didn't get much/any fade at the track day I went to.


Again - probably my lack-of-experience and stuff.

Well, the Cayman sure does have a LOT more power - but the way the power happened surprised me; really didn't feel much urgency until that 4,000rpm mark.

Gonna have to wait myself - although I think i'll go the 996 route though.

 

Thanks for sharing! By the way, does probetalk mean anything to you?

 

Considering I was the very first registered member (not counting the two Admins who started the board), and a one-time moderator...and a one-time Admin of the board...yeah...it means something to me :D

-BigProbe
1993 Probe GT, 256whp/260lbs-ft -sold

 

good write up, but if i were in the position to purchase a 72k porsche i'd shoot for a base 911 before the cayman S though

 

Indeedy - except some ppl feel the chassis of the Cayman is better-sorted. I've read in Excellent Magazine about engine swaps and ~500hp Caymans on the loose nowadays.

Still, I'm not going to spend HALF that; since I need/want back seatlettes, I'll keep looking for 996's.

 

That is where we differ--I prefer heavier steering.


Still dissagree on this. My '02 Boxster, with smaller rotors and calipers than the Cayman S, easily out-braked (broke?) my RX-8.


But it all comes down to personal preference.

996 ain't a bad way to go either

 

On paper the Cayman and RX8 brake ~the same. Dunno about 'fade' resistance on the Porsche though; I suspect it does well.

 

IMO the only reason the Cayman is not a better car than the 911 is because Porsche wants it that way.

Mid engine > than rear engine.

 

Exactly! A race team in Europe modded a Cayman with a bigger engine and set it directly against 911s and has been doing ok while working through new-car bugs. The Porch factory is VERY displeased with this program as they don't want anyone to upset the thought that the Cayman is less a car than the 911.

I think it's a testament to the Porch engineers that they've been able to keep the 911 as top-of-the-line as it is despite the less than optimal layout.

 

I had a '93 Carrera 2 for a short while (investment car, bought for $19.9K, sold $26K 3 weeks later) and what really took me aback was the heaviness of all the controls. The steering, brake, gas, etc. had much higher effort than any car I had driven, which was at first tiresome. I later realized that this additional effort made it much easier to use very controlled inputs and amplified the communication I got back through the wheel especially. The other great thing was that every single millimeter of oever control was perfectly metered, with the last half inch of gas giving exactly the same thrust as the first half inch. It was a beautiful thing...

 

You should of gotten her number.

 

She wrote it on the back of her business card. If I were single, or a dick, I'd call her! :D