Test Drive: 2007 Cayman S
06-06-2007 | 10:43 AM
#26
Apexing at Oak Tree
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
From: The Blue, Educated State in the North
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
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
2. I can't count how many time's I've heard this one. "That car has 18 piston brembo brakes, so it should stop faster right!!" Not necessarily. If you've driven an 8 for awhile and been on this forum, you know the 8 has some of the best brakes in the industry. I've been outbraking 350zs on the track all day long for 3 years, only mod, pads. The only place the P-car will prob have an advantage is fade. You can solve that in an RX-8 with DOT4 fluid and a set of Cobalt Frictions (or Hawks, or Carbotechs, your choice). Still cheaper than spending an extra $40k on the P-car.
3. For me, I think the Cayman S is a great car, I've driven one a couple times myself. However, for $72k (which is what you'd want to spend for PASM and the other goodies), I would gather up the extra money for a 911 or Carerra 4.
06-06-2007 | 06:27 PM
#27
vV Me on the Dragon Vv
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
1. I believe the Cayman S and the RX-8 are of similiar weight. I just got my car corner balanced and the weight of the car with me in it was 2987 lbs. Plus, the weight distribution of both is nearly 50/50. My car is currently cross balanced at 49.8%.
2. I can't count how many time's I've heard this one. "That car has 18 piston brembo brakes, so it should stop faster right!!" Not necessarily. If you've driven an 8 for awhile and been on this forum, you know the 8 has some of the best brakes in the industry. I've been outbraking 350zs on the track all day long for 3 years, only mod, pads. The only place the P-car will prob have an advantage is fade. You can solve that in an RX-8 with DOT4 fluid and a set of Cobalt Frictions (or Hawks, or Carbotechs, your choice). Still cheaper than spending an extra $40k on the P-car.
3. For me, I think the Cayman S is a great car, I've driven one a couple times myself. However, for $72k (which is what you'd want to spend for PASM and the other goodies), I would gather up the extra money for a 911 or Carerra 4.
2. I can't count how many time's I've heard this one. "That car has 18 piston brembo brakes, so it should stop faster right!!" Not necessarily. If you've driven an 8 for awhile and been on this forum, you know the 8 has some of the best brakes in the industry. I've been outbraking 350zs on the track all day long for 3 years, only mod, pads. The only place the P-car will prob have an advantage is fade. You can solve that in an RX-8 with DOT4 fluid and a set of Cobalt Frictions (or Hawks, or Carbotechs, your choice). Still cheaper than spending an extra $40k on the P-car.
3. For me, I think the Cayman S is a great car, I've driven one a couple times myself. However, for $72k (which is what you'd want to spend for PASM and the other goodies), I would gather up the extra money for a 911 or Carerra 4.
1. Exactly my point...which is why I was surprised he said the Cayman felt heavier to him.
2. The Porsche brakes are superior. Period. Yes, stopping distances are similar, and sure, with different pads/whatever you can reduce fade in the RX-8...but from and engineering standpoint and outright performance, the Porsche's aluminum monobloc calipers are light-years ahead of the RX-8's cast-iron one-piston sliding calipers. They are lighter, stronger, and have a much greater ability to dissipate heat (avoiding fade).
3. $72k is an unusually high MSRP for a Cayman S. With a base price of $58,900, you can add PASM, Bose, 19" wheels, sport seats, sport chrono pkg., etc. and still be under $70k. On top of that any dealer will give you $4-5k discount from MSRP, so you can easily get a nicely equipped Cayman S for low $60s.
06-06-2007 | 07:25 PM
#28
Blue By You
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,717
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
1. I believe the Cayman S and the RX-8 are of similiar weight. I just got my car corner balanced and the weight of the car with me in it was 2987 lbs. Plus, the weight distribution of both is nearly 50/50. My car is currently cross balanced at 49.8%.
2. I can't count how many time's I've heard this one. "That car has 18 piston brembo brakes, so it should stop faster right!!" Not necessarily. If you've driven an 8 for awhile and been on this forum, you know the 8 has some of the best brakes in the industry. I've been outbraking 350zs on the track all day long for 3 years, only mod, pads. The only place the P-car will prob have an advantage is fade. You can solve that in an RX-8 with DOT4 fluid and a set of Cobalt Frictions (or Hawks, or Carbotechs, your choice). Still cheaper than spending an extra $40k on the P-car.
3. For me, I think the Cayman S is a great car, I've driven one a couple times myself. However, for $72k (which is what you'd want to spend for PASM and the other goodies), I would gather up the extra money for a 911 or Carerra 4.
2. I can't count how many time's I've heard this one. "That car has 18 piston brembo brakes, so it should stop faster right!!" Not necessarily. If you've driven an 8 for awhile and been on this forum, you know the 8 has some of the best brakes in the industry. I've been outbraking 350zs on the track all day long for 3 years, only mod, pads. The only place the P-car will prob have an advantage is fade. You can solve that in an RX-8 with DOT4 fluid and a set of Cobalt Frictions (or Hawks, or Carbotechs, your choice). Still cheaper than spending an extra $40k on the P-car.
3. For me, I think the Cayman S is a great car, I've driven one a couple times myself. However, for $72k (which is what you'd want to spend for PASM and the other goodies), I would gather up the extra money for a 911 or Carerra 4.
1.) Depending on options of the two cars the curb weight of the Cayman is probably 50-100 less than the RX-8.
2.) Judging brakes by how many feet is takes to stop a car from a certain MPH is not a good way to evaluate a braking system. Stock for stock odds are the Cayman brakes are better even if they don't stop the car shorter.
3.) Hopefully I get to drive one soon, but honestly they don't do a whole lot for me. I'll take a Boxster S over one any day. If I was looking for the most performance for the dollar I'd skip both, so might as well have a vert.
Last edited by Ike; 06-06-2007 at 07:30 PM.
06-06-2007 | 08:02 PM
#30
Blue By You
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,717
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
06-06-2007 | 09:28 PM
#31
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
06-06-2007 | 10:58 PM
#32
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Rohnert Park CA
Toss in the Cayman's rear ends reduced polar linearity (when compared to the '8) and you have a heavier feel. Not really a bad thing... just different.
06-07-2007 | 09:46 AM
#34
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
listed by whom? Road and track lists one at 2955 and another they tested as 3150. Porscheusa.com shows it at 2954 (MT) - but that's probably a 'dry' weight. I bet my RX8 is sub 3000lbs dry, too 
Last edited by dmp; 06-07-2007 at 09:53 AM.
06-07-2007 | 09:53 AM
#35
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
I think it is mostly the steering. When I drove a regular Caymen, I thought the Porsche steering system on that car felt almost unboosted. Steering feel (while good) is a little numb and a lot clunky when compared to the '8 and even more so when compared the the Active Steering on the new 3 series coupes from BMW (one of the best systems available on any car currently made).
Toss in the Cayman's rear ends reduced polar linearity (when compared to the '8) and you have a heavier feel. Not really a bad thing... just different.
Toss in the Cayman's rear ends reduced polar linearity (when compared to the '8) and you have a heavier feel. Not really a bad thing... just different.
Best explanation yet.
06-07-2007 | 01:05 PM
#36
Blue By You
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,717
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
Manufacturers only list curb weight... The 2976 weight is probably with a common option, several auto sources list that weight.
06-07-2007 | 01:55 PM
#38
Blue By You
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,717
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
Do you consider the brochure from Porsche reputable? 
http://www.porsche.com/all/transitio...n_Brochure.pdf
http://www.porsche.com/all/transitio...n_Brochure.pdf
06-07-2007 | 02:02 PM
#39
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
Do you consider the brochure from Porsche reputable?
http://www.porsche.com/all/transitio...n_Brochure.pdf
http://www.porsche.com/all/transitio...n_Brochure.pdf
06-08-2007 | 01:13 AM
#40
Blue By You
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,717
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
06-08-2007 | 10:22 AM
#41
Thread Starter
RX8 and a Truk....
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,658
Likes: 7
From: OKC
06-08-2007 | 12:49 PM
#42
Grand Chancellor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 58
From: Home of the NIMBYs
I'd buy a Cayman S if I have the money. It's an athletic car than the fattening 911 (GT3 excluded). But alas, th need for back seats and mulah defined my choice of cars. the rx-8 is what I feel is the poor-man's Cayman.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Shankapotamus3
Series I Trouble Shooting
28
03-14-2021 04:53 PM
Michael Bryant
Series I Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension
5
10-12-2015 04:07 PM
