The Porsche Cayman Will Make You Re-evaluate Your Desire To Own A 911

"Torque Affair" (torqueaffair) 02/22/2015 at 12:28 • Filed to: None

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Ever since driving a 911 ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ), I have been fixated on owning one some day. However, used 911s that are quite a few years old are still not as cheap as I'd like them to be and so I found myself becoming more and more interested in the Caymans, many of which can be obtained in the high $20K to low $30K range. They seem to be a perfectly suitable alternative to the 911. Sure, it's not the same as owning a 911 but the Cayman is a car that can be appreciated in its own right.

The opportunity to drive a Cayman recently arose thanks my buddies over at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! who happen to have a Cayman R as part of their track fleet.

This is the one car that I should definitely drive at the track because I hear it's amazing. This particular 2012 Cayman R, nicknamed "The Frog", is finely tuned to be raced the hell out of and is one of LRA's most popular cars. It certainly looks the part.

Stepping into the car, the first thing I noticed is that the interior is pretty much the exact same as the one in the 2007 Porsche 911 turbo I sat in the other day. In fact, the interior isn't all that different from even a 996's interior that was built over a decade ago!

It must be so boring to be a designer working in Porsche's " Department of the Interiors ". Considering the fact that the overall design hardly changes, what do you all day? Go to work, stare at the design, admire it, review it from every angle possible, have multiple meetings about it and then go home? Then, rinse and repeat.

Kind of sounds like my job.

Of course not. I do much much more. I actually have a pre-meeting about a meeting before having the actual meeting itself.

Porsche has ripped out everything non-essential to reduce weight and turn a regular Cayman into the "R" version. For example, there are no door handles in the Cayman - just straps.

Because the carbon-fiber backed seats had very little padding, I fully expected an uncomfortable driving experience but Porsche actually did a fantastic job of making these seats feel supportive and non-intrusive to the point where you don't even notice any discomfort.

What I really loved about the Cayman R was starting it up. The exhaust noise was raw and guttural and because there wasn't much insulation in the car, I could actually hear the sounds. Because the engine is right behind your head, it only added to the visceral experience of driving the Frog. I think, overall, the Cayman R sounded better than the 911s I've driven.

I'm sure many people will think that this car is too harsh, too noisy and too uncomfortable to be a daily driver but it was such a breath of fresh air to be driving something where you feel like you're actually engaged . So many of today's cars insulate you so much from the road that it doesn't feel like you're doing much of anything.

The Cayman R provides an incredibly rewarding driving experience. The thought of wanting to take a nap behind the wheel doesn't even cross your mind! That's a win in my book.

The standard Cayman R doesn't come with A/C or a radio, but this one did. It had to, because trust me - you would not want to sign up for an LRA class in the summer in Austin, Texas to drive a car without A/C because within the first 30 seconds, you would be drenched in sweat. And then you'd look like you peed your pants.

I loved driving the Cayman R. It had 330 hp which is a slight bump over the Cayman S from that year. It was plenty for this car because it weighs less than 3000 lbs thanks to replacing those tremendously heavy door handles with straps.

I kept the car in "sport plus" mode the whole time because there is no other mode that the Cayman R should be driven in. I had to have the maximum amount of "sportiness" that this car had to offer at my disposal; otherwise, I would be doing the Frog a disservice.

This was even more important because I was mostly stuck behind slow trucks in slow Austin traffic and it was important for me to feel the "sportiness" whenever I could, even if it meant that I was never able to go beyond 35 mph.

I'm kidding - I did have a chance to drive above 40 mph. It was wonderful.

As I was plodding along behind what I think were the slowest cars to have ever graced the streets of Austin and surrounding areas ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ), I was starting to regret the fact that I didn't take the Frog out for a couple of laps around the track because I'm sure I would've loved it.

If I can have fun in this thing going slow, imagine how awesome it would've have been where I could have really let it loose.

My experience driving the Cayman on the roads reminded me of the time I did a few charity laps at Texas Motor Speedway many years ago where we were not able to get up to a speed that would be considered exciting even by my grandma. So I did with the Cayman what I did back then: slow down to a crawl ( we were already crawling anyway ), and then punch it to experience the acceleration, and more importantly hear the wonderful noises this car makes.

The Cayman was equipped with PDK, which was fine but I what I was really wanting was a gear lever to shift. The PDK would've been undoubtedly fantastic on the track, but on these boring streets, shifting would've infused a little more excitement into the drive.

There were a few chances to take some high speed turns and those were all thrilling in the Cayman R. The handling was super precise and the composure of the car was amazing - especially under acceleration while taking the turns.

My spirited driving did attract some attention from an Altima who felt the need to make some kind of a point (not sure what it was) as he flew by me. A little while later, a C5 Corvette carried out its trademark throttle blip to show me how much better his V8 was as he slowly passed by me.

Here is one thing that annoyed me. You cannot get to the engine without tools!!

What?!?

I thought it would be easy to lift the carpet and take off an engine cover that's held down by tabs or something simple. But no - you need tools !

If you take your Cayman to the Porsche dealer, don't be surprised to see a line item in your bill that states: $500 —> removing engine cover.

At least it's easy to add oil.
Just make sure you don't spill any on the carpet.

Here is a piece of weight reduction that I actually liked - a fixed spoiler. I do prefer the look of the Cayman with the spoiler always visible as opposed to the motorized version that pops in and out at will.

Overall, I liked this car so much that I immediately started looking for them after my time with the Cayman R was over ( as much as I didn't want it to end ). Unfortunately, these are rare and and fairly pricey as well.

But I'm sure a Cayman S would be just fine.

It doesn't seem like there is really a huge difference between the Cayman R and the Cayman S. There are plenty of threads where they talk about how easy it is to "R" your S: doing this makes more financial sense than paying so much more for an "R".

Then again, unless you really want to brag to someone out there who could care less about your lap times that you shaved 0.0001 second off your lap time after "R"-ing your S, it doesn't seem worth it.

There are lots of articles out there about how Porsche deliberately kept the Cayman from being as good as 911 to retain the "high and mighty" status of their flagship product. As hard as they might try, the Cayman can't help but be a brilliant car and it's only getting better.

The 911 can wait - time to go look for a Cayman S!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is about exploring my fascination with cars; I'm always on the lookout for things that interest me in the car world. Like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and follow !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !

Jonathan Harper > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:35

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Very true. CCC had a Cayman S with a Remus exhaust and sport springs for a while, 6-speed. It was one of my favorites.

Joshamania > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:39

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Say whatever about the 911, but the Cayman is a much, much better looking car. And smaller, which is always good imo.

Torque Affair > Jonathan Harper 02/22/2015 at 12:39

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very cool!

RelentlessSlacker > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:42

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Argh I want a Cayman so bad :( Preferably a 2009-12 2.9 liter 6-speed, IDEALLY with the mechanical LSD (that's a pipe dream, given how few of these are for sale).

I think I'm gonna have to be responsible at least for the near future though, and not do that. It would require stretching my budget from the high 20ks to the low to mid 30ks to get a car that's out of warranty (or nearly) and costs, well, Porsche-money to maintain. So I'm pretty settled on my 2015 GTI Performance Pack I have on order (also, in truth, a great car). Don't think for an instant though that the Cayman remains on my radar...the day my financial situation warrants it, I will be going to find one. Consardnit.

WarpSP > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:42

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the Enthusiasts world has been saying this since the introduction of the Cayman.

Its superior to the 911 in every single measure except the intentional horsepower deficit Porsche builds in..

German engineering cant ever admit they been wrong all these decades..

freeman234 > Joshamania 02/22/2015 at 12:43

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That's debatable. I have often considered trading my 997 in for a 981 - but I think the rear of the Cayman is still hit and miss. Looks are highly subjective, so if you prefer the Cayman, then that's fine...but in my opinion, the 987 isn't all that good-looking. And it's not only the aforementioned rear - it's the sides as well. The intakes don't look like much on the 987, the 981 is much improved in that regard, which I think looks stellar from the sides - but still iffy from the rear. I mean, come on:

Stefan25 > Joshamania 02/22/2015 at 12:45

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Similar to how the BMW 2 is so much nicer than the 4. Can't wait for the m2

Quade > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:46

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The Cayman is the only Porsche I have the slightest interest in. The 911 is a fatally flawed design. The Germans have managed to paper over the problems with the engine hanging off the back but that doesn't change the fact it's inferior to a mid-engine design. To be clear, I don't hate the 911, I'm sure it's fantastic. The Cayman is just more fantastic.

I'm with you. if I was buying a Porsche today, it would be a late 2000's Cayman S in manual.

Charles Martel > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:48

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911s can be had for well under 10K, and they'll run, pass inspection, and circulate a race track just fine. Go get yourself one.

killerhurtalot4 > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:48

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So... do we have another convert that agrees that the best drivers car that Porsche makes is a Cayman?

PheeNoIVI > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:49

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This article is making me regret not buying a used Cayman like I wanted instead of the new Z I bought.

Vicente Esteve > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:54

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It can also tow quite well

brian_nec > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 12:57

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Ive budgeted it out where i can pick one of these up in 3 years. There are things about this car beyond the budget factor that i find nicer than a 911.

freeman234 > Quade 02/22/2015 at 13:00

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Theoretically inferior it may be - the driving experience is still unique. I had initially wanted a 987 before getting my 997 and tested both Facelift and Pre-Facelift Cayman S models - but went with the 997 instead for a plethora of reasons. Now, mind you, I would probably have preferred a 981 over a 997, but a 987? No way.

Torque Affair > PheeNoIVI 02/22/2015 at 13:02

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Hah! You bought the Z brand new?

manitou820 > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:03

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911's have always been my dream car. Last fall I began test driving multiple 911's: 997 S, 991 S, and 996/997TT. My budget was $75k. The turbos were insanely fast, but I didn't feel like they were "real" sports cars (more of a GT car). They were too heavy and the clutch felt like you were driving a truck. I liked the way the 911 S drove better, and the sound was a night and day difference (turbos sound boring). Then the dealership convinced me to test drive a 981 Cayman S. I went home the next day with one. I had always read that the Cayman was the better car, but I didn't believe it until I actually got behind the wheel.

The slight deficit in power in definitely made up by the amazing handling and feel of a real sports car. Words are hard to describe the difference. Only a spirited drive will open your eyes. Now the GT3 is the only 911 I lust after.

Ufnavy06 > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:06

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I've wondered, the straps close the doors, but do they open them too? Or are you rolling down the window (anyone know what that really means anymore), reaching out and popping the handle on the outside?

WINGZERO > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:06

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naaaa. Hopefully one day Ill own a proper 911 and cayman.

WINGZERO > Vicente Esteve 02/22/2015 at 13:07

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well, there's something you don't see every day.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:09

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I take a Cayman/Boxer over a 911 any day, it has usable for the street. It is like Porsches Miata.

MikeyEVO > PheeNoIVI 02/22/2015 at 13:10

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Yeah I should have looked more into these but I bought a used evo mr.

Vicente Esteve > WINGZERO 02/22/2015 at 13:17

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Not at all.

Ted O > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:23

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Have driven several of each and could afford any of them but the Cayman is my choice. Just ordered a GT4 in fact and have had three other 981 and 987 ' s. These cars are fantastic.

Kurt Bradley > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:23

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Nice review. The Frog looks good when it plays too.

shitheelandtoe > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:25

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I was in the market for a new Porsche. I looked at 911s and...Caymans?...Caymen?...Caypersons? Anyway, not only did I think the Cayman S drove better than the 911, but doing my homework, I found that insurance is a lot less and of course so are personal property taxes. I ordered a GTS which should be here by spring.

I won't go so far as to say the Cayman is better than the 911. If I had driven a Carrera GTS, it might well have been "better" (in some way) than the Cayman GTS. But the Carrera GTS cost 50% more than the Cayman GTS, and I just didn't think the value proposition would be there.

Ike > manitou820 02/22/2015 at 13:25

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I agree that the 981 Cayman S is more fun to drive. I preferred it to the 997 Carrera S that I ultimately bought. Only reason I didn't buy the Cayman is because I am tall and I was much more comfortable in the 911. I do think the 911 looks better, but that's just me.

TheStigsGermanCousin > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:25

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I already wanted one of these.

Urambo Tauro > Vicente Esteve 02/22/2015 at 13:27

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It can also tow quite well

How hot does that trailer hitch get? Or the wiring harness...?

MUGENJIBZ > Ufnavy06 02/22/2015 at 13:28

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The straps open the door as well.

Bob Loblaw > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:33

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I was in the hunt recently for a Cayman R. There are deals under $60k, but some had paint work and others didn't have the sport bucket seats. Many were also so heavily loaded with options that they undoubtedly weighed the same as many lesser Caymans on the road.

After driving one, I was a little underwhelmed. I think I set my expectations too high. It is definitely a very nice car, but not as raw as I expected.

A few weeks ago I drove a 1M. What a car...

All that being said, I love the lines of the Cayman R in Peridot Green.

BLKMGK > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:39

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I own a 996 turbo, that dash doesn't look like mine. Not sure it's better but it's different and I do like it. I happen to like the Cayman a good bit too, the car looks GREAT but has always been underpowered. Now we have the GT4 coming and the GTS as well as this! The Boxter I've been kind of cold on, while the hardtop Cayman has always struck me as being way nicer.

Maintenance is an issue on the 911 and even worse on the Cayman\Boxster, if I owned one I have zero doubt I'd have to learn to take the engine out as the dealers charge insane prices for everything. At least on the 911 I can get to most of what I need without doing this but I expect I'll need to eventually - a hydraulic lift table from HF is on my want list!

Much as I enjoy my 911 I have desire for a Cayman and I'm really happy to see Porsche taking care of the power issue. When it has turbochargers I'll be happy and looking for one in the used market. Until then I'll lust from afar! It's a really nice car and that green is pretty sweet. Congrats on getting to drive one - I'm jealous. I want those seats too....

Ike > Joshamania 02/22/2015 at 13:42

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987 gives 997 a run for its money in the looks department . . .

. . . but the 981 not so much

And much respect to blue truck guy, who also decided to park 500 yards from the strip mall along with Caymanbro and me.

BLKMGK > manitou820 02/22/2015 at 13:45

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The clutch feels weird because Porsche in their infinite wisdom installed a spring to pull UP on the clutch pedal. On the 996T for sure, possibly the 997 as well. This drove me crazy for years before I found out about it and removed it, haven't stalled the car since. This in addition to the bizarro' hydraulic system on the 996T that is most certainly best replaced from parts of the GT2. Removing that spring takes about 15minutes under the dash and afterwards the car drives much much better. A few tweaks and the turbo cars are monsters!

I'd still like to own a Cayman, maybe as the daily, they really do look nice! ;-)

BLKMGK > shitheelandtoe 02/22/2015 at 13:47

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Did you drive any turbo?

Bryan V. Hodges > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:49

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Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail.

———————————> http://www.jobs-mill.Com

Auto Guy > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 13:52

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Excellent case for the Cayman, Torque. Really the "thinking man's" 911; all the good, well-developed hardware, in what some may call the ultimate engine / chassis configuration, because let's face it: if the 911 never existed before 2015, it would be designed today with the Cayman's layout. When you add in the price differential compared to 9/11, this starts to look like an easy move.

On a semi-related note: it wouldn't be an Autoguy post without a dig at Porsche, so here I'm calling Bullshit on the door pulls. Those precious little red straps scream "Look at me, Ma! I'm saving weight!" Chuckle. So, what, like a 1/4 pound each over a decent hard feature? It would be just as effective, but not nearly as visually impressive. If I were the King of Porsche, I would offer the cute little red pulled door straps, but only if you went for the total low-weight version, meaning no A/C, no radio, and for the sake of all that it is holy, NO power windows. Motors are heavy. You would then have the red straps kind of like a badge of honor.

As far as owning one with no A/C? Torque is right, especially for Austin: No way. Aerodynamics of modern cars are such that there is very little ventilation inside, even with the windows open. All those old-timey cars with front vent windows had them there for a reason.

syaieya > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 14:13

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I've had this thought for awhile now, and I'd really like to see it. How much, or should I say how little of the modern cars would it take to take on the old titans.

We all know that modern 911's, M3's and so on are all the most potent that they've ever been. But i wonder, could a modern cayman or even a boxster take on an outgoing 911? And if it could, what trim level would it take? Could a 328 of today take on an aging M?

Even us as car fans become so snobish and wrapped up in a title and how modern cars are all terrible. But with the way that the power has gone up and creative engineering keeping everything else in check, I think that these new cars are more potent than ever, especially the lesser, more common ones.

Murphie > Charles Martel 02/22/2015 at 14:26

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Under $10K? Around here -mid Atlantic - seems the cheapest 911 that has its act together is a $20K early 996. OK, maybe $18K. Earlier than that, more expensive. Newer than that, more expensive. Please point me in the right direction!

Called_Strike_4 > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 14:29

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How is Harris Hills? I got an invite for a Subaru day and have been pondering going.

Caymaro > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 14:30

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Bought a 987.1 Cayman over a 993 in 2011... Wish the Cayman appreciated like the 993 but since it hasn't I have enjoyed the crap out of the car. 8000 track miles and counting...

Christopher Winslow > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 14:31

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Would love to get in a couple years a Cayman GTS or S model. Would be a good way to get into Porsche. Since it isn't going to be a daily driver it makes a perfect fit.

PheeNoIVI > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 14:42

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Yeah, decided I wanted a brand new car as my first car purchase and at the age of 21 thought it'd be cheaper to keep running.

classbutnostile > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 14:51

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Traded my 987.2 for a 991 C2S. Miss the Cayman. Truly a driver's car. I needed more adrenaline and less precision I suppose, but absolutely sacrificed some fun for it.

Vicente Esteve > Urambo Tauro 02/22/2015 at 14:52

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I have no idea. Its a case of not asking, but appreciating.

MattyF > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 14:56

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I drove my buddy's Cayman GTS up the ACH last Friday. The Cayman GTS is an amazing car. Getting into a new car always takes some time to adjust, especially one my friend just picked up in Jan. But the Cayman is so predicable, so effortless, no drama in the corners, it made getting the feel for it almost instant. The car was made for eating turns. Trail braking also felt more confident, didn't feel like the car wanted to switch ends when braking hard into a corner.

I like to think of myself as a manual purist too, but the latest PDK transmission is nothing short of brilliant: instant rev matches, the throttle off gurgles. I found myself enjoying it much more than I had expected.

I got back in my 997 C2S and it felt a little old. The suspension was harsher, steering jiggly and the ass all wiggly in the turns. Then I realized, as much as I loved the Cayman I would really miss the dance of the 911.

I think I need both

Shaggy > brian_nec 02/22/2015 at 15:09

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Like what?

RevCrowley > syaieya 02/22/2015 at 15:16

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A few years ago I had a chance to drive a late 1960's 911. Even hobbled by Porche's weird automatic transmission, it was the most exciting 911 I've ever driven - super light, direct, manual steering - the speed was irrelevant; this car felt alive and connected in a way no contemporary car I've driven can.

JasonStern911 > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 15:22

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http://jalopnik.com/here-s-why-the…

ZenModo > PheeNoIVI 02/22/2015 at 15:23

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The Z is like a poorman cayman

shitheelandtoe > BLKMGK 02/22/2015 at 15:26

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You mean, like a 911 Turbo? No, that was well out of my price range ($200K is where most of them fall). If you mean any turbo at all, then I own a BMW 335i M Sport (F30) RWD as my daily driver. It has the M Performance Power Pak installed. And that's part of the reason I wanted an NA engine. I love the 335, no doubt, but I wanted an NA engine before they all vanish. Plus, having all that turbo thrust kind of turns me into a douchebag driver even though I don't want to come off that way.

The dynamic suspension in the BMW is also why I opted for the fixed sport suspension (X73) in the GTS. Not that I dislike dynamic suspension, but I just wanted something different for the weekend/fun car.

Richard Northwood > Jonathan Harper 02/22/2015 at 15:29

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Good god that sounds great

Pdb > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 15:32

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this saves zero weight but makes you feel very cool when closing the door

Quade > freeman234 02/22/2015 at 15:33

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http://www.caranddriver.com/features/the-m…

Kind of an apples to oranges comparison though. The GT3 was on pilot sports and the Cayman on high performance streets. Is that another example of how Porsche likes to handicap the Cayman so as to not compete with the 911?

But had we pitted the Cayman R against a more pedestrian 911, the handling tests likely would have been tighter. Or alternately, imagine for a minute a Cayman RS armed with more than 400 horsepower, a nice fat set of Pilot Sport Cup tires, and another dollop of carbon fiber. That would be one awesome Porsche. And one likely capable of finally eclipsing the iconic 911.

Sort of a duh comment. "If we'd tested cars with equal features the Cayman would have won" is how I interpret that.

An interesting countermeasure we discovered is that the 911's electronic throttle is programmed to close with utmost deliberation. This, in combination with a heavy clutch, makes heel-and-toe downshifting a bit of a chore. But the lazy throttle also diminishes the likelihood the 911 will gosideways when a driver lifts in the middle of a tight bend on slippery pavement.

One of the ways they paper over the tail heavy aspect of the 911, they won't let you "lift throttle" to bring the back around. The nanny's will keep you safe.

Over 60's years Porsche has clearly tamed the 911's bad behavior. That's kinda my point though. They had to work decently hard to cover up problems that the Cayman doesn't have. I wouldn't kick a 911 out of bed but I'd rather be driving in a Cayman. For me, the Cayman is more attractive too.

Charles Martel > Murphie 02/22/2015 at 15:44

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They come and go; the 996s that were daily drivers are all well over 120K miles now. It's like porn. You have to watch for new stuff everyday. And the ones that were daily driven for the most part have survived the dreaded IMS issues, and are full of fresh fluids and consumables. In December I saw not one but !2! cabriolets under the 10K mark here in Dixie. It must be that no one wants the cabriolet when there's a solid coat of ice on everything. PM me and I'll put out a post the next time one comes up.

maximum_sarge > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 15:48

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ugh.

DavidHH > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 15:55

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"don't be surprised to see a line item in your bill that states: $500 —> removing engine cover."

If that is really the case, then the Cayman is as poorly designed as the Toyota LE Van was. Not- Serviceable will eventually bite you in the a$$ when something breaks.

Goofnik > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 15:57

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Ding! Have had my Cayman GTS for about 5 months now. It's mostly been grounded on account of the 8 feet of snow we've gotten in the past 7 weeks, but it's sublime.

"Oh, you got a Cayman because you couldn't afford a 911, right? Ha ha ha!"

No. I actually drove (and considered) a 991 Carrera S, Carrera 4S, and a 997.2 Turbo, because I could've afforded them.

The Cayman's steering is as immediate as the 911's. There's much more induction and exhaust noise inside the car — the Cayman GTS is about as raucous as a 997 GT3 in the noise department. I don't need rear seats, but the 15 cubic feet (11 easily usable) of storage space inside the car makes it twice as practical as my Miata was. It's a bit smaller. It's just as easy to place, and when you really push it, even more approachable.

Even on 20" Carrera S wheels and the "ultra-hardcore" X73 Sport Suspension, on Boston city streets, it's still the most comfortable car I've ever owned by a country mile. Even with less ground clearance than DeMuro's 360 had, I've not encountered issues with speed bumps and plazas so long as I approach them caution.

The Cayman is the best sports car they make, bar none. I respect 911s, but I never wanted one as a kid. The thinking man buys a Cayman S/GTS, not a base 911 or a 911S.

Me? I'm a crazy SOB. I have a few deposits for a GT4, so the GTS will hopefully be replaced with a GT4 later this year.

syaieya > RevCrowley 02/22/2015 at 16:01

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Well, I say potent for a reason. I can't say better, I can't say more enjoyable. It's like of the three cars I own the one with the least amount of power, the most age, and the third pedal is by far my favorite of the bunch.

What I want to know is just pure and simple. Can the lesser models of today keep up with the old titans? An old M3 or 911 have been shown to hit the price of a new or nearly new 3 series or boxster in base form. but what can they do in comparison.

richcz3 > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 16:05

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I almost bought a 2004 911 4S that had over 84k miles at a nice price at $30k. I ended up buying a 2008 Cayman S for $34 and 42k miles and have never regretted it. Porsche is an a league of its own. As far as looks go, to me, it's a far better looker than the 911. There are cars with a lot more HP but the Cayman is glued to the road. In turns at speed, its handling is simply unreal. Porsche has finally come to terms with this and upped the ante in the GT4 variant.

With all that said, a Porsche can require some cash to maintain. Do some research on forums and you'll find a checklist of things that may fail - I've been faced with some of them. There's plenty of minor fixes that can be done if you're a reasonable DIY'er with the trunk and hood switches. Unfortunately, the water pump and the Air/Oil separator failure came up on mine and needed a mechanics attention. Fortunately there are plenty of reputable "Affordable" Porsche repair shops in my area and I paid for an extended insurance coverage.

If your wallet can handle, buy a 2008 on up. The IMS Bearing failure is more prone to affect 2007 and older Caymans and 911's. There is a class action lawsuit settled because of it but its not worth the worries or hassle if you should ever blow an engine.

PCA drive 2014 in Central California

Vzwolf > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 16:11

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Best review yet. I like Porsches but I never really WANTED a Porsche until this new generation of Cayman's and 911's came out.

The first proper sports car I ever started up was a Cayman, and the vibrations and noises sold me right there. Not on Porsches specifically but sports cars. The mid-engine configuration definitely helped with the experience as I recall the 911 not being as good as the Cayman in that regard.

Now I will spend the next 15 minutes on the Cayman configurator. Thanks!

Flat Six > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 16:16

7

Hold up, Austin has wonderfully polite drivers - probably the best of anywhere I have lived. I hardly ever see anybody road raging, tailgating, or even honking. People let you merge, don't block intersections, and use their signals. Yes people can be a little sluggish, and it would be nice if the second guy at the green light would honk the first guy who isn't moving. Overall I would take it anyday over the rude assholes endemic to east coast cities.

I think the Cayman is an amazing car, and I actually like the way the older 987 looks better than the 981, especially from behind. However I drive a 997 Carrera, which I think has some meaningful advantages:

Much more front legroom (I'm only 6'1" but have long legs)

Back seat for kids

Can see engine (not true on 991!!!)

Not much bigger or heavier than Cayman

Base Carrera has more horses than Cayman S

Not much more expensive than Cayman (I only pad mid 20's)

Used Carreras are typical better optioned than used Caymans in terms of seats, sport chrono, etc...

richcz3 > PheeNoIVI 02/22/2015 at 16:16

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Well a 1st car purchase that's understandable - you're covered by warranty. A Cayman on the other hand (depending of which year you buy), can be costly. I will never regret buying my Cayman S, but having done my research before buying, I was prepared for what to expect. In short, the items that could go wrong, did. Having paid for extended insurance helped.

Torque Affair > Flat Six 02/22/2015 at 16:25

2

Thanks for your input! The 997 is still fantastic for sure.

Torque Affair > Vzwolf 02/22/2015 at 16:26

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Awesome! Let me know what you end up getting.

Shaggy > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 16:27

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And now I want one.

Torque Affair > richcz3 02/22/2015 at 16:27

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think I will follow Doug's advice and get a Carmax warranty!

richcz3 > maximum_sarge 02/22/2015 at 16:28

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Right. When I saw the PDK I thought "An R with a PDK?" What was the original they thinking? It's all about the manual shifter with the Caymans.

Torque Affair > Goofnik 02/22/2015 at 16:28

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That's awesome. The GT4 looks like it will be a game-changer!

Torque Affair > Caymaro 02/22/2015 at 16:30

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That's great! I bet the track experience is pretty satisfying.

Torque Affair > Called_Strike_4 02/22/2015 at 16:31

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It's great - I love the people there and the environment. Perfect for a track day.

RSanthony > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 16:31

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It won't make me reconsider a 911. And it's not just about the masturbatory pleasure of owning a 911. It's about that special balance. That corner exit traction.

Besides, if I want a mid engine car, I go out and buy an Exige for example. Maybe it doesn't have the luxury and comfort of a Cayman, but if I have Cayman money, then I most likely already have a commute car aimed at comfort, thus negating the point of a jack of trades. That said the Cayman is a very good car. Albeit somewhat pointless in the Porsche line up.

Torque Affair > Auto Guy 02/22/2015 at 16:32

1

I do wonder if you can get the Cayman R without power windows...not sure.

Torque Affair > BLKMGK 02/22/2015 at 16:33

0

What year is your 996 turbo?

Torque Affair > Bob Loblaw 02/22/2015 at 16:35

0

Ahh..I need to drive a 1M! Have heard great things..

Torque Affair > Kurt Bradley 02/22/2015 at 16:36

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Great photo!!

Torque Affair > Ted O 02/22/2015 at 16:37

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The GT4 looks fantastic. That's awesome. Congrats!

Torque Affair > WINGZERO 02/22/2015 at 16:38

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Even better!

Auto Guy > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 16:38

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My guess would be probably not. So many people get them (and love them) that it's not worth the engineering cost to re-engineer for a manual crank these days.

Torque Affair > manitou820 02/22/2015 at 16:39

1

I have yet to drive a turbo so I'm looking forward to trying one out. What year is your Cayman?

Torque Affair > Ufnavy06 02/22/2015 at 16:40

0

Yep, they open them too!

freeman234 > Quade 02/22/2015 at 16:41

2

As I said, I agree that the Cayman platform may be superior - but I'd still prefer a 911 in many situations, all things considered. The GT3 vs. Cayman R comparison is quite silly, let's be honest, but if it was my money I'd take the Cayman R as well - however, it can't all be reduced to budgetary concerns. If that was the case, we'd all be driving C7s and GTRs. To me, the 911 feels a lot more special. The Caymans I drove did nothing for me - the overall package did not convince me - I don't really know why. It's just a personal thing, I guess.

All that being said, I've inquired about a GT4 at my local OPC and will probably test drive one, if the supply situation allows (no official cap has been put on the GT4, I'm guessing they're keeping supply low for the time being to gauge the price).

The GT4 is, to me, the first Cayman that I would consider desirable as its performance is finally starting to reach 911 levels. I don't think I would have been happy with a 987 with regards to basic performance data (even though I don't believe these matter at all or would consider these more important than actual driving experience). Heck, a 987 wouldn't even be that far behind my 997 in raw data terms, but, as mentioned above, the overall Cayman package did not convince me. The looks were definitely a factor - the Cayman's rear just ain't that pretty, from lights to puny spoiler, the 987 side intakes looked silly to me as well. The 981 has improved upon that, but still looks funky in the tail. Looks are very subjective - and if the 987 looks better to you than a 997, that's wonderful! It's also the little things, like not getting an oil temperature gauge (with only three "gauge sectors" as opposed to five on the 997) - might not seem important to many, but its the little things that bugged me. Also, the fact that really basic stuff, like PCM, wasn't even standard on the 987 put me off, since many of these cars that I looked at were truly poverty spec. I should mention, in this context, that I'm from Germany and these cars are somewhat rare over here. Most people who buy a Cayman are the stereotypical "couldn't afford a 911" buyers who are fairly skimpy on the options list. Depreciation is another factor. My 997 has barely lost any money (though maintenance costs were admittedly immense), had I gotten a CS 18 months ago, it would definitely have suffered very badly (from my observations, at least 6-7k €).

Also, and probably most importantly, it was the idea of finally getting a 911 that kept me away from the Cayman. It may seem silly, but to me, the 911 has always been the car of my dreams - the myth. Had I bought a Cayman, I think I would have constantly wondered what it would be like to own a 911 - now that I've gotten that out of my system, I'm more open to a new 981.

Here in Germany you also don't get the same level of enthusiasm for the Cayman that you see on Jalopnik or other US sites. Quite the opposite, actually - and these circles have always been my point of reference in the past, so I'm definitely biased to the 911 end of the debate in so many ways.

Torque Affair > RelentlessSlacker 02/22/2015 at 16:41

1

The 2015 GTI will be pretty awesome. Congrats!

Vzwolf > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 16:44

0

Haha I'm not in the market now, I just bought a Corvette. This is still a few years down the road as I'm looking to get another motorcycle in between.

I want to buy one new so I think that eliminates the Cayman because I don't keep my cars very long. I'll just have to go for a lightly optioned Carrera S so I don't take hosed when I trade it in.

manitou820 > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 16:49

9

It's a 2014.

Torque Affair > manitou820 02/22/2015 at 16:50

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Beautiful! I love how this one looks.

Torque Affair > Vzwolf 02/22/2015 at 16:51

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Very cool. Which Corvette did you buy?

Thomser > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 17:05

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The internet needs more 'dislike' buttons .

Drivel and a poor attempt at being funny .

Caymaro > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 17:21

3

It is amazing car for anyone with any skill level - especially for the money. It is a forgiving "learning" track car but chasing that last 5 % out of it is so incredibly satisfying.
I've added roll bar, seats and a harness to be safe, got a tune to dial back the PSM, and swapped to track pads + R compounds. Sounds crazy but the car is pretty damn durable nearly right out of the box. Added a Motorsports Air Oil Separator which allows the safe running of R compounds - oil ingestion can be expensive (8k for a used motor with questionable history ,to 15+ for a rebuilt 3.4 or you can buy a new long block from Porsche for $35k). Parts in general (OEM or Aftermarket) are not cheap but anything other than a spec Miata or 944 Spec car near the race track will test most budgets.
All in I am probably at 48k + consumables. That includes 3 sets of rims, "full" clear bra, aforementioned additions. I bought my 2007 with 5k on the odo in 2011 - better deals can be had if you want one with miles but with the plans I had for the car I wanted one with low miles (see engine replacement cost).

D15B2 > Pdb 02/22/2015 at 17:24

2

Except that you don't use them to close the door, only to open them. The horizontal door handle is still there.

Caymaro > Torque Affair 02/22/2015 at 17:25

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Liqui-Moly 5L container with spout built in makes pouring oil without spilling a cinch. Of course Porsche A40 spec. My car seems to prefer it to the Mobil1 anyhow.

Driving_Impaired > Richard Northwood 02/22/2015 at 17:27

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ditto. I've got a Remus on my 335 and they are great exhausts!