I hate my car now....

"Poor_Sh" (ar4x) 02/26/2018 at 18:27 • Filed to: Necessary Car Buying

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Ok so that’s a lot of hyperbole, but HOLY CRAP I TEST DROVE 2 PORSCHE CAYMANS!!! Now, I know you’ve seen recent Porsche test drives (E90M3) but you’ll notice this time it’s “Necessary” Car Buying. Plus I’ve been planning this for a while.

The silver one is a 2014 Cayman S, manual, pretty base options, but with a RED interior. And boy, was it red.... too red. Also, I don’t want silver. Moving on, the black one is a 2016 Cayman base, again pretty base options, again manual.

I started with the 2016, drove a route that involved stop-light traffic, some twisties, and some highway. My plan was to then drive the Cayman S on the same route and see if I really need the extra power. The base Cayman drove very nicely, and I immediately noticed the HEAVY clutch (which I had read about). But, I felt like I’ve only liked heavy clutches in the past, so that was a good sign. Other immediate thoughts are how cozy it feels, how well bolstered the seats are, the visibility and seating position is great, but the pedals are all pushed to the right.

Acceleration isn’t like my mustang, but it’s certainly quick enough around town and even on the highway. Power feels linear in the lower RPMs and like a steeper but still linear line in the higher RPMs. Definitely different keeping the engine at 5500 around town for fun compared to my 5.0 at ~3000. Also, the shift throws are WEIRD. Not bad, not too long or too short, it just felt odd... like they moved by themselves and just sort of...happened. Oh and IDK if it was just my hastily adjusted seating but my elbow is a bit cramped when in 2nd, 4th, or 6th gear (i.e. when the gearshift is leaning towards the rear).

The Cayman S was really the same in a lot of ways as I just described, but the differences were: ride quality a bit bumpy likely due to larger wheels and smaller tires, better engine/exhaust noise (though neither had PSE), and the clutch seemed to engage easier with less throttle input. On the highway, it actually pushed us back into our seats upon acceleration which the base Cayman didn’t. I came away unconvinced... I definitely think I want the S with more power... I’m almost certain. But, I just can’t tell if it justifies the sacrifices (price/year).

CLOSING: This was an awesome day, and incredible driving experiences for me even for just an hour or less. But you know what? The cars felt great, different, small, but not like the most special thing I’d ever felt.... until I got back in my mustang. And now, I’VE BEEN RUINED! Hilariously so. Body roll around every turn, notchy shifts, lugging engine around town.... I love this car but the difference is ridiculous. ***Side note: I thought I had a heavy clutch, but after the Cayman’s I almost punched my clutch through the firewall lol***

Anyway, I’m not 100% sure, but I think the Cayman just jumped ahead of the C7....lot’s to think about.

E90M3 > Poor_Sh 02/26/2018 at 18:34

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I’m glad I’m not the only one that finds the clutch to be heavy. The clutch in my M3 is pretty heavy, but the one in the Porsche was noticeably heavier. I also feel with a light clutch it can be hard to find the bite point.

Sovande > E90M3 02/26/2018 at 18:53

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This is a really good point. Though probably not the same animal as a Cayman, I went from a 1998 Volvo V70 with a single mass flywheel and a very heavy 850R clutch to a Volvo C30 with a dual mass flywheel and ridiculously light clutch. After two years of ownership I still find myself making adjustments in foot pressure with something as innocuous as a different pair of shoes. The heavier clutch was tiring in traffic, but the feel was much better.

E90M3 > Sovande 02/26/2018 at 18:55

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The M3 is my first manual car, so it’s what I got used to it, never had a car with a light clutch. The conclusion about light clutches is an observation I came to after much unnecessary car shopping and driving my friends Civic Si.

arl > Poor_Sh 02/26/2018 at 18:56

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Nice review! I’ve never driven a modern Porsche. In fact, the only Porsche I’ve ever driven is my friends old unrestored 1979 911. His 79' was sort of beat and the clutch felt just like my old 1973 VW Beetle; easy to modulate and sort of mushy.

Interesting to hear new ones have such a heavy clutch. My 17' GTI has a clutch that’s like stepping on air - easily the softest clutch I’ve ever used, and I’ve driven a lot of manuals over the years.

BTW - silver with a red interior is the proper Porsche color to me.

Poor_Sh > arl 02/26/2018 at 19:02

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Thanks! And yeah the other manuals I’ve driven is a C7, a WRX, and a FoST. The latter 2 feel like pushing my foot through butter compared to compressing a spring. I prefer the spring feeling.

I disagree on you color choices, but man that red is like Doug DeMuro levels of quirky. Fun, but I couldn’t live with it.

Poor_Sh > E90M3 02/26/2018 at 19:04

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The clutches on cars with small/turbo 4 cyl engines I’ve tried have been quite difficult to initially get out of first. I don’t like the feeling, but I’m sure it’s great in long-term traffic.

arl > Poor_Sh 02/26/2018 at 19:06

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Yea, I guess it depends on how much red there is. Red seats and red door= OK.

Red steering wheel, red carpet, red shifter, etc, would get real old, real quick.

E90M3 > Poor_Sh 02/26/2018 at 19:08

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Yeah, I’m sure it makes the car easier to live with. I don’t sit in stop and go traffic now, so the heavy clutch in my cars don’t really matter.

Poor_Sh > arl 02/26/2018 at 19:13

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How do you feel about this? lol

chaozbandit > Poor_Sh 02/26/2018 at 19:16

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Cayman, you say

feather-throttle-not-hair > Poor_Sh 02/26/2018 at 19:23

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I drove a 996 Turbo not too long ago and don’t remember the clutch being high effort at all. I wonder when the stiff clutch thing started...?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Poor_Sh 02/26/2018 at 19:24

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I would happily own a Cayman. Before any 911. In fact, only other Porsches I want are CGT and 918. The Cayman is just such a great car to drive, and balances everything it does so well. It’s chassis outclasses the 911 in my opinion, hands down.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Poor_Sh 02/26/2018 at 22:11

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I was surprised to see the hp/tq figures for the 2016 non-s; not quite Honda levels of differences but close. With 275 hp to 220ish foot pounds; seems like you’d need to rev it to make the magic happen. I like engines like that but I’m guessing coming from a muscle car makes it seem more lacking down low.

E90M3 > feather-throttle-not-hair 02/26/2018 at 22:45

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I drove a 996 turbo and an 997 Carrera 4 in the same day. I don’t remember the clutch being really heavy in the turbo, then again, I was a little encompassed with the fact I was driving a drop top manual Porsche Turbo. The 997 immediately stuck out to me for having a really heavy clutch.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Poor_Sh 02/27/2018 at 09:25

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Oh yes! Can’t wait to see what you pick.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Poor_Sh 02/27/2018 at 09:26

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Too much!! Ugh, that steering wheel...

Poor_Sh > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 02/27/2018 at 11:43

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Yeah it’s not great. It does a smooth job of getting you to the speed you need around town, but I was definitely waiting a bit every time I tried to accelerate with gusto. It’ll get you on the highway, but you’ve got to finesse the RPMs to pass. My opinion anyway...

arl > Poor_Sh 02/27/2018 at 20:31

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Needs red floor mats.LOL!