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Porsche 911

2170 messages,  Last post on Mar 20, 2013 at 9:25 PM

You are in the Porsche 911 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Porsche 911, Porsche Carrera GT, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 147 of 217

#1461 of 2170 My experience..The Cayman by chrmdome

Mar 30, 2007 (8:38 pm)

Hi:
 
I've had an addiction for Porsche since I was 18 ( 1968 ) and at the young age of 25 bought my first " Porsche " Okay..a VW .. 1976 914 2.0. I was young, fit and thin and had no trouble fitting in it. It was the fastest car in 1st and 2nd gear I've ever owned.. It would smoke the 911 at that time for about the first 3 seconds anyway. So along the way, a few 911s... and my newest purchase in 2005, a new 2006 997s coupe ( custo-ordered). So we have 40 years , more than a few inches and a few pounds added but fitting into the 997 is no problem. I actually have to have the seat moved forward . Now, 2 months ago I went to an auto show and looked at the Cayman. A spiffy little well built machine. Too close on the internal styling to the 997 to suit me but a really cool looking car. Well now, trying to get in the thing. My head was hitting the roof lining, I could not get my left leg in the car and the steering wheel was in my chest with the seat fully back. What is the deal here. The Cayman was really small and cramped. Maybe the market for this car is better aimed at Japan. Way too small for the average American french fry eater....
 
Chromedome
 
PS By the way the Cayman board is pretty silent, I wonder how the sales number are going???

#1462 of 2170 Re: My experience..The Cayman [chrmdome] by tagman

Mar 31, 2007 (8:14 am)

Replying to: chrmdome (Mar 30, 2007 8:38 pm)
CD,
My first Porsche was a Carrera Targa in the later 80's. I loved that car! And then I got rid of it shortly after buying a Ferrari... and I learned a lesson... as that turned out to be a big mistake. I had the first Boxster order in place for the original '97, and drove it for years. I finally bought an '07 Carrera S Cab this past Thanksgiving, and I love this car more and more with every drive. It is the best 911, inside and out, that Porsche has ever made, IMO. It is so damned good, that I predict that Porsche might very well mess up a perfectly good thing with the next one. Of course, I hope they don't, but from the bits and pieces of info leaking in so far, the front end of the next 911 will look like a streamlined Cayenne... and the led rear lights will not be done well.
 
The Cayman you mentioned has good body lines, but what else is going for it? Price? It's a good slalom car to dance with a Lotus Elise/Exige, with a mid-engine that BEGS for more power. And the sun never shines inside that tight interior, either... and that's another bad thing, IMO.
 
TagMan

#1463 of 2170 Re: My experience..The Cayman [tagman] by habitat1

Mar 31, 2007 (9:18 am)

Replying to: tagman (Mar 31, 2007 8:14 am)
TagMan,
 
We share a similar love for the S Cab. As do my daughters riding along in the back seat. It's pretty amazing to have a world class sports car that can double as the family car.
 
However, in defense of the Cayman S, my Acura/Mercedes dealer (who can afford just about anything) has a Cayman S in his multi-car garage. Claims it's light weight and more compact size reminds him of his earlier 911. Personally, while I respect the heritage of the older model 911's, especially the 993, I'm not sure I would want to give up the daily driveability and refinement of the 997.
 
Sorry about your bad luck on the Ferrari. I had an opportunity to pick up a well maintained 328 at a great price in 2005, but decided I wanted something that was more family friendly and less risky. Maybe when the kids are grown.

#1464 of 2170 Re: My experience..The Cayman [habitat1] by tagman

Mar 31, 2007 (10:32 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Mar 31, 2007 9:18 am)
I also have two kids, and they can't wait to sneak a ride in the back!
 
BTW, it was the 328 GTS that gave me the reality check about Ferrari. Be prepared to have ridiculous things go wrong, and then have to pay $$ beyond your wildest imagination to have them fixed.
 
Regarding the Cayman... I'd pick a Lotus Elise or Exige S instead... any day. Those cars are glued to the road unlike any other... simply amazing beyond belief.
 
I've learned that when it comes to a Porsche... it's got to be the 911. Period. At least until something better comes along. I thank God for the current 911... it's just that good.
 
TagMan

#1465 of 2170 Re: My experience..The Cayman [tagman] by habitat1

Mar 31, 2007 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: tagman (Mar 31, 2007 10:32 am)
Actually, I see where the 997 GT3 beat the Lotus for the fastest slalom time recorded by Edmunds.
 
I think most Cayman buyers would not cross shop the Lotuses (or is it "Loti"). I owned a 2002 Honda S2000 and, although I loved it, my wife had a tough time enduring the engine noise in the passenger seat. Yet it was luxuriosly civilized compared to the Lotus and looked a lot less "boy racer on drugs". Plus, no disrespect to Lotus, but the Toyota outsourced engine really isn't very impressive. If the car didn't have the curb weight of Lance Armstrong's bicycle, that 4 banger wouldn't cut it. The S2000's engine is an engineering marvel by comparison.
 
If a Cayman buyer is cross shopping it against the BMW M coupe, Audi TT coupe, or other car more in its category, then I think it is by far the superior car. But, like I said, I'm with you on feeling the 997 is really what Porsche is all about.

#1466 of 2170 Re: My experience..The Cayman [habitat1] by tagman

Mar 31, 2007 (3:57 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Mar 31, 2007 12:42 pm)
I agree about the cross-shopping points you made. The Lotus is generally not a consideration. It is the exception, and it gets down to basics. It's a purist car in its own right. I recently owned one and the Toyota engine needs too many rpm. The Exige S has solved that now and it is THE Lotus to get. I have NEVER driven a car that stuck to the road like it. It was the special "Sport Elise" version, and it had a special track handling suspension that is not standard on the typical cars. The Exige S, however, is a car to be reckoned with. For track guys, it's an amazing machine, especially for the money. Credit where credit is due.
 
But we totally agree on the current Carrera S Cab... For my tastes, overall it's the best car I've ever owned at any price.
 
TagMan

#1468 of 2170 Bluetooth by sborowski

Apr 01, 2007 (6:21 am)

Does anyone know why Porsche doesn't have Bluetooth capability in any of their cars? Might this be available any time soon? It seems to be pretty much standard everywhere else these days. Even my daughters Acura TSX has Bluetooth capability.

#1469 of 2170 Lube and tranny oil heaters by blckislandguy

Apr 01, 2007 (5:46 pm)

A quick read of a Toyota Tundra ad indicates that they have not only a transmission cooler but also a tranny lube oil warmer. I'm puzzled why Porsche --of all manufacturers---doesen't offer an automatic engine lube oil prewarmer. It wouldn't have to be too elaborate, maybe simply something that warms the lube oil for the first two minutes after the car is started. As far as I know, nothing is available in the aftermarket (beyond various block heater that you plug in).

#1470 of 2170 Re: Bluetooth [sborowski] by habitat1

Apr 02, 2007 (3:47 am)

Replying to: sborowski (Apr 01, 2007 6:21 am)
Bluetooth? I think if some Porsche engineers had their way, you'd be cranking up your windows and holding your soda can between your legs. The voice activated / touch screen Navigation systems in our two Acuras are far superior in ease of use to the Porsche nav system and the upgraded Porsche Bose sound system is only average at best. Porsche does offer an integrated phone option with their PCM, but it's expensive and my friend who got it says it's not worth it. Maybe bluetooth is coming, but don't hold your breath.
 
That said, over the past 18 months, I've put 12,700 miles on my 911S and 3,100 on my TL 6-speed. I guess that tells you I'd rather be driving the Porsche while my cell phone goes unanswered than yapping away behind the wheel of my Acura.

Messages Page 147 of 217

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