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Article Comments - 2007 Porsche Cayman Follow-Up Test

24 messages,  Last post on May 31, 2010 at 7:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Porsche Cayman, Coupe

Article comments for Follow-Up Test: 2007 Porsche Cayman - The Cayman idles quietly at around 48 decibels (about 10 times quieter than a vacuum cleaner), but with a dash of deep bass tossed in for what must be marketing purposes. (more)

Messages Page 2 of 3

#5 of 24 Re: As a 911S owner... [habitat1] by fedlawman

Dec 21, 2006 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Dec 21, 2006 11:17 am)
I would have to say that the M Coupe and Corvette are not even close to being pigs. They may not be to your liking, but they remain powerful, lightweight, purpose built sports cars just like the Cayman.
 
Along with the S2000, they are among the best sports cars on the planet, and very worthy alternatives to the Cayman - especially one so woefully underpowered as the 2.7L model.
 
IMHO, a non-S Cayman, like the Boxster, is a "secretaries car."

#6 of 24 Re: As a 911S owner... [fedlawman] by habitat1

Dec 21, 2006 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Dec 21, 2006 12:24 pm)
My "pig" reference was not to the Z4M or Corvette, but the others. And admittedly inappropriate anyway. I should have tried the "value is in the eye of the beholder".
 
What is "woefully underpowered" to you is still among the best handling and most visceral sports cars available to those that prefer the scalpal to the sledgehammer. I'd almost always take precision handling, steering and driving dynamics over buckets of neck snapping torque, but less overall refinement. And relatively little things like the imprecise shifter in the Corvette vs. my former S2000 or current 911 drive me nuts. I know it's not beyond the capabilities of GM engineers, but they just don't prioritize what's important to me.
 
I do agree, however, that if you can afford the Cayman, it's worth scrapping together the extra nickels to get the Cayman S. Secretary or not.

#7 of 24 Re: As a 911S owner... [habitat1] by fedlawman

Dec 21, 2006 (3:45 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Dec 21, 2006 1:01 pm)
"I'd almost always take precision handling, steering and driving dynamics over buckets of neck snapping torque, but less overall refinement."
 
I agree, handling is the top priority for me too (I do own an E30 BMW after all). However, if I were in the market for a new Porsche, one of my priorities would be that it should be faster off the line than my mom's Camry.

#8 of 24 Re: As a 911S owner... [fedlawman] by habitat1

Dec 22, 2006 (6:47 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Dec 21, 2006 3:45 pm)
"However, if I were in the market for a new Porsche, one of my priorities would be that it should be faster off the line than my mom's Camry."
 
Sounds reasonable...but, we do have an increasing number of Camry type vehicles that are getting more and more horsepower stuffed under the hood. Hell, AMG decided to stuff a 500hp engine in the R63, essentially a mini-van. I think I could take it in a 1/4 mile drag race with my 911S, but I wouldn't bet the house on it. It would certainly have left my former S2000 in its formidable two+ ton wake.
 
There will always be those that think the drag race is the epitome of manlihood. Even if they do it in an over-engined Camry or AMG minivan with a slushbox. I'll take your E30 anyday.
 
Happy Holidays.

#9 of 24 Re: As a 911S owner... [habitat1] by bgsntth

Dec 24, 2006 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Dec 22, 2006 6:47 am)
The 2.7 is a gem over the entire span of its rev range, especially after 4K. A sonorous blend with good thrust.
 
The base Cayman is all about balance between engine, chassis and brakes; and is a wonderful driver's car. The car is absolutely wicked on my daily commute through city streets, one-lane mountain roads, and freeway cruising.If you are criticizing it over a lack of horsepower, your arguments are falling on deaf ears. I have mine and am completely enthralled.
 
Fedlawman, your comments about it being woefully underpowered and a secretaries car are ridiculous. Some of us do not need horsepower stats to make us feel manly. Comments like that remind me of when I used to track my Miata in the late 90's, and rarely found the stock or slightily modified Mustang, Camaro, or Corvette that could stay with me around Sears Point. BTW, I'm 6'4", 210lbs, and surfed 10-15 foot Ocean Beach, SF, this morning. No paddling channels, and breaking a half mile out to sea. Did not see any secretaries in the line-up.Ocean Beach, SF

#10 of 24 Re: As a 911S owner... [bgsntth] by fedlawman

Dec 25, 2006 (9:15 pm)

Replying to: bgsntth (Dec 24, 2006 4:59 pm)
Relax bgsntth.
 
I'm a hard-core supporter of "inertia cars" and will always choose nimble, neutral handling over horsepower. My sports car history includes owning an Alfa Romeo Spider, Mazda Miata, and a BMW 325is, among other small displacement track stars.
 
My comment was a reflection of the times we now live in, and modern expectations. Today, Camry's, Accords, and other family sedans all offer 250HP or more, and accelerate from a stop to 60 MPH in under 6 seconds.
 
My Alfa Romeo was a 10 second 0-60 MPH car, and at the time, it was actually considered pretty quick. It was also one of the most enjoyable sports cars I have ever owned/driven.
 
The Cayman is a fine sports car that is quick, nimble, fun to drive, and well deserving of the Porsche crest. In my opinion, the 3.4L Cayman S is a worthy alternative to the 911, and a fantastic sports car with no compromises or short cuts. The 2.7L Cayman, on the other hand, is simply a product of price-cutting. I'd never fault anyone for driving a Cayman, it's simply a terrific car. Personally though, I'd choose the lighter, more responsive Miata and pocket the left over $30,000.

#11 of 24 Its cool. by bgsntth

Dec 26, 2006 (9:58 am)

If I were three inches shorter, I would probably have a new MX-5. Unlike my '95 R-package, the combination of very little seat cushioning to carve-out and air-bags in the seats, pretty much rule-out the current MX-5.
 
The Cayman is one of the few true sportcars that folks my size can fit into. And believe it or not, the lease deal I received was comparable to the best quotes I could find on an A3, and only a little more than a Mini S.

#12 of 24 Re: Its cool. [bgsntth] by fedlawman

Dec 26, 2006 (10:47 am)

Replying to: bgsntth (Dec 26, 2006 9:58 am)
That's too bad. I'm 5'8" so I never worry about fitting in a car.
 
I had a 94 Miata with the "C Package" (tan leather, tan top, power windows, etc.) and Limited Slip. We kept it in the family 10 years, and loved every mile in it.
 
Sounds like you did very well on your Cayman. Enjoy it!

#13 of 24 Cayman by demetrius

Dec 31, 2006 (3:19 pm)

I own a non-s Cayman and without a doubt can tell you it is a pleasure to drive and this is from a guy that came from an Impreza STI. Yea the STI would beat the Cayman in a straight line, but the Cayman makes up for it in smooth driving dynamics that are tolerable on a daily basis.
 
What people fail to realize is that it weighs 2900 lbs so all the horsepower is not wasted pushing a pig around. The entire driving experience is total nirvana. I am invigorated everytime I drive it and look forward to being in traffic.
 
Lastly, owning a Porsche is an ego trip like no other. You always get valet in the front and you just feel like a super star when you are in it. This is a vehicle that is not all about the speed- it's like owning a Rolex.

#14 of 24 Re: Cayman [demetrius] by fedlawman

Dec 31, 2006 (4:08 pm)

Replying to: demetrius (Dec 31, 2006 3:19 pm)
"it's like owning a Rolex."
 
Thanks, I'll keep my 10 year old Omega. All of the performance, with none of the pretense.

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