New Cayman S
04-20-2010, 12:39 AM
#17
Rest in Peace
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To my knowledge there is no work around for having the right tools, other than having a friend who has what you need, like my friend Dave who has a $$ Sharktuner that I can not afford. 
I've had those thoughts too. However, I've realized that there is another absolutely necessary expense: the PWIS-II (or whatever Porsche's calling its diagnostic computer these days) as I very much doubt you can do any worthwhile work on these water-cooled flat six beasties without it. (I also assume that Blown87 is going to suggest a way around that... 
)
I was going to quote that article as well.
Next, take a look at the times for the Audi TTS. A similarly optioned Cayman (not an S) with the same 265 HP will set you back about 15% more than the Audi. An S would be ~30% more. The TTS is three seconds slower than the Cayman S on a 3 minute lap. Bang for the buck and a nicer interior than the Cayman IMO. And ALL bets are off if the 340hp TTRS makes it to the states. It should be priced under the Cayman S. (Sorry for the TT plug, wasn't really my point...)
I had an '08 TT 3.2 (250 hp VR6) for a week as a loaner (wives, btw, are very good at getting nice loaner cars for you...) with the DSG box - which is the "original" so-to-speak PDK.
One thing about the DSG - and I assume also the PDK - is that the gears (or final drive) are WAY short. At idle in first gear the car will happily roll along smoothy at about 3mph. Second is like 6mph. My GTs' minimum speed in 1st gear is about 8mph. The Audi DSG cars - and I assume the PDK p-cars - are wicked fast while those short gears have legs. So, to not run out of legs, they have 7 gears. Nice.
My suspicion is that the DSG/PDK needs a super-short first gear for all of the funky software-controlled automagic clutches to work all the time every time without spilling the martini the driver's holding.
)I was going to quote that article as well.
Next, take a look at the times for the Audi TTS. A similarly optioned Cayman (not an S) with the same 265 HP will set you back about 15% more than the Audi. An S would be ~30% more. The TTS is three seconds slower than the Cayman S on a 3 minute lap. Bang for the buck and a nicer interior than the Cayman IMO. And ALL bets are off if the 340hp TTRS makes it to the states. It should be priced under the Cayman S. (Sorry for the TT plug, wasn't really my point...)
I had an '08 TT 3.2 (250 hp VR6) for a week as a loaner (wives, btw, are very good at getting nice loaner cars for you...) with the DSG box - which is the "original" so-to-speak PDK.
One thing about the DSG - and I assume also the PDK - is that the gears (or final drive) are WAY short. At idle in first gear the car will happily roll along smoothy at about 3mph. Second is like 6mph. My GTs' minimum speed in 1st gear is about 8mph. The Audi DSG cars - and I assume the PDK p-cars - are wicked fast while those short gears have legs. So, to not run out of legs, they have 7 gears. Nice.
My suspicion is that the DSG/PDK needs a super-short first gear for all of the funky software-controlled automagic clutches to work all the time every time without spilling the martini the driver's holding.
04-20-2010, 11:33 AM
#19
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One thing about the DSG - and I assume also the PDK - is that the gears (or final drive) are WAY short. At idle in first gear the car will happily roll along smoothy at about 3mph. Second is like 6mph. My GTs' minimum speed in 1st gear is about 8mph. The Audi DSG cars - and I assume the PDK p-cars - are wicked fast while those short gears have legs. So, to not run out of legs, they have 7 gears. Nice.
My suspicion is that the DSG/PDK needs a super-short first gear for all of the funky software-controlled automagic clutches to work all the time every time without spilling the martini the driver's holding.
My suspicion is that the DSG/PDK needs a super-short first gear for all of the funky software-controlled automagic clutches to work all the time every time without spilling the martini the driver's holding.
My wife's A3 has the 6-speed DSG transmission, and first gear is super-short to get the car moving off the line as quickly as possible, and second comes on a second later [and the throttle response was calibrated so aggressively on the first couple of model years that you'd think there were an extra engine or two under the hood]. It's been a virtually flawless transmission for over 75k miles - and it's made a lot fewer mistakes than I have in my 6-speed Mini!
Last edited by VehiGAZ; 04-21-2010 at 09:51 AM. Reason: Remove unintentional profanity
04-20-2010, 11:41 AM
#20
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A local guy here in OKC has a RUF with a automatic clutch manual transmission done by RUF. You just move the stick and it does all the clutch work. Pretty neat stuff. It also does launch/traction control. The mechanicals fill half the front trunk.
04-20-2010, 01:52 PM
#21
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I need to update my garage picture, as there is a Cayman S in there right now (although it isn't mine - it's a friends car that I am doing some upgrades to).
The car is a lot of fun to drive, it's seriously high-strung though. It feels like it has the metabolism of a rabid weasel, it doesn't settle down, ever. I find it very hard to relax in it when I am driving it. For a car as big and heavy as it is (about the same as my OB, actually) it certainly feels like a nimble, eager featherweight. It's kind of like someone took my 914 and blessed it with a real interior and four times as much power. Which makes sense, actually...
The car is a lot of fun to drive, it's seriously high-strung though. It feels like it has the metabolism of a rabid weasel, it doesn't settle down, ever. I find it very hard to relax in it when I am driving it. For a car as big and heavy as it is (about the same as my OB, actually) it certainly feels like a nimble, eager featherweight. It's kind of like someone took my 914 and blessed it with a real interior and four times as much power. Which makes sense, actually...
04-20-2010, 01:59 PM
#22
Been selling Twinkies on Ebay,
have some extra cash right now.
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have some extra cash right now.
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04-20-2010, 04:22 PM
#23
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04-20-2010, 04:33 PM
#24
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
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04-20-2010, 06:31 PM
#25
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I was at MidOhio for a DE this past weekend. Porshe had two of the new Boxter Spyders giving rides on the track by professional drivers. they had PDK and they left it in auto mode the entire time. they also ran in sport mode.
MAN ... I KNOW part of the experience was the great driver.
I loved it. the engine just wound up to redline and the PDK shift is immediate. and when braking the PDK would blip/downsift as speed dropped. that is one smart tranny. and the chassis/suspension felt unflappable.
the design really looks great in person, top up or top down.
MidOhio is a very technical track, and this guy was just overtaking a lot of fast track cars.
Porsche accomplished their goal.... I want one.
==============================
my wife went on a PCA rally with me a couple weeks ago. she loved the look of the Cayman.
==============================
choices ... choices... but not the funds.
MAN ... I KNOW part of the experience was the great driver.
I loved it. the engine just wound up to redline and the PDK shift is immediate. and when braking the PDK would blip/downsift as speed dropped. that is one smart tranny. and the chassis/suspension felt unflappable.
the design really looks great in person, top up or top down.
MidOhio is a very technical track, and this guy was just overtaking a lot of fast track cars.
Porsche accomplished their goal.... I want one.
==============================
my wife went on a PCA rally with me a couple weeks ago. she loved the look of the Cayman.
==============================
choices ... choices... but not the funds.
04-20-2010, 08:58 PM
#26
Nordschleife Master
If I was going to buy a new Porsche it would be a Cayman S.
To bad the the powers that be are doing the same thing with the Cayman that they did with the 928, IE "We can not let it be faster or quicker than the 911"
I also bet the Cayman owner was going WTF when you were gaining on him.
To bad the the powers that be are doing the same thing with the Cayman that they did with the 928, IE "We can not let it be faster or quicker than the 911"
I also bet the Cayman owner was going WTF when you were gaining on him.
The full lumps themselves arent THAT expensive. Like $12,000 I figure you could sell the brand new 3.4L for half that on Ebay and for 6K you now have a 400HP mid engined porsche coupe. Order yours with the LSD though
Oh and I would still stick with the 6 speed.... PDK is faster, but its not as fun to drive.
04-20-2010, 09:34 PM
#27
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I don't mean the car is unsettled handling-wise, I mean the motor doesn't ever want to just settle in and cruise. The whole car feels like it wants to rocket off into the sunset. It really wants you to drive at 9/10ths all the time.
04-20-2010, 09:56 PM
#28
Racer
The underlying fact remains... his car was twenty years newer, and you still hung in there, again proving the fact 
928 was before it's time 
928 was before it's time
Last edited by deptotpr; 04-20-2010 at 09:57 PM. Reason: sp
04-20-2010, 10:31 PM
#29
Race Director
The 928 is a "fast" car.....a boosted 928 is a VERY fast car......but there are LOTS of fast cars out there today.....
Just consider the $$$ factor..... A highly optioned Cayman S with PDK can be $80k..... and it didn't beat an 928 with an SC.....
Kinda like the 2008 Viper ACR I caught on track this weekend.....in an 84 automatic.....talk about embarassing $100k purpose built track toy caught by a $256 lemons racer?
Just consider the $$$ factor..... A highly optioned Cayman S with PDK can be $80k..... and it didn't beat an 928 with an SC.....
Kinda like the 2008 Viper ACR I caught on track this weekend.....in an 84 automatic.....talk about embarassing $100k purpose built track toy caught by a $256 lemons racer?
04-20-2010, 10:53 PM
#30
Instructor
The Cayman is an extremely nice car, in its own way, quite different from the 928.
It is fun and interesting to drive, the handling is superior in all aspects to the 928.
When the 928 can be rewaring to drive around cruising slowly, listening to the discreete rumble, the Cayman is more fun the harder you drive it - the engine sound gets excellent once you put the pedal down and get above 5000 rpm, but is really just annoying in normal traffic.
With proper springs and wheels the 928 also has lots of grip, but it feels big and sluggish compared to the Cayman.
Both cars are very good, and delivers what was promised - the ultimate GT, or the ultimate sports car.
It is fun and interesting to drive, the handling is superior in all aspects to the 928.
When the 928 can be rewaring to drive around cruising slowly, listening to the discreete rumble, the Cayman is more fun the harder you drive it - the engine sound gets excellent once you put the pedal down and get above 5000 rpm, but is really just annoying in normal traffic.
With proper springs and wheels the 928 also has lots of grip, but it feels big and sluggish compared to the Cayman.
Both cars are very good, and delivers what was promised - the ultimate GT, or the ultimate sports car.