Better than a base 911?

dertub · 06-27-2009, 10:04 PM

So, what do all you Cayman lovers think? Is the S better than a base 911? Or, is it just in the "eye of the beholder"? I drove one and thought it was too confining < I might have have had a claustrophobic experience > after driving a 911 for 8 years. Maybe I just need to get back to the roots of an early 911. I have not counted it out.

Thanks.

Dave DE · 06-28-2009, 12:34 AM

I have heard other people make similar observations as you on the interior feel, so you are not alone. I guess it's just what you are used to. I really enjoy my CS, especially on the track. I find it very stable and controllable, overall an easy car to drive fast. But that's just my opinion - nothing wrong with a 911 either.

Dave

JSF101 · 06-28-2009, 01:49 AM

I feel completely at home in the cockpit of my Cayman S. Check out the Cayman Club for their "impressions" and you'll get very strong opinions favoring the Cayman. Go to the 997 forums here or elsewhere and the Cayman is clearly the second fiddle in the lineup. Don't think "better" is really the right question. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of threads debating the "better" question, whether it's 911 versus Cayman or Vette or GT-R or R-8 or whatever. What do you like? What are you using it for? It's like going to a garage sale, one person's junk is another's treasure. I like the looks of a Cayman better than the 911 and I'm not overwhelmed by more horsepower. I don't trade cars every couple of years. Having driven the 911 and 911S at PSDS recently, I'd like to have one but...would be just as happy in a new Cayman or Boxster.

pedsurg · 06-29-2009, 09:25 PM

6th p-car including 997 and the cayman is the best driver yet, particularly as a DD. I love the engine behind me (rather than axle) and the two trunks it allows. I had many people (kids) in the rear of the 911's but seldom ever for a second time. Much less of a GT experience.

Jack

mooty · 06-29-2009, 09:41 PM

dertub, drive one for a while to see if you like it at all. some will never like them.
beside CGT, GT3, GT3, i will take a cayman S over any current porsche offerings. that includes turbo.
and you know how many GT3's i have had!

but i also know many ppl who just dont like cayman period. so you got to figure this one out yourself!

skl · 07-01-2009, 01:17 AM

My son loves his Cayman S and I enjoy driving it everytime he lets me!

Interior does feell tighter than a 911 but I'm used to a 914 (with the firewall RIGHT behind you) so 911's feel wide open. The Cayman feels as tight as my GT3 did, just obviously not as fast... lots of them here at the parade and they look GOOD...

soltino · 07-01-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skl

My son loves his Cayman S and I enjoy driving it everytime he lets me!

Interior does feell tighter than a 911 but I'm used to a 914 (with the firewall RIGHT behind you) so 911's feel wide open. The Cayman feels as tight as my GT3 did, just obviously not as fast... lots of them here at the parade and they look GOOD...

4.1 0-60; not much slower. (-%

tino

medtech · 07-02-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dertub

So, what do all you Cayman lovers think? Is the S better than a base 911? Or, is it just in the "eye of the beholder"? I drove one and thought it was too confining < I might have have had a claustrophobic experience > after driving a 911 for 8 years. Maybe I just need to get back to the roots of an early 911. I have not counted it out.

Thanks.

+1 on the claustrophobic feel.

djcxxx · 07-08-2009, 05:52 PM

I moved out of an 06 Cayman S into an 09 C2S Cab. Needs and interests change, but I thought the Cayman was a terrific car, a true Porsche without reservation. I enjoy the 3.8L engine, PDK, and alfresco driving w/ the C2S, but the Cayman was more nimble and easier to drive fast w/ confidence. The 997 is a far cry from older 911s in terms of rear weight quirkiness, but with so much power on tap driving technique is still important. The 997 has a larger interior than the Cayman, but if you compare the Cayman to an early 911 you'll realize that the Cayman isn't cramped, people have just gotten larger!

There's no right or wrong answer, just pick what works best for your needs.

Deanriffs · 07-13-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soltino

4.1 0-60; not much slower. (-%

tino

I believe the manufacturer spec is 5.1, not 4.1 for 0-60 mph for the Cayman S. Still plenty quick for most of us to get in trouble, though.

yemenmocha · 07-14-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medtech

+1 on the claustrophobic feel.

+1 here as well, no room, especially for legs. I did a free Porsche track event and couldn't believe how compact the interior was, and I already thought my 997 was small.

The 0-60 time is nice with the PDK, largely because of the PDK, but I think you'll still be disappointed for acceleration within the gears (for example, how much ooomph you get out of 3rd gear when accelerating onto the highway). There just isn't the same joy from getting your good numbers from fast shifts vs. torque or HP.

Old School · 07-27-2009, 07:26 PM

I traded in my 2002 Turbo for a 2009 CS. I have been waiting many years for the CS to include LSD and a new engine design--2009 is that year. My CS odometer just turned over 2000 miles so I finally unleased the hounds. This is a car that I find to be more fun than any car that I have owned. Wonderful balance of power to weight. I agree with the earlier poster that I prefer it over any other car manufactured by Porsche. I have owned many 911 variants and the CS is really something special and I cannot understand why anyone would buy a 911 after driving a CS with two exceptions--there is a tighter cockpit feeling that larger people may find uncomfortable either physically or emotionally, or they do not like the look/design of the car.

And did I mention the sublime sound of the exhaust and sub-3,000 lb. weight? Marvelous and elegant driving experience. Warning: not suited for anyone who likes the acceleration of a Corvette.

pedsurg · 07-27-2009, 09:48 PM

Old: I've read very few reviews of the new dfi and lsd. Any additional thoughts to share ??

Jack

Old School · 07-28-2009, 05:21 PM

Jack,

The DFI enabled engine delivers power very smoothly. I cannot say specifically about the DFI itself. I have a pre DFI 3.4 L engine converted to my Boxster race car. When comparing the two, the new DFI 3.4 is hands down quieter, torquer, and smoother. The new engine design with fewer casting parts and no intermediate shaft is a real blessing.

The LSD should be standard, but this is Porsche---they would charge for a steering wheel if they could. Wait a minute, they can--- I paid $510 for a thicker steering wheel on my CS. I would not have this car without LSD. I have noticed good stability in the wet with LSD. Other than that, I cannot say any more at this point. If you drive agressively or in wet and/or snowy roads, mechanical LSD speaks for itself. The fake electronic LSD is to be avoided. I also have LSD on my Boxster race car, but it was far more expensive as it was a purchase from Porsche racing division. I cannot tell any difference between them at this time.

Riz · 07-28-2009, 09:19 PM

No way - the Cayman has great balance but it doesn't have the depth of even the base 911. The Cayman is a good car, it would have been even better if they just move the engine back a bit. It is a good car if you already have a 911. I would get a 911 first( even a pre-owned one).

06-27-2009, 10:04 PM	#1
dertub Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: In the Potomac River Posts: 736	Better than a base 911? So, what do all you Cayman lovers think? Is the S better than a base 911? Or, is it just in the "eye of the beholder"? I drove one and thought it was too confining < I might have have had a claustrophobic experience > after driving a 911 for 8 years. Maybe I just need to get back to the roots of an early 911. I have not counted it out. Thanks.

06-29-2009, 09:25 PM	#4
pedsurg Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,256	6th p-car including 997 and the cayman is the best driver yet, particularly as a DD. I love the engine behind me (rather than axle) and the two trunks it allows. I had many people (kids) in the rear of the 911's but seldom ever for a second time. Much less of a GT experience. Jack __________________ '96 993 silver track '97 993 S guards red non track rennlist member #031205-4808

06-29-2009, 09:41 PM	#5
mooty Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: san francisco Posts: 12,943	dertub, drive one for a while to see if you like it at all. some will never like them. beside CGT, GT3, GT3, i will take a cayman S over any current porsche offerings. that includes turbo. and you know how many GT3's i have had! but i also know many ppl who just dont like cayman period. so you got to figure this one out yourself! __________________ PCA National Certified Instructor HWFMR Team Director of "Unsanctioned" Track Events Rennlist Member #021125-3378

07-01-2009, 01:17 AM	#6
skl Mark Webber's new agent Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,939	My son loves his Cayman S and I enjoy driving it everytime he lets me! Interior does feell tighter than a 911 but I'm used to a 914 (with the firewall RIGHT behind you) so 911's feel wide open. The Cayman feels as tight as my GT3 did, just obviously not as fast... lots of them here at the parade and they look GOOD... __________________ 1971 914- original owner 1973 914 2.0 2008 F250 PSD 2003 Mini Cooper S 2006 A8 sport SWB 2008 M3 convertible 2008 Ducati GT 1000 SRF #623 racecar 1996 Miata race car (Gulf blue/orange of course) PCA member since 1971 gone 2004 Cayenne S 2004 GT3 1971 914-6 1965 356 cab 1984 944 1990 964 1995 993 coupe 1995 993 cab

07-27-2009, 09:48 PM	#13
pedsurg Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,256	Old: I've read very few reviews of the new dfi and lsd. Any additional thoughts to share ?? Jack __________________ '96 993 silver track '97 993 S guards red non track rennlist member #031205-4808

06-28-2009, 12:34 AM	#2
Dave DE User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: DE Posts: 100	I have heard other people make similar observations as you on the interior feel, so you are not alone. I guess it's just what you are used to. I really enjoy my CS, especially on the track. I find it very stable and controllable, overall an easy car to drive fast. But that's just my opinion - nothing wrong with a 911 either. Dave

06-28-2009, 01:49 AM	#3
JSF101 User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 8	I feel completely at home in the cockpit of my Cayman S. Check out the Cayman Club for their "impressions" and you'll get very strong opinions favoring the Cayman. Go to the 997 forums here or elsewhere and the Cayman is clearly the second fiddle in the lineup. Don't think "better" is really the right question. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of threads debating the "better" question, whether it's 911 versus Cayman or Vette or GT-R or R-8 or whatever. What do you like? What are you using it for? It's like going to a garage sale, one person's junk is another's treasure. I like the looks of a Cayman better than the 911 and I'm not overwhelmed by more horsepower. I don't trade cars every couple of years. Having driven the 911 and 911S at PSDS recently, I'd like to have one but...would be just as happy in a new Cayman or Boxster.

07-08-2009, 05:52 PM	#9
djcxxx Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 188	I moved out of an 06 Cayman S into an 09 C2S Cab. Needs and interests change, but I thought the Cayman was a terrific car, a true Porsche without reservation. I enjoy the 3.8L engine, PDK, and alfresco driving w/ the C2S, but the Cayman was more nimble and easier to drive fast w/ confidence. The 997 is a far cry from older 911s in terms of rear weight quirkiness, but with so much power on tap driving technique is still important. The 997 has a larger interior than the Cayman, but if you compare the Cayman to an early 911 you'll realize that the Cayman isn't cramped, people have just gotten larger! There's no right or wrong answer, just pick what works best for your needs.

07-27-2009, 07:26 PM	#12
Old School New User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: OH Posts: 3	I traded in my 2002 Turbo for a 2009 CS. I have been waiting many years for the CS to include LSD and a new engine design--2009 is that year. My CS odometer just turned over 2000 miles so I finally unleased the hounds. This is a car that I find to be more fun than any car that I have owned. Wonderful balance of power to weight. I agree with the earlier poster that I prefer it over any other car manufactured by Porsche. I have owned many 911 variants and the CS is really something special and I cannot understand why anyone would buy a 911 after driving a CS with two exceptions--there is a tighter cockpit feeling that larger people may find uncomfortable either physically or emotionally, or they do not like the look/design of the car. And did I mention the sublime sound of the exhaust and sub-3,000 lb. weight? Marvelous and elegant driving experience. Warning: not suited for anyone who likes the acceleration of a Corvette.

07-28-2009, 05:21 PM	#14
Old School New User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: OH Posts: 3	Jack, The DFI enabled engine delivers power very smoothly. I cannot say specifically about the DFI itself. I have a pre DFI 3.4 L engine converted to my Boxster race car. When comparing the two, the new DFI 3.4 is hands down quieter, torquer, and smoother. The new engine design with fewer casting parts and no intermediate shaft is a real blessing. The LSD should be standard, but this is Porsche---they would charge for a steering wheel if they could. Wait a minute, they can--- I paid $510 for a thicker steering wheel on my CS. I would not have this car without LSD. I have noticed good stability in the wet with LSD. Other than that, I cannot say any more at this point. If you drive agressively or in wet and/or snowy roads, mechanical LSD speaks for itself. The fake electronic LSD is to be avoided. I also have LSD on my Boxster race car, but it was far more expensive as it was a purchase from Porsche racing division. I cannot tell any difference between them at this time.

07-28-2009, 09:19 PM	#15
Riz User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 415	No way - the Cayman has great balance but it doesn't have the depth of even the base 911. The Cayman is a good car, it would have been even better if they just move the engine back a bit. It is a good car if you already have a 911. I would get a 911 first( even a pre-owned one).