Hello,
I'm new to this forum, so a quick introduction: I have an
S2000
and a classic
911
. Having seen theCayman I am on the verge of placing an order (June delivery - which works as far as numbers are concerned). I've also had a Civic TypeR, TVR Cerbera, TVR Chimaera and a bunch of Celica's. Since getting the
911
I've suddenly 'got' what's special about a Porker and the
Cayman
does seem to be for me.
So, telling friends and running the idea past people I've heard too many times that 'its just a
Boxster
with a roof' and its starting to nark me.
From reading the reviews I have come up with the following list:
60% of comonents different
250% improvement in torsional regidity
200% improvement in bending resistance
7 seconds quicker round the ring - 8.11 (Walter Rohrl)
More power
Faster
Engine has variocam variable valve timing
I know I'm missing some stuff. Can someone assist on building my list please?
Thanks
Ben
Welcome, Pikey. It sounds like you're very performance oriented. If that's not 100% of your interest, then certainly a major consideration is style. While the family resemblace to
Boxster
and
911
is strong, the
Cayman
has its unique lines - see other entires on this subject. IMO, the rear quarter view of this car is striking and sexy.
What's withthe 'Porker' reference? I've never heard that one.
Ubermench, it's obviusly a British term, in that case. Porker is a nickname, for obvious reasons. It seemed (at least to me) to have arrived with the 'Yuppies' of the '80s. Don't know it's true origins, sorry.
Pikey, I know exactly what you mean, but for me the term isn't too much of a problem. The
Boxster
has been the best 'sportscar' for the past however-many years, so sticking a tin-top on it, more power, better practicality, and a much cooler image does it for me. Plus the price saving over a
911
with virtually matched track performance is the clincher.
Jack
The term Porker is widely used here in Australia too...
Don't forget in the EVO test the
Boxster S
lapped their test track faster than the 997 C2, so if someone compares the
Cayman
to the
Boxster
say 'Great that means I'll be even faster still!' I also think from the component breakdown weren't there more shared components with the
911
than the
Boxster
?
Frankly I wouldn't worry about it, I'd just invite them to the track to show them what your car can do and let them just try to wipe the smile off your face! Remember the car isn't about what others think about it, it is how much fun the car is for you!
One could say that a
911 coupe
is a
911
Cab with a roof as well. Had the
986
/987 chasis been introduced in 1997 as both roadster and coupe versions none of this nonsensical jabbering about a '
boxster
with a roof' would have taken place.However,just imagine the effecton911 sales of a mid engine coupe with 201 HPthat looks virtually identical, perhaps betterto some eyes, to a 296HP996 coupe for $40-45K compared to 70-75K in 1997 USD. The
Boxster
coupe was not going to be introduced until there was sufficient cosmetic differentiation between it and the
911
series. Personally I don't care if they call it a
Boxster
coupe, that's quite an endorsement in and of itself. It does reveal the bias and to some extent ignorance of those who do not fully appreciate the qualities of this
Porsche
mid-engine chasis.
The mid-engine dynamics are superior to that of the
911
's. Its more intuitive and easy to drive to the limit (not as forgiving though). The
911
is opposite: it takes time to learn and the sublime reward is learning how to handle the beast and make it do tricks. Its a little more forgiving in making mistakes since its slightly slower in responses (due to that engine hanging out at the rear).
I' d love to have a higher powered mid-engine car... the
cayman S
is it! More power than the
boxster
(which was already a lot of fun!). No useless rear seats and an extra trunk in the rear. What more can I guy ask for?
Having raced both mid engine and rear engine cars, Formula Ford and 911SC, I can tell you the driving experience in a
boxster
is closer to the FF than the
911
. All weight in the rear makes for interesting handeling in turns. I believe the
Cayman
will bemuch better than the
Boxster
and the
Boxster
is a much better driving experience on the street than any of the
911
's I have driven including the 997.
{60% of comonents different
250% improvement in torsional regidity
200% improvement in bending resistance
7 seconds quicker round the ring - 8.11 (Walter Rohrl)}
These items are a
Boxster
with a roof. Which is what I was looking for. Only for $5k less rather than $5k more.
{More power}
Yes, but not my much.
{ Faster}
A function of the previous items plus aerodynamics. Coupes are virtually always quicker than convertibles.
Engine has variocam variable valve timing}
Yes, bring it upto the sophistication level of a Honda Civic. I have been critical on the undertuned
Porsche
motors on other threads.
