0 - 60 mph Mind Game

I want my detuning UNDONE! Here are some examples of not so special rides that cost half of what the Cayman costs. Look a the 0 - 60! Chrysler Crossfire SRT 0 - 6- mph 4.8 Mercedes SLK350 0 - 60 mph 5.4 Pontiac GTO 0 - 60 mph 4.8 Ford Mustang GT 0 - 60 mph 5.1 Honda S2000 0 - 60 mph 5.5 Lotus Elise 0 -60 mph 4.8 Toyota Avalon 0 -60 mph 6.0 Infiniti M45 0 - 60 mph 5.5 Lexus GS430 0 - 60 mph 5.7 Chevy Impala 0 - 60 mph 5.7 Acura TL 0 - 60 mph 5.9 Lexus IS 350 0 - 60 mph 5.1 Subaru Legacy 0 –60 mph 5.7 Pontiac Gran Prix 0 - 60 mph 5.7 I guess you could say it is just a mind game, but I want all the hp I can get if it will get me to 60 quicker than Pontiac. Russ Edited by - RussK on 11/19/2005 6:53:42 PM

It isn't about zero to sixty - unless you throw in a bunch of curves. Cayman is about handling period./fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/drive.gifAnd unless you dyno your car yourself don't believe all the increased hp claims for various add ons/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wall.gif.

SF, I know it isn't all about the best 0-60, but I can't help but like the feeling of know that mine is quicker than theirs! Childish, yes perhaps, but this car is bringing out a part of me that has been buried for some time now, and I am having a lot of fun with it. Aloha Russ

RussK.... I feel your pain. If the 0-60 times were better, I wouldn't have stepped up to a Carrera S and instead would have been in line fora WhiteCayman S in January. Life is full of compromises. But don't worry about those 0-60 times. The mere fact that turns always come into play will be to your advantage. Not many cars can handle turns at 70+ mph. There will always be faster cars. But if you feel the way I do, I'd always like knowing that if I needed to, I could smoke 'em!

Russ, There are only two cars on that list that I'd consider, the GTO and the Elise. The GTO is about 3700 lbs and that is the reason I have given up on it. The Elise is around 1900 lbs (about right in my book) but in the US it has the very peaky Celica motor. However, as much as like the Elise, I could never get my wife in it. The rest of the cars on the list have odd bits and pieces that just turn me off (including the decent S2000). The front wheel drive cars just don't do anything for me at all (and don't get me started on what I think of Grand Prixs ; -).

Is it true that Porsche Marketing is behind both the detuning and removal of the limited-slip-differential in the Cayman S? I still cannot get myself over the fact that the new Honda Civic Si will come with a LSD and the Cayman does not /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/angry_smile.gif If we say that HP is not everything because the Cayman is more about HANDLING, then shouldn't the LSD be kept in the name of handling?

We had another thread on this.... Russ, maybe this will make you feel better. http://www.planet-9.com/topic.asp?T...&CAT_ID=1&Topic_Title=List+of+cars+faster+than+a+Cayman&Forum_Title=Cayman+Chat

A car needs more than very good 0-60 times to stand out from the "pack" is the most significant conclusion from your data. Unless you believe that a) 0-60 time of 3-4 sec is a practical and desirable goal for street use; or b) the cars you list above do deliver equal performance are in fact equivalent to each other, some other indices of performance are required to differentiate these decidedly disimilar cars. You have actually made the case for Porsche's practice of emphasizing other aspects of performance rather than the numbers generated solely by HP.

Interestingly enough, as much as I don't like to use 0-60 times as a reference, it is a marker for porsche performance. Porsche cars have less horsepower but for some reason come out ahead in the races (handling and weight become factors). One magazine got the cayman to go 4.8 sec for 0-60mph. I think it mentioned PSM was off and it dropped the clutch at 4500rpm. If you really want to match the speed ofa pontiacgto, you'll be able to at the expense of the clutch!

Thanks for the great feedback. I can understand what Dave is saying, but I guess it would simply be more of a psychological thing than a practical one for me. Chuck I think you understand exactly what I am feeling. I did go look at that other thread as Chris suggested and I think Atlas Croc said a mouthful with this, ' The only reason I would focus on the 0-60, 0-100, or 1/4 mile in this instance is the fact that I didn't want to purchase a $70K Porsche that would get blown away by a 6 year old BMW M3 or even matched by a Boxster...... in a straight line at least. Porsche intended the car to slot between the Boxster and 911 in performance and priced it there also. So why wouldn't I expect better performance numbers from it? I think Porsche did a fine job after looking at the first reviews.' Don't get me wrong, I still think this is an awesome automobile! I just wouldn't mind sqeezing a little more out of it if it is possible, if not no biggy. Aloha Russ

Russ, I've had cars that did 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, but to be honest I coundn'ttell muchdifference from the slower stuff like the 996 or my impreza turbo. 0-60meansnothing more than bragging rights in the real world and as long as the 0-60 time is about 5 seconds, then it's fast enough.

I'VE HAD CARS THAT WOULD SMOKE THE TIRES COMPLETELY THROUGH 1ST AND 2ND GEARS BUT I HAVE GROWN UP NOW. I DARE U TO TAKE A GTO THROUGH AN OFF CAMBER TURN IN THE SMOKIE MTNS ATHIGH SPEED. SNEAKING THROUGH THESE ROADS ARE WHY WE DRIVE PORSCHE MID ENGINES. (OH, I'LL BE DOING JUST THAT IN 2 WEEKS!) MIKE

Thanks Guys, I get the point, IMaybe I just have too much time on my hands waiting for my car. I seem to be reading anything and everything I can get my hands and probably overthinking the whole. But I do appreciate the feedback from those of you who are more in the know than I am. Mahalo Russ

I think the PSM offsets the lack of a limited slip. The car should not get upset in an off camber turn with the computer on. I hope turning PSM off will not cause one wheel to spin and the rpm to jump! We'll just have to see at the first track day (hopefully in Savannah at Roebling). RussK if you come to Savannah you can drive mine, just bring a few of those Island cuties.../fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/teeth_smile.gif

The AWD 997 Turbo will probably become king of the hill in 0-60. HP + traction. The SL65 or CL65 will both put you in the low 4s on their way to mid 11 sec 1/4 mile times. However, for the same money as a Cayman, with similar interior room and storage, better luggage capacity, and better fuel mileage, you could get a Z06 Corvette. It will beat the Cayman in 0-60 by over a second. Four seconds quicker to 100. Nearly 2 seconds and 20mph quicker in the 1/4 mile. A stock Corvette will also beat the Cayman by over 1/2 second to 60 and nearly a second in the 1/4 mile. For $15-25k less. However their are other tradeoffs with the Corvette. Mainly in feel, refinement, and luxury cruising features. However on a race track, your mother in the Z06 would probably beat you in your Cayman S. The real issue is a G35 sedan has a 298hp 3.5L V6, and the Cayman S (the S model, not the base) has 295 from a similarly sized motor (less than 3% smaller).

I keep hearing reference to corvette etc which i am sure are great cars. You may recollect from my first test drive in singapore comment that I had a HSV 5.7 litre chev motor and I loved it. I could also spend 3k on a ****box and work it up to be quarter mile weapon. I am sure there are plenty of cheap'ish purpose built track cars you could buy that your grandmother could drive that would beat the corvette!...where does the madness end. I dont really care though, I have driven the cayman and I am in love! I cant think of anything else unless my wife taps me on shoulder for some action. If its not powerful enough for anyone then buy something else. My test drive was a real blast and it is certainly more than fast enough for the real world.

It just bugs me when I read that a Cadilac CTS V is doing a 0 - 60 mph in 4.6. and a Dodge Charger 4.9 sec. Russ

Well, Porsche are reserved for certain enthusiasts. Most people don't appreciate them unless: a) They've always wanted one since they were young because it was THE car to have. b) They've driven one. We all know and remember how that felt... driving a porsche for the first time! c) They've seen one up close and noticed the beauty in the details. Those 0-60 times are reserved for bragging rights, but I think it is also a point of comparison. RussK, it does bother me also that a charger and a sedan such as the cadi CTS-V can match/beat a porsche off the line! Porsche is a performance brand car maker, and should at least beat all other cars in or below their price range at all comparative tests!

It is really only a small annoyance is the grand scheme of things. I think I fit all of those catagories you mentioned, and you are right about the 0 -60 being mostly for bragging rights. With the streets we have here in Hawaii I probably will never use half of the power packed into that car. Aloha Russ

Porsche,...... it's al about passion/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/hi.gif

I have to give an answer to this. Porsches are about the package. They don't come cheap and except for the top models can be beaten 0-60 by many cars that cost less. Like all Porsche owners I have to contend with the 0-60 and cost mumbles from folks who have never had the opportunity to drive a Porsche at speed and many don't even own what they're bragging about. One of the great comebacks, is at the cost of our cras, we can tell them 'If I wanted an ZXY-V8 I would have bought one'.

I've had a number of high-performance cars over the past 45 years and frankly, I can only think of once when I ever tried to get a street-racer start at a stoplight. I was 17 at the time. My choice of a car as an adult isn't really about a few tenths of a second in acceleration. Here's what <u>Road and Track</u> said you do to get that 4.8 second time - rev the engine up to 4500 rpm and drop the clutch, loading the throttle to maintain high rpm's. If you actually drive like that, it's no wonder you change cars every year./fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/crazy.gif

The trouble with the new Corvette (to me) is the crowd driving the billions that will bemade! Old ladys and guys with big Italian gold peppers (or horns) around their necks. They don't give a rats *** about perfromance and will probably never track the car. I took a hard look at the new vette, but in the end it was my use and enjoyment, not the 0 to 60.

I think I will get over the 0 - 60 thing, it just seems now the first thing I am looking for is the 0 -60 sec notes in all the magazines I pick up. I also think the 0 - 60 was important to me because my 330Ci was 6.7! And I always felt like it was under powered. I am sure I will be very happy with my 5.1 or as R&T says 4.8 0 - 60 when the car arrives. I like what Ramiel said, ' it's about passion'. Aloha Russ

I had a chance to test my all-wheel drive 2001 GMC C3 truck (some magazines called it the Porsche C4 of trucks ( www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/Pickup_Trucks/2001_GMC_C3.S275.A3808.html ) recently. It will do 0-60 in just under 8 seconds and is fairly quick on a road course. But that is not what I use if for. It hauls stuff from the DIY store and the garden store and is my airport car. The Cayman will also have its on purpose- handling notdrag race and to put smiles on my face every weekend. I think it is how and what you use the car for that counts. Besides there aren't many on the faster to 60 list I'd want to drive everyday.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr id="quote" noshade="noshade" height="1" /> - rev the engine up to 4500 rpm and drop the clutch, loading the throttle to maintain high rpm's. If you actually drive like that, it's no wonder you change cars every year./fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/crazy.gif <hr id="quote" noshade="noshade" height="1" /></blockquote> That's a great point regarding the 'slow' 0-60. You've got toreally hammer it no matter what car you're in to get that extra 1/2 sec! To the point of being abusive to the car. I'm sure there are some real hardcores out there, but I haven't seen people do that in informal street races. I was in an 05 Ferrari 360 with the 'race' option package (didn't get drive it but went for a great ride! Thanks to Monster Cable). It's got this button labled LC. Launch Control. Coolest feature I've ever heard of. There's no clutch, so it takes off like an automatic. It'd be a real bummer to lose an off the line race to just about any manual transmission driver that is willing to launch hard. So you press the LC button and the computer takes the engine about 3/4 to red-ine and slams it into gear. Like going from N to D- BANG! Sick! What made me think of that story was that the LC button has a reset timer on it, you can't just press it repeatedly. Obviously, it hammers the car. Edited by - chrismillion on 11/22/2005 12:21:29 AM