10 out of 10 for Cayman - Page 3 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

http://www.carwow.co.uk/car-reviews/Porsche/Cayman... Best Performance car 2014

Meh, boring. Too digital and over assisted. My money is going on a 2nd hand Aston or Ferrari next, far more entertaining.

Have the schools broken up already? There's not the slightest doubt in my mind that Boxster/Cayman are a couple of the world's best ever sportscars - at any price. SkinnyP - when you get your Ferrari; feel free to drop back with some pics. Don't keep us waiting too long....

Ozzie Osmond said: Have the schools broken up already? There's not the slightest doubt in my mind that Boxster/Cayman are a couple of the world's best ever sportscars - at any price. SkinnyP - when you get your Ferrari; feel free to drop back with some pics. Don't keep us waiting too long.... Best ever sportcars? I'm sorry but "LOL". How much is a decent 360, £50k odd? Hardly unattainable for people on this forum.

SkinnyP said: How much is a decent 360, £50k odd? Hardly unattainable for people on this forum. If your reasoning was correct there would be no need for Boxster/Cayman at all. We'd all be driving used 911s.

Would love to try a 360 or 430, but I haven't so won't comment on them I do have a V8 Vantage and I can confirm it's a very special car to drive. There's a sense of occasion that's hard to quantify when driving the Aston But as a sports car, my Cayman is significantly better. Nothing I have ever sat is so responsive and agile. The best sports coupe for <£60k new - almost certainly

Why would I want a 911 when I could have a Cayman? Anyway the new Cayman probably is faster, more usable, practical and god knows what else than a Vantage, 360 or whatever but that’s not really my point. The latter two will buzz, fizz and have you tingle from head to toe. The new 981 is just like driving a Ford Focus, and I don’t want a Ford Focus I want a sports car.

SkinnyP said: Best ever sportcars? I'm sorry but "LOL". How much is a decent 360, £50k odd? Hardly unattainable for people on this forum. Good luck to you with that one. Poorly built and expensive to run.....not my idea of fun car ownership. I appreciate good build quality and being able to put 35K miles on the thing each year without drama = Porsche. But each to their own.

SkinnyP said: Why would I want a 911 when I could have a Cayman? Anyway the new Cayman probably is faster, more usable, practical and god knows what else than a Vantage, 360 or whatever but that’s not really my point. The latter two will buzz, fizz and have you tingle from head to toe. The new 981 is just like driving a Ford Focus, and I don’t want a Ford Focus I want a sports car. Well I've just sold my Vantage S and am seriously contemplating a Cayman S or GTS. As a sense of occasion car the Vantage is great, it's a great GT car that has sporting abilities. Will the Cayman have the same feel good factor perhaps not but any car that comes in the top 3 of the EVO Car of the Year, only beaten by the F Type coupe R and Ferrari 458 Speciale, is going to have to be pretty special. I haven't driven the 360 so can't comment first hand but from what I have read over the years it is more of the sports car out of the two you are looking at. Touch unjust calling the Cayman a Focus alike car, it's something you would buy because you want a car that is about how you get from A to B not how fast you get from A to B. Driving on UK roads means there really isn't the opportunity most of the time to go quicker than a hot hatch so it's more about choosing how you want to achieve that. Give the Vantage a go it really is a lovely place to spend time but if you think a Cayman is like a focus then the easy access to the performance in the Vantage will probably leave you thinking the same thing. Cayman, Vantage, 911, 360 etc are there to make you smile while you drive them. Focus, golf etc are there to get from A to B efficiently. Enjoy finding out which one you enjoy though, thats half the fun

BGHughes said: Would love to try a 360 or 430, but I haven't so won't comment on them I do have a V8 Vantage and I can confirm it's a very special car to drive. There's a sense of occasion that's hard to quantify when driving the Aston But as a sports car, my Cayman is significantly better. Nothing I have ever sat is so responsive and agile. The best sports coupe for <£60k new - almost certainly If you want agile and responsive, try any of the track oriented cars like the Caterham sevens or Arial atoms. A complete quantum leap in those areas. However, I would not like to drive long distances in one.

I think that the 'go get a Caterham if you want to go fast' argument is ok to a point. there is absolutely nothing like driving a big, well developed GT car on a race track. They offer a higher level of reward. I own a Series 1 elise 190 which produces almost 300 bhp and is very quick on the lap. It is a lovely delicate little thing to drive and I absolutely love it, but I much prefer driving a GT3 or similar big GT car on the race track - far more rewarding. Going back to the thread ….Might I ask what credentials 'CARWOW' have to make such an announcement??

Carwow? A laughable name and a tediously written article...... Almost like reading the Johanns hotel guide.....every hotel is so perfect......really? We all know the Cayman is a very competent package.......but what about the poor gearing of the 'manuel', the inert electric steering and the farty over sythesised exhaust....

Steve Rance said: I think that the 'go get a Caterham if you want to go fast' argument is ok to a point. there is absolutely nothing like driving a big, well developed GT car on a race track. They offer a higher level of reward. I own a Series 1 elise 190 which produces almost 300 bhp and is very quick on the lap. It is a lovely delicate little thing to drive and I absolutely love it, but I much prefer driving a GT3 or similar big GT car on the race track - far more rewarding. Very much a personal thing. Can't speak from much personal experience but my son organises track days and has driven practically everything you can name on the track (including GT3 Porsches, Ferraris, Astons, Mclaren, mosler etc etc) recons the exige is his favourite road car on track).

av185 said: what about the poor gearing of the 'manuel', Que? My own experience of the car is that with 6 gears to choose from there's always a suitable one and it's a very slick box. When you think it's not long ago sportscars had 5 gears then you wonder how people ever managed to get by at all! The secret of driving a manual 981 is to be fully familiar with the ratios and pick the right one - not shuffle religiously up and down the box as if it was a sequential shift. 981s are drivers cars. If someone's sole ambition is to leave the traffic lights as quickly as possible then no 2WD sportscar will ever make much sense. Tedious 4WD saloons with a turbo will "win" every time. Personally I think there's more to the driving experience than that.

bcr5784 said: Very much a personal thing. Can't speak from much personal experience but my son organises track days and has driven practically everything you can name on the track (including GT3 Porsches, Ferraris, Astons, Mclaren, mosler etc etc) recons the exige is his favourite road car on track). In my experience road cars are very poor on track. The car's too heavy, suspension too soft and the brakes just can't cut it. To drive on track you're much better off with a proper racing car or a "trackday special" from Caterham or Lotus. The key is to get the weight out; adding power can't overcome the laws of physics when you get to the twisty bits. I looked very hard at Exige V6 before heading to Mr Porsche's shop. Regrettably for Lotus I was looking for a modern road car as opposed to a fast but heavily compromised track rocket. Exige is an astounding driving experience - but after 20 minutes on the road I'd have had enough.

Ozzie Osmond said: av185 said: what about the poor gearing of the 'manuel', Que? My own experience of the car is that with 6 gears to choose from there's always a suitable one and it's a very slick box. When you think it's not long ago sportscars had 5 gears then you wonder how people ever managed to get by at all! The secret of driving a manual 981 is to be fully familiar with the ratios and pick the right one - not shuffle religiously up and down the box as if it was a sequential shift. 981s are drivers cars. If someone's sole ambition is to leave the traffic lights as quickly as possible then no 2WD sportscar will ever make much sense. Tedious 4WD saloons with a turbo will "win" every time. Personally I think there's more to the driving experience than that. Pretty much every review I've read, whilst complimentary about the cayman generally, has criticised the gear ratios for being poor, suggesting that you need second or even first for tight bends and that third extends over 100mph, IIRC? For me personally, whilst capable and undoubtedly great handling it just seemed a little bland -also not a fan of the design. (although definitely an improvement over the original cayman)

I guess my preference is to drive cars and make up my own mind. Then if I like them, I buy them. I don't care much what Clarkson or Harris say about them or how quickly they go round the Nurburgring. At the end of the day it's the sales figures which tell the story.

MrML said: Pretty much every review I've read, whilst complimentary about the cayman generally, has criticised the gear ratios for being poor, suggesting that you need second or even first for tight bends and that third extends over 100mph, IIRC? I own a Cayman R pdk (blasphemy, I know) and even with 7 ratios I will occasionally pull 1st in tight bends -it is still has long gears.

Ozzie Osmond said: I guess my preference is to drive cars and make up my own mind. Then if I like them, I buy them. I don't care much what Clarkson or Harris say about them or how quickly they go round the Nurburgring. At the end of the day it's the sales figures which tell the story. totally agree, I'm interested in reading peoples opinions but ultimately I say buy what you like and enjoy it! Its quite sad if someone feels they have justify their purchase by quoting a magazine.

aelord said: MrML said: Pretty much every review I've read, whilst complimentary about the cayman generally, has criticised the gear ratios for being poor, suggesting that you need second or even first for tight bends and that third extends over 100mph, IIRC? I own a Cayman R pdk (blasphemy, I know) and even with 7 ratios I will occasionally pull 1st in tight bends -it is still has long gears. this is strange, I can only assume its something to with meeting emissions targets, which seems a shame with a sports car, but I guess it's the way things are going now...

Ozzie Osmond said: In my experience road cars are very poor on track. The car's too heavy, suspension too soft and the brakes just can't cut it. To drive on track you're much better off with a proper racing car or a "trackday special" from Caterham or Lotus. The key is to get the weight out; adding power can't overcome the laws of physics when you get to the twisty bits. I looked very hard at Exige V6 before heading to Mr Porsche's shop. Regrettably for Lotus I was looking for a modern road car as opposed to a fast but heavily compromised track rocket. Exige is an astounding driving experience - but after 20 minutes on the road I'd have had enough. In general, i agree. Except a 911GT3 (996 an a lesser extend 997) is not just a road car, its DNA is more race car which is why they will pound around any circuit (very quickly if driven properly) all day long without letting you down. I have been privileged to have raced, single seaters of many types as well as sports cars ( proper sports cars ) and various Tin tops. The most fun for me were the 911 Cup (996/7) and RSR. The road cars are very similar. Cars do not have to be super light to be fun. Providing it's reward and not outright lap time that you are looking for

MrML said: aelord said: MrML said: Pretty much every review I've read, whilst complimentary about the cayman generally, has criticised the gear ratios for being poor, suggesting that you need second or even first for tight bends and that third extends over 100mph, IIRC? I own a Cayman R pdk (blasphemy, I know) and even with 7 ratios I will occasionally pull 1st in tight bends -it is still has long gears. this is strange, I can only assume its something to with meeting emissions targets, which seems a shame with a sports car, but I guess it's the way things are going now... 7th gear is purely for economy, from a performance point of view the car still only has 6 gears. The long gears can sometimes knock the cherry off the top, but it is just one of those things. I have a manual and I too find myself shifting down into 1st even when going 30mph or into 2nd at 60 etc, it works though because the drivetrain can accommodate it

SkinnyP said: 7th gear is purely for economy, from a performance point of view the car still only has 6 gears. The long gears can sometimes knock the cherry off the top, but it is just one of those things. I have a manual and I too find myself shifting down into 1st even when going 30mph or into 2nd at 60 etc, it works though because the drivetrain can accommodate it The gearing was the decider in choosing the S over the 2.7 for me. Even in a S the gears are too high, but you have enough torque out of the power band (below 4500) to get away with it. Having to go down to second at (say) 50mph for a quick overtake is OK when you are in the mood, but detracts when are not. Top speed is achieved in 5th (PDK) and you probably won't even do 140 is 7th in an S (That's a fag packet calculation you understand) In a 2.7 I think you'll be lucky to get 125 in 7th (though I suspect in auto it would have changed down before that) - that's just plain silly.

SkinnyP said: I have a manual and I too find myself shifting down into 1st even when going 30mph..... Are you serious? I don't think I have ever in my life "changed down to 1st" unless stationary or at the bottom of a very steep slope. As for performance, are you seriously suggesting the car is quicker in 6th than in 5th? That's for economy too. And similarly all the way down the box. If you want to drive around at max rpm all the time you might as well buy a 3-speed. Edited by Ozzie Osmond on Saturday 13th December 14:26

SkinnyP said: Best ever sportcars? I'm sorry but "LOL". How much is a decent 360, £50k odd? Hardly unattainable for people on this forum. I'll bite. How many 360's have you driven? I've driven 2 (manual and F1). THey feel incredibly dated, have a terrible driving position and bugger all headroom. They cannot be used as an everyday car, and are incredibly expensive to maintain (properly). I've done 6k in my Cayman sine July. I'd ruin a 360 doing that sort of mileage. Dont get me wrong, a 360 is a lovely thing and the good ones are appreciating, but it isnt a daily driver.

Ozzie Osmond said: SkinnyP said: I have a manual and I too find myself shifting down into 1st even when going 30mph..... Are you serious? I don't think I have ever in my life "changed down to 1st" unless stationary or at the bottom of a very steep slope. As for performance, are you seriously suggesting the car is quicker in 6th than in 5th? That's for economy too. And similarly all the way down the box. If you want to drive around at max rpm all the time you might as well buy a 3-speed. Edited by Ozzie Osmond on Saturday 13th December 14:26 Yes, if I want to go quickly round a tight corner and its dry I'll select 1st. 2nd even at 30mph feels way too slow (keep in mind these cars do almost 80mph in 2nd). In day to driving I'll also drop into 1st if my speed is hovering around 12mph, otherwise the engine labours and the car feels lethargic. You have misinterpreted my comment regarding 7th. 7th gear is purely for economy and does not offer a greater top speed (that's reached in 6th). edo said: SkinnyP said: Best ever sportcars? I'm sorry but "LOL". How much is a decent 360, £50k odd? Hardly unattainable for people on this forum. I'll bite. How many 360's have you driven? I've driven 2 (manual and F1). THey feel incredibly dated, have a terrible driving position and bugger all headroom. They cannot be used as an everyday car, and are incredibly expensive to maintain (properly). I've done 6k in my Cayman sine July. I'd ruin a 360 doing that sort of mileage. Dont get me wrong, a 360 is a lovely thing and the good ones are appreciating, but it isnt a daily driver. I've hired a F430 F1 for a day and also a California, but not driven a 360. It doesnt really matter to be honest, I wouldn't buy it to do 20k a year in like I do in my Cayman and therefore the practicalities are irrelevant. As for being dated, I just prefer older cars so it would probably be right up my street.

I think that the Cayman is a well resolved and very good car

SkinnyP said: The new 981 is just like driving a Ford Focus, and I don’t want a Ford Focus I want a sports car. That may be in with a shout for the silliest thing I have read on the PH forums for quite some time?

nsm3 said: SkinnyP said: The new 981 is just like driving a Ford Focus, and I don’t want a Ford Focus I want a sports car. That may be in with a shout for the silliest thing I have read on the PH forums for quite some time? That is quite an honour so thank you for that

My pleasure, looks like Mr.D needs to up his game?

SkinnyP said: Ozzie Osmond said: SkinnyP said: I have a manual and I too find myself shifting down into 1st even when going 30mph..... Are you serious? I don't think I have ever in my life "changed down to 1st" unless stationary or at the bottom of a very steep slope. As for performance, are you seriously suggesting the car is quicker in 6th than in 5th? That's for economy too. And similarly all the way down the box. If you want to drive around at max rpm all the time you might as well buy a 3-speed. Edited by Ozzie Osmond on Saturday 13th December 14:26 Yes, if I want to go quickly round a tight corner and its dry I'll select 1st. 2nd even at 30mph feels way too slow (keep in mind these cars do almost 80mph in 2nd). In day to driving I'll also drop into 1st if my speed is hovering around 12mph, otherwise the engine labours and the car feels lethargic. You have misinterpreted my comment regarding 7th. 7th gear is purely for economy and does not offer a greater top speed (that's reached in 6th). edo said: SkinnyP said: Best ever sportcars? I'm sorry but "LOL". How much is a decent 360, £50k odd? Hardly unattainable for people on this forum. I'll bite. How many 360's have you driven? I've driven 2 (manual and F1). THey feel incredibly dated, have a terrible driving position and bugger all headroom. They cannot be used as an everyday car, and are incredibly expensive to maintain (properly). I've done 6k in my Cayman sine July. I'd ruin a 360 doing that sort of mileage. Dont get me wrong, a 360 is a lovely thing and the good ones are appreciating, but it isnt a daily driver. I've hired a F430 F1 for a day and also a California, but not driven a 360. It doesnt really matter to be honest, I wouldn't buy it to do 20k a year in like I do in my Cayman and therefore the practicalities are irrelevant. As for being dated, I just prefer older cars so it would probably be right up my street. The award I originally posted was for new/current car. It wansnt an award for how best to spend 50k used, so stop being a trolling fool! Edited by edo on Sunday 14th December 18:23

Steve Rance said: I think that the Cayman is a well resolved and very good car It's a good car but not 10/10.. I'm interested in the GT4 but all others are a bit limp for me

Steve Rance said: I think that the Cayman is a well resolved and very good car It's a good car but not 10/10.. I'm interested in the GT4 but all others are a bit limp for me

V6 exige is a stonking bit of kit. Feel/feedback and intimacy off the scale. M4 pretty tasty too.

I have to agree that the Cayman is a great car, I have a Cayman GTS, most people comment on the looks and especially the noise. Get the few can you not afford a 911. I had a 911 GTS, 12 plate so not old, I thought i was going seeing senile wanting to buy a Cayman, though I have always admired the style. When the GTS was announced thought great, so ordered one. The 911 was yes fast, that is about the only part of not having it any more. The GTS though is no slug, great around town, though on a tight road it comes into its own. In my eyes Porsche have built the Cayman, now the time has come that little brother outshines big brother (911). I must admit was pleasant to save £40k on a new car, Porsche will have to work hard to justify the exorbitant difference in Price. I personally think the inside of my Cayman GTS is finished better than that of my (!! GTS. It is good, though for the price it is outstanding, yes there is better out there, though like in life nothing is for free.

frankenstein62 said: I have to agree that the Cayman is a great car, I have a Cayman GTS, most people comment on the looks and especially the noise. Get the few can you not afford a 911. I had a 911 GTS, 12 plate so not old, I thought i was going seeing senile wanting to buy a Cayman, though I have always admired the style. When the GTS was announced thought great, so ordered one. The 911 was yes fast, that is about the only part of not having it any more. The GTS though is no slug, great around town, though on a tight road it comes into its own. In my eyes Porsche have built the Cayman, now the time has come that little brother outshines big brother (911). I must admit was pleasant to save £40k on a new car, Porsche will have to work hard to justify the exorbitant difference in Price. I personally think the inside of my Cayman GTS is finished better than that of my (!! GTS. It is good, though for the price it is outstanding, yes there is better out there, though like in life nothing is for free. Same experience - same conclusion - same result. I've moved from a '11 911 GTS which i owned from new for 3.5years as my first Porsche. One drive in a 981 Cayman S and I just couldn't get it out of my system. Am now 700miles into Cayman GTS ownership and loving it. Yes maybe the potential of outright speed in a straight line has been sacrificed, but the Cayman GTS is every bit as quick in the real world. Responses are much more immediate in the Cayman, the attitude of 911 was to cruise around unless you decided to get up it.

To TDT you state you only down 700 miles, life gets better, I am up to 1200 since November, lately mpg is better not that I'm bothered, though the engine seems more alive. Quick question if you don't mind, when reverse selected PDK on my 911 GTS it pinged, on Cayman GTS PDK it does not. I s this normal or am I missing a setting?

fishballs said: It's a good car but not 10/10.. I'm interested in the GT4 but all others are a bit limp for me Absolutely. Marking any sports car is somewhat subjective. For me it's not perfect but for some it is. Either way, its a well resolved vehicle. Each to his or her own and all that..

fishballs said: ...all others are a bit limp for me Very butch.

frankenstein62 said: To TDT you state you only down 700 miles, life gets better, I am up to 1200 since November, lately mpg is better not that I'm bothered, though the engine seems more alive. Quick question if you don't mind, when reverse selected PDK on my 911 GTS it pinged, on Cayman GTS PDK it does not. I s this normal or am I missing a setting? Same behaviour on mine - doesn't make an audible alert when I select Reverse. I did get this on the 911 GTS w/PDK. Is a little disconcerting not to have it anymore as I got used to it. I'm currently without my car for the week - getting a full new car protection detail including G Technik w/Crystal Serum - I can't wait to see it come the end of the week. Back in time for Christmas. Edited by TDT on Sunday 14th December 21:29

I'm more camp than a row of tents in mine

Steve Rance said: Either way, its a well resolved vehicle. Dear boy ! WTF .... Youve gone all new age on us all of a sudden

Absolutely not Old Thing! But credit where credit is due, the Cayman is a good little bus and well resolved when compared with a lot of cars in the price range. Those of us who seek a harder edge are happier with the GT3 - which is a different vehicle altogether and a mile apart from the Cayman - but for those drivers who do not seek such thrills at the extreme end of the scale, I can see the attraction to the Cayman. I'd certainly take an R over a 991S ... But then I'm not on the market for either

With a staff of 17 (plus 2 dogs ), Carwow will be able to chew through that £4.6m in no time once the TV adverts start... http://www.carwow.co.uk/team