Another test drive

Had a test drive today and was v.impressed. I was a devout air-cooled 911 fan having had 5 of various vintages up to 993 which I thought could not be surpassed. I couldn't forsee ever wanting a water-cooled Porsche and the fried-egg look of the 996 does nothing for me.... that was until I started to read and follow the Cayman S story. This is the first Porsche since the 993 I have lusted after and the drive today confirmed it is a 'proper' drivers car. The spec was coventional suspension, 18' wheels and nothing else that mattered to me. The car feels like it's hewn from granite and feels so planted and balanced it was a revelation. The ride (as I suspected it would be) was amazingly compliant and the test route covered mainly very broken tarmac surfaces in greasy wet English autumn conditions. The PSM in these conditions worked very well, not intrusive but if I was brutal on wet leaf covered back roads it would intervene to protecct me from my own stupidity. The car is very accessible, I felt at home heeling and toeing within 5 minutes of driving and the sound experience is pure music to any flat 6 enthusiast. My dealer was very civil and has invited me for another drive next week (hopefully in drier conditions) but I am sold on the car. I never thought I'd say it but I think it is better than the 993 whilst definitely in the same 'drivers car' mould. I am purely interested in this car as an enthusiastic road user and hence my spec is :- Red, 19' carrera classic, sports seats, climate my only gripe (which indicates how brilliant I think teh car is) is that the gear lever feels rather plasticky to the extent I looked on the web site at possibly selecting the ALU gear lever option.

Another fine review, and from someone admittedly a 911 air-cooled fan, good to know the Cayman is pulling in the old die-hards.

Comments from enthusiasts such as yourself, who now have an opportunity to drive the Cayman, speak volumes more than the automotive press. It has been my opinion from the start that with the Cayman, Porsche is attempting to recapture some of the 'elemental' driving experience of a basic sports car. They have apparently achieved that goal.

Welcome Nick, Your review has put another smile on my face. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Russ

Less of the 'old' K-Man S' .. and yes having had 5 old air cooled cars puts me in that category .... but let me tell you, driving the car today I felt 20 ... complete hooligan !! It was like the day I drove a 911 for the first time ... special, and if you get to my age and driving a car makes you feel like that you know it is a good thing. I guess that's why all the discussions about sat-nav, PASM , sport chrono ... leave me cold ... all a hooligan needs is a properly sorted regular chassis, a wicked engine and the open road .. gadgets I leave for the kids ;-) ... and I design silicon chips for a living .. how hypocritical is that !!

Man, I like your style!

Nick, You're making perfect sense to me! Thank for the good cheer! Russ

I admit to being a lover of gadgets, but what you write makes perfect sense to me also. Great to hear your test drive went so well. Life is good.

It's funny, because I am a designer (not silicone chips) also, and feel exactly the same way. I did have the sport chrono in my spec, but that was for 'extra' fun. But at the end of the day, I can honestly say that every car I have had has been basically standard spec, and from my first 'new' car, a Ford Puma, I have been a devote believer in taking a car as the designer meant it to be. I like a paper map. I can look out of the back window to see what I'm going to hit when I stick it in reverse. But ther is nothing I can (or want to) do about a chassis that feels lumpy or floaty, or an engine that lacks sparkle or go. I have always strived for the best drivers car I could afford, and bar the MGF VVC, I think I have managed it. But I know the Cayman is going to move my perceptions to the next level. I just hope that if need must, I will be content making the step back! Jack

By the way, nickh1961, why do you go for red? Do you like to be seen coming, or just like the color? It sounds like you've had a few fast cars to play with for color choice also. Edited by - K-Man-sculpture.net on 12/01/2005 4:22:20 PM

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. With so many 996/997 owners being critical of the Cayman it is always nice to hear from another air-cooled Porschephile who likes it. I bought the car because I like new cars with warranties and wanted a comfortable but elemental sports car. While I have to wait for January in the States to drive one, your opinion confirmed I ordered the right car.[/quote]

I was a fan of guard red before the whole 80'santi-porsche backlash, always loved the look of the cars in red, always have. QED

I've had red cars in the past, but I've never been a great lover of Porsches in red. HOWEVER, I have to admit that the Cayman does look superb in red. Pictures of it with the Classics make it look like a cross between a Porsche and a Ferrari - not a bad gene pool !