Cabin Heat Anyone?

I realize that where most to cars are being driven at this time are in the UK and the weather is probably cold, but I am curious if anyone has noticed any cabin heat as mentioned in a couple of the magazine articles. Thanks Russ

I hope it's not why Porsche decided to bring the Cayman out in the winter!

Doesn't seem like a problem where you are Russ..... lol Anyway, can always adjust the ac or windows to evacuate the extra heat. Talked with salesman and he said that he did not notice any cabin heat while at the dealer information drive.

Living in tropics, I was conscious of this isse as I test drove. Test drove in singapore mid afternoon sunnyish day @ circa32 degrees celcius and 90% humidity. Did not notice an issue at all and infact a/c was on 16 degrees and car got quite cold except my back was a bit sweaty but i put that down to car was sitting outside in sun and the thrill of the drive. NON ISSUE

I guess I need to experience this after a couple of hours of heated driving in the summer with the bright New Mexico sun bearing down on the greenhouse back glass to be completely convinced. Bear in mind that I've sold a few Porsches because the A/C could not deal with real world conditions (real world defined as where I live/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/shades_smile.gif.

Thanks for the feedback. So far not one of the reviews from those on this site have mentioned anything about the cabin heat. And Philip, if it was a problem I think you would have been the first to know. Russ

Santa Fe, glad to hear the real word on the desert living. I am in the desert as well and never would have thought that the ac would not be able to cool off the car. I must say tho that you are where it gets HOT, where as it is only hot where I am. Have been in Phoenix AZ & Carlsbad NM in July/Aug without any problems so far so guess this will be the test on the Porsche.

The Cayman book from Germany (Thrill of the Chase) shows the testing they did in the African desert and mentions that systems like the A/C have to hold up in extremes. I'm not worrying about it...

K-man S, I am surprised that as a Boxster S owner that you don't think the Cayman will have cabin heat. My Boxster S certainly is warmer than any of our other cars past or present, including the 911. You may overlook it or not even notice it as you probably turn on the air-con most of the time. I often leave the air-con off particularly when I go for a spirited drive or on the track, and there is no doubt that the cabin is warmer than normal. Having said that, because of the small cabin space, the air-con works marvelously. The Cayman has a bit more space for the air-con to labour, but I am sure it is more than sufficient.

Never noticed it when I was out in the car for about 35 mins of spirited test-driving on country roads with the aircon on. Doubt whether it's an issue, certainly won't be if you keep the aircon on all the time. I'd probably even keep the aircon on when tracking the car - comfort behind the wheel probably counts for more than the marginal loss of power. When I tracked my VX220 Turbo (another mid-engined car, no ac) I would find the cabin got ratherwarm after about 10-15 mins.

i was stuck in traffic for 2 hours last night, no sign of heat in the cabin although it was very cold outside. interestingly my personal temperature kept calm as well and no road rage occurred. good sign that this car may stay with me for a while

No sweaty back for me yet. But sweaty palms when the back-end stepped out on me this morning as I left a damp T-junction. And the PSM didn't kick in. At least the light on the dash didn't come on. Another PSM note is that the car will very freely wheel-spin away from the lights in a straight line. In fact, I'm not sure what you need to do to get it to kick in. Jack Edited by - JackWood on 12/06/2005 07:25:39 AM

Obviously, I've not driven a Cayman, but based on experiences in a PSM Boxster on a track, PSM (in contrast to similar systems by other companies) has very high thresholds. That is, it won't interfere w/the driver's control until the car is pretty far out of joint - well beyond the ability of most drivers to recover. Supposedly the sport chrono can raise that intervention bar even higher to essentially the moment when the driver is 'seeing God.' You can get to very fast track times w/PSM on which is not true of, e.g., BMW. As to getting it to kick in , just find a large open parking lot & try to get the car sideways.

Russ, I've driven my '97 993 here in Phoenix in 110 degree weather with no cabin heat problems whatsoever. I asked a couple of local PCA Boxster owners & they said they had not had any cabin heat problems. I suspect we won't have any in our new crocs. Besides, we'll be going so fast the heat won't be able to catch up. Edited by - AzCayman on 12/06/2005 12:40:24 PM

Az, Thanks for the scoop. I would almost have to believe that if Porsche had a problem with cabin heat they would have fixed it before this big launch. Russ

So do we really need that seat warmer option? Perhaps the engine does the job of a seat warmer for you.

I remember very well how hot the cabin of my DeTamaso Mangusta use to get. The A/C was terrible and I would have to put a towel over the back of the seat to keep from sweating on the leather. No matter what I did that car ran hot. It was a neat car to look at and even fun to drive when it would run. Russ

I have heated seats and they are excellent. Very nice on cold mornings. JackWood: Like you I had several brown trouser moments this morning, it is very frosty, my temp read 1 degree. Was able to slide the car all over the place. I can confirm my PSM light was flashing like a christmas tree. You need to try harder In fact I am a little worried about how easy it was to induce a slide. I hope the car tidies it all up for me