Here’s my review
The car didn’t have the options I’d like to test, which are PASM and the sport Chrono package, the demo Cayman rode on standard 18’ and normal suspension.
Dealer waiting for me and we set straight off without much messing about, he takes the wheel. This Demo Cayman only has 300 miles on the Speedo, but he’s giving it plenty of beans from the lights. A good sign as I plan to do the same given the chance.
The dealer knows the roads and it's clear he’s been on this route hundreds of times as he whips the Cayman through bends on fast sweeping country roads that have me slightly worried, we go round one bend at least 60 and there’s road works which has caused stationary traffic just after a blind bend, OH **** goes through my mind as I didn’t think we were going to stop in time and are going to crash into the back of the stationary car, but we didn’t, stopped with a few feet to spare. At least I know the brakes work well now anyway.
Change over after 10 minutes and readjust the seat and mirrors, the driving position prefect for me, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get comfortable in the Cayman, the Boxster is a bit on the small side for me, I like a straight legged and arm driving position and this presents no problem in the Cayman, I’m 6’1, so taller guys will struggle.
It’s damp and a bit busy on the roads to start with, the first thing I notice is the steering, and it’s very direct and accurate. Not quite as much feed back as my 996, but still better than any other car I’ve driven, the Cayman follows your inputs better though and there’s no slack or delay, but it’s not edgy either. Turn-in is sharpe, I couldn’t really test the lateral grip to much due to the conditions, it seemed pretty good in the wet, and the car feels very planted and secure, but not dull. It manages to pull off the trick of feeling secure, but not numb at the same time, it feels light and chuckable (sp?).The ride is firm and compliant without much in the way of body roll, not overly stiff. You do notice the bigger bumps, but it doesn’t affect the line of the car, you only hear them. I wouldn’t want the standard ride to be any firmer for daily use though, it's well judged as it is and definitely feels sporty. It reminds me of my old classic Impreza turbo, maybe a bit stiffer. Overall is feels solid, stiff and any inputs to brakes and steering are acted upon with no delay or slackness.
The engine feels different to the Boxster, it’s more willing to rev, has more Torque and pep. It also has a point about 4500 revs where it starts to take on a different sound and heads towards the red line with more vigour as if it would go past 8k revs no problem, instead of the 7200 rev limiter that Porsche has imposed on the Cayman. Power wise it feels like the 996C2 3.4 I’ve recently sold. I get the chance to test this out coming off a round-about in second gear. Exiting the round-about the road opens up to a very straight wide road with nothing in front of me for at least a mile. Foot to the floor and I’m changing gear as fast I can muster, as if I’m in my own car, just short of the red line. 3rd, 4th, are over quickly, into 5th and I’m doing 120+ like it’s nothing. High speed stability is excellent, better than the 996. The variable rate steer works well and I feel like I could drive at that speed for hours. I’d only been in the car 10 minutes and it just felt like the thing to do, the gearbox is sharp and gears are selected with a firm short positive action. You can make full use of the power you’ve got and it’s very addictive experience.
It’s like been in a mini race car and felt great, at speed the Cayman a good buzz and lends it’s self very well to be driven hard, it’s more hardcore than the Boxster and my previous 996, a real drivers car
The noise from the engine is fairly guff at lower revs and you can cruise round in the lower part of the rev range without a load of noise from behind you. As the revs rise the noise changes to quite a hard metallic sound at the top end, it adds to the experience.
The only negative thing was a noise from the tail gate it seemed to creak and rattle over some of the bumps.
I didn’t want to take the car back to the dealers at the end of the test drive, I liked it that much.
I'll try to answer any questions
Edited by - Porcheplayer on 12/03/2005 12:07:30 PM
Porshe Playa,
What were the specs on the demo? I feel bad for the poor sob that buys that Cayman... I hope my dealer has one I can test drive 'if ya catch my drift'..
Patch
This sounds like a standard Cayman S; 18 inch wheels, standard suspension, 6 speed. Can we assume that this drive was in the UK? I like that you can make the comparison with the 996 you had. Would it be accurate to say that you noticed the difference of the Vario Cam, which the 996 3.4 did not have, in the 4500+ rpm range? It seems like the Vario Cam gives this engine a whole new personality at 4500 RPM, but that this
Mr Hyde
is bottled up by the rev limiter kicking in at 7200. It will be interesting to see how high this engine can safely and reliably rev, once tuner chips for the Motronic become available.
Porscheplayer,
Thank you for that great report. Again this just adds to the excitement. I think mpollard hit on some great questions, will wait to hear the answers.
Mahalo Russ
Great review......thanks! Just what I was expecting........even in 'base' form the Cayman will be very impressive.
Yes Atlas, I think even in full standard the Cayman will be a fine car. For those that want or need the edge then the options are there for them. I am a lover of gadgets and gizmos so I am sure I will be looking to add some after market goodies, but for now I just want my car!!
Aloha Russ
Many thanks for the great review. While it is nice to read these things in magazines, these guys sometimes have a hidden agenda and they don’t always look at cars the same way a buyer does. I find reports from 'real' people more enlightening than those of paid professionals. [/quote]Thanks again for taking the time to post for those of us in the Colonies who are waiting to drive the car,[/quote]
Edited by - BiggerTwin on 12/03/2005 1:19:11 PM
<div>Thanks guys[/quote]</div>
<div>In answer to some questions, the test drive was in the [/quote]UK[/quote] and at JCT Leeds, a manual gear box with no other options which affect performance.[/quote]</div>
<div>[/quote]</div>
<div>I noticed the change in engine noise and the willingness of the engine to rise up at about 4.5k, not sure if this is something todo with an opening of the exhaust system as opposed to the Vario cam,for whatever reason it doesn’t kick inuntil about 4.5k and by then my 3.4 996 was in right in the sweet spotand used to fly to the red line just as quick. [/quote]</div>
<div>The 3.4 of the 996 lacked low down torque and needed to be revved to get the best out of it, hence the change to the 3.6 in 01 in the [/quote]UK[/quote]. The torque of the Cayman engine is pretty good and is better lower down the rev range than the 3.4 996, but not loads. The 3.4 of the 996 is smoother and more refinedthough, but the Cayman engine sounds better and I love the kick you get in the upper part of the rev range. I’d say they were very similar in performance terms; with 3.4 of the Cayman being a bit more flexible than 996 3.4, the Cayman goes about it with a bit more noise and drama. [/quote]</div>
<div>It does feel like the rev limiter comes in early though and an extra 1000 revs would be nice and very do-able (sp?) with a bit of ECU tinkering, the engine is crying out for the extra revs, hence my interest in the Sport chrono option which gives you 500 extra revs when switched on, I think?[/quote]</div>
<div>I really want to test drive the car again, I only got to give it full beans once, but it was very good and the highlight of the test drive.[/quote]</div>
Edited by - Porcheplayer on 12/03/2005 2:29:43 PM
thanks fantastic review, have delayed test drive due to Cayman not being delivered untill Jan
Really appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I am once again drooling.
Russ
