The Bubble Top Issue

Which isn't really an 'issue' so much as it is a comment from some journalists. I had a chance to compare an artic silver Cayman S, Boxster S with hardtop and 997 all side by side. The first thing I noticed was that the 997 has such a 'flat' uninspiring roofline, almost like a taxi cab that I hadn't noticed until stacking it up next to other cars. The Boxster S with the hardtop had more of a 'bubble' look to it than the Cayman S, the Cayman S looked 'just right' in my opinion, sweeping flowing curves, sculpted more than assembled. I never understood those press comments and I don't now other than to say that it must all depend upon your preferences and perspectives the 'curvaceous' lines of the Cayman S are much more preferred in my book!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I believe that the side view of the car in photos accentuates the “bubble”. But at any other angle it disappears. Then when you see it first hand it just isn’t there from any angle. Until I saw it I was a bit concerned but it is perfect to my eyes.

Any criticism of the looks of the Cayman S has to be done with tongue in cheek, as the friggin' think is simply beautiful !! Sheesh ......................

I think we can nitpick this car to death. For me the bottom line is it isn't perfect and while I occasionally think I might prefer the Carrera every time I see them next to each other I clearly prefer the Cayman S. When I take a critical look at the dream cars of my youth or Italian and British exotica of today none of them are perfect either. My car is supposed to be built on Tuesday and I can't wait to drive it. At that time I am sure the fog lights, bubble top, lack of more gauges, sharply sloping roof line and lack of 400 hp won't matter one bit. If this car doesn't put an ear to ear grin on my face I will be very surprised.[/quote]

Some points - my opinions obviously, but I do understand 3-dimensional form and design considerations. 1) If it was lower, tall people would yell that they feel cramped. 2) I test drove a Mercedes SLK350 - the profile is lower, but I could see over the top of the windshield - not a comfortable feeling. 3) The track lovers need room for their helmets. 4) Finally take another look at a side profile - that's not bubble - that a shape derivative of the 911.

Actually the direct side profiles of Boxster, Cayman, or 997 are not particularly flattering. The 996 and 997 look very enlongated and the classic 911 proportions are stretched the limit with only the shape of the body and glass frames have been retained. Check out a 993 next to either the 996 and 997 and you'll see what I mean. Risking heresy, the Cayman proportions are very similar to the 993 and previous 911s. The Boxster from the side is rather amorphous without any defining shape or character, the 986 top was actually less rounded than the 987, the 987 looking better, but the fenders are lost side on. The Cayman's rear window and roof slope look awkward side on, partly because of the roof height, but mostly because of the steep descent of the roof line. Fortunately the side on view is rarely encountered in daily driving.

I guarantee you that no one you meet on the road is going to think this is a ugly car - except perhaps a hardcore 911 purest, or deranged Porsche basher. Heck, regular people like the Lexus sc430 – and that is a car that really does have a bubble top. Average people you meet will love the look of this car – prove me wrong.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr id="quote" noshade="noshade" height="1" /> I guarantee..Average people you meet will love the look of this car <hr id="quote" noshade="noshade" height="1" /></blockquote>I have no doubt that you are right on the money with this prediction. I am still surprised at how many people stopped me on the street to comment on my BMW Z4 and C6 Corvette. The Cayman is drop dead gorgeous compared to those two cars and I will be very surprised if this Porsche doesn't stop traffic when it is new...especially in yellow or red. Edited by - BiggerTwin on 12/11/2005 3:55:32 PM

What bubble? Ha ha! I have to agree with Rick, SF and others, the car is just plain gorgeous and much like the Chrono on the dash, the top is growing on me. The above comparrison pics makes the Cayman look like a well designed cockpit of fighter jet. Russ

After seeing the Cayman right next to a 997I thought the 997 looked very bland. Don't have a clue to where the 'bubble' issue came from, but one look at in personproves it to be a pretty stupid observation.

hey guys, First it was the Market bubble in 2000. Ouch! Now its the Housing bubble. Let's hope not! Do we have to deal with a non existing Cayman bubble? Enough allready. /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/angry_smile.gif To those who insist on finding something wrong with this car, fagetaboutit. Capish? Your at the wrong place.

kmns, I ditto that! The car is new, different and a Porsche, it will take time for people to see its true beauty. The more I see and study this car the beautiful it gets. Aloha Russ

Yes I can see it the following conversation: Russ, honey please come to bed it is getting late to which Russ would reply Sorry honey, not tonight - I will be sleeping in the car And combined that with the fact that the garage will be looking very good after the renovation, getting Russ out of the garage will be difficult ;-))))

I wandered over to the KC Porsche dealer today and took a peek at the Cayman S on the showroom floor. The 'bubble roof' is not so much a bubble as it is an early and abrupt peak (at least in 2D). It ceases to be an issue when seen in person . (If you want to see an early abrupt peak on a roofline look at the 350Z ; -). It looks like a Porsche, it cannot be mistaken for anything else - they managed to ensure the bloodlines showed through and from my perspective it looks more liek a 911 than a Boxster with a roof. The depth of the draw on the side panel (rear fender through A-pillar) is tremendous and I can see why it takes three stamping operations to complete. It cannot be done effeciently on a mass produced car. It is sexy gorgeous, probably better in red or a darker color (carmon red may be a knockout), not as 'in-your-face' in silver (or white, I suspect). The rear cargo area is not as deep as I hoped - rear storage may be good for a couple medium sized duffles. The deck over the engine is higher than I thought also, meaning that anything taller than five to six inches will have to go somewhere else. I pushed the hatch to it's furthest height and had to pull it down from the side about where the damper meets the hatch. It wasn't a problem and it didn't seem to twist the hatch at all. A guy can get a good sized cooler in the fornt (wonder if it'll swallow a keg ; -). The standard leather interior was not cheap looking at all - nice materials - incredible fit and finish. Best of all I don't think She Who Must Be Obeyed will have problems entering and exiting the car. Seats felt very good. Long days on mountain roads will be incredible. Dry shifting the car was a revelation. The linkage can't be that good, it travels to the back has to go under or around the boxer engine and finally ends up plugged into the transaxle somewhere in the nether regions of the car but it still had a rifle bolt feel to it - man o' man it was wonderful. I can't wait to drive one now. Edited by - atr_hugo on 12/12/2005 4:57:53 PM

Euroboy, When I get the garage all done I will take a picture for you and post it here. And about sleeping in the car, I have already considered that for the first night as I would not want to leave her alone in a strange place so I will have Futon ready in the garage next to her just in case she needs me. Wifey doesn't know this yet, but I am sure she will not be surprised! Aloha Russ

LOL Russ, my wife has already told me no divorce to marry the car!!!!!! Told her it was a little extreme to say that, would never marry a car......maybe younger woman but NEVER a car. Anyway it will be great fun to spend just the two of us and the car when it ever gets delivered. Cant wait to see pics of the garage. We are adding a 3 car detached to house all of the vehicles we are collecting now (4 vehicles 3 drivers so far) and have been thinking of epoxying the floor but not sure as yet if I will.

True, the 997 looks... dated in comparsion to the Cayman

I can't believe the negative comments about the bubble top. The Cayman is so fresh and new. Vaguely familiarbut genuinely unique and still unmistakably Porsche. A curvaceous beauty unlike anything on the road and in my eyes at least a rolling work of art. I may put a cot in my garage as well.

Perhaps it's best not to tell your wife about that Playboy article, or she might get really jealous of your new friend with the nice behind!

We all seem to be so enamoured with the behind of this car, maybe we should start calling it the Cayman ***./fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif[/quote][/quote]