Cayman S borrows from Boxster, 911 Carrera _ but i

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="80%" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="newstit" width="100%"> Cayman S borrows from Boxster, 911 Carrera _ but is its own car </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" height="25"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="newssubtit" width="100%"> Friday, December 30, 2005 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" height="10"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="news" width="100%"> The Orlando Sentinel By Steven Cole Smith Whether you think of the 2006 Porsche Cayman S as a beefed-up hardtop Boxster or a slightly less potent 911 Carrera is up to you. But Porsche would prefer you consider the Cayman S an all-new model slotted between the Boxster and the 911. There's a basis for all three opinions. Indeed, much of the Cayman S consists of parts borrowed from the entry-level Boxster and the flagship 911 Carrera. But there are plenty of bits and pieces exclusive to the Cayman S that make it unique. After lengthy drives in several models, I'd suggest that this is a car that doesn't feel very much like the Boxster or the 911, and it certainly has its own look. A look, incidentally, that is considerably more impressive in person than in photographs. Named after the alligator's close relative, not the island _ 'cayman' is an accepted spelling of the species, but 'caiman' is more common _ the model is being introduced in the United States as the Cayman S, with the 'S' designating, as it does with the Boxster, a higher-performance version of the car. That's a bit unusual: The Boxster, for instance, was introduced in 1997 as, simply, the Boxster, with a 201-horsepower engine. For 2000, we got the Boxster S, with a 250-horsepower engine. With the Cayman, we get the more-powerful version first. And that version comes with a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine that shares parts with both the Boxster and 911 engines, plus Cayman-exclusive parts. The result is a smooth, very capable engine that the company says produces a 171-mph top speed, a quarter-mile time of 13.6 seconds, and a 0-to-60-mph time of 5.1 seconds. Your transmission choice is a six-speed manual or, for an extra $3,210, a five-speed Tiptronic S automatic. The Cayman's price slots neatly between the Boxster and 911 Carrera. The Boxster starts at $45,000, with a 240-horsepower engine. The 911 Carrera starts at $71,300, with a 325-horsepower engine. The Cayman S has a base price of $58,900, with its 295-horse engine. Fuel mileage is 20 miles per gallon in the city, 28 mpg on the highway. Be aware, though, that the Cayman S' price can ratchet upward quickly _ tick off enough option boxes on the order form, and it can approach $100,000. Ceramic composite brakes, for instance, add $8,150. Adaptive sports seats, $3,055. Bi-xenon headlights, $1,090. That said, the $58,900 Cayman S _ or $59,695 with shipping _ would suit me just fine. Pretty much everything you need is standard, including fat tires and wheels (P235/40ZR-18 up front, P265/40ZR-18 in back), a leather-and-aluminum-trimmed interior, six air bags, traction control, stability control, a nine-speaker stereo with CD player, and antilock disc brakes straight from the 911 Carrera. One feature I would be willing to pay for is active suspension, which, for $1,990, can firm up the suspension to near-race-car levels when needed. Lots of Porsche car clubs rent out racetracks for members to drive on, and this active suspension provides a comfortable ride in town but maximizes handling on the track. Choosing a solid roof _ the Boxster comes only as a convertible _ adds some structural integrity to the Cayman S but adds no weight: The Cayman S is actually 11 pounds lighter than a Boxster S. The Cayman S feels very solid and sure-footed, even on rough pavement. Build quality on all the Caymans I drove seemed excellent. It's worth noting that they are assembled in Finland by a Porsche affiliate that also builds Boxsters, but the Cayman's engine and transmission are built in Germany. Inside, it's an easy car to get comfortable in, more so than a 911 Carrera. Unlike the 911, the Cayman S doesn't even hint at a rear seat _ it's strictly a two-passenger car. Still, for a midengine model, there's an amazing amount of luggage space in back, both behind and atop the engine, and in the trunk up front. Part of that is because of the absence of a spare tire and jack: You get a 'special sealant' and an electric air compressor instead. At or near its base price, the Cayman S is possibly the best all-around Porsche you can buy. But beware the options: I drove a handsome Cayman S painted 'Cobalt Blue,' but then noticed that the metallic paint added a staggering $3,070 to the price. I'll take the red, which is, well, free with the car. ___ (c) 2005, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.). </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

great review.... i can hardly wait untill i take one out for a drive.. the more and more i read about this car, the more i love it.

At or near its base price, the Cayman S is possibly the best all-around Porsche you can buy. But beware the options: I drove a handsome Cayman S painted 'Cobalt Blue,' but then noticed that the metallic paint added a staggering $3,070 to the price. I'll take the red, which is, well, free with the car. Why does everyone keep reminding me of that. One thing is for sure I better love that paint job! That color ate up my option budget fast. Russ

That would be the case - Let's see yellow,red,black, or white + PCM = < cobalt blue. Sorry to mention it again - you will LOVE your car I am sure.

Russ, There will be few, if any, cars like yours on the road! Besides, what's a few thousand here and there. Once you are actually driving the Cayman you probably won't care. Happy New Year to all!

Believe me I did think about all the option goodies I could have gotten in lieu of the paint, but I had to force myself to let go of black after 15 years of black cars. Russ

I think that you will enjoy driving a car that you will not see the color on everyday!!!!! Great job in getting what you wanted!!! I wanted the Cobalt Blue as well but was overruled by wifey who had SOME say in the car......and we both decided the extra cost was a little much for us.

I thought about getting Speed Yellow then Cobalt blue.... Then after seeing the price of the cobalt, I said what is another $1200 to do a one of a kind paint to sample color. Hence- I'm still waiting for my order to be accepted

Russ, Have you seen Cobalt Blue in person? I saw it on a Carrrera the other day and it was beautiful.

Hey Russ, I think the Cobalt will suit the islands well and somehow be extra cool in Hawaii. You didn't buy a Porsche to save money and 3k isn't that much on such an expensive car. Don't even second guess yourself on the Cobalt... It's going to look insane on the beach, in the sun,with the deep blues and greens all around.

Thanks you guys! I have not seen cobalt blue in person so it is going to be a surprise for sure. I have only seen pictures and they all look a little different. I did see a carrera that was supposed to be cobalt blue last week, but it was so dark that I thought it was black until the sun hit it. Aloha Russ