Finally! I drove the 60 miles to the dealer today and went for a drive in the Cayman. I can't add alot to what everyone else has said except that I've never driven a car that handles like this one. It will be awhile before I find its limits I'm sure. Power seemed fine to me but I was being respectful (kind of) of the fact that the car had less than 15 miles on it. If I had to describe the car in one word it would be 'quick'.
Some niggles: The footwell is tiny for my feet. I'm sure I'll adjust but I didn't feel I had sufficent room to work. My shoulders are a bit wide for the sports seats, again I'm sure I'd adapt but I glad at this point I didn't order them. The adjustable supension on hard setting is to me the '
add square wheels
' option. It is horrible on any bumpy road and our autocross tracks aren't smooth enough for it either. The interior engine sound has a bit of hum to it, almost like an electric engine. Again that is something that will probably not be noticed after a few hundred miles.
The car is tiny. In my view it is a toy more than a tool for serious cross country driving. But for anyone that lives in a city or has mountains to play in it is a perfect toy.
The launch car is available. No miles. Ready to take home today. Mine is still on a boat. Will power was weaking. Still is for that matter.
I say hang tight for the one you ordered. You'll have the car in your garage for a long time relative to the small wait you left. Think "Cocoa Full Leather" ....
Santa Fe, I was wondering what is different besides the Coca leather in the options on this car and the one you ordered?
I'm glad to hear you finally got to drive one.
I do think the leather color is especially great for you as I seem to remember you have beautiful horses at your place, and the color reminds me of the color of leather saddles.
Yep, I repeated 'cocoa, cocoa, cocoa' all the way back to Santa Fe./fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/thumbsup.gif
You'll never be happy without the Cocoa. Be patient. Getting the car you specced is worth the wait.
JHellow
I test drove the Cayman today and really like the handling and the gear box is wonderful. I wanted to order one earlier but felt like I should drive it first. After driving it my main concern was that there was a very destinct whining sound that I think is the transmission. I have not really read anything about this anywhere. I currently have a 02 Carrera and the Cayman definitely felt slower, more than I expected from the numbers. I was pretty convinced on getting a Speed Yellow with Black interior but after seeing all the picture now I am more confused than ever.
MadEric:
I took delivery on Friday of a Cayman S. The only normally aspirated Carrera pre-997 that I have ever driven that felt quicker than the Cayman S, and mine still does not have its legs yet because of break-in, was a 40th Anniversary 911 with an X package that generated about 345 HP. That 911 handled like a boat compared to the Cayman and its internal finish was not at the same level as any of the 9X7 Porsches.
As an aside, I have a 97 540i 6-speed with sport suspension that I used to feel was a great handling sport sedan. Since Friday I can barely tolerate driving the BMW.
I also noted the tranmission whine, but after 100 miles it seems to be quieting a bit.
JHellow
My first Cayman drive today for a birthday present. The handling of this car inspires mischief. I cannot get the RUF supercharger out of my head. Nice and tight. I'm 5'10 180 pounds and I think the interior is huge.
The Cayman is a dual personalty car....quiet and elegant yet noisy, and raw, somehow more related to Porsches air cooled cars than the 911. If you want more HP, I hear that Mind-Over-Motorsports in San Diego has a new in-a-crate 3.8 awaiting delivery of their Cayman.
The Dodge Hemi comparison was funny. I bet if you asked the Dodge owner which car he would rather drive, Porsche would be the answer. He can keep his dodge. The Cayman has class, and will make history on it's own regardless of what we, or Porsche's marketing department thinks.
My order was over $80,000 with options and I could care less what a 911 costs. When mine shows up, I will drive my 914-6 on Sundays and enjoy the Cayman the rest of the time.
As for who's taller, faster, etc....I think the thing that matters to me most, is how big the smile on my face is the next time I'm smokin'down the twisties into the desert with my golf bag for a weekend of golf with my buds.
Mine comes in 3 months.
