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YOUR RESEARCHCayman loaner vs. 996 vs. 360
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first time i drove it
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I didn't explore it's capabilities that far since he just got it and it was the first time I drove it.
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(All the new PORSCHE car information in my head is slowly being replaced with G-50 and 914-6 information)
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I test drove a 2006 Cayman S before buying my C4S, and fully expected to feel all the wonderful handling.
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996 is at the dealer so I have a 2011 Cayman PDK as a loaner. I'll give a comparison to the 996.
Engine:
The throttle response is AWESOME! I wish our 3.6 revved up and down so quickly. The 3.6 with a quick blip at idle feels extremely sluggish compared to this 2.9 DFI motor. It's surprisingly quick with the PDK. After driving it over 500 miles this week, I can see why a lot of people don't spring the extra $ for the CS. I haven't driven a 2.9 manual, but I suspect the PDK is extracting the most out of this magnificent motor. The only thing it lacks to the 3.6 is the torque, but that's due to size. I would sacrifice some power and torque for this type of throttle response. I wonder if the the 997.2 DFI motors are like this?
Suspension:
In one word - effortless. You make a semi-fast turn and before you know it, it's like "did I really turn"? It's that telepathic compared to the 996. My 996 has the RoW M030 springs and shocks with an H&R rear sway bar and it feels big, heavy, and sluggish in comparison to this base Cayman. Plus the Cayman absorbs the bumps, cracks, etc. in the pavement very nicely while being slot car like with steering inputs - not so with the 996. Overall, sublime suspension - just too high visually. Dare I say it's almost too easy and not raw enough? I didn't explore it too hard since it's not mine and it's on the street, but I can't understate how wonderful it is. I would love to add a Boxster to the 996 someday.
Transmission:
Dual clutch trannys are fun, but from my experience that initial fun factor wanes. I had DSG in a GTI for 25k miles and sorely missed the manual. But that could have to do with sorely missing RWD too. The PDK's software learns better than the DSG did, but I would want sharper / harder shifts. Perhaps the sport chrono option would do the trick. Overall, I would own a PDK, but not without having a manual in the garage too.
Brakes:
No difference.
Interior:
It's fine with the exception of two things: 1) can't remove the center console stack. I don't like that my right leg always presses up against it, but that's the design of most cars today. I removed that from my 996 which was very helpful.
And 2), no sunroof. It's a bit dark after a while, but hey, no problem, that's what the Boxster is for. Although the exterior of the Cayman is much prettier than the Boxster in my opinion...guess we can't have it all.
Oh yes - the 360 you see below. It's a friend's car (2003 I think) that I drove for about 20 minutes. I didn't explore it's capabilities that far since he just got it and it was the first time I drove it. The Tubi exhaust is intoxicating. It's sheer presence is outstanding, even just sitting there. However the suspension felt a bit numb compared to the Cayman. My initial impression is that the Cayman is more fun to drive on the street, but that's with only about 20 minutes of seat time in the 360. The Cayman simply feels for nimble and tossible, like an extension of the driver. I didn't get that same feeling from the 360.
If I had to choose between the 996 and Cayman it would be a tough decision if I didn't have 2 young boys who can fit in the back seats of the 996.
Thanks for the comparison. I seriously considered a Cayman S, but decided that with the back seat space of a 911 there was a bit more storage and usability. Hey, kids can fit back there right? Also, I just loved the classic looks of the 911.
All that being said though, I do think the Cayman is a great car, and from what I've heard, handles amazingly. Who knows, maybe if they put another 50hp I'd give it more thought next time.
Good write up!
Did you see the top gear show where Clarkson tests the Cayman - or Cockster as he calls it ....
Bottom line - it's not a 911 !
I did my first Autocross last weekend and I have to say the Cayman S 's were looking fast.
I agree - they look better than a boxster and handle well - but the 911 is the classic shape - i'm happy with my 6spd, torque is great, and I can even get my teenage daughter in the backseat.
The 911 handling is actually a lot of fun when you get used to steering with the throttle - I spent some time on the skid pad - which I highly recommend to any 911 driver ... even with PSM ...
And the Targa gives me the best of both worlds - open top when I want that, coupe look, and nice big glass sunroof to let the light in .....
Haha, I saw that episode. Sadly, he's a Porsche hater to begin with. It wouldn't have mattered if it was a GT-2RS, he still wouldn't like it. Some people make their own choices though!
Nice writeup -- thanks for sharing!
I test drove a 2006 Cayman S before buying my C4S, and fully expected to feel all the wonderful handling. It didn't live up to the hype for me. What I really need to do is find someone with a decently set up one at an autocross that will let me drive it -- perhaps then I'd feel the magic. My brief impression was that the engine response was quite a bit different, with the Cayman really having more punch as the RPMs rose, while the 996 was more linear. Bigger engine and all (comparing a 2004 996 to a 2006 Cayman S, so probably quite different than the 2011 Cayman PDK you drove).
I've also been thinking I'd love to pay some money to drive a GT3 at an autocross since they're hyped to heck and back also, but I think my chances are awfully slim.
Nice writeup. Although the thing that interests me most are those 'black' wheels. Always wondered what yellow and black would look like. I might have to move in that direction!
You said one thing about the "rawness". I think one particular thing about the 911 that makes it desirable thruout the ages is the bit of animalness that is enherent in a rear engine chassis. Step out of line or don't respect it enough and you'll get bit. That's part of the package that sets the 911 in a class of desirability all it's own. For me anyway.
Great write up! Trying to remember back to Porsche school but I am pretty sure the 2.9L engine isn't DFI but I may be wrong.
(All the new PORSCHE car information in my head is slowly being replaced with G-50 and 914-6 information)
Sorry guys, saw 360 and had to check it out...
There is NOTHING like my 360 (coupe 6speed manual). Nothing at all I have ever driven. My Boxster has a wonderful suspension and driver dynamic, and yes it is smooth and effortless.
The 360 has a harder suspension. I feel every bump in the road. The 360 is also wider which may be what you were feeling. As far as performance, it's a completely different animal. It's designed for the triple digits. Above 80-100 it ceases to be so stiff and becomes much more fluid on the road. It is also less forgiving in a turn, and is "twitchier". The overall dynamic is soo visceral by comparison.
As far as attention.. nobody pays me any in the Boxster and my 928. The 360.. everytime it's on the road people are taking pictures and video. There's nothing like it. :-)
I drove a 2010 Carrera S cabriolet for a week in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy last fall. The throttle response was remarkable compared to my 996. It made rev matching during downshifts when driving through the alps an absolute pleasure - much more fun than my 996.
I had a Cayman tip as a loaner a couple of weeks ago and I was thoroughly unimpressed. It was sluggish and lacking in torque. It made me even more glad to see my 996 when I picked it up.
I have to agree with curt_928. 996s are a dime a dozen in Northern NJ. No one even bants an eyelid when they see my 996. The moment I drive the F348, every Tom, Dick and Harry speeds up to check out my car. The P car and F car are 2 totally different cars. The Porsche is refined and could be used as a daily driver. The F car is completely raw and wild. It is almost like comparing Celine Dion to Courtney Love!
One of my neighbors has a Cayman S with a manual. We drove each others cars a few weeks ago. He loved the power of the TT, and I loved the intuitive handling of the Cayman.
Totally different animals, but they each bring a lot of fun to the table.
Good to know. I was considering a Boxster tip for my wife. But after experiencing the PDK, we be very disappointed. Just will need to wait a bit longer.
That would make sense. I've heard good things about the PDK, but not driven one yet.
Personally, I'm a big fan of manual transmissions - you drive the car instead of the car driving you. It was frustrating to put my foot down in the Cayman and not have it respond. One metric I use is acceleration from a stop light. In my 996 I can typically get to 40mph as I accelerate from the line to the other side of the intersection. In the tip the best I managed was 17mph - pretty dismal.
I had a 997.2 PDK (DFI) loaner the other day and it is a night and day comparison to my 996 C4S. IMO - the 997.2 is such an upgrade from the 996, the throttle response, interior feel / quality, and the general fit / finish is significantly better than my C4S. I love the PDK, but if I were to upgrade I think I would stick with the 6speed manual.
drove a friend's Boxster Spyder with PDK and sport chrono. Quick car.....deceivingly quick, but as you mentioned, the PDK doesn't slam the gears or at least with a crispness one would hope. Apparently a Lamborghini tech mentioned that the gearbox in the R8 is the same as the lambo, but the lambo has that crispness and expected lifetime is shortened by 2/3!
