Cayman hatch...how long till Porsche gets it right

Porsche is not known for getting new 'closures' to work right, i.e., rattle and squeak free, during a new configuration's initial model year(s). Think 'targa'..... How long till they get the Cayman's unique hatchback right? My bet is 2-3 years Barry

Let's hope it is shorter than that, but honestly, I'd like to see some aftermarket providers do some different styling with the hatch, more flying buttress-like, etc. Maybe someone will go to the Frankfurt auto show and open and close the Cayman hatch several times and report back! Anyone???

I can't respond on the targa issue, but I have owned a 968 and three 928s all with hatches. The 968 hatch did rattle a bit until it was <u>adjusted properly</u>........then is was pretty quiet. But I do agree that in general the 944/968 hatch design whereglass was glued to a small frame was not the best. But like I said, once adjusted properly I didn't have a problem with mine. All of my 928s never made a sound. They are massive frames with built in glass......where the frame is the structure not the glass/frame sandwich......totally different than the 944/968. Great design. When I look at the Cayman hatch I see one that appears to be even more sturdier than a 928 hatch.......large frame with lots of metal and stiffness. Recently took a slightly use 987 out on the road for an hour or so.......and was amazed at how quiet it was.......not a rattle or a squeek. Now I know it doesn't have a hatch, but it does prove a point to how well Porsche has improved structure over the years. Have you seen some of the articles on how Porsche took extra time when it came to the hatch area to make it solid and rattle free?? I'm worried about a few things on the Cayman......RMS, etc.,......but hatch noise is not really on my list.

Interestingly this is one of the major thing that is stopping me from ordering an early Cayman. I know that early Porsches (and any car really) always have little niggles. That is not a big concern when it is a cheap car, but the Cayman S will be a major expenditure for me. I am not so concern about RMS. Ie, that is NEVER going to be fixed as it is the way they cast the block that creates the RMS problem, so unless they choose to redesign the engine blocks, we are stuck with it. Besides, I have been lucky enough not to have RMS so far, so may my good luck continue with the Cayman S. /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/regular_smile.gif

I will be attending the auto show in Frankfurt. Thanks to a friend, we have some VIP passes for the show and a tour of the Mercedes and Porsche factories down in Stuttgart lined up. I would be happy to report back on the hatch because I plan on spending "quite a bit of time" with the little "croc" while there! Edited by - Chris L. on 08/25/2005 08:03:48 AM

I'm not that concerned about the hatch squeaking/rattling. If it does and it's a design problem it will never get fixed because Porsche is not about to redesign the hatch if they didn't redesign the M96 motor! If there are still some gasket/rubber problems those can be fixed along the way. I don't believe there are going to be a lot of 'new model' problems with this car because, well, it's not really a new model is it?

Chris L., Would you be interested in providing an exclusive scoop of your trip with photos, etc. write up to Cayman Club? I can handle incoming feeds from you and get them posted on your behalf if you'd like. I think it would make a great addition to the Articles section, maybe a daily breakdown or something like that.

Please take lots of interior pics particularly from the front looking back into the hatch, plus pics of the luggage divider if they have it. Please report everything you can remember. Thanks!

I'll be at Frankfurt show as well, and will bring my digital that takes both pics and MPG4's. Let me know how to get them to you for overnight viewing.

Just use my email K-ManS[at]kc.rr.com I think I can take 15mb at a time until the box is full, no need to shoot in super high resolution. Probably too expensive to overnight a DVD, but Private Message me if you want an address to send one to when you get back from the show. I've got room on the server for more pics and video.

Will do what I can to keep the adoring public, of which I am one, aware of everything going on. I notice that Schao will be there too so we should be able to 'get the word out.' I will get the write up to you K-Man S and between Schao and myself, should have sufficient pictures. Chris L.

Thanks guys! I am really looking forward to reading and seeing more about the Cayman S! If you see my dealer there (from Porsche Australia), please say hello to him for me. /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif

Looks like there could be enough of us in Frankfurt to start a party! I too will be there, but not until the last Saturday (perversley I'll acually be in the US for the first week of the show!) so as soon as I get back I'll psot all my digi pics and forward any vid for hosting. Jack