ja78911sc

Is anyone tracking a base model Cayman 2009-2012? I am
Looking for feedback.

I have been participating in PCA DE's for around twelve years (PCA instructor). I am looking to scale back the traveling circus and drive to the track. Maybe 3-4 events a year.

Looking at 09-12 cayman s and base models. Is the 55 h.p. really worth 10k? My trophy case is filled with DE trophies--I don't need anymore

Thanks.......

HoBoJoe

If you decide you want that 55hp back $10k is going to sound like a deal. I've been trying to find the actual differences between the 987.2 base and S and haven't been very successful. Obviously the engine, but I have read the brakes and suspension are the same.

zedcat

Front brakes are the same on the 2.9 and S. The rear discs on the S are thicker. I thought the S was a lower ride height thus different springs/ shocks, but not positive. I tracked a 09 Cayman 2.9l 6MT a few times as a novice and thought it was great (also had PASM and SC). Currently have a 12 R. Also sometimes track a 986 S which has less power than a Cayman 2.9. Not sure if that helps. If it were me I'd be really tempted to stretch to an S. That said, nothing wrong with the 2.9 for occasional DEs.

JSF101

have a 2010 2.9 Cayman w/PDK with 108,000 miles on it
drove it to Road America and had a blast, first time at that track
usually drive it at local track, Harris Hill
still stock except had to add the third radiator for added cooling
plenty of car, plenty of fun for a track like MAM
at RA I was getting run over by all of the GT3s and higher hp cars on the long straight
so, you'll have to answer the question is the extra hp worth it
for only 2-3 DEs per year, probably not
the car is very capable as is in stock form (much more than me) and I autocross it regularly as well (not many stock cars can do better)
probably time for some modifications to suspension, can only get -.7 up front
still, would like to own a 380hp Cayman, at about 2800 pounds, X73 or better suspension (that dream would cost about $100k more than my car)

ja78911sc

Hobo: Agree. I wish I could drive both back to back on the track.

Zed: Your feedback is helpful.

JSF: Wow, 108k on a 2.9. Everything i have read on the 2.9 has been positive. Your example reinforces this.

Ubermensch

I was looking for something similar and ended up going with the S. As you said, I was less interested in the additional power. I was however interested in the reliability and improvements made to the DFI engine. If you take a look at the cooling and other measures most people tracking the earlier engine make, I felt like life would be easier (and I'd sleep easier) with the DFI engine. All that being said I tracked a 996 for 5 years with zero problems.

-Shawn

Slim987

I have tracked my 2.9 (exhaust is the only upgrade I have) coming from a BMW n54 turbo 135i and the power difference really had not been a big deal for me. The S is definitely faster, especially on the lower end... However, for me it's more about the technical skill. I was overtaking corvettes all day and kept up with Gen 1 cayman S's with some mods.

usctrojanGT3

I'm talking out my 2010 CS out to the track this weekend...hoping that I can stay within about 10 seconds of what I'll run in my RS.

GroupJ

I track my 2009 Cayman Base with PDK. I'm more interested in cornering speed than straight line speed and figure the lower HP means less stress on transmission and cooling system. Suspension and brakes are essentially the same.

9eight7

I had a blast tracking my ‘09 base cayman! It’s a very good car out of the box but does need some upgrades from stock form. It doesn’t have the hp to out run cars without them yielding, which may be something to consider. The extra hp doesn’t make that big of a difference overall. Do you drive with friends or do you typically go by yourself?

GroupJ

I am in the process of upgrading suspension to clubsport and installing seat, 6 pt harness, and quality paddle shifters. May do some exhaust mods but don’t anticipate a big HP increase. I figure the cost delta from base to S paid for the Mods.

mjdavis

GroupJ ^ has the right idea. Get the base car, spend the savings on seats and harnesses, exhaust (need some noise), LCAs, Girodiscs, Bilstiens, good tires, etc, etc. That's what I did so I know it's smart...

Racerrob

I went through the same conundrum when I was shopping. I have a 2011 base that is almost exclusively a track car. It has seats, harnesses, roll bar, lsd and all of the upgraded suspension goodies including remote reservoir MCS shocks.

I am a 20+ year instructor and racer who just wanted a fun track car and I am happy with my choice. It's fun, affordable, easy on consumables and by no means slow.

The extra power of an S is nice but I would take the race suspension and lsd over 50 HP. If it were 100 hp or more like a GT4, well, that's different but a big jump in price as well.

Good luck with your search.

GroupJ

Did you get your track car?