Has anyone test drove a Cayman S? How do you think the new Cayman S compares to the 944 turbo?

 

Haven't driven one either, but I expect it would be better in almost every regard. 20 years more advanced.

944 has the edge in cargo room and oil leaks though =)

 

I drove a BoxsterS with a 3.8L 997S engine (I installed the VarioCam control on it and tuned it). It was a blast to drive, lots of fun. Much easier to drive than the 951, but amodified 951 will hurt it.
The KaymanS handling is light years ahead of the 951. However, a bit of modifications and the 951 will destroy it as well.

Both Boxster and Kayman are easier to drive!

Would I trade my 951 for a Boxster or a Kayman? NO. I'll just get a Boxster and install a 3.8L in it and have fun.. (forced induction comes to mind though ).

 

I drove a Cayman S last week. The car is just too much fun. So tight and responsive. The power is good, its sounds great, and the torque curve is impressive. Still doesn't touch a modded 951 in a straight line, but I think it would out-handle a stock 944 any day. Great cars, if you get an opportunity GO DRIVE ONE!!! it's worth it

 

I don't really see the point of buying a Cayman since the 911 is so refined. I agree with Jeremy Clarkson who said that the Cayman is good but not as good as it could have been.

 

"I agree with Jeremy Clarkson who said that the Cayman is good but not as good as it could have been."

I think we are all driving the 1980's equivilant of the Cayman; a car that could have been FAR better if the factory did not have to protect the 911 so much.

The Cayman was specificaly designed and built to fit in the middle of the Boxster and 997, both in price and performance.

 

Does anyone else beside me think that this is a major R&D problem for Porsche? Has inherent rear engine design difficulties prevented them from making even more incredible designs?

 

That sounds wicked. Any more info on that? I have always thought that platform would be great for about 400hp. 996 engines are bout 17k. Boxter (18k) plus the 17k for an engine, maybe 5k for a SC.

 

RUF Cayman, oh yeah!

 

It's a part of marketing an image and not too far off the joke about 40 years of engineering to compensate for the engine in the wrong place. The 911 IS Porsche. Everything else is secondary.

It's not a R&D problem but a market based choice.

 

Air cooled was Porsche also. Limits in the design forced change. The ultimate Porsche is not a 911 but a mid-engined, water cooled V10.

I understand the marketing decision to keep the marque a rear engine design. But if that design limits progress and "lesser" models with more potential are de-tuned to prop up the marque then something is wrong.

 

I agree completely.

As I joked in a previous thread; Eventually, even VW fixed the Beetle.

 

How would the Cayman S compare to my 951 with current suspension set-up?

 

He will still run circles around you.

 

At the limit, jturbo's ride will push pretty badly compared to a stock cayman S and have more body roll as well.

I have the same setup minus the stiffer front springs and find that you have to soften the fronts a good amount to get closer to neutral cornering. I run 245/40/17's all around as well so between the skinnier fronts and stiffer springs, I can only imagine how much more understeer there is.