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Maybe this has been beat to death and in all likelihood a 964 owner doesn’t regard these cars but I’m wondering if anyone has experience with a 2009 or newer Cayman for track days as they seem to be a fairly reasonable and reliable track day car
2009 or newer due to the more robust and track worthy engine
I’m just looking at it from the perspective that you can buy one for the mid-20s now and they are inherently more track capable than a modified 964 which is getting more and more difficult to track anyway given their values
Had a Cayman R. Tracked it, loved it and it really felt at home there bone stock.
The most surprising thing is how it made me look like a hero driver on the first time out, which was an AutoX track. Second go around I was sideways for most of the track and could control it perfectly.
Comparing that to my 964, I have to say getting it right in the 964 is so much more satisfying... but it happens rarely. With the Cayman I an there every drive. And consistency wins the race.
I regret selling the Cayman, but wanted to simplify life a bit. Too many of a good thing became a bad thing. But God, that car was such a toy.
The reason I kept the 964 was that overall it made me smile more since it gives more thrill at lower speed and in regular road driving. Combine that with the fact that there are plenty of Caymans around... so I can always get another one.
Had a Cayman R. Tracked it, loved it and it really felt at home there bone stock.
The most surprising thing is how it made me look like a hero driver on the first time out, which was an AutoX track. Second go around I was sideways for most of the track and could control it perfectly.
Comparing that to my 964, I have to say getting it right in the 964 is so much more satisfying... but it happens rarely. With the Cayman I an there every drive. And consistency wins the race.
I regret selling the Cayman, but wanted to simplify life a bit. Too many of a good thing became a bad thing. But God, that car was such a toy.
The reason I kept the 964 was that overall it made me smile more since it gives more thrill at lower speed and in regular road driving. Combine that with the fact that there are plenty of Caymans around... so I can always get another one.
Good subjective comparison (which is what 964 drivers need). Been thinking the same route myself on a few occasions. Thought of swapping the 968S M030 I have for a Cayman S but keep holding back.
Words a good friend of mine said after a trackday on a GT4: it looks good, it feels good, but it's so much less dramatic, so stable, so precise, it ruins everything at the end. Not that you couldn't enjoy it, but it's just too easy.
The skills and ***** required to drive a 964 or older 911 on a fast track is something totally different from the ***** you need to do the same in a gt4.
That said, both look incredible on track, both are fitted for the place.
Words a good friend of mine said after a trackday on a GT4: it looks good, it feels good, but it's so much less dramatic, so stable, so precise, it ruins everything at the end. Not that you couldn't enjoy it, but it's just too easy.
The skills and ***** required to drive a 964 or older 911 on a fast track is something totally different from the ***** you need to do the same in a gt4.
This is partly why, when faced with a choice, I decided to keep my 993 and sell my GT4 after one track weekend.
It immediately brought me to the slippery slope of investing in harness bar harnesses extra wheels and tires track insurance and more horsepower
Gt4 is awesome fast predictable sterile
But I'm contemplating a 2009 cayman because it’s a sweet spot between cost and performance. And exceeds a 993 or 964. Gt4 performance? Definitely not. Gt4 exposure (tires brakes depreciation track insurance)? Definitely not
I’ve driven the Cayman S and it’s pretty much the same as the Boxster but with a hard top and based upon what you have already mentioned and what you’re looking for it sounds like a perfect fit. It’s not as sterile/refined as the 981 IMHO but also not as capable. It’s also more focused and more inline with Porsches of the past as far as interior amenities and layout. You will need to upgrade some of the suspension components to dial in the alignment for track use and a center radiator will also help with cooling.
I have a 2010 Cayman S 6MT as a daily - it's not special like my 964, but it's certainly quick, capable, and relatively comfortable. I don't think you'd be disappointed to have both.
Had 987 Cayman base, now have 964. Have driven many many 987 cayman/s's. Miss my cayman every day
Above comments are spot on. Cayman makes you feel like pro driver 100% of the time.
If you can keep both, pick up a 987.2 cayman S and never look back. Get lowering springs, short shifter & exhaust, you have the most fun track Porsche for under 30-35k. Reliability is no concern and values are already too low to go wrong
Had 987 Cayman base, now have 964. Have driven many many 987 cayman/s's. Miss my cayman every day
Above comments are spot on. Cayman makes you feel like pro driver 100% of the time.
If you can keep both, pick up a 987.2 cayman S and never look back. Get lowering springs, short shifter & exhaust, you have the most fun track Porsche for under 30-35k. Reliability is no concern and values are already too low to go wrong
that’s spot on but i would actually have to do a boxster to appease the wife so she can get a convertible 🤮
And the reality is that while a boxster is very feminine, it’s not a huge driving compromise for the application
And I’d get a pdk so she’d try a track day with it. She can drive a stick but it’s a bit much to start with on track