Patrick E

My local dealer gave me a Cayman S as a service loaner and I've got to say I was pretty impressed. The lower torque and HP vs. the 996 is evident midway up the powerband, but overall I liked it. I would love the opportunity to flog one at VIR! Just curious what other 996 owners think.

BruceP

It's a really tempting package, I have to admit. The problem for me is that only the 911 has enough authenticity cred to outweigh the realities of living with a Porsche. Consider any other product in the line, and it becomes hard to ignore all the other choices out there.

gota911

I drove a Cayman non-S as a loaner for one afternoon. It was way under powered, IMO. I am sure the S would be much better.

Unfortunately, I am too tall for the Cayman. In order to get the leg room I need, the seatback is forced to go almost vertical because it hits the firewall. Sitting in that position is very uncomfortable. If I want to recline the seatback, I have to move the seat up so the seat back doesn't hit the engine firewall. Then I don't have enough legroom to be comfortable. Either way, I can't win.

arr0gant

I'm sure someones has.

Chads996

Yep - considered one before I found my 996. Great car, extremely well balanced. The interior is nice, but a tad on the cramped side (for me). Nice power, great options. Perfect car for track weekends.

C.

Eric - Plug Guy

I might have had the same loaner....Meteor/Black...damn nice too. Really enjoyed driving it. Fun car, without question, but glad to get my C4S Cab back.

450knotOffice

I own a base Cayman in addition to my 996 (my wife drives the Cayman, actually). I love that car. The balance is so perfect and the handling is just stupid-perfect! Admittedly, it is a bit down on power, but interestingly enough, the engine really loosened up and seemed to gain quite a bit of torque and power after about 2000 miles or so. I mean it. It's like a different engine now.

Btw, in it's class, there is nothing out there that can touch a Cayman S.

JC3D

I had a student with one at WSIR last July. He had the whole suspension set up and the car was well dialed in. It handled great. I wasn't able to really test it out not being my car, but from driving it at 6/10s, it felt great.

gregorycarl

Drove one for a day. Had a Boxster S before my 996. Cayman and Boxster drive the same. Mid-engine fun for sure. Both corner on rails and balance is unbelievable. 996 still is a more mature older brother.

JimB

My GF drives a Cayman S. We've had it on the track a couple of times. IMHO, it is by some margin a better "sportscar" than the current 911s. Give it an engine and it would be amazing.
Jim

bk12

I drove a non S with about 8000 miles on it. I really liked the interior and feel of the car, but it was not the same experience as I get with my 996 and PSE (Cayman was much more tame), and I really noticed the difference in power, which was the biggest negative. I would really like to drive an S.....actually, I am a little scared to drive the S because that might just complicate my life

UCrazyKid

I had one as a loaner when my 996 was in for a RMS repair. Drove it for about a week. In it's own right it is a very good handling car but very underpowered. When you take into consideration it's price vs. power and build quality (this car already rattled at 5,000miles) I would take my old S2000 over it anyday for $15,000 less.

It was nice to then go back and drive my 5 year old 996 and still have it put a smile on my face.

deano51

I recently bought my first Porsche, a 2003 Carrera Coupe. In the loooonnnnggg process of shopping/education, I drove the Cayman and Cayman S several times. In fact, I had worked a sweet deal on a brand new Cayman and, on my last test drive, I decided it was a bit too loud (interior) and a bit to closed-in for me. With zero space behind the seat I had a wee sense of claustrophobia. I LOVED the way both Caymans handled though. Very tight and balanced.

gr8330

This is how I felt during my 5 or 6 month ownership experience...let me add not enough torque either

JimB

I don't know about the plain Cayman but I don't understand the concerns about lack of power in the Cayman S. A stock S will make quick work of a stock 996 on the track. It would be more fun with more power but what car wouldn't.