mjdavis

So I traded in my 2004 C2 (plus some cash) for a 987.2 base Cayman. Now that I've been to VIR with both cars, I thought it may be interesting to do a performance comparison, just for fun.

First, the cars:
2004 C2
3.6L, 325hp
ROW M030 suspension
Michelin PS2s
Girodisc brakes, Pagid yellows

2010 Cayman
2.9L, 265hp
Bilstein PSS9 suspension
Yokohama AD08s
Girodisc brakes, Cobalt XR3s

Experience at VIR:
At the end of the front straight, the 996 is 10mph faster. The extra power, while I never noticed it from the driver's seat (and in daily driving, the Cayman actually feels "quicker"), makes a big difference. Braking feels the same across both cars (very similar brake setups). Going into the Lower Esses (Turn 5), the Cayman is about 7mph faster.

Entering the Upper Esses Turn 7), the Cayman is about 10mph faster. The 996 could probably/definitely enter at the same speed (around 110mph for me), but I think you have to get it "just right", where with the Cayman I immediately felt comfortable carrying more speed.

On my best Cayman lap, I got held up by a C4 Corvette (why is it always a Corvette?) from T9 through Oak Tree (RIP), which probably cost me about 4 seconds, and some top speed on the back straight. That being said, once again, the power of the 996 proved itself, maxing out 10mph faster than the Cayman at the top of that long uphill climb.

Here's the craziest thing though - coming through the Hog Pen (turn 17), I was 17MPH faster in the Cayman!. Now, I'm not sure what I was up to, there's no reason the difference should be that big, but I felt pretty comfortable pushing the Cayman through the turns. My guess is that the Yokos are better than the PS2s (let's say that's 2 seconds per lap), and the PSS9s are no doubt better than the ROW M030s (let's say 3 seconds per lap).

Overall, I lapped VIR 3 seconds faster in the Cayman than in the 996. Now, this is extremely unscientific, as I'm not even sure that was my fastest ever 996 lap (but it was clean), and the 996 lap was before the recent re-pave. With the same tires, same suspension, same driver, same surface, I bet the two cars are an even match. Very different experiences though!

DTMiller

Great write up. What a fun experiment. As for the 17 mph difference, I think you answered your own question!

G.T.

A couple of things stood out on why you turned quicker times in the Cayman:

Having done all configurations of VIR several times (in competition, albeit many moons ago), it certainly helps to have an "easier" car to drive in certain sections to push the car. I used to love it being in sync with the car, dancing, going uphill on the esses...

And agreed...the AD08s are waaaay better than the PS2s.

johneecatt

I have a 2014 Cayman S / PDK that I used to track bone stock, and a '99 996 that is lightly modified (some suspension and aero / stock motor). The Cayman makes considerably more raw power, but it is, and feels (considerably) heavier. The Cayman is so neutral, it's really easy to drive fast right away...up to a point - at the limit, it's got a LOT of understeer with VERY limited camber in stock config. That said - I set 3 track records in POC for my (stock) class. The 996 took me some time to learn, but when I did - I can go about a second or two faster per lap. For top speed, I can dive into turn one at Auto Club Speedway around 150 - 155 in the Cayman, around 140 - 145 in the 996 - but my 996 lap times will be a second or two faster. The 996 FEELS much lighter and tossable - I'm really comfortable in that car now - more than the Cayman, actually...

That's NT-01's on both cars

SWK6Cup

your write-up shows why the car with the better balance is easier, more confidence inspiring to drive. This is the reason that Caymans, in various guises are taking over the tracks these days........

Nonetheless, I am still a 911 guy. GL and enjoy both....ur a lucky guy!

911TTCAB

Nice comparison.

I actually started my track addiction at VIR driving my 2004 996 Turbo Cab in 2012. I knew I wanted more so I picked up a dedicated track 2000 996 c2 a couple of years ago. Fixed up the track car and it is an absolute blast to drive on the track. So much that I prefer it over the Turbo. Comfort and feel are better in the C2 so I drive it faster.

mjdavis

I'd say that I learned to drive in the 996, but I never really learned to drive the 996, if that makes any sense. I rarely got to the point where that car felt light on it's feet in corners. I definitely needed firmer springs, etc to keep the body in line.
For example, I eventually could make good speed up through the esses at WGI, but the entry had to be EXACTLY right, otherwise the car would start rolling/corkscrewing around. On a related note, the 996 taught me a great lesson about how adding throttle can get you out of many awkward situations.

Finally, I will say that the much-maligned M96 (I am VERY aware of the various MOFs) is, in my opinion, an absolute masterpiece to drive. I love the power delivery (with the gen 2 variocam step up), the noise (of course, mine had Fabspeed mufflers, but still), and the general character of that thing is such a blast. The 9A1, while objectively better in many areas, just doesn't have as much personality.

Silk

I think the main difference for the speed differences in favour for the Cayman in the curves is the Michelin PS2 vs. Yokohama AD08. The last one grips much better. More control because of the much stiffer design of the Ad08.

IkoIko911

I had a 981 Base Boxster - lease ended and I recently sold it back to dealer........ and replaced it with the C4S.

I tracked the 981 a few times per year - have not done a track day with the C4S yet....... can't wait to run this experiment on my own!

vandersmith

This thread is going to get googled for years as prices drop. Thanks for posting!

rymerc

In case anyone was looking, 2009+ caymans are about $25k for a cheap base car with 70k miles, to $41k for an S with 30k miles

I've been keeping an eye on them for months, prices have held steady and maybe even gone up going into winter, wtf? New 4-banger turbo release must be propping up old 987.2 values

Vancouver996

a cayman with pss9s and a 996 on grocery getter suspension mo30s is hardly a fair comparison .

Slakker

Actually the M030 suspension is an absolute hoot with the right tires (see video below). I'm guessing the biggest differences were the tires and the 996 has a higher learning curve on the track than the Cayman. But it's also more rewarding IMO.

Triple Black

Gotta agree - the M030 matched with Yokohama AD08R's make a great combination for the track. On the street though the M030 is really quite rough (and I live in a place with really good roads).

Vancouver996

The m030 on the track will be outclassed by even a basic coilover set up.
You can go into corners much harder , carring higher speed and get out flatter with much less roll allowing you to get on the throttle earlier .

Anyone who has driven both setups back to back on the same track will tell you the same thing .