barney55

Anyone have both cars,i'm interested mostly in the handling,rather than looks,

gt3 is obviously quicker,but is it round a track?

Regards TIA

Crazy Canuck

Gt3 is much faster around a track.

More power, different, more adjustable, suspension.

elh0102

I had an '08 Cayman S for a year, and I had it on track 4 or 5 weekends. Four months ago I sold it and bought a lightly used '05 GT3, which I have now had on track a couple of times. Both cars totally unmodified. I have 8 years of track experience, in advanced/solo groups in all the clubs in which I participate. The Cayman is a wonderful platform, and on some tracks would be as quick as the GT3. It is an especially good sports car for someone getting started with DE events. Its combination of modest power and great handling balance yields a car in which one has to make a substantial mistake to get in trouble. The GT3 is more track durable for someone driving at a relatively advanced level, and needs nothing but routine brake maintenance to make a great track car for my type of casual use. The Cayman, if driven hard, will have lower brake system limits, the interaction of PSM cannot be fully turned off, it lacks LSD (not a huge factor in this car, but it is noticed), obviously has less power, and the GT3 suspension is more track ready, and adjustable. The only thing I have done to the GT3 is the addition of the Euro Porsche/Recaro GT3 seats, which are much more supportive, and offer a lower driving position. As with all sports cars, this is a personal decision, and you just have to drive them. I find the GT3 more fun on track than any car I have owned (M3, ZO6, Cayman). Some folks are very critical of the rear-engine 911 platform, I think overly so. Other things equal, a mid-engine car has an advantage of better static balance. But, things are rarely equal, especially behind the steering wheel. An involved driver learns to manage the strengths and limitations of the car, and I know the GT3 offers limits that exceed mine. You have to be sensitive to certain handling scenarios, but the traction under acceleration and braking is fantastic with the rear weight bias and, IMO, fully offsets its limitations.

I should add, I have been on track with some highly modified Caymans, and they are awsome track machines (but, bring lots of money). Hope this helps, good luck.

mooty

i have had a LOT of GT3 and a lot of cayman s, both in modified and stock forms.

elh0102's comments are right on.

read it a few times to digest. he pretty much said everything that need to be said comparing the two cars.

himself

As another data point: at the limit, a very slightly modded Cayman S (I think only exhaust) on sticker R6s ran 1.1 seconds slower than my stock GT3 on 20 HC R6s on a 1.7 mile track. Same day, same conditions, about a month ago. Guestimating that sticker tires are worth a second, the Cayman S is about 2 seconds slower @ 1.7 miles. I'm pretty sure both cars were at [or VERY close to] their limit as the driver was Patrick Long.

It is clear that the Cayman S is a great track car, but longevity would be my only concern.

-td

SleepRM3

Outstanding thread. I'd considered the Cayman S (2010 with locking diff) also. Sounds like the 2004/2005 GT3 still is the "bad boy" to get. Saving my pennies, and counting the days to when I'll join this illustrious group of GT3 owners.

996FLT6

Mooty I remember when u had a cayman s didn't your powersteering pump overheated as well as Dave's ? Mike

swbatte

There is so much knowledgeable advice available here. All the above is true.

The only thing I would add/emphasize is that if you're new to track events the Cayman might be a better choice to learn on with slightly more modest power and the balance of a mid engine set up. The GT3 is ultimately considerably quicker, however; it would be a handful for someone who's new to the track.

If you're experienced the GT3 is a clear winner at the track. If not, I'd consider the Cayman.

himself

I think this is resolved with an underdrive pulley.

-td

KOAN

I've seen oil smoke blow out through the exhaust of a Cayman S in high G turns. Is this a common characteristic?

GrantG

Yes, with the pre-09's. The new engine in the 09+ cars should solve this problem, solve the oil starvation issues, and solve the power steering issues. Now, we just need to see if the DFI will be problematic with the poor quality fuel in the US (talk of excessive carbon build-up in the engines).

Leigh2

All of that series of engine before the direct injection engine came out have oil separator issues and can blow huge clouds of oil out intermittently. No damage and normal but very disconcerting....

If anyone's interested I have a friend that is about to list an 08 Cayman S with a 3.8 X51 engine in it plus seats, roll bar, suspension, exhaust etc. It has testing only track time and he's selling it for about 1/2 of what it cost to build....PM me if interested and I'll pass along the contact info.

IPguy

^here is a link: https://rennlist.com/forums/7108906-post1.html

jbossolo

I know it's not really a fair comparison, but let's take it up a notch here; how bout a GT3 v/s a "Cayman Interseries" car?:
http://www.napletonmotorsports.com/services.html
Sounds pretty exciting for "only" $80K!

Malakas

Great thread!

Im currently in a C4S (996) and found it great on the track. VERY forgiving. The power / torque to punch out of corners at 5K RPM was pretty impressive (to me).

However, as my 4S is getting on in miles and many consumables will need to be replaced (esp if continuing to track), I was thinking of trading up to a 06 Cayman S. But after reading this thread... perhaps its better to wait for a GT3??