'04 996tt vs '09 cayman s
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I think that with K16 good exhaust and a flash, there is very little lag. If you do a K16 hybrid kit again, there is little lag to deal with. These cars produce power very linear. They are not like most turbo cars where power doesn't come on till 4500 rpm. I start boosting at under 2k rpm. When you are on a track, you should never be at 2k-3k rpm anyway, so if you are driving in the correct rpm band, you will not feel any lag.
Having said that Mikelly is right, I think an NA car is a better learning car than a turbo. I have driven both 911 NA and Caymans on short tracks. They are loads of fun. And you don't have to worry about passing a truck on the freeway only to realize your at 130 mph.
Having said that Mikelly is right, I think an NA car is a better learning car than a turbo. I have driven both 911 NA and Caymans on short tracks. They are loads of fun. And you don't have to worry about passing a truck on the freeway only to realize your at 130 mph.
I love my 996tt but here is the issue.
Street driving you need to wait for the boost which is not fun.
The 996tt really hides your speed well so when you want to have fun in the city it's going to be at dangerous speeds.
On the track, my 996tt feels like a heavy pig but the PSS10's make it way better.
Why don't you try the 997 2S?
It's a better choice and a steal to buy!
"it's everything we know so far" Porsche!
Street driving you need to wait for the boost which is not fun.
The 996tt really hides your speed well so when you want to have fun in the city it's going to be at dangerous speeds.
On the track, my 996tt feels like a heavy pig but the PSS10's make it way better.
Why don't you try the 997 2S?
It's a better choice and a steal to buy!
"it's everything we know so far" Porsche!
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I don't have any Cayman S seat time but can only imagine that if you drive both for an extended test drive that one of them will probably "speak" to you more than the other...and should make your decision a lot clearer. The key is to really get a good unrestricted test drive where you can drive the car in a variety of settings that would approximate your real-world fun (and normal) driving conditions. Good luck! 
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I'll further expand on this:
It's cool being the swinging dick lapping everyone in your group, but are you really improving and learning, and if you are, are you learning at as fast a pace as you could be with less power, less distractions?
HP masks a lot of things, and that, to me is where I think a lower HP car would be more enjoyable, not to mention cheaper to run, which also translates to being able to run more events... which means you're learning, even more.
I see at every event guys in much more capable cars (GT3s, GT2s, Turbos, Vettes) getting lapped by more capable drivers in less capable cars. And I'd bet there are guys here in this category that fit that description.
If you want to be the center of attention at a track day event, or at your local starbucks, get the 996TT. If you want to learn to drive and be a better driver for it? Get the CaymenS.
Truth be told, If I could move mine and not take a bath on it, I'd be in a more capable car for my driving skills.
Mike Kelly
It's cool being the swinging dick lapping everyone in your group, but are you really improving and learning, and if you are, are you learning at as fast a pace as you could be with less power, less distractions?
HP masks a lot of things, and that, to me is where I think a lower HP car would be more enjoyable, not to mention cheaper to run, which also translates to being able to run more events... which means you're learning, even more.
I see at every event guys in much more capable cars (GT3s, GT2s, Turbos, Vettes) getting lapped by more capable drivers in less capable cars. And I'd bet there are guys here in this category that fit that description.
If you want to be the center of attention at a track day event, or at your local starbucks, get the 996TT. If you want to learn to drive and be a better driver for it? Get the CaymenS.
Truth be told, If I could move mine and not take a bath on it, I'd be in a more capable car for my driving skills.
Mike Kelly
Here is the question I would ask. You just rented a new apartment with only a bed to your name. Someone gives you 5K with the following stipulation: You can can either spend it on an antique French Chest of drawers or a couch and a big screen TV. If you picked the antique, get the Cayman and have your "longtime companion Bruce" provide your entertainmnt.
Personally, I would pick to swing as big a dick as possible and watch the big screen.
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just a little side note, I drove both the Cayman S and the 997 CarreraS on the track. They both drove different. For a beginner the cayman was much smoother and more predictable well under it's limit. But I like the way the 911 powers out of turns, different styles for sure. Not sure which I would take between the two. Both are great looking cars as well.
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But seriously, If I really wanted to improve my track/driving skills I would either get a spec Miata or kart. In fact it is about time for us all to get another "6speed" kart day together again.
Ben, you reading?
Ben, you reading?
Mike
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Tell me about the Zcar, Mike. BTW, you are absolutely correct about HP drowning out driver development. It is just that I would need a lot more money in the bank before I would buy a Cayman as a track car.
Sean, It's a 76 Datsun 280Z that was pretty much transformed into a 5:1 (#per HP) terror. I'm almost done with it, and we were going to use it as a DE car, but now I'm thinking about ST2... It's got 13inch rotors/calipers, fully adjustable suspension at all corners, no rubber anywhere in the suspension, and the car should weigh in around 2200#. We're working out the final aero "stuff" and some composit panel mounts right now.
It's powered by a smallblock chevy with a TKO600 and an Infinity Q45 rear diff...
Mike
It's powered by a smallblock chevy with a TKO600 and an Infinity Q45 rear diff...
Mike
That motor "should" be somewhere north of 450HP, But isn't the "end" powerplant. I have an LS6 we're going to go thru and build up with a custom drysump, forged bottom end, big heads, roadrace cam, and other goodies once we shake the rest of the car out with the 383 stroker.
I've posted pics here of it before, but here are a few from a few months back and in varying phases of build:
Mike
I've posted pics here of it before, but here are a few from a few months back and in varying phases of build:
Mike
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Sold a Cayman S to purchase the 996TT and don'e regret it for a second.
The Cayman was a really great handling car, and I always thought it was really great looking, but I wanted something a bit more classic and a convertable. The 996tt was a natural choice. Throw in the power and the choice was easy
The Cayman was a really great handling car, and I always thought it was really great looking, but I wanted something a bit more classic and a convertable. The 996tt was a natural choice. Throw in the power and the choice was easy
