This weekend I went to an HPDE with a few friends. I did a car swap with one of them who had a Cayman S 6sp (which is my second favorite Porsche - that I'd buy, second to the 911 Turbo w/PDK). I had a blast driving it. The steering, balance, clutch engagement, and overall feel was amazing. It had a lot of feedback, and I felt completely in control at all times. It turned in almost effortlessly... The power was a little lacking (compared to the car I normally drive), but overall, I was very impressed with the car.

To add - he had a few mods done to the car, running on NT-01's, so that may have helped with some cornering speeds, handling, etc...

Impressive. I noticed it felt a LOT more balanced than the 996 C2 I had a while back. I didn't feel like I was being pushed on exit, it just sort'a moved there WITH me.

 

How did the driver involvement (feedback), balance and general 'feel' of the car compare to your GT-R?

Genuinely interested, not trying to start another Porsche vs Nissan war!!

 

lol! I'm trying to avoid that topic as well...

Involvement - Well, we'll start out with the obvious - it was a single clutch manual transmission, so there was another dimension I haven't experienced in about 2 years (which probably also stopped me from pushing too hard as well - but I still got a lot out of it). I think the tires lended a hand for traction and traction sensing (my perception of the limit - may not be the actual limit). But I never felt overwhelmed with things happening too quickly. I felt just as involved in the Cayman as I did the GT-R. It had great feedback, in the steering AND the brake pedal. I couldn't 'move' the car around like I wanted to, because of my lack of familiararity of the car, and I lacked the ability to modulate the throttle appropiately because I was expecting more power, and I never found it. The steering felt about the same 'weight' as the GT-R. It was heavy, but I like it that way (as I'm sure most Porsche owners do).

Balance - it felt slightly more balanced than the GT-R, especially on turn-in. It was amazing - by far the thing I remember most. What I couldn't do, even with less power, is modulate the power properly - sometimes the little amount of power I felt, started to rotate the car earlier than I expected, and other times, I wanted more power to push the car out of a corner, and I didn't have any on tap. I believe this issue would disappear if I knew the car better (or adapted better to other cars). One thing I think we can ALL agree on - the GT-R handles its weight VERY well. But the Cayman 'felt' lighter, and this is highlighted on my car's defficiency - turn-in.

If I had to compare the two (which I am hesitant to do) - I'd say the Cayman felt slightly more balanced, and easier to control within MY limits on turn-in, like I said earlier, it felt as the car was moving WITH me, instead of feeling like I had to wrestle the car (like the GT-R). In the GT-R, I've learned that you have to be a little more forceful than other cars. With the Cayman, I felt that I was on the same page as the car. I'm not sure how to describe it any better. It felt as though, I politely asked it to do something, and it executed. I felt as though I also knew WHAT to ask it based on the feedback before my requests...

Did this answer your question at all?

If there is something more specific you're asking, please let me know.

 

I did a DE 2 weekends ago and there was a GTR in my run group. I couldn't run with him at all. He would constantly pull away from me. I was quicker than he was in many of the tight turns, but that's about where it ended. Anything where HP came into play, that thing is just a monster. He and an R8 5.2 were running pretty closely together.

 

The Cayman being MR and being naturally aspirated does have a very different driving characteristic compared to the GT-R.

It needs to be driven like a momentum car. Most of the time there is no need for any trail braking, as soon as you are done with straight line braking you just need to load the front outside tire at turn-in and carry as much speed through the apex by modulating the throttle and a tap or two of left foot braking if you are really pushing it and the car starts to push/understeer. The rear end grip upon hitting the apex might not be as great as a RR engined car like a 911 but you can definitely get on the power and make the most of the power that is available.

Not sure if the Cayman that you drove had a LSD/TBD, but from the factory the Gen 1 Cayman did not come with a LSD/TBD so not being able to get down on the power properly while turning might be a symptom of not having a LSD/TBD. Another possibility might just be the gearing, it might not have been optimal for the particular track.

 

He modded the LSD, adjusted his camber (not sure how), and had NT-01's. Those are the only mods I was aware of.

Yeah, I agree - two COMPLETELY different cars. This is why I can't directly compare the two cars (and I would never really try to). They are so different, they cannot be compared. I liked the turn-in - a LOT. I did carry almost the same speed as I normally would in the GT-R (maybe a little help from the NT-01's, camber, and LSD - giving me a little confidence). But the fact that it wasn't mine kept me from really pushing it.

 

glad you liked the Cayman Thanks for posting

 

^^ LOL

I don't think Jasper was making fun of the Cayman... I've never driven a GTR, but have ridden in a few... and have tracked my previous 911TT and current Cayman S and have to say his assessment was actually pretty fair representation. Cayman feels very balanced, turns in quicker than both GTR and 911... pushes less... but feels way under powered. Especially if you're coming from a turbo car, it is actually difficult initially to throttle steer bc you expect more power, and you end up not getting on the gas early enough coming out of the apex... lack of LSD hurts the car here imo as well. Carry on Jasper.

Jay

 

+1 Well sayeth thee.

 

We are all on the same page..

 

Yeah, I had no idea my comments would be taken out of context like that. But as far as the balance and weight transfer - that is EXACTLY what I was trying to explain (I haven't written about other cars enough to use the appropriate wording). But you've hit the nail on the head.

I went away from the experience seriously considering getting one (the wife loves them as well - this isn't helping). And now that they come in PDK..., uh ohhh.... Might have to start going by the Porsche dealership on my way home from work.

 

Sorry my bad , I guess I miss interpreted or didnt read your post carefully


comming from a GTR owner that was a nice compliment about the Cayman ..
Guess I really did have a few too many last night ,I sincerely apologize my friend . please continue

 

^ lol! No worries... PM replied.

 

My first time at big willow in my Cayman S was very similar to your experience. I see since you're coming from a GTR... you sorta sling shot out of the apex... similar to 911TT, but GTR has amazing electronics and 911 has so much weight in the rear and combine with turbos and lots of hp, it's an amazing feeling. Then I'm in my Cayman...slowly hitting the throttle coming out of apex and the car seriously didn't even feel like it was accelerating! hahaha, I kept doing it, all day. I always felt like I was hitting the throttle too late but the car just doesn't have the power it should. The turn in response and balance of the car is truly amazing, but needs like an additional 60 to 100 hp and it would be a monster on the track.

 

Porsche should be ashamed of themselves for not giving the CS the power it deserves. But I know they aren't...ashamed, that is. I wish I had the cash to drop RUF's new V8 into the engine compartment. That would be interesting.