After two years I still enjoy it...now, if it'd stop buring thru cats, melting coils, and simply produced the HP I paid for, from the factory, I'd be sound as a pound

I REALLY Apologize if you thought I was trying to insult anyone here. That was NOT my intent. I'm truly sorry.

 

No one is offended at all, sorry if I made it sound that way. We love our cars and would love for you to share in our experience. No wrong answers. Just have fun!

 

:beers:
:cheers:

 

I got rid of a RX8 for my Cayman S and at the limit it is nowhere near the same car. My RX8 was modded with the typical bolt ons RB intake, ram air, sway bars, rp high flow cat (best performance mod), rx8 store exhaust and hawk hps brake pads. The brakes in the Cayman S are way better than the Rx8 even with stock pads...especially at the track. But I definitely loved the RX8 but I just loved the CaymanS more.

 

Have had my Cayman S (the Imola Rinspeed version) for 6 months.

I know it is your opinion, but the RX8 is not and cannot be considered in the same class. (Yes I have driven the RX8, and yes I have experience with tracking cars. I had a twin turbo g35 with other mods and that thing was on rails until the engine blew up.)

 

dunno what to tell you guys - maybe it's the driver? Last track even in which I participated featured more than a few Boxsters - couple caymans. I was never threatened in the corners. But - really, this isn't about, nor did I intend to make it about the RX8.

 

Just curious...why a 996? IMO, a Cayman looks WORLDS better than the bland-styling 996 (personal opinion, I realize), and I imagine a Cayman S would outpace a 996 on the track as well. Although you can probably pick up a 996 and save some $$$. Porsche rarely takes a step backwards from model generation to model generation, and the 987 is definitely ahead in the evolution curve from the 996.

FYI, the Cayman S just came in a close second behind the 997 GT3 in a Motor Trend "Best Handling Car in America" write up. Worth a look. Ahead of the Exige, Mini, S2000, Z06, Evo, etc.

 

Absolutely Price. And back seats.

I'd read parts of that - not a huge fan of MT; but interesting read nonetheless. I was VERY surprised at no RX8 or even Miata in that test; both regarded by many as having 'world-class' ability.

Now - keep in mind I LOVED the cayman. I know it handles VERY well. I found my RX8 does a couple things better (Lighter steering, lighter 'feel'); that's not to say the cayman was deficient in those areas. Just different - not to my tastes.

One guy on my RX8 forum summed it up like this:

 

do you really think that the rx8 stopps better? anyone else? i find this hard to believe

 

If its better, why change at all? I know you are kind of walking a line here and not wanting you to have to defend your RX8 but c'mon. You need more seat time.

 

Stock for stock there is no way the RX8 stops better. Even with upgraded pads the RX8 still doesn't stop as good....but the RX8 had really good brakes but they definitely would fade after some hard driving.

 

MY Rx8 stops better. My car has much stickier tires than the Cayman S I test-drove, and likely more-aggressive pads. Stock for stock, It'd be very close.

If the RX8 is better? The RX8 isn't a better car than the Cayman S - but it does a couple things better, IMO. And again, I clearly stated and agreed my 20? minute test-drive is NOT a fair comparison, as I have hours of time behind the wheel of my rx8 on the track, and 2 years of ownership.

You're welcome to that opinion. Define 'good'? I've personally never read a on-track review of the RX8 where the drivers complained of brake fade - but I'm sure it could happen. Using my car at the track I didn't experience much - if ANY - to the best of my memory; but I've got better pads, so it wasn't exactly stock.

I DID 'enjoy' a lot of BODY roll, (had Stock supsension then) however...AND a problem with H-G force corners causing fuel starvation; even with a nearly-full gas tank. But, all-in-all I was able to do okay most of the time.

Have you experience in an RX8 experiencing brake fade? Maybe you used the brakes more than I do?

If you wanna talk numbers, the 60 and 70 - 0mph distances for both cars, stock, compare nicely.

 

I've done a couple of high speed 130+ quick stops in both cars and after about 3 in the RX8 I didn't have very much pedal feel. I definitely remember the body roll but the RB sway bars helped out and also dialed in a little more oversteer. If I could've convinced the wife to let me keep the 8 I would've in a heart beat but I'm only allowed 1 toy at a time.

 

Mine now has tein coilovers. Helps A LOT.
Indeed, I'd like to keep both, too! But...I'm pretty sure I'll go for the 966.

:beers:

 

Do you remember the JIC RX8 pulling a 77.9 in the slalom. That was freaking badass.