For what it's worth, i'm posting my experience w/ the Cayman here - not to offend or **** anyone off, or annoy anyone - but simply to ask if my experience was somehow corrupted by variables beyond my control, or, perhaps, what someone could very-well experience during a test drive - their first time driving the car. I think my over-all impression of the car could have been skewed because it's just a different car, AND I obviously wasn't going to push it too much.

Having said all that - here are my thoughts:

I approached the dealership inquiring about 996 911's - they had none, but as we were walking back to the car I asked the salesperson if I'd be able drive a Cayman S instead.

"Absolutely" they said enthusiastically.

After taking my license, they returned with the key for a well-appointed (~$72K) Cayman S.

As we pull out of the dealership I hear "take this right - there are a few very nice turns down that way - but I saw a cop here earlier, so be careful!"

The first major turn was a round-about.

"Take this around about - all the way around, then exit just to the right"

I enter about 30mph and steadily apply throttle as we finish our loop. First thing I noticed was the car felt much heavier than my RX8. Down the way, and out behind warehouses I was told

"Do a panic stop if you want"

Burrrrrpppp - the tires skidded a bit as the ABS provided a nice stop. My first thought: "My Rx8 stops better..."

Down the way to a hard right - over bumpy/lumpy asphalt.

UNDERSTEER! May have been the surface of the road hurting front end traction, but a little throttle and I managed my way thru the turn.

One thing about the engine right now - Similar power characteristics (Feeling) as my RX8. Whereas my RX8 needs to be above 5,000-5500 rpms for any feeling of urgency, the Cayman S needed to have the tach swing past 4000 before the car seemed to get serious about going fast.

Down out to the freeway - "There's a sweet on-ramp up ahead, then follow the freeway down to a clover-leaf!"

As I entered the on-ramp in 2nd gear, I road the gear to near redline.

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammppf! or whatever. Hard to explain the sound other than "WOW - I MUST have more of this!"

Freeways brought a lot of tire-noise, but an otherwise well-composed car. I felt a little claustrophobic in the car - a bit like I was sitting in a tub. The rear fenders' arches in the side-view mirrors was sexy to me.

Down a few miles then crossing over the freeway lead me to a back-the-way-we-came HARD right hand on-ramp. I set up in 2nd gear and held the throttle as I turned-in to the corner.

Understeer at the limit - I had to (but was able to) muscle the car through the corner - just as I hit apex I rolled onto the throttle and the car sorta squatted and shot forward with a LOT of urgency and an AMAZING sound.

Yeah - I could get used to this car. Pretty easily.

Overall I really enjoyed the car -

Likes

• It's a Porsche. Sitting at traffic lights, getting looks and gawks. Made me feel as though, at least for a little bit, I'd caught-up with the Benjamins.
• Exhaust note. Stunning. Breathtaking. Sexy.
• Interior fit and finish. Everything seemed well-positioned and well-thought-out - if a bit confusing. (Scores of buttons - everywhere.
• Civility. Rode reasonably well. 28mpg hwy.

Dislikes:

• Cost. It's a fun car - a very capably fun car. But it's not $35,000 MORE fun than the MSRP of a loaded/optioned RX8. It's DEFINITELY not $50K + more-fun than my probably $17-18k used RX8 would be worth.
• Feeling of heaviness. The car just FELT heavier and slower-to-respond than I thought it should have. I wouldn't call the car 'nimble' - I'd call it 'sorted, planted, and capable.'

Verdict: If I had $70k + laying around to purchase a car, I'd first look at other options. I think, minus the status, the same amount of 'fun' and 'capability' could be had for less money.

That's my $.02

 

Seems like a pretty good assesment of the car. I have only had mine for a week but it responds to being pushed. Mine does not understeer at all, very nuetral and I have been throwing it into corners. Maybe the tire pressure was out of whack, I have yet to buy a new car that had correct tire pressures at delivery.

I have an 06 that stickered for 74 that I bought used with 3750 miles for 52.5K so that may help you with the money side.

I have only driven the RX8 once and awhile ago and it was a fun car but the Cayman is an absolute riot once you get some seat time. I have a Speed6 to so nothing against Mazda.

Go back and drive it again and test your salesman. The first time I drove it I was unimpressed. Second time I went with a salesman who buckled in and held on and that made all the difference in the world.

 

Drive it again. I have driven an RX8 and, IMO, it is nowhere near in the same class.

 

Very good points - Consider I came from a Miata (NA miata) so I'm very used to 'light-weight'. The miata is my standard for 'fun car' - trading speed/power for 'funitivity'

I think the very light steering of the rx8 comes into play with the 'heaviness' feeling I had in the Cayman.

Truth-in-lending - which I forgot to mention: My car has aftermarket brakes, coil-overs, and VERY sticky tires.

I'll try to drive a Cayman S again - but honestly, I'm more interested driving in what I think is my RX8's replacement; the 996.

 

I'll bet you like the Cayman. Either way though, both very nice cars. I had an S2000 a few years back and the Cayman has eclipsed that is the funnest car I have owned in only a week.

 

no offense, but the rx8 isnt even in the same game as the cayman s. take a real test drive in the car and you will see why some say its the best handling car ever made. thats a serious claim and from everyone i know who has driven one, the same can be said from them. its very neutral and is fast and can be pushed for tons of fun in the turns. i second the tire pressure too, make sure its right because that can throw the car outta whack for sure. just by the fact you said it understeered, there is something wrong because they are one of very few cars from the factory that are pretty much completely neutral out of the box.

 

You're talking to a guy who has quite a bit of track experience in 'neutral-handling cars'.

I fully acknowledge the car's 'dealer' set-up/condition, and my mere 20 minute test drive. Just saying what I'm saying, that's all...it's NOT my intent to come to a board and crap-talk other peoples' cars...it'd be like if I owned a Civic and I went to brag about it's prowess on a viper board.

Thanks for y'alls input!

darin

 

VERY high praise indeed! S2000 = funner than my rx8, IMO.

 

I drove a near-base Cayman (not S) for a hoot, and I REALLY liked it. For a daily driver, it would be a lot of fun and I wouldn't sweat driving a $50K car around like I do with my $100K Carrera S.

I've owned a couple of S2000s and I agree about the "fun factor". I honestly would rather have an S2000 and the spare $$ than a Boxster. The RX-8 feels mighty slow - my friend let me drive his and I almost fell asleep until 8,000 rpms.

 

This is true for me.

I still gotta give mad props to Honda, those S2K's are really fun cars. Great car and great to hone your driving skills.

Go back and drive the Cayman again and ask them to check the tire pressure. I did this when I bought the speed 6 ause it didn't feel right and sure enough they were out of whack.

We await you further impressions.

 

I greatly appreciate y'alls input. Thanks!

 

I am a big fan of the Boxster S. Especially now it has the same engine as the Cayman S and costs less.

Comparing a deprciated cost of an RX7 to the new cost of a Cayman S seems a little harsh. Bear in mind that you can get into an Early 2006 Cayman S for a resonable amount less than the new sticker price as well now.

I agree you should get a test drive in 996 but I would also have a go in a Boxster S and see what you think, after all its not everyday you get to buy a Porsche.

 

I think the compareson is not fair becasue you are comparing a car you drive in and out everyday. Meaning you know it's weakness and strong point. You are comparing that against a car that you were driving for a little short period under someone else's provision. You were probably not pushing the car nearly to the same level. I know when i initally test drove the s2000, i was like this is okay but i like it, so i bought it. After a few months, i realized how to drive that car to stay ahead of the pack. you have to keep the rpm high and close to 6k rpm for vtech to kick in. i drove the cayman and thgught it was very nice. I would highly suggest to let the dealer take the car out for a day for your to get a better feel. Also like the s2000, i think the rx8 is a very under rated car by most people. it is a lot of car under 30k IMHO. well, if you didn't like it then it's kewl. that's why there are many car manf. for us to chose from. No need to be sorry. You are entinted to ur opinion.
But i think u need a longer test drive.

 

Keep in mind the reason I have an RX8 now, and not a S2000 is 'backseats'. I think the backseat issue allone would steer me away from the 2-seaters...yes, even knowing the 911 has what are more-aptly described as 'seatlettes'.

Even new, MSRP, I was saying I doubted the Cayman S (as tested over $70,000) is not forty-five thousand dollars-worth more fun. See what I mean?



I know exactly what you mean. In fact, the only reason I mentioned the car I have now is to show a starting point. I didn't mean to imply I expected a fair assessment of the Cayman; I'm saying "this was my experience for better or worse." Just general feedback and info and junk.

Would a dealer REALLY let me take a car for the day? hrm...that'd be pretty cool. And actually, I LIKED the Cayman. I really enjoyed the car. It seems those who feel like I'm slighting the car are simply insensed at the idea my cheap-ol Mazda could possess ANY redeeming qualities.

Again - I like the Cayman. Hell, no matter if I made my RX8 have 400-500hp and be the fastest thing since Cable Internet, it'd still be a 'Mazda'. I understand that. My comments are simply commentary about my particular experience. I'm glad you and a few others see that.



Regards,

Darin

 

I love my Cayman but if you tried to sell it to me at its stickered 74,220 I would laugh at you.

For mid to high 50's its a great car. You can get a well optioned 07' for high 50's new if you work it. Or do what I did and try to find a nice used one. They book in the low to mid 50's.

I dropped my Cayman off for some warranty stuff this am and drove my speed6 home and got a very good sense as to why Porsche commands high dollar for their cars.

I have a 7 series as well and I drive that thing around and wonder "how the hell do they make a 4500lb car drive like this?" Smae thing with the Cayman, how do they make such a great car, how come it feels so much better than brand X, Y or Z? Will you be asking that question about your RX8 after owning it for three years? I understand there is some disparity in price, but you can trust that we are not idiots, if this car sucked we'd be telling you.