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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 09-25-2008, 06:42 AM
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Newbie here, first post

I am seriously considering a Cayman. I test drove one about a month ago and now I am really obsessing. It was a regular Cayman, and I loved it. I noticed that the torque curve was not flat and you really had to work the car to get it in the happy zone (which I prefer). Compared to my E36 M3, it didn't feel as powerful, but the sound, handling and balance were definitely superior.

Tomorrow I may be the happy owner of a 08 Cayman, I have yet to test drive the S (I'll probably do that too before I commit), but I love to make my cars sweat, so I think I would be perfectly happy with just a Cayman.

One of the reasons I don't like my M3 anymore, it is simply boring. The fun doesn't start until you hit 70/80 miles/hour and a second later you are at 100mph, and it is time to let go, unless you have a diplomatic passport, you just can't do this sort of stuff on public highways in California. They are excellent track cars, but they are too soft when it comes to regular driving.

Porsche's seem to have remained true to their heritage. The fun starts after you turn on the car, and no matter what speed, the sound and feedback is just right. I know I am preaching to the choir. The question that I have is: S or no S - given that money is not an issue, gas mileage is sort of an issue.
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  #2 (permalink)  
Old 09-25-2008, 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Oxiourus View Post
The question that I have is: S or no S - given that money is not an issue, gas mileage is sort of an issue.
If money is not an issue, why is gas mileage an issue?

If in doubt, get the S. I don't think you will regret it. And welcome to the club.
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  #3 (permalink)  
Old 09-25-2008, 10:49 AM
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If you are like me at all...
If the money doesn't matter, If there is a faster more powerful one and I did not get it, I am always kicking myself later when I trade in for the one I really wanted.

I can get my Cayman S to deliver 8.9mpg or 20mpg. That one pedal on the right always sucks my foot down.

The factory specs say 3mpg difference highway. At $5 a gallon = $.19/mile or $.21 a mile
Its only 2 cents.


Another concern on gas milage is the enviroment. Since you are on the left coast, you might need facts to justify this.
The "Porsche and Environment" booklet that Porsche mailed me really helped.
96.5% of co2 is Natural - ONLY 3.5% man-made
Of that 3.5%, only 12% is from cars = .42% from cars.

current 3.8L 355hp porsche engine produces:
HC = .03g/KM
Nx0 = .03g/KM
Co2 = .4g/KM

1966 porsche 2L 130hp engine produced:
HC = 35g/KM
Nx0 = .34g/km
Co2 = 89g/km
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Last edited by glenn; 09-25-2008 at 12:40 PM.
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  #4 (permalink)  
Old 09-25-2008, 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Oxiourus View Post
The question that I have is: S or no S - given that money is not an issue, gas mileage is sort of an issue.
When I run with guys who have a non-S, it takes a long straight to be able to pull away noticeably on public roads. Zipping through turns both cars are comprable on the street. At the track the differences will be magnified. If you are looking for a street only car the non-S should suit. Having said that, if money is not a concern, extra power, better brakes, 6-speed, & 18s make the S a good value. Outside of the cost, I can't imagine a scenario where a buyer would regret having gotten the S over the non-S.
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  #5 (permalink)  
Old 09-25-2008, 02:43 PM
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I say test drive the S and if you feel like it feels better, then get it.
Personally, I went with an S because I know myself too well that if I have gotten the non-S, I would be doubting my decision until I traded it in for one. So, it was more of a preemptive strike

And same here, driving regularly, I can get about 20 mpg in highway traffic. But when my foot itches, it drops quite a bit. It's the price we pay
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  #6 (permalink)  
Old 09-25-2008, 03:47 PM
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In normal "around town" driving in my daily driver CS I am getting between 17 and 18 mpg and I don't consider myself an aggressive driver. Of course, YMMV.
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Old 09-25-2008, 05:32 PM
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A lot of good stuff here people, thanks! My wife has given me the green flag (I promised her to sell two of my other cars... eventually). She even has "volunteered" to help me drive it once in a while, for her conmmute. My concern is that she gets pump shocked easily, she can spend $200 on a pair of shoes, but sees gas as something volatile (no pun intended), and wasteful.. To me, I look back and see all the fun I had. I agree, the biggest variable is your right foot. The kind of driving and roads I do, the S will seldom reach full potential. We must likely drive it 6k miles/year, so the effect on the enviroment are negligeable. We prefer smaller efficient appliances, and hence why we feel attracted to the Cayman (less than 3000 pound). I will give the CS a chance though,...
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  #8 (permalink)  
Old 09-25-2008, 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by glenn View Post
If you are like me at all...
If the money doesn't matter, If there is a faster more powerful one and I did not get it, I am always kicking myself later when I trade in for the one I really wanted.
That is so true. I am the same way.
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Old 09-25-2008, 11:24 PM
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I may be the lone voice here. But I own a non s and I love this car. For 10k extra it did not make sense to me. I drive my car everyday and it's awesome, had the car for just over 1 year and 13k miles and everyday I start it up I smile! I test drove the S and felt I would never use the power on the highway or regular roads. If you are not tracking the car - the Cayman is the way to go. S not needed imho...
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Old 09-25-2008, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by envirospace View Post
I may be the lone voice here. But I own a non s and I love this car. For 10k extra it did not make sense to me. I drive my car everyday and it's awesome, had the car for just over 1 year and 13k miles and everyday I start it up I smile! I test drove the S and felt I would never use the power on the highway or regular roads. If you are not tracking the car - the Cayman is the way to go. S not needed imho...
i completely agree. owned my non-s for over 16 months and have never regretted it.
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Old 09-26-2008, 12:11 AM
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Once you own a 2.7 for a while and learn to keep the revs up I think you will find that it is every bit as powerful as an e36 M3 (stock). A 2.7 will not disappoint. But as I have said before, consider that the less than $10k difference gets you a "big brake upgrade", 50 more horsepower, a 6 speed, and white guages (LOL)

That is the mod bargain of the century. Plus all of these mods are from the factory and they won't depreciate as quickly or detract from the value of the car.

Reduce that to a monthly payment difference and consider it your mod budget.

If you simply can't justify spending S dollars on a car, don't worry. A 2.7 is a FANTASTIC car.

Do a search. There is plenty of info on comparing these two fine versions of Cayman.

I have still only tied my brother's best time in a stock 2.7 in my stock 3.4 at our local track, by the way...
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Old 09-26-2008, 02:20 AM
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Buy the non S--invest some of the savings into a driving course school and you will beat most (not all) S owners on the street or track. They are both great but $10k is $10k.
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Old 09-26-2008, 05:46 AM
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- given that money is not an issue, gas mileage is sort of an issue.[/quote]


I am returning to the SF area after attending the Porsche Escape in Albuquerque last week... I'm in Sedona, Az tonight... I have put 2,600+ miles on the car (a 2007 S) since leaving home and have averaged 26.5 mpg... freeway (mostly 75-85 mph...GOD, i LOVE NM AND AZ!!!!), back roads, city traffic combined....

Mileage will not be your issue....if you can wait 9 months for a 2010 with DFI it's rumored to be 10% better !

Cheers
Bob
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1966-1969 ---- 1961 Rambler Classic (Sorry)
1969-1970 ---- 1969 Mustang Mach I (Engine lasted 49K mi... swore I'd never buy another American car)
1970-1972 ---- 1964 356C - Rust Bucket
1972-1976 ---- 1972 914 - Ball Buster
1976-1977 ---- 1973 911T - Was I crazy?
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2007- ???? ---- 2007 Cayman S
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Old 09-27-2008, 01:29 AM
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For my dream daily driver the Cayman"Standard 2.7" is everything I could ever want and much more. The 17"wheel sidewalls give some flex to the ride on bumpy roads, plenty of speed to keep me in jail forever, and driving from KY to Porsche Parade with my Dad averaging about 80 mph on mountain turnpikes with AC we averaged 31.6 mpg- that's sweet! And I have about $14K to spend on other foolishness, like a tuner cat back coming up soon- an economy mod for improved efficiency! (;-D)
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