It was the best of drives, it was the bestest of drives...



Until October 7th I have the pleasure of TWO Caymans in the stable. One a 2.7 5 speed currently shod with my 18 inch track wheels, the other a 3.4 6 speed on 19s. Neither has PASM.

I have been driving them back to back and have a couple of observations. First, the ride quality. I drove the 2.7 (18s) for a 300 mile trip through the SF bay area and I have to say that 18s are definitely more comfortable for daily thrashing about in traffic over neglected highways.

A true daily driver and only vehicle without PASM? The 18s make as much a difference as PASM in non-sport mode and 19s.

The transmission? Although the 6 speed feels exactly like the 6 speed in my brothers 997TT to me...which should be a good thing...the 5 speed feels more "notchy" to me. I like that feel of positive engagement. It reminds me of my E36 M3 5 speed. I think it would be reasonable to actually like the feel of the 5 better. Finding reverse is entertaining.

Acceleration? They are both the same. (keeping the 3.4 below 4k rpms or so versus winding the 2.7 all the way up.):

AC/OFF versus ECO? The ECO button made me feel like I was favoring polar bears over killer whales. I can press th AC/OFF button without agonizing over who should get to eat the seals.

Red versus Yellow?

I don't dare go there. I will always have a soft yellow spot on my red heart.

Although the bugs are not attracted to red like they are to yellow. My friends with yellow cars know what I mean. Bugs literally fly over and land on the car like it is a giant sunflower.

If anyone needs some whacky comparo done, let me know.

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2007 Speed Yellow Cayman GT 2.7 (retired)
2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
"Carpe Cayman"

Thanks for that comparison! Very interesting.

What was the mileage on the 2.7? I wonder if the shifting gets better as the miles go up?

28 mpg at 75 mph

The 2.7 has 11k miles or so.

I just got out of my 3.4. Now it feels better than the 5. LOL. I guess they are just different.

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2007 Speed Yellow Cayman GT 2.7 (retired)
2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
"Carpe Cayman"

I assume you don't have sport shift in the 6 speed. That significantly changes the feel, for the better IMO.

__________________
Dan

Dave N007,

Your current disposition thoroughly has me green with envy.

For my situation, I finally test drove the Cayman. I couldn't open her up as much as I did on my full day with the CS so it was hard to be unbiased. Coming from a car with a 6 speed and short throw shifter, it was hard to set aside my great experience with the CS and solely focus on the Cayman test drive. For some reason, that additional gear (at least to me) makes it that much more fun to drive. I personally didn't like the "notchiness" of the 5 speed. I wonder if that'd change by installing a short throw shifter.

I think I'm deciding to hold off until next year and get my hands on a used 2006 CS. I wonder if the 2009 changes will drastically affect used CS prices further. The Cayman S is my dream car so I'll try to wait.

In any case, thanks for your great feedback and willingness to share.

Sincerely,
Dave Caymanless

Can you look underside of the cars to see whether they share the same/similar gearbox casing or not. Thanks

I am not sure what to look for. If you can guide me to what I need to look at, and it is not covered by the underbody panels...

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2007 Speed Yellow Cayman GT 2.7 (retired)
2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
"Carpe Cayman"

Correct. No short shift. My brother has the short shift now and, yes...I like it a lot better. It is on my list.

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2007 Speed Yellow Cayman GT 2.7 (retired)
2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
"Carpe Cayman"