Hello,

This is my first post. I have been reading many of the post here and thought it was time to introduce myself.

I am seriously thinking about getting a Cayman S early in 2008. I would like to hear some honest opinions of the car. I currently have a 2005 Mustang GT as my fun car. It is heavly modified with a Saleen S/C making over 500hp and several other modifications. I love the raw power, but lets just say it lacks refinement. (I.E. Squeek, rattle and roll )

I have always wanted a Porsche and I am ready to buy one. Basically, I am ready for a more refined ride. I was all set to get a 911 S, until I drove the Cayman S. I love the way it handles. I like the punch of the 911, but it's handling is a little odd to me in the curves ( mostly owned Front Engine Cars ) .... The only thing that troubles me with the Cayman is that it seems a little light on HP. I am just not sure that 295hp is going to be all that much fun. I would like to hear from any of you guys ( or gals ) that have gone from a high hp car to the Cayman S...?

P.S. I am not trying to start an argument, I am just a little nervous about spending $50-60K on a sports car with less than 300hp...

While not a saleen my wife had a 2006 Mustang GT we just sold. The mustang and Cayman S are two completely different cars. The mustang had very good low-end torque, the Cayman likes to rev. My wife and I never drag raced but the Cayman felt faster. At 500 HP though you would leave me in your dust until we had to turn or stop. For $30K the Mustang is a great sports car. Your talking twice the price for a Cayman but it is in a completely different class. The fit and finish, attention to detail, handling, etc... are just unmatched. It depends on what you are looking for.

Buy a Porsche. You can always get another beast if you can't live without the difference in "WOOHOOOHOOO!".

It isn't like you are marrying the damn car.

Then, take your Porsche to the track and REALLY enjoy it.

I went from a 12.7 SC E36 M3 to an SL500 to a Cayman 2.7 to a Cayman 3.4

Do I yearn for a 400HP 3.8L X-51 engine? Only at my keyboard. At the wheel, I LOVE THE CAR just the way it is.

One day, though.....:-)

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

If you value the momentum you can carry down a winding road thanks to a great chassis design, than you will be happy with the Cayman. If you really like the brute force of a big motor in a straight line, than the Cayman may not be the right car for you.

When I bought my Boxster back in 2001, I had no clue how brilliant the chassis was until I got it on the track. Once I learned the real limits of the car, and those limits are high, every back road became my playground.

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2008 Ruby Red/Black Cayman 2.7
2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon
Gone: 2003 C4S & 2001 Boxster 2.7

BTW the odds are if you get a Cayman S that the engine is really making more than 300hp anyway, I think most stock dynos have estimated the engine output anywhere from 305 to 315, not that there is anything "magic" about the number 300, but if you are worried about the marketing number of 295, don't be, the Cayman is much much more than a horsepower number.

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K-Man S
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beez, one of our moderators, came from a 996 Twin Turbo to the Cayman. I think you will find his response very interesting. But I think he's in China right now on a special project, so be patient.

I can understand your concern. Coming from 500 hp to 300 is a big difference. But I think you will ultimately love the Cayman. It's a totally different experience.

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My 'seat of pant' dyno has mine over 300 easy. Getting faster and smoother by the day as it gets more miles under the wheels.

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Porsche Cayman S 2008 - GT Silver with Cocoa Interior

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Thanks for sharing your ideas and opinions. It certianly helps...

I will have to do more research on the Cayman before I buy one. I am 6'-4" 230lb so I do not fit in most sports cars. This was part of the reason why I bought the new Mustang. It is very comfortable for a person my size.

The Cayman is obviously a tighter fit, but it seemed fine on the test drive. I did find a local business that rents the base Cayman model. I might rent one for a few days. If I can live with the power of the base model, the S should be fine. It will also give me the chance to see how comfortable it will be on longer drives... ( A fact of life you have to deal with when you are larger than the norm... )

My brother-in-law owns a Chevy dealership and wants me to drive a new C6 before I make my decision. 435hp certianly sounds good. I'll have to at least give it a try although I am not much of a vette fan. It has the power I like and handles better than my Mustang. ( of course not as good as the Cayman... )

Thanks again...

I'm 6'3" and fit just fine in the Cayman. When wearing a baseball cap, I sometimes hit the brim when I turn to the side. Then I remember I have it on and flip it into the passenger footwell.

The Cayman is way different than either a C6 or your Mustang. You need to drive them all, and I think the rental is a no-lose proposition.

I, like many here, absolutely love the Cayman.

Well,

I dove a Base 2.7L Cayman for a couple of days. I loved the way it handled, but I would not be happy with that engine.

I did find that I do fit in the car and was comfortable driving it. It rides about as well ( or bad depending on how you looks at it ) as my Mustang which also has a stiff suspension.

I know that the the 3.4L will be more powerful, but the CS might not be the car for me. I just do not see why I have to give up strong straight line performance to get a car that handles well. I am going to try the 2008 C6 next. It might be the best balance for me between power and handling...

I still love the way the CS looks and handes. I still think it badly needs another 50-100hp... That way you can have your cake ( handling ) and eat it too ( straight line performance )

500hp Stang and you drove a 245hp Croc.....yeah! go get you some Shevy !

I'm not sure the Cayman will be the car for you. Coming from a 500 hp V-8, you will miss that straight line torque and acceleration (I bet a CS isn't that far behind). A Cayman is more about handling and overall package.

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The base Cayman was the only one I could rent....

I still love the Cayman, I might get one and drop in a 3.8L engine at a later time....

The Mustang is a blast to drive, but I do want somthing a little more refined. The Vette looks great on paper and handles better, but it is really no more refined than the Mustang...

I decided to go ahead and list the Mustang on Ebay today... I'll worry about what to get later...

Dynos measure power at the wheels. The estimate of power at the crank depends on the drivetrain loss assumption. It's not too meaningful to guess power at the crank.