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Cayman ComparisonsThis sub forum is for messages specifically about comparing the Cayman to other cars. For example how the Cayman compares to the 350Z or S2000 or SLK, etc.
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Welp. I test drove an m3, Cayman S, and a Mercedes SLK 55 AMG. All three were really nice in their own respect. Here are my assessments:
M3 pros:
Incredible engine sound
Fastest 0-60
Great handling
decent steering cpmmunication
4-seats (which I don't really care about, but still)
BMW service package comes standard, oil changes, etc for free
Cheapest car of the three compared M3 Cons:
Weighs 3700lbs/bulky
Body styling is nice but not awesome
I'm a smaller guy so the car feels really big.
Interior seemed "plasticy", but did have a nice layout
Cayman S pros:
Quick+light
Awesome handling
Excellent steering communication
Body styling
decent interior
Great fit for me Cayman S cons:
pathetic engine sound at low speeds (sounds like a 4-banger)
Expensive service
Most expensive car of the three compared
SLK 55 AMG Pros:
Quick
Great engine sound
decent handling
great steering input
decent interior
great fit for me
A TON of really neat technology incorporated throughout
Convertible w/ electric hardtop SLK 55 AMG Cons:
Kinda girly styling- not decided?
expensive service
Kinda slow paddle shifting...i need some input on this
I am aware that these are three very different cars. I'd be interested in more cars in this price range, but I can't think of anything else. Any suggestions? Cars I have no interest in:
GT-R and Z06
The jury is still out on an Exige 240 S, but I imagine I wouldn't be able to live with the 1000 problems that come with a hand-built car, and the punishing ride if I ever wanted to take a day trip somewhere.
Thoughts? Anyone else drive the M3and SLK 55 AMG? Also, there are no Cayman S models around in white that have PASM or PCM. Do they make a drastically big difference in performance? In other words, would a Cayman S without PASM and PCM get the same times at the track?
PASM - Porsche Active Suspension Management
This active damping system offers continuous adjustment of individual damping forces based on current road conditions and driving style.
The driver can choose from two setup modes, ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’, using a separate ‘damper’ button on the center console. ‘Normal’ mode is designed for general road driving and circuits with uneven tarmac. ‘Sport’ mode is intended for smoother track surfaces, where the harder settings help eliminate pitch and roll.
In either mode, PASM continuously evaluates the current conditions while automatically selecting the corresponding damper rates from the respective set of mapped values.
A range of sensors are used to monitor the movement of the body under acceleration, braking and cornering maneuvers, as well as on poor road surfaces. The PASM control unit then evaluates this data and modifies the damping force on each individual wheel in accordance with the selected mode. The result is a significant reduction in body movement as well as a better grip on the road.
For example: if ‘Sport’ mode is selected, the suspension is automatically set to a harder damper rating. If the quality of the track surface falls below a certain threshold, the system immediately changes to a softer rating within the ‘Sport’ setup range. When the quality of the tarmac improves once more, PASM automatically returns to the original, harder rating.
Need more information about PASM? Click this link: FAQ for PASM
I like the M3 and the CS - I'm not a fan of the SLK.
I really liked the BMW. My pros on it were the really good torque, fast times and I liked the way the gear shift felt (although it was a tiny bit rubbery). It was a great car.
What I didn't like as much was the way the car was heavy and wobbly compared to the CS. I also felt that the BMWs were very, very common.
The CS has too many noises for my tastes - I keep torturing my dealer to button it down. The active suspension will help you get better track times - I do recommend it. I'm not sure the PCM (Porsche Communication Management) will help you with faster track times - unless you need the GPS to avoid getting lost at the track.
Finally - the noise of the CS is very much 'that Porsche noise' from the Boxer engine. I love the sound of it when I'm pushing the gas pedal down hard or when I'm blipping the throttle. It has that racecar heritage.
I love my car. It's solid on the track. It goes fast enough for me. But you have to decide for yourself. When you're spending this kind of cash - you have to be certain.
D.
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I like the M3 and the CS - I'm not a fan of the SLK.
I really liked the BMW. My pros on it were the really good torque, fast times and I liked the way the gear shift felt (although it was a tiny bit rubbery). It was a great car.
What I didn't like as much was the way the car was heavy and wobbly compared to the CS. I also felt that the BMWs were very, very common.
The CS has too many noises for my tastes - I keep torturing my dealer to button it down. The active suspension will help you get better track times - I do recommend it. I'm not sure the PCM (Porsche Communication Management) will help you with faster track times - unless you need the GPS to avoid getting lost at the track.
Haha! I meant PSM! In other words the thing that makes the sport chrono worth it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dfogal
Finally - the noise of the CS is very much 'that Porsche noise' from the Boxer engine. I love the sound of it when I'm pushing the gas pedal down hard or when I'm blipping the throttle. It has that racecar heritage.
I love my car. It's solid on the track. It goes fast enough for me. But you have to decide for yourself. When you're spending this kind of cash - you have to be certain.
D.
Honestly I'm kind of depressed :P It seems like there are too many compromises with various cars and in this price range, I don't think that should ever be the case :P
Sport Chrono and Chrono Plus
This optional package is a valuable addition for trackday use. Available in conjunction with the CDR-24 CD radio, it includes a swivel-mounted analog and digital timer unit which is centrally located on the dashboard. All functions are easily accessible via the control stalk for the on-board computer. Analog dials measure hours, minutes and seconds, while a separate digital field displays whole seconds, tenths and one hundredths of a second. A second digital display runs in parallel in the instrument cluster. Click this Link to visit the FAQ entry for Sport Chrono.
PSM - Porsche Stability Management
While it can’t overcome the laws of physics, the revolutionary Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system does lend an added degree of balance and control to the Cayman’s mid-engine driving dynamics, inspiring surefooted confidence in corners and extreme situations.
A standard feature on the Cayman and Cayman S, PSM continuously monitors steering input, road speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration to calculate the actual direction of travel. If the car begins to steer off line, PSM instantly intervenes with precision brake inputs on individual wheels to help bring the car back onto the driver’s intended path.
If braking alone isn’t enough to correct the vehicle’s cornering line, PSM then calls on the Cayman’s engine management system, adjusting engine output as needed to help stabilize handling. PSM can also compensate in an instant for mid-corner changes in load resulting from deceleration or braking. When Sport mode is selected with the optional Sport Chrono Package, PSM’s threshold for intervention is raised, allowing for greater driver involvement. If you prefer driving without automatic PSM assistance, the system can be set to standby at any time. In this case, it will only intervene under heavy braking, where both front wheels exceed the ABS threshold.
For all of its technical ability, PSM goes virtually unnoticed in everyday driving situations, preserving the Cayman’s natural agility.
depends what you are looking for. light and agile or brute force. sports car vs sports coupe. i agree with kor though you shouldnt be paying msrp for a cs meaning it should be cheaper than an m3. a friend of mine just bought the m3 and he loves it. personally i think the interior is terrible and the car feels much much heavier than my cs but if you are looking for straight line acceleration its obviously faster
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depends what you are looking for. light and agile or brute force. sports car vs sports coupe. i agree with kor though you shouldnt be paying msrp for a cs meaning it should be cheaper than an m3. a friend of mine just bought the m3 and he loves it. personally i think the interior is terrible and the car feels much much heavier than my cs but if you are looking for straight line acceleration its obviously faster
How much below MSRP are people buying Cayman S's for?
Honestly I'm kind of depressed :P It seems like there are too many compromises with various cars and in this price range, I don't think that should ever be the case :P
You have unrealistic expectations, so you will always be disappointed.
There is no such thing as the perfect, no compromise car at any price.
You are comparing ridiculously different cars. Are you trying to rationalize NOT buying a car? You are doing a great job.
If you really are never going to track the car, forget about the Cayman and the Lotus. You give up too much to have handling you can't use on the street. Ever. That leaves a 4 seat sports coupe or an SLK for you wife. Then there is the Corvette, which your wife might like if she is a chain smoker who doesn't like to ride her Harley in the rain...and the GT-R which will set you back $100k + with added premiums for the foreseeable future.
Based upon a read of your comments, though, you need a Cayman S with after-market exhaust.
Or a better therapist.
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You have unrealistic expectations, so you will always be disappointed.
There is no such thing as the perfect, no compromise car at any price.
You are comparing ridiculously different cars. Are you trying to rationalize NOT buying a car? You are doing a great job.
If you really are never going to track the car, forget about the Cayman and the Lotus. You give up too much to have handling you can't use on the street. Ever. That leaves a 4 seat sports coupe or an SLK for you wife. Then there is the Corvette, which your wife might like if she is a chain smoker who doesn't like to ride her Harley in the rain...and the GT-R which will set you back $100k + with added premiums for the foreseeable future.
Based upon a read of your comments, though, you need a Cayman S with after-market exhaust.
Or a better therapist.
haha. I am going to track whatever I get. I'll never buy a domestic car. They are terrible cars with terrible resale. I know they're 3 very different cars. It just seems like there aren't a ton of kick *** choices in this price range.
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1968 plymouth barracuda hemi s/s was $4500 in 1968. Do you think the guys that bought the Enzo in 2003 are upset that it was no faster than a car from 35 years earlier that cost 25 times less (inflation adjusted).
I think you need to put a bottom end on the acceleration and then look at cars that fall in that range. There will ALWAYS be a faster car, no matter what you choose.
I didn't drive the M3. Maybe you should drive the Z4 M coupe?? Or even the 135i?
I second the idea of driving the TT as well.
To me, a Porsche is a car that is just as good taking 2 people out on a road trip, or a night on the town, as it is on the track. The best part is, if you want a dual purpose car like that, they now make several to choose from.
I wouldn't trade the sound of the stock 2.7 motor for anything. Not sure what the 3.4 sounds like. The 2.7 is plenty loud for daily driving, but never gets on my nerves. It as a nice exhaust note at lower revs, and I love the high pitched animal noise at the high revs.
Good luck on the search. Sounds like you'll be happy with any of these options. They are all great cars.
1968 plymouth barracuda hemi s/s was $4500 in 1968. Do you think the guys that bought the Enzo in 2003 are upset that it was no faster than a car from 35 years earlier that cost 25 times less (inflation adjusted).
I think you need to put a bottom end on the acceleration and then look at cars that fall in that range. There will ALWAYS be a faster car, no matter what you choose.
I didn't drive the M3. Maybe you should drive the Z4 M coupe?? Or even the 135i?
I second the idea of driving the TT as well.
To me, a Porsche is a car that is just as good taking 2 people out on a road trip, or a night on the town, as it is on the track. The best part is, if you want a dual purpose car like that, they now make several to choose from.
I wouldn't trade the sound of the stock 2.7 motor for anything. Not sure what the 3.4 sounds like. The 2.7 is plenty loud for daily driving, but never gets on my nerves. It as a nice exhaust note at lower revs, and I love the high pitched animal noise at the high revs.
Good luck on the search. Sounds like you'll be happy with any of these options. They are all great cars.
The Z4 M isn't my cup of tea looks-wise, and the TT is underpowered. I'm not looking for the fastest car on the planet though, and sometimes my expectations are unrealistic. What I want is a car as quick as the M3 and an engine that sounds just as good; Porsche weight, precision handling, and versatility; and the looks of an Exige. Is that asking too much?
Until 
I am going to track whatever I get. I'll never buy a domestic car. They are terrible cars with terrible resale. I know they're 3 very different cars. It just seems like there aren't a ton of kick *** choices in this price range.