Dear Unregistered, the permission changes should be complete, if you notice any issues with your access on the site please let us know and we will check into it.
Hey Unregistered it seems that you haven't posted a message in our forums yet. Please join in on the fun and post a message!
Dear Unregistered,
We've noticed that you are not yet a member of our Cayman Insiders group. This group provides a number of additional value-add services via this website for a very low annual fee. You can find out more about this group here:
Insider Announcement
You can join the Cayman Insiders Group here:
Insider Enrollment Form
We hope to see you "Inside" soon!
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.
Your Donation Will Be Used To Pay For our ever increasing bandwidth costs, our hosting Service, domain registration, software licensing fees, maintenance costs and product evaluations Only!
Please enter your donation amount above, and then click on the donate button below.
Hello everyone, this is my first post, and Id like to start it out with my background and what I drive, etc.
I currently drive a 2004 mazdaspeed miata with literally about 20,000$ in mods to the car. I have about 400rwhp, and the car handles like its on rails, but I feel like im outgrowing it for some reason . I come to this forum because I have always loved porsche's passion for automobile's and how their cars relate to myself and what I enjoy.
I did a search on the forum, but I came up with extreme biased opinions on the 911 vs cayman debate, so I was wondering if I could narrow it down based on some other things
1) I would like mostly owners of BOTH 911 and caymans to give input, but of course, I would enjoy what everyone else has to say
2) try to keep looks out of it, I am partial to 99(6)7's and cayman's equally
3) I am curious about upkeep of one vs the other. I know they use similar technology, but one might cost more to fix or require fixing items sooner, whatever.
4) Im looking to spend less then 40k, so what would be the "best" models to go after? (bang for the buck is always appreciated).
5) I am also comparing the porsches to dodge vipers, c6 corvettes, and lotus exiges. So if you have owned one or more of these cars, I would appreciate input on that as well
. . . 4) Im looking to spend less then 40k, so what would be the "best" models to go after? (bang for the buck is always appreciated). . .
Point #4 could be a limiting factor - I think used 06 Cayman S's are just now getting into the low $40K price range (as are early 2.7 Caymans) - I haven't looked around to see how many 997s are less than $40K, but I would suspect there aren't many - so realistically, if you are bound to that price range, you would more likely be comparing a 996 C2 or C4 to a used Cayman, Cayman S.
Afraid I can't provide any personal comparison experiences with the other models you mention.
What about Boxsters?
400 RWHP Miata?!?
__________________ My Blogs
2006 CS Tip (Daily Driver & Part-time Track Toy)
2005 Ford Expedition (to haul the CS)
2006 Lexus RX400h (wifey's)
Gone, but not forgotten: 2002 WRX, 2004 MINI
Ever consider a Vette? Nice C6's are easily had in the low 30's now. I had one. They are good cars and would be a good step up from the Mazda.
I agree you're going to have a tough time with your price point.
On 911 vs. Cayman S. I've driven a Cayman S (about to pick one up this weekend), a 996, and a friend's 997.
The 996/997 were not as fun or as confidence inspiring as the Cayman S. They felt more civilized. The Cayman S had some personality. It begs to be driven hard. It's balanced. For the record, I really did not like the 996.
My vote (and the vote I did with my wallet) is the Cayman S.
Great way to start off with a lively first post!
I traded a 2002 996 for my 08 Cayman 2.7. The Cayman feels like it handles better than the 996, even though I had M030 suspension, GT3 seats and a rollbar on the 996! The Cayman's PASM ride is a lot easier on the daily drive too. I don't have a handle on the Cayman's costs yet, but I guess they'll be similar or slightly lower than the 996.
Costs on that were rear tyres every 10-12k at ~$1000 a pair with fitting/balancing, front tyres at ~$700 a pair every 20-25k, and as the car aged, I found that the additional minor repair items brought the 15k maintenance up to around $1000 a pop, plus ~$150 for intermediate 7500 mile oil changes for my peace of mind (13 quarts of synthetic oil is expensive!)
I also got quite a lot of free work under the CPO warranty, including 2 RMS seals, a water pump, and 2 cats worth at least $1400 each.
I guess what I'm saying is the costs aren't insane, but certainly higher than you would have seen on the Miata if it had stayed stock
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
haha thanks for the quick and enthusiastic responses. Ill be honest, I expected a little **** for starting with a 911 vs cayman questionairre.
As far as pricing goes, I have looked around for a while, and I get into a used 03/04 996 for well under my price range, and a cayman base model pretty easily too. I guess I should have said that. And yes the vette is definently the heavy hitter right now, I just want to cover all my bases first.
How about c4's? Are those "better handled" then c2's?
KS-CS -> Yes, 401rwhp on m103 gas I am outgrowing the speed demon track performance phase.
once again, thanks for the good/quick replies exactly what I was looking for.
Coming from a fast MS3, I think you will be bored with the base Cayman. It's a nice car, but even the Cayman S is underpowered by today's standards. I would go for a C6 over a base Cayman if I had the choice. And I had a 2007 (and 2002 Z06). I actually liked the C5 Z06 better (from a driving experience perspective).
C5Z's are CHEAP now. I almost picked up a nice 2003 with 16,000 miles for $25k. Decided to get the CS instead, but the Z06 is a GREAT car and will respond amazingly to both suspension and power mods.
Impossible to say without knowing more about your use. I've owned both a 997S and now a Cayman S, and both C5 and C6 ZO6's. For the best casual track car without a lot of money in mods, just buy a C6 ZO6, do the normal brake service, and go to the track. The Cayman S is, IMO, a much better all-around car (I now only do 3 or 4 DE events a year), better steering, braking and suspension input. But, compared to what you are accustomed, WAY down on power. I love the Cayman, but after the 500 hp ZO6, it is very weak. Unfortunately, the 911 platform offers better power, and with the GT3, a better track-ready car, but the engine is in the wrong end, and I can't get over it.
. I come to this forum because I have always loved porsche's passion for automobile's and how their cars relate to myself and what I enjoy.
400 RWHP Miata?!? 
I am outgrowing the speed demon track performance phase.
Linear Mode
