I imposed on my local dealer to take a test drive even though they were aware that I'm not in the market for another two years (got to get the kid out of college). I was lucky to get the drive in since we were supposed to have bad weather all day today.


First off, I've been enamored of mid-engined cars since I saw the MB C-111 in 1968. I've been lucky enough to drive a number of mid-engined cars over the years. The best of the bunch until today was the Acura NSX - the worse, well the FIAT X-1/9 could qualify but the first year Pontiac Fiero I tested was just plain awful.


My frame of reference for the Cayman is the Boxster of course, and my current car, a 2000 Mazda Miata. In addition I've been able to drive cars(and attend product launches) for a friend who has been an automotive journalist for about 30 years.


I have to rely on the range of my experience to determine what I think of the car (and importantly,the car'scontrols). So here are the envelopes for steering, shifter, brakes and power:


- The Miata has some of the best feel of any power assisted rack & pinion steering I've driven (the worst was the first generation GM Magnasteer; as I've said about it, 'all the effort of a manual rack and none of the feel'). (Non power assisted and recirculating ball steering is a topic for another day. ; -)


- The five speed in the Miata is a rifle bolt - perfect feel and effort. I learned to drive a stick in a Karman Ghia (think butter churn) which was the worst feel of any shifter I've used (and I've never owned an automatic).


- The best brakes in a street car I've driven were the Brembos in a Mitsu Evo VIII, the worst a Model T - but those were mechanical brakes, the worst modern brakes were on an Oldsmobile that I tested a few years back - they were plain scarry in panic stop testing.


- The 2003 Viper had the best lbs/Hp ratio, the worst was probably my FIAT 128 (man that thing was a slug- I guess I could say the Model T again though; -).


So how did I find the Cayman S? Well, the steering had a lot of feedback, but not as much as the Miata. However, a lot of folks think the Miata sends to much NVH up through the steering wheel. One caveat, I was driving one w/ 19' wheels - would've like to have driven the 18' shod Cayman. But, the thing would go exactly where it was pointed great turn in and I didn't notice any tramliningor jerking over uneven pavement.


The shifter was good - but noticeably remote (not the direct crispness of the Miata). But it is one of the best six speeds I've had a chance to row. Better than the somewhat bulky (and yet more direct) shifter in the C6 'vette.


The brakes were FANTASTIC - man, great pedal feel and limo stops were a snap - anytime you can pull a limo stop on an unfamiliar car you know the feedback is good.


The power was good and I can see how some folks think it's just adequate. This thing is sneaky quick - it became apparant how quickly I got used the the Cayman's available power. I left the dealership in the Miata and noticed how reluctant it was to come up to speed on the same on-ramp I had driven the Cayman on minutes earlier (I know one car with ~ 10lbs/HP compared to one that's closer to 17lbs/HP). The power band is nice and linear - I looked for the ramp up of power when the intake runner length changed but it was very smooth throughout the band. I also put it in 6th @ 40 MPH ona surface street and accelerated - not bad at all, didn't lug and complain, itjust gathered speed. Then there is the thing that a lot of you have commented on, whichis the lovely music this thing makes. Wow!!


Speaking of music, the optional Bose unit does not pass the Durufle test. I use, among other music,a CD, Delos 3047, of the Organ Music of Maurice Durufle to test car audio. About seven minutes into the first track the organist stands on the last pedal to the left (three octaves below middle C, IIRC - 32 Hz). However, not many car audios pass the test (including almost all of the magic thump-thump bass ****). Otherwise the Bose is OK, but I could live w/o it.


The chasis is the real epiphany with this car. It feels like the thing was honed from billet. Taut, crisp and yet not nearly as choppy/nervous as some high performance cars are. I suspect that the shocks are monotubes. There was no sway whenI sawed vigorously at the wheel around 40 mph and tight transitions were completely w/o drama. Very composed. And probably a big part of thereason for why this thing feels like it needs more power.


So how would I option one? I'd like to keep the 18' wheels, the Xenon's, auto-dimming mirrors, Sport Chrono (the test car did not have PASM or Sport Chrono), and the sport steering wheel (initial impression of the standard wheelwas that it was a bit thin). I cannot get the sports seats. She Who Must Be Obeyed could never get out of them (a 120LB 5' 9' woman with a trick back - go figure).


I was impressed and yet I would be surprised if I saw 4/10ths of the cars capabilities on the test drive. Looks like I need to book a PDE class in the near future!



Edited by - atr_hugo on 04/06/2006 7:47:10 PM

Edited by - atr_hugo on 04/06/2006 8:07:37 PM

I'm surprised you waited this long to test one! If you want to test one with 18's and PASM and Sport Chrono stop by the clear bra install party at my place this weekend (Fri-Sun) and you can test-drive mine.

__________________

My Gallery | My Articles | My Blog |My Classifieds
K-Man S

atr,


Great post. I had a 1996 super-charged Miata once and it still ranks the best of ALL cars I have owned in the follwoing departments:
Short shifter and gear engagements - Simply devine.


Turn in crispness, the Bilstein coil-overs on the car really did a job. The car did not have the best grip, but in terms of steering input/response and precsison, it's just incredible.


Now at that time I own an M5 and a RUF BTR, so the Miata did not lack competition.


I'm hoping the Cayman is a Miata with air bags.


CP

atr,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I love reading about first impressions. You will find many other wonderful surprises when you get your car. A lot of the magic is up in HIGH rpms!!

Aloha Russ

__________________

Great post! I've never been a fan of "auto-audio" and I passed on the Bose as well, but to be fair many home audio systems could not do justice to the dynamic range, base control and depth of the organ in your reference recording. I think that has mobile audio systems go the Bose in the Porsche isn't bad for the money that can be spent on aftermarket.

Edited by - DaveC on 04/06/2006 8:31:50 PM