Just read my latest (May) edition of Motor magazine (Australian) where there is a comparison between the M3 CS and Cayman S. M3 was long the favourite of this magazine, but there is now a new favourite, the Cayman S. The article closed with 'The king is dead. Long live the king.'.


Anyway, as a sidebar to this comparison, there is a short 911 vs Cayman article. Here is what it says:


'It's obvious that Porsche engineers have wanted to lid up a Boxster for a long time. Like, the moment the Boxster rolled off the production line. What's not to like? Mid-engine layout, decent wheelbase, stiff chassis with a low C of G, minimal overhangs (well, in the rear, at least).


But having punched both the Cayman S and Carrera S in the privates along the same bit of road, and despite what logic and reason dictates, I know, deep down, which Weissach warrior comes out on top.


Where the Cayman is cossetting and cosy at eight-tenths, the Carrera's depth of grip and turn ability are simply shocking, and it adds something else, too; a sense of finely honed precision that's hard to put a finger on. It's just a bit better everywhere; braking, powerdown, shift quality, brakes feel (only by nanomoments in this case), and power output.


The 911 is still the one to beat.'


Interestingly, he is talking about the 997S here. Wonder what he would say if it is a C2. Anyway, would like to know all your opinion. Discuss! [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/regular_smile.gif[/img]

I have always agreed with that analysis which shouldn't be that surprising given Porsche's intent from the outset regarding the Cayman. What is most noteworthy to me is that I've been following Porsche since my father first bought a 73 911T, and I believe I can say based on historical perspective that no other Porsche stablemate has ever even been as seriously discussed as a competitor to the 911 in the last 30 years, with real vigor and passion, as the CaymanS. The prowess and power of the 928, and the overall capability of the 944S2 and Turbo variants notwithstanding, the 911 has always been King of the Hill without serious challenge, until now. To me that says a lot about the soundness of design, technical sophistication, and "out of the box" performance that the Cayman brings to the table. Porsche has many reasons to hold the Cayman back from it's full development for reasons that have been discussed elsewhere at length. Porsche as company is very different today than it was in 1973. Compare the 73 911RS to the 997GT3, or the original 930 Turbo to the 997TT. More refinement, more technology, more comfort, more safety have been the trend for those same 30 years with a comensurate decrease in "spartan sportness". It seems to me that with regard to th Cayman there are two basic questions: 1) Is there sufficient market to sustain this car in its current configuration? 2) Is this car competent and enjoyable enough so that purchasers will continue to suport the car in the event that it's sales success is limited and production shut in a few years? The answer to the first question is really unknown despite initial strong sales, and IMHO it will be another 12-18 months before real projections can be made. We should not expect that the Cayman will be transformed into a high power variant any time soon, and the car's success will depend on essentially what it is now. The moans and groans about the cost premium may soon be addressed by making the Boxster a much more expensive car than it is now with the introduction of the 3.4L Cayman engine. The base Boxster and Cayman will likely end up with the same engine at some point as well. This makes absolute production sense and will add symmetry to the model line up as with the 911 coupes and cabs. There will be new moans and groans once the Boxster variants costs as much or even a little more than the coupes. As they say: Be careful what you ask for, as you may get it! The answer to the second question is, IMHO, an unequivocal yes, even with a "limited" run of only 3-4 years, worst case scenario. I will enjoy my Cayman regardless of what the market or the pundits have to say since the car is intended to please me and not them. Porsche seems to at least understood that much. Long post, my apologies.

Edited by - DaveC on 04/14/2006 7:25:14 PM

I didn't spend enough time in the 997S nor did I drive it back to back with a Cayman S to fully evaluate his conclusion and the Carrera S may just be a bit better. With the equipment I wanted, the Carrera S was over $20,000 more and even if it is a bit better, it isn'tworth the difference to me. The thing that stands out most in my mind is the way the cars transition through a corner and I prefer the dynamics of the mid-engine design. If I didn't find my Cayman so totally satisfying I would take a serious look at the C4S, C4 and C2S. However, I have lost nearly all interest in other cars right now since I come home from every drive in the Cayman with a smile on my face and no desire to change anything about the car.


Alan

I guess I'm just getting tired of articles trying to justify the 911 as being 'superior' to the Cayman S for 'subjective' and 'esoteric' reasons. More rewarding? please, drive the Cayman S, it is a fantastic reward, nuff said...

__________________

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