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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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I actually drove a black 06 Z to the Porsche dealership accross the street and parked it next to a black 06 Cayman S. Here are my impressions.
1. The 06 interior of the Z is far and away better than earlier z's. Compared to the Cayman, the Z shined in a couple of areas. First, the Z has real aluminum trim. The Cayman had plastic, cheap looking trim. The Z had a leather steering wheel, the Cayman did not. The headliner looked like it was made from the same factory. I could not tell a difference! The dash of the Cayman was a soft vinyl material. The Z had a quality hard plastic material. The Z also felt bigger on the inside. The seat leather was very comparable on both cars. In short, the Cayman dash material was nicer, but the trim was MUCH better on the Z.
2. Both cars have awesome pull. The Z felt more torque at lower RPM's. The Z engine sounded strong and deep but was also relatively quiet.The Porsche engine sounded like a jet aircraft and was much higher pitched. You can hear the Cayman transmission and engine very loudly in the cabin when accelerating compared to the Z.
There was a 360degree on ramp that I took both cars to. I hit the gas and when I just started to feel the car lose grip, I checked the speedometer. The Z was doing 50, the Cayman 55. I was able to drive the heck out of both cars and spent several hours doing it. I was really ready to like the Porsche but was shocked at how close the Z came to the Cayman S. I can certainly get what I want but it was the Z that put the biggest smile on my face! It was the one I kept staring at when I walked away. My wife couldn't believe it.I like the style of the Cayman S better but I have never drunk the coolaid of the Porsche mistique. There just isn't enough difference between the two models to justify an extra $35k . And with a few mods, I just don't see how the Z could get any better. I was impressed beyond words with the 06 Z and will be ordering an 07 in January! I certainly respect everyone here for having a different view. It all boils down to what is right for each person. I thought for sure I would be getting a Cayman. It was the Z that won my heart. It's like the homely girl on the farm, she may not be that curvy, but boy can she cook!
Last edited by Gator Bite; 03-25-2007 at 04:51 PM.
Reason: Fixed pre-migration HTML tags
1. The 06 interior of the Z is far and away better than earlier z's. Compared to the Cayman, the Z shined in a couple of areas. First, the Z has real aluminum trim. The Cayman had plastic, cheap looking trim. The Z had a leather steering wheel, the Cayman did not. The headliner looked like it was made from the same factory. I could not tell a difference! The dash of the Cayman was a soft vinyl material. The Z had a quality hard plastic material. The Z also felt bigger on the inside. The seat leather was very comparable on both cars. In short, the Cayman dash material was nicer, but the trim was MUCH better on the Z.
The Cayman S will have real aluminum trim depending upon how you spec out the car, and the Z uses a combo of real/fake aluminum. Every Cayman made has a leather steering wheel if you are talking about the wheel itself. If you are talking about the center section where the horn is that is simulated leather on both cars although you can spec real leather on the Cayman, not sure about the Z. The next one is a laugher - the 'soft vinyl material' as you describe the dash on the Cayman is actually a 'soft touch' plastic that is about 5x more expensive than the hard plastic found on the Z. Nothing wrong with hard plastic but there is nothing more 'quality' about it than the plastic used on the Cayman. I'm not sure why the Z would feel bigger on the inside, you'd have to look up the measurement specs to see which one really had more interior space, but clearly the Cayman has more headroom than the Z. Seat leather on the Cayman is real leather in all models, the Z uses simulated faux leather although you may be able to spec the real stuff.
It sounds like you didn't notice, or didn't want to notice the differences between the two cars or for you there wasn't a justification for a Cayman S vs. a Z and that's OK, not everyone will see or appreciate the differences between the two cars and Nissan sells a lot of Z's (although sales have been tapering off as of late) so a lot of people like them. Drivers who don't really push their cars may well be satisfied with the Z and not need the extra power and capabilities of the Cayman S so I would concur no need to spend the extra $ if you aren't going to use it.
Best of luck with whatever ends up in your driveway...
I also tried the Z, but it was LOVE at first sight with the CS. and I'm happy to say 10 months on I made the right choice for me, as you say,..............'If it''s meant to be, it''s up to me....good luck with your new Z.
I didn't mean that the 'quality plastic' of the Z was better than the soft ouch plastic on the CS. The Cs dash is far and away better than the Z. I was thinking in my mind vs. other plastics like the Mustang dash which also has hard plastic but it is the cheapest stuff I have ever seen! The Z dash is head and shoulders ahead of that but not up to the CS. I would love to know the interior specs on the CS but Porsche for whatever reason does not publish them. The CS only has 'aluminum look' trim you can spec out. Every trim piece in the Z that looked metal was metal. The Z had LDS which for the life of me I can't figure out why the Cayman doesn't have. I love the CS and thought it would be my next car. I know everyone on here can justify the price difference. I just couldn't.
What car do you drive mate? A Nissan! But a very special one! Badge alone can cost you extra just like a Rolex watch!
Thisare what I think how Porsche put off a lot of 1st timebuyers--1. The price. 2. Ordinary interior 3. Expensive option
Nissan 350z is a cracking car and relatively good value. However, if you dig deeper you will find why it cost less.
1.The Nissan isa smaller car but weigh a lot more than a Porsche
2. The 3.5l engine were shared with other non-sporty Nissans. So lower redline than a Porsche as saloon or 4x4 need more low down torque. The engine got variable valve timing but no variable lift control like the Cayman s. So there is no extra verge at the top-end. The Nissan also more thirsty due to its weight and shorter gearing.
3. The Cayman S is 'Midengine' like a Ferrari or Formula one cars. Perfect weight distribution.
3. Most car magazine in UK rate the Porsche cayman s the best sportscar last year! Except Jeremy Clarkson!
4. Most Porsche cars are better to own than to testdrive.
5. If you buy a porsche, it says something about you. You love cars! Can you find another forum with car nuts like us?
well...good luck...and hope you find a decent Z forum. I actually think that one of the many perks to owning my Cayman is this forum....its definitely gonna be harder for you to find a group of mature adults who appreciate their cars the same way we do here, out there in Z world.
No need to justify your decision to anyone but yourself. Congrats to you on finding what is best for you. Thanks for letting us know and enjoy your Z. Cheers.
Well I'm glad you're happy with your decision. No sense in having an unhappy Porsche owner, it is a lot of money and it's your money and only you know what makes the most sense for you and your needs. www.my350z.com is the biggest forum I know of.
