As some of you may have noticed, I've been eyeing/thinking about changing up the sheet metal. I think I'd like to stay in a somewhat focused sports car, because at this stage of life, I can. This will be my DD/only car, but because of my road job, I really only use my car on the weekends. In a lot of ways, it's tough to really "upgrade" from the C5 from a driving/performance standpoint, it is faster and has more grip than most things, and I'd like to stay in that realm. However, I would prefer something a bit more compliant and nicer that doesn't scrape everywhere. After tracking the Elise SC 220, I really fell in love with the feel and dynamics of the car, so I've somewhat landed on the Cayman as a much less terrible to live with version of that. More on other cars I'm thinking about in a later post, but for now, I'll review the Cayman as I took the ultimate test drive this weekend.
For my gf's 30th birthday, I got her a trip to Las Vegas, she'd never been. I was already in the area for work, so she met me and we saw the sights and took a day trip to Zion. I took the opportunity to rent a 2007 Cayman S on Turo. This was a 5/7 experience. I paid $235 for three days in the car and we drove it about 450 miles. I think this is stupid cheap and told the dudebro he should start charging more. The car was in 3/7 condition with 109k miles and a few issues but it still gave me a great opportunity to try the car out in a lot of different environments. Prior to Allison arriving, I was able to take the car to Nevada 158 by Mount Charleston to hoon for a few hours. We also spent six hours road tripping to and from Zion from Las Vegas.
So, the review:
The drive:
Power is 4/7. It's definitely fun, it feels about as quick as the C5. I'm not sure if the non S will feel a bit underpowered, I'd like to try one out as well. Delivery is... OK, not really what I expected. It feels pretty torquey and has good powah at 2K plus which is nice, it felt a little bit underwhelming in the upper revs. It's fun to wind it up to 7500, but the Corvette is more exciting at 4k plus, which was a bit surprising given they're known as torque monsters and I think of Porsches as a bit more high strung. All in all though, the power is solid and acceleration is strong. I took it up to about 100 a few times, but his tires weren't balanced all that well, so it got a little sketchy above that, but was still pulling well.
The transmission was somewhat of a love hate, mostly leaning towards love. The clutch feel is great and I was great with it immediately, unlike some cars where it takes some time to get used to the action. The gearing is much shorter than my car, which I love. Short gearing is just the best. The gripe is the shifter feel, it kind of blows, worse than a C5 which is known as being terrible. I guess this is just a mid engine thing.
The handling is great. Steering feels good to me, although I missed the small steering wheel I have in my car. What can I really write about the handling of a Porsche Cayman? It's obviously impressive.
The other stuff:
I love the looks, especially this one in dark green with the deep dish black wheels and carbon fiber spoiler.
The interior is pretty nice. This car was a bit worn, but still quite comfy on our road trip. The seats aren't Focus ST Recarbro level, but they hold you in better than most and feel good. It's not a quiet car, but much better than the C5 as far as road noise. Hearing the engine right behind you is neat but unobtrusive. It's narrower than the C5 which I like, but still spacious enough inside and utility is pretty solid with the hatch and frunk.
The sound is great, just not BROla/Ellis great.
The owner was really cool and we chatted about the car a lot. He said it's been perfectly reliable, despite clearly being a "run hard and put away wet" type car. It also felt great running hard, not the "made of glass" feeling I've gotten driving older BMWs.
That was a long post... any other questions about the car, let me know. Overall I really enjoyed it and am thinking hard about considering further. For even more , I signed up for a track day in the on 3/3, so we'll see how that impacts my opinion .
Griff :plac: on nears full mast... Cayman review and other musings
My solo hoonage sesh by Mount Charleston. This was an amazing road with no one around, and beautiful scenery to boot. I Ran up and down enough times to learn it a bit and push the car pretty hard. Even with temps around 40F, the thing really felt amazing and doesn't let go.
Me after our Angels Landing hike:
Allison drove it about 100 miles. Her review was "I don't prefer a manual but it looks cool and I like that it doesn't scrape on everything"
Me after our Angels Landing hike:
Allison drove it about 100 miles. Her review was "I don't prefer a manual but it looks cool and I like that it doesn't scrape on everything"
Last edited by D Griff on Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- troyguitar
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I still want a Porsche. Dunno if it'll ever happen. I think it's worth going 09-12 base over the 06-08 S cars
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It's hilarious how nice it is to be able to drive a car like it's a car. I still love that about my non- rides.D Griff wrote:Oh, and it doesn't scrape on everything!
That's where I'm leaning I think, this car was pretty powerful, I think a tad less would be fine. Are those six speeds? I know the 987.1 base is five speed which is a bittroyguitar wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:31 pm
I still want a Porsche. Dunno if it'll ever happen. I think it's worth going 09-12 base over the 06-08 S cars
If I get one and you end up in NC, you can drive it.
Even once I knew it wouldn't scrape, I found myself cringing before every angle...troyguitar wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:34 pmIt's hilarious how nice it is to be able to drive a car like it's a car. I still love that about my non- rides.D Griff wrote:Oh, and it doesn't scrape on everything!
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2009 got rid of both the 5 speed options (the slushbox and old school manuel). 6MT/7PDK from 09 to present.
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Been there, I still cringe in a few places for no reason. It's PTSD.D Griff wrote:Even once I knew it wouldn't scrape, I found myself cringing before every angle...troyguitar wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:34 pm It's hilarious how nice it is to be able to drive a car like it's a car. I still love that about my non- rides.
I'm assuming it's the same gearing/transmission then? The shorter gearing istroyguitar wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:37 pm 2009 got rid of both the 5 speed options (the slushbox and old school manuel). 6MT/7PDK from 09 to present.
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Honestly what you mean - no modern Porsche has short gearing. Shorter than your car, but not short at all. They all do 70+ in 2nd.D Griff wrote:I'm assuming it's the same gearing/transmission then? The shorter gearing istroyguitar wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:37 pm 2009 got rid of both the 5 speed options (the slushbox and old school manuel). 6MT/7PDK from 09 to present.
Not short but compared to what I'm used to it felt great. I think the gearing is "right" for a balance of fun/usability.troyguitar wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2018 11:41 pmHonestly what you mean - no modern Porsche has short gearing. Shorter than your car, but not short at all. They all do 70+ in 2nd.D Griff wrote:
I'm assuming it's the same gearing/transmission then? The shorter gearing is
I'm definitely planning on it. Hopefully a similar Turo thing where I can have it for at least a day. I've only driven a 350Z, which I actually really liked.
I'm all over the map with other stuff I want to drive:
Mustang Ecoboost
Mustang GT
370Z
FRZ86
ND Miata
what else really fits the bill.
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2019 Ranger.D Griff wrote:I'm definitely planning on it. Hopefully a similar Turo thing where I can have it for at least a day. I've only driven a 350Z, which I actually really liked.
I'm all over the map with other stuff I want to drive:
Mustang Ecoboost
Mustang GT
370Z
FRZ86
ND Miata
what else really fits the bill.
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I'd possibly go either transmission only because i have a later gen DSG programmed to the R/S3 so I know that the PDK will be bonkers.... especially if it sells for cheaper. Dollar for dollhair I'd get the +09 Blue base. Those come out to nearly double a and that's where status update = "It's complicated", not sure its worth upgrading at that point
Last edited by Tar on Tue Feb 20, 2018 12:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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D Griff wrote:I'm definitely planning on it. Hopefully a similar Turo thing where I can have it for at least a day. I've only driven a 350Z, which I actually really liked.
I'm all over the map with other stuff I want to drive:
Mustang Ecoboost
Mustang GT
370Z
FRZ86
ND Miata
what else really fits the bill.
update!
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You are into vertsTarspin wrote:I'd possibly go either transmission only because i have a later gen DSG programmed to the R/S3 so I know that the PDK will be bonkers.... especially if it sells for cheaper. Dollar for dollhair I'd get the +09 Miami Blue base. Those come out to nearly double the and that's where status update = "It's complicated"
09+ boxster is $10k or so cheaper than the Cayman. Especially if you are OK with trannies.
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Gay tranny vert is where I draw the line doe.troyguitar wrote:You are into vertsTarspin wrote:I'd possibly go either transmission only because i have a later gen DSG programmed to the R/S3 so I know that the PDK will be bonkers.... especially if it sells for cheaper. Dollar for dollhair I'd get the +09 Miami Blue base. Those come out to nearly double the and that's where status update = "It's complicated"
09+ boxster is $10k or so cheaper than the Cayman. Especially if you are OK with trannies.
Options I'm okay with:
1. PDK Gayman in blue
2. Boxer any color even grey if really cheap
I think he actually got the C6 'vert because of more than actual 'vert desires. It still might fit the bill .troyguitar wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2018 12:29 amYou are into vertsTarspin wrote:I'd possibly go either transmission only because i have a later gen DSG programmed to the R/S3 so I know that the PDK will be bonkers.... especially if it sells for cheaper. Dollar for dollhair I'd get the +09 Miami Blue base. Those come out to nearly double the and that's where status update = "It's complicated"
09+ boxster is $10k or so cheaper than the Cayman. Especially if you are OK with trannies.
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Dude, I didn't love the vert or red but it had a , black interior and roof so I can make it look better with non-chrome ramz and in amazing shape driven by a Barbara for 18.5k.D Griff wrote:I think he actually got the C6 'vert because of more than actual 'vert desires. It still might fit the bill .troyguitar wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2018 12:29 am You are into verts
09+ boxster is $10k or so cheaper than the Cayman. Especially if you are OK with trannies.
Still pretty especially since I havent seen a price drop nationally after 2 yrs of ownership. It's a tough car to because it can easily scare the shit out of me and makes wicked noises.
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Boxsters are cheap, like sub-$20k for an 09. If I could I'd own one.Tarspin wrote:Gay tranny vert is where I draw the line doe.troyguitar wrote:You are into verts
09+ boxster is $10k or so cheaper than the Cayman. Especially if you are OK with trannies.
Options I'm okay with:
1. PDK Gayman in blue
2. Boxer any color even grey if really cheap