darin
06-03-2007, 11:06 AM
The Cayman S isn't brand-new to the world. Today, however, I got the chance to spend about 30 minutes behind the wheel with a lovely young lady as my co-pilot.
I approached the dealership inquiring about 996 911's - they had none, but as we were walking back to the car I asked the saleswoman if she'd let me drive a Cayman S instead.
"Absolutely" she said enthusiastically.
After taking my license, she returned with the key for a well-appointed (~$72K) Cayman S in front of the building
As we pull out of the dealership she says "take this right - there are a few very nice turns down that way - but I saw a cop here earlier, so be careful!"
The first major turn was a round-about.
"Take this around about - all the way around, then exit just to the right"
I enter about 30mph and steadily apply throttle as we finish our loop. First thing I noticed was the car felt much heavier than my RX8. Down the way, and out behind warehouses
"Do a panic stop if you want"
Burrrrrpppp - the tires skidded a bit as the ABS provided a nice stop. My first thought: "My Rx8 stops better..."
Down the way to a hard right - over bumpy/lumpy asphalt.
UNDERSTEER! May have been the surface of the road hurting front end traction, but a little throttle and I managed my way thru the turn.
One thing about the engine right now - Similar power characteristics (Feeling) as my RX8. Whereas my RX8 needs to be above 5,000-5500 rpms for any feeling of urgency, the Cayman S needed to have the tach swing past 4000 before the car seemed to get serious about going fast.
Down the road she said "There's a sweet on-ramp up ahead, then follow the freeway down to a clover-leaf!"
I <3 this girl.
As I entered the on-ramp in 2nd gear, I road the gear to near redline.
Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammppf! or whatever. Hard to explain the sound other than "WOW - I MUST have more of this!"
Freeways brought a lot of tire-noise, but an otherwise well-composed car. I felt a little claustrophobic in the car - a bit like I was sitting in a tub. The rear fenders' arches in the side-view mirrors was sexy to me.
Down a few miles then crossing over the freeway lead me to a back-the-way-we-came HARD right hand on-ramp. I set up in 2nd gear and held the throttle as I turned-in to the corner.
Understeer at the limit - I had to (but was able to) muscle the car through the corner - just as I hit apex I rolled onto the throttle and the car sorta squatted and shot forward with a LOT of urgency and an AMAZING sound.
Yeah - I could get used to this car. Pretty easily.
Overall I really enjoyed the car -
Likes
It's a Porsche. Sitting at traffic lights, getting looks and gawks. Made me feel as though, at least for a little bit, I'd caught-up with the Benjamins.
Exhaust note. Stunning. Breathtaking. Sexy.
Interior fit and finish. Everything seemed well-positioned and well-thought-out - if a bit confusing. (Scores of buttons - everywhere.
Civility. Rode reasonably well. 28mpg hwy.
Dislikes:
Cost. It's a fun car - a very capably fun car. But it's not $35,000 MORE fun than the MSRP of a loaded/optioned RX8. It's DEFINITELY not $50K + more-fun than my probably $17-18k used RX8 would be worth.
Feeling of heaviness. The car just FELT heavier and slower-to-respond than I thought it should have. I wouldn't call the car 'nimble' - I'd call it 'sorted, planted, and capable.'
Verdict: If I had $72,000 laying around to purchase a car, I'd first look at other options. I think, minus the status, the same amount of 'fun' and 'capability' could be had for less money.
That's my $.02
I approached the dealership inquiring about 996 911's - they had none, but as we were walking back to the car I asked the saleswoman if she'd let me drive a Cayman S instead.
"Absolutely" she said enthusiastically.
After taking my license, she returned with the key for a well-appointed (~$72K) Cayman S in front of the building
As we pull out of the dealership she says "take this right - there are a few very nice turns down that way - but I saw a cop here earlier, so be careful!"
The first major turn was a round-about.
"Take this around about - all the way around, then exit just to the right"
I enter about 30mph and steadily apply throttle as we finish our loop. First thing I noticed was the car felt much heavier than my RX8. Down the way, and out behind warehouses
"Do a panic stop if you want"
Burrrrrpppp - the tires skidded a bit as the ABS provided a nice stop. My first thought: "My Rx8 stops better..."
Down the way to a hard right - over bumpy/lumpy asphalt.
UNDERSTEER! May have been the surface of the road hurting front end traction, but a little throttle and I managed my way thru the turn.
One thing about the engine right now - Similar power characteristics (Feeling) as my RX8. Whereas my RX8 needs to be above 5,000-5500 rpms for any feeling of urgency, the Cayman S needed to have the tach swing past 4000 before the car seemed to get serious about going fast.
Down the road she said "There's a sweet on-ramp up ahead, then follow the freeway down to a clover-leaf!"
I <3 this girl.
As I entered the on-ramp in 2nd gear, I road the gear to near redline.
Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammppf! or whatever. Hard to explain the sound other than "WOW - I MUST have more of this!"
Freeways brought a lot of tire-noise, but an otherwise well-composed car. I felt a little claustrophobic in the car - a bit like I was sitting in a tub. The rear fenders' arches in the side-view mirrors was sexy to me.
Down a few miles then crossing over the freeway lead me to a back-the-way-we-came HARD right hand on-ramp. I set up in 2nd gear and held the throttle as I turned-in to the corner.
Understeer at the limit - I had to (but was able to) muscle the car through the corner - just as I hit apex I rolled onto the throttle and the car sorta squatted and shot forward with a LOT of urgency and an AMAZING sound.
Yeah - I could get used to this car. Pretty easily.
Overall I really enjoyed the car -
Likes
It's a Porsche. Sitting at traffic lights, getting looks and gawks. Made me feel as though, at least for a little bit, I'd caught-up with the Benjamins.
Exhaust note. Stunning. Breathtaking. Sexy.
Interior fit and finish. Everything seemed well-positioned and well-thought-out - if a bit confusing. (Scores of buttons - everywhere.
Civility. Rode reasonably well. 28mpg hwy.
Dislikes:
Cost. It's a fun car - a very capably fun car. But it's not $35,000 MORE fun than the MSRP of a loaded/optioned RX8. It's DEFINITELY not $50K + more-fun than my probably $17-18k used RX8 would be worth.
Feeling of heaviness. The car just FELT heavier and slower-to-respond than I thought it should have. I wouldn't call the car 'nimble' - I'd call it 'sorted, planted, and capable.'
Verdict: If I had $72,000 laying around to purchase a car, I'd first look at other options. I think, minus the status, the same amount of 'fun' and 'capability' could be had for less money.
That's my $.02