German Car Zone

In my introduction post.. I posted a little bit about what led me to these forums which was the Nissan z370 vs Porsche Caymen S thread.

I hate to sound like a troll but, why is it the Nissan Fans are so hardcore pro proving the z370 is better? As I already admitted I'm no big car guy... however, I am becoming more interested in them.

I am not saying I won't jump ship one day and settle for the less expensive Nissan sports car.. however, in many ways... there is just no comparing porsche to Nissan.

I read the review for the Porsche Cayman on a website.. They said it was worth every penny in their minds yet pointed out Nissan fans would argue for the z370 and point out the price difference and there was no defending the Porche price in comparison.

For me I am .. pretty annoyed.. while I have never driven either car and I do admit that from what I read both are fantastic cars..The fact that I see so many Nissan fans jumping on the "Its stupid to get the Porsche" wagon.. and so many Porsche fans just blowing it off makes me wonder if the Nissan fans aren't just overly enthusiastic about having a great car.

Given the choice with a test drive.. I would need to drive both cars a lot to really decide. Given the choice without a test drive.. I'd take the Porsche hands down. I guess its in part because in my mind.. Get a performance car from a performance brand is a much more logical choice then getting a performance car from a brand that makes cars for general use.

I am curious though.. as to why the Porche Cayman fans still remain loyal to the Cayman. (Which.. taking it a step further.. it seems like MORE people are getting into the Cayman with the post like "why the Cayman is the best Porsche yet" post..

I do personally feel like its an apples an oranges issue.. However, I guess that still doesn't stop me from wanting a Cayman after college.. and then a 911 Gt2 (or turbo) Once I have actually moved up in my career..

http://www.germancarzone.com/interna...-cayman-s.html (MotiveMagazine - Motive Versus: Nissan 370Z vs. Porsche Cayman S)

Have a read

Maybe Pekka might take a 370z for a spin and give us a review on it then compare it to his Cayman S

Thats actually the one I read that led me to this forum.

I hope so.. I would love to hear a first hand account of one vs the other.

"The Cayman is a slightly better sports car, but the 370Z is a slightly better everyday car."

***? Who want's a better everyday car when he goes for a sports car? Did they also compare the luggage space?

Japanese sports cars are not too bad. When I was you I would go for the Nissan. In 1992, my first car was a ricer (Toyota Celica T18). It was brand new and the girls said "this is the guy with the Porsche". And that's the prob. IMO the Nissan is a nice, affordable ride for young ppl. When older guys drive it - it looks like a wannabe-Porsche (especially when you see the kinda "Caymanesque" rear of the 370Z).

When we decided to sell the 928 GTS of my ex-girlfriend we thought about the 350Z. Sure it was a good car and I loved the Brembo brakes - but interiorwise it looked like a cheap Ford. And one other (IMO important) thing was missing - EMOZIONE! It ended up in buying a 996 Carrera.

Let me show the car history of a good friend: Porsche 996 (2 years) > Nissan 350Z (1/2 year) > BMW 335i (1 year) > Cayman S (until now - and he will keep it). Sure, Nissan and BMW are great rides - but when you enjoy the real deal you'll never drink Pepsi again .

BTW - forget about the Carrera. The next level for Cayman-drivers is a GT3. Can you pls tell me more about your career plan? It looks so ... lucrative

Hey Snow_Fox. Welcome to the fold. Hope to see you posting more often because it seems like you've got some sound opinion and good discussion skills. The more we can get here the better.

Nissan 370Z vs. Porsche Cayman S given the choice? Well, for any car enthusiast who knows a smidge about the subject, the choice is obvious: Cayman S every time. It is simply the most complete small sports car on the market. Y'know, flat-six (perfect internal balance, low-CoG), mid-engined, compact, lightweight, RWD; all of these characteristics add up to ensure that the Cayman is without a true rival - not even an Exige can match the Cayman's all-round ability to combine prestige-luxury with a thrilling dynamic demeanour. Maybe the Evora will be a closer competitor...?

Factor money into the decision making process and the Cayman stacks up as any Porsche ought to: expensive. It is after all a Porsche. The Nissan doesn't have the better engine (its V6 is coarse at the top-end) nor does it have the inherent balance of the little crocodile but it does come in at a third less in terms of pricing. Now, even if it's only a third less as good as a Cayman S (it's actually closer than that) the Nissan would prove seriously good value for money. Sure, it's Japanese... but we're far enough down the automotive timeline for that not to be a deal-breaker.

The 370Z isn't as good as a Cayman S. But for the money, it's about as good as one could expect. And, it looks the business.

LOL I love the attitude you guys have . I sorta had a feeling there was a reason no one was bothering to defend Porsche.. Just let the Nissan fans keep dreaming XD. Why take what they will already never own away from them? lol. I suppose it makes sense now.. Its easy to want to bash something when you can't afford it.. and if you can afford something that is cheaper and slightly similar.. its hard to not wanna take down the real thing a peg or two... However, If you have the real thing.. you can just sorta ignore the "wannabe" and laugh as you point out that no matter how "nice" the z370 looks.. it still has a nissan logo... (they really should change the logo at least for the sports cars they make)...I'm just not a big fan of ford, or nissan for having the name on the logo..

btw. My lucrative career is one I enjoy so that gives me a big advantage not doing it just for the money.. However, at the moment I'm a computer science major in college.. I live in a college town where there is a LOT of business so at least 4 or 5 times a semester companies make it a point to advertise to our entire department (well all the juniors and seniors anyway). for pretty good jobs. Soon as I'm eligible I'm going head hunting for a good job in that field. Most of my teachers tell me just how "bad" these jobs are.. It makes lots of the comp sci majors take much longer to complete a BS.. and pretty much ensures almost no one returns for a masters... Which I plan on getting.. Between having my foot in the door at (any) company whether its a computer related place or just a place that relies on computers.. I'll have a recomendation to say that "well he kept our systems running fine for his entire stay". Plus a masters degree.. Not to mention making a good bit of money the entire way up to getting into my career.

Its not uncommon for people to start off with a 56k or so salary in my area with just a bs in comp sci. Having a masters bumps that up to about 76-100k.

Oh did I mention I'm competitive when given the proper environment to be competitive in a healthy way i'll *want* to perfect my work. I'll *want* to fight forevery job and every penny along the way. In addition to already being obsesed with computers I'll *want* to know more then the guys next to me in class.

As I read more and more about different sports cars (While I've got a few years before I get mine.. I am interested still). I see various issues arise.. a lot of people just say "oh you abused your car... get over it cars break when you abuse them"

I personally think thats a crappy excuse.. You buy a sports car to be hard on it.. Even if your not racing you do buy a sports car with the expectation it can handle heavier abuse then a regular car.

While I do (as I add as a disclaimer) Acknowledge and don't expect any dealer to fund my own racing habits (hence I don't plan on racing).

I do wanna be able to enjoy that zero to 60... The fact that I can pass people in situations that I'd get killed at in my yaris. (not wreckless driving but, when your car has what feels like no acceleration.. you hesitate to pass a lot more often). Which is gunna be hard on the car because unlike my yaris which only has so much it can put towards passing... Even at 60 higher more powerful cars can still give more like its nothing.

So how does cayman handle abuse? When I buy any car I want it to last as long as possible (10 to 20 years).

Think the Cayman S could last if I do occasionally get the green lite and hit 60 fast as possible? If I drive fast pretty regularly?

How well does it handle abuse and what problems have the owners had from it?

Most sportscars are built with a spirited user in mind.

with the Sport package.. Can you activate the "sport" option while driving? or do you have to come to a complete stop or anything before activating it?

Its my understanding that it alters various parts of your car once activated.. so I am wondering if this could cause problems if you activate it while you are already driving...

Or can you do it while your driving but, it have negative affects on your car?

And while I'm thinking about it is the PCM extended navigation the only gps? or is there another version which works with the sport package?

You can activate it while driving, no problem. It's all electronic tricks, nothing really mechanical, so no need to stop. Only thing is that it will make the car go suddenly bit faster because of te more aggressive mapping.

Never heard of a "sports-package GPS".