Autoweek: Cayman review

Centurion · 11-06-2005, 09:20 AM

This car seem to be much better than what many people think. Review after review the car keep getting praised. Too bad the car doesn't pack more power becasue if it did it would probably have spanked cars like the Gallardo, F430 and even the 911 Turbo. Once again has Porsche produced another perfect sports car.

Quote:

2006 Porsche Cayman S
Doing the Gator: Porsche's Cayman S nips at the heels of the 911
ROGER HART
Published Date: 10/24/05
2006 PORSCHE CAYMAN S
ON SALE: January
BASE PRICE: $58,900
POWERTRAIN: 3.4-liter, 295-hp, 251-lb-ft H6; rwd, six-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT: 3152 lbs
0 TO 60 MPH: 5.1 seconds (mfr.)

We heard Porsche say the two-seat hardtop Cayman S won’t eat into sales of its flagship 911, but we don’t believe it. Not for a minute—not having just climbed out from behind the wheel of the Cayman S after flogging it through some of the tightest twisties in Italy. The car places high on our “best drives ever” list.

“Cayman S stands out from Boxster and 911,” says Anton Hunger, Porsche AG’s public relations chief. “911 buyers are 911 buyers, and we are confident the cannibalization rate will be quite low. Maybe 3 percent. We are confident Boxster drivers will move up to the Cayman S.” Okay, we buy the part about Boxster drivers moving up—the car is slotted between the Boxster S and 911 Carrera both in performance and price—but if potential 911 buyers drive a Cayman S, we wonder about 911 sales. Cayman S is more Boxster—sharing 40 percent of its parts—than 911, but Cayman S could be described as being more driver-oriented.

No question, the 911 Carrera is a sports car icon and something to be coveted. But it costs $13,000 more than the Cayman S, and from a performance standpoint is only marginally quicker (0.3 second quicker 0 to 60 mph). Unless you need those two tiny rear seats—and have to be 0.3 second quicker—we suggest opting for the Cayman S and pocketing the savings. With the Cayman’s hardtop and hatchback, you get nine cubic feet more storage space than in a Boxster and only slightly less than in a 911.

The mid-engined car is wonderfully balanced, with a 45/55 front/rear weight ratio, and a responsive, torquey 3.4-liter flat-six. Maximum torque is available from 4400 to 6000 rpm, and that allowed us to keep the car in second and third gear for much of our test run through Tuscany. The brakes are typically magnificent, and our test model didn’t even have the optional ceramic rotors or monster 19-inch rubber.

Besides superior handling, one benefit of the mid-engine layout is the delightful noises that resound in the cockpit. The exhaust note combining with the mechanical song taking place right behind your ears makes for a wonderful aural experience, greatly adding to the driving thrills.

Porsche test pilot and former World Rally champ Walter Röhrl said Cayman S is just four seconds slower than a 911 around the eight-plus-mile-long Nord-schleife (though Röhrl told us last May the Cayman S was actually four seconds faster than 911), with the Cayman S making up for a 30-hp deficit with its superb handling. “Simple, straightforward, great to drive,” Röhrl said. We couldn’t agree more.

Porsche Guy · 11-06-2005, 12:46 PM

I never doubted this car was going to be great. I just wish it looked less awkward from some angles.

BMW_Dude · 11-06-2005, 12:49 PM

I'm sure it will take sales from the 911, it is better value for money, and it sounds as if it is just a good a car! People buying the entry level 911 would buy the Cayman, but people will continue to buy the more expensive 911s!

Centurion · 11-06-2005, 01:08 PM

The cayman won't eat too much into the 911 sales. Eventhough the cayman handles better it doesn't pack as much power as the the Carrera S and Turbo and this will be a turnoff for enthusiasts who like powerful power cars. That will lead to the 911 still saling as it does to day but the Carrera will most likely be the model which suffers most.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche Guy

I never doubted this car was going to be great. I just wish it looked less awkward from some angles.

Yeah it does look a bit akward from some angles but maybe the car isn't as photogenic as the 911.

HALO · 03-19-2006, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche Guy

I never doubted this car was going to be great. I just wish it looked less awkward from some angles.

same here it cAn be weird looking from cetain veiw points. I love the car very much though.

Bozzor · 04-02-2006, 12:05 AM

Have seen a few of them in Sydney now: can't say I see anything even remotely unappealing by the looks. Squat, agressive and sporty. Which angles are we talking about? Rear 3/4? Side?

Mr. M · 04-02-2006, 05:42 AM

It look fantastic. With big rims it looks like a crocodile on the prow.

Imhotep Evil · 04-02-2006, 07:57 AM

Awsome car, with the optional CB brakes I sure if the terain is to its advandage it can put to shame the Carrera..

donau · 04-02-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luwalira

The cayman won't eat too much into the 911 sales. Eventhough the cayman handles better it doesn't pack as much power as the the Carrera S and Turbo and this will be a turnoff for enthusiasts who like powerful power cars. That will lead to the 911 still saling as it does to day but the Carrera will most likely be the model which suffers most.

I'd agree with this statement. It will be tough to ignore the base price difference of more than $12,000 for power to weight ratio difference of approx. 0.55 (10.01 vs. 9.46) and hearing review after review not only about how well the Cayman S handles but that it handles better than the 911.

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