Had the chance to drive a 2011 Cayman S 6MT yesterday. It wasn't a thorough enough drive to really get to know the car, but I did come away with some impressions.
Long story short, I'm glad I have my BMWs (e46 m3, e90 335xi) and I prefer them, but I can see why people would enjoy the Cayman S. If I had room for a 5th car (and my lovely wife's tolerance of it) a Cayman S would be right in the game. There's something to be said for the CS being a purpose-built sports car vs. the BMWs being sports sedans, thus different and incomparable, but I call shenanigans on that. The numbers are really similar, the price ranges similar, and according to my perusal of forum threads the buyers are similar. So here are a few notables:
- Cocoon: The CS really hugs you. It's got a cocoon-like, space shuttle, jet cockpit thing going on. On the right day of the week, nothing would be better.
- Short Shifter: The stock stick is a little nubbin of a thing, with nice tight shifts, shorter throws than the BMWs and less notchy. This was the one thing I walked away day-dreaming about.
- Long Clutch: The clutch pedal starts at your chest and goes all the way to the floor. You can practice your leg press and claim you went to the gym. It would take a lot of getting used to. It's also pushed far toward the center of the footwell. I stamped on the dead pedal a few times thinking I was losing my mind until I found it.
- Peppy: It's lighter than either of my BMWs. Given the similar engine outputs (~315hp vs 333hp vs 350hp) it felt a bit quicker on the low end. That could just be my mind playing tricks. It wasn't a revelation.
- Engine behind your head: That's a great feeling, psychologically. In reality the sound was so-so. It had more of a hiss than a burble, and I greatly prefer the sound of the S54.
- Exterior: I think this is the best looking (modern) Porsche on the market. It's a snarling bullet. I'd feel a little self conscious driving it around most days, on account of the overt mid-life crisis sportiness factor. I could see myself taking my wife to a movie in it on the weekend, parking it in the mall parking lot, and the teenagers thinking, "old guy." I'm not that old!
- Interior: Sparse. AC, radio, some gauges. Can't complain and can't praise it either. I don't think this car is about the cupholders. It does take the "oooh, ahhh, Porsche" veneer off a little bit.
Summary: A lot of fun. Having my BMWs, I don't feel like I'm missing anything. The Cayman S seems like somebody's dream car though. Quick, fun, beautiful. Worthy of respect. I've only driven one other Porsche, a 1982 911. That's a review for another day.
-T
Long story short, I'm glad I have my BMWs (e46 m3, e90 335xi) and I prefer them, but I can see why people would enjoy the Cayman S. If I had room for a 5th car (and my lovely wife's tolerance of it) a Cayman S would be right in the game. There's something to be said for the CS being a purpose-built sports car vs. the BMWs being sports sedans, thus different and incomparable, but I call shenanigans on that. The numbers are really similar, the price ranges similar, and according to my perusal of forum threads the buyers are similar. So here are a few notables:
- Cocoon: The CS really hugs you. It's got a cocoon-like, space shuttle, jet cockpit thing going on. On the right day of the week, nothing would be better.
- Short Shifter: The stock stick is a little nubbin of a thing, with nice tight shifts, shorter throws than the BMWs and less notchy. This was the one thing I walked away day-dreaming about.
- Long Clutch: The clutch pedal starts at your chest and goes all the way to the floor. You can practice your leg press and claim you went to the gym. It would take a lot of getting used to. It's also pushed far toward the center of the footwell. I stamped on the dead pedal a few times thinking I was losing my mind until I found it.
- Peppy: It's lighter than either of my BMWs. Given the similar engine outputs (~315hp vs 333hp vs 350hp) it felt a bit quicker on the low end. That could just be my mind playing tricks. It wasn't a revelation.
- Engine behind your head: That's a great feeling, psychologically. In reality the sound was so-so. It had more of a hiss than a burble, and I greatly prefer the sound of the S54.
- Exterior: I think this is the best looking (modern) Porsche on the market. It's a snarling bullet. I'd feel a little self conscious driving it around most days, on account of the overt mid-life crisis sportiness factor. I could see myself taking my wife to a movie in it on the weekend, parking it in the mall parking lot, and the teenagers thinking, "old guy." I'm not that old!
- Interior: Sparse. AC, radio, some gauges. Can't complain and can't praise it either. I don't think this car is about the cupholders. It does take the "oooh, ahhh, Porsche" veneer off a little bit.
Summary: A lot of fun. Having my BMWs, I don't feel like I'm missing anything. The Cayman S seems like somebody's dream car though. Quick, fun, beautiful. Worthy of respect. I've only driven one other Porsche, a 1982 911. That's a review for another day.
-T