06-27-2015, 08:03 PM | #1 |
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Test Drove a Cayman S...
And a 991 911 S, and a Boxster S, and a 1M - yes, all in the same day.
The Cayman S, for me, was miles ahead of all of them. I have never experienced the overall feeling that I got from this car today. All the others I tried were good in their own rights, but nothing felt AS good as the Cayman. It was simply awesome. The 911 felt much larger in comparison, and not as responsive. The Boxster was good fun, but didn't feel as solid. And the 1M was definitely fun and I love the N54, but it was more in a "I really am tall enough to ride this roller coaster, I swear!" way...this Porsche dealer also had an M4, but I have driven that 3 times now, so I didn't even bother. The M2, for me now anyway, has become a value proposition only. In other words, I will only consider it if I cannot swing a Cayman S price tag, which is admittedly much higher. But I think I understand why now - I have a much better idea of where the brand smugness originates from - it is much lighter than my 235 (or the 1M I drove today - the Cayman really doesn't have body roll at all), it has a superior engine position, the suspension was very responsive and firm, and the brakes...my god were the standard brakes good, and the instantaneous throttle response was very refreshing. I have been even more annoyed with my 235 since getting my new Ducati - but the Cayman felt much more analogous to the bike when I test drove it (twice) today. It felt like it truly did whatever I wanted it to do - the grip was just phenomenal, the steering was nicely weighted and precise, and it felt fast. Very fast. As I left, this was my main thought - BMWs are nice, but a Porsche is special. I am sold. The only way I don't get one is if I can't make the finances work, which I know will be a challenge. It is definitely an expensive car. I am going to do my best to procure the necessary funds, and if it takes me a while to do so, so be it.
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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06-27-2015, 08:13 PM | #2 | |
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I agree, if it works out you won't be disappointed. Sold my 981 Cayman, had an allocation for a Cayman GT4 but in the end I passed. |
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06-27-2015, 08:24 PM | #4 | |
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One of the things that shocked me the most was how much I loved the PDK - this was my first go with one, and it felt really really good. I think that's the way I will go - which is not what I would have thought.
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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06-27-2015, 09:20 PM | #5 |
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I had the last gen Boxster Spyder and my GT4 should be here within 60 days. If you cannot get a GT4 you should get on the list asap for the new boxster spyder . Doesn't have the motorsport suspension but more like a Cayman S with a 3.8L and 991S brakes.
Now go drive the FRS. It will remind you of a Cayman at 1/2 the performance. I almost bought one but the new Miata maybe a better drive. The lancer Evo is another great driving car with great steering but as you realize the Cayman has the whole package due to weight balance and terrific geometry give you superior driving feel. |
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06-27-2015, 10:02 PM | #6 | |
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I have driven the FRS - my buddy has one - definitely a fun little car and another very good value proposition in its own right. I just went back to the dealer to stare at the one I drove today - white with black wheels.
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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06-27-2015, 10:11 PM | #7 | |
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06-27-2015, 11:36 PM | #8 | |
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Best wishes. |
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06-27-2015, 11:43 PM | #9 |
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I've been having very similiar thoughts of switching to a 981(likely the turbo 4 next year).
An M2 and a base cayman will be essentially the same price. Despite the plethora of options, all you really need in a cayman is the sport suspension, so 53-55k. Same price bracket as the M2. The downside is the euro delivery. Porsche bakes in a 3k charge at the dealer that you'll ultimately be paying, and you need to put up a 19% VAT until the car is back in the states. M2 will be a more "special" vehicle and will turn more heads than a base cayman, but it won't touch the cayman in handling or balance. |
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06-28-2015, 06:10 AM | #10 |
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This is a great thread, I'm glad you got to experience all those cars. The Cayman S/GTS is on my radar as well.
The M2 needs to come in performance wise in-between the Cayman S and GTS (based on M235 laptimes, this shouldn't be too hard to do). Even at that, it is entirely a value proposition... I am expecting about a $15 -20K difference given same relative performance; I think a "base" M2 will be a better drive than a base Cayman. I am glad you liked the PDK as well... it is probably one of the best gearboxes out there. Careful in P-car land though.. to me their cars are keepers, while Bimmers are flippers. So many choices, so little garage space.
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06-28-2015, 08:48 AM | #13 | |
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I am also a huge Porsche fan and have owned many in my years. They are rewarding to drive in a way that no one has been able to duplicate. That being said, there is no perfect happiness and all isn't unicorns and rainbows in P-land. Hence people get tired of them and flip them just like any other car. |
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06-28-2015, 10:16 AM | #14 |
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Nice thread. I've been avoiding a test drive as it might be the end of ///M anything for me. The wife has been talking about a P car for a while and also wants to test drive Audi and Mercedes.
I guess I'll have to go and report back. We have a "German" row of car dealers 10 min away from our house. Porsche-Audi-Mercedes and BMW is on the other side of town. The plan is to keep the Gran Turismo so a fun weekend racket makes perfect sense. We are DINKS too so why the hell am I still typing and not out test driving, while BMW is playing cute hiding the M2?? Excuse me for few minutes |
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06-28-2015, 11:27 AM | #15 | ||
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Didn't get that impression at all this time - I am wondering if that's something that was actively changed, or if I am just not as bothered by it now. Quote:
As for your particular situation, it totally makes sense - I have no kids, a small woman, and no dog - so everything fits in the Cayman. I think for the mid 70s money, if you want a dedicated sports car, then the Cayman S or GTS is "it" - now if you need practicality, I would be leaning towards the F80, which looks great and is really tough to beat from the usability standpoint.
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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06-28-2015, 11:36 AM | #16 | ||
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I think you are absolutely right. If I end up going this route, I am going to put a nice chunk of change down on it and finance the rest over 5 years. If I get a raise or a nice bonus in there somewhere, then I will work on paying it off more quickly. Either way, this is the first car I have considered purchasing in a long time - I think that says something... I was watching videos last night and there's one from EVO I think that compared the base Cayman to the 235 - and the base Cayman beat it on the track, despite being down 60 NHP and 100 torques. There is just something magical about how that car handles - is it a screamer? No - you aren't going to be winning from light to light in it, but you won't in the M2 either. I think BMW has it's respective work cut out for it on the M2. It is going to need to be really really good - and considering that the 235 and Cayman S aren't even in the same area code, I am now more skeptical that they can do it. We shall see.
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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06-28-2015, 11:37 AM | #17 | |
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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06-28-2015, 11:52 AM | #18 |
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Love the Cayman - no way it could be an EDD for me though..It would have to be part of a pair - maybe Cayman and a SAV...
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06-28-2015, 11:52 AM | #19 | |
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I rode with a friend on his 2008 cayman s for about 2 hours on the freeway and you could barely keep a conversation... and that always stuck in my mind I rode briefly on the new cayman s but not for an extended period so maybe you are right and the new one is not as annoying I say GT4 though |
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06-28-2015, 12:00 PM | #20 |
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My reaction to this thread: what dealer gave you free reign to the inventory?! Assume you are a frequent customer
Agree on the cayman as well. I highly doubt the M2 is going to touch the Porsche. However, it only has 2 seats and I really want a DD that can pull the family. But... Depending on the reaction to the M2, I am clearing out the garage for a potential weekend driver (Cayman). |
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06-28-2015, 01:19 PM | #21 | |
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But in all seriousness, the sound in the cabin was great - it sounded good, but not overbearing - until mashing the throttle anyway.
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Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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06-28-2015, 01:44 PM | #22 | |
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There is also an older drive video that pits a tuned S4 against the base 981 on the twisty road, and despite all the torque in the S4 it still doesn't come close to putting as big of a smile on your face as that cayman. Im sure there are going to be lines for the M2 at release driving up the price, which may serve as just another reason to go the Porsche route. |
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