vs the new Cayman - Page 3

Echo M3 · 02-26-2013, 11:14 AM

This is going to be a tough choice for me.

I currently have an E90 M3, and I want to replace it at the end of the year.

I'm currently looking at either a used Cayman R, a new 981 Cayman S, or a used 997.2 GT3. It will be my second car, and will just be driven for fun and for the track.

The obvious choice is the GT3, but that is really stretching the budget; I'd like to keep it under $85-90k, so at the moment the 997.2 GT3 is out of budget.

Any suggestions or hints? I love the idea of a Cayman, but I fear that after being spoiled by the S65 V8, I will find the decreased straight line performance a disappointment. I'd also like something raw and uncompromised - I don't need much in the way of practicality, aside from the occasional errand on a weekend. It sounds like the new Cayman S is a bit softer and has lost its edge.

saeyedoc · 02-26-2013, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo M3

This is going to be a tough choice for me.

I currently have an E90 M3, and I want to replace it at the end of the year.

I'm currently looking at either a used Cayman R, a new 981 Cayman S, or a used 997.2 GT3. It will be my second car, and will just be driven for fun and for the track.

The obvious choice is the GT3, but that is really stretching the budget; I'd like to keep it under $85-90k, so at the moment the 997.2 GT3 is out of budget.

Any suggestions or hints? I love the idea of a Cayman, but I fear that after being spoiled by the S65 V8, I will find the decreased straight line performance a disappointment. I'd also like something raw and uncompromised - I don't need much in the way of practicality, aside from the occasional errand on a weekend. It sounds like the new Cayman S is a bit softer and has lost its edge.

How about a 911 Turbo? I can't recall what year they switched over to the newer engine, but something around a 2009 or so should be in your price range. Plenty of power and track friendly. I think the prior gen engine was based on the engine used in the GT3 (don't quote me on that one, I could be wrong).

Just looked it up, 2009 or older uses the Mezger engine.

hakaida442 · 02-27-2013, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo M3

This is going to be a tough choice for me.

I currently have an E90 M3, and I want to replace it at the end of the year.

I'm currently looking at either a used Cayman R, a new 981 Cayman S, or a used 997.2 GT3. It will be my second car, and will just be driven for fun and for the track.

The obvious choice is the GT3, but that is really stretching the budget; I'd like to keep it under $85-90k, so at the moment the 997.2 GT3 is out of budget.

Any suggestions or hints? I love the idea of a Cayman, but I fear that after being spoiled by the S65 V8, I will find the decreased straight line performance a disappointment. I'd also like something raw and uncompromised - I don't need much in the way of practicality, aside from the occasional errand on a weekend. It sounds like the new Cayman S is a bit softer and has lost its edge.

Are you looking for a stick car only? On the track, pdk is faster but not as much fun. All one has to do is put it in sport plus mode and leave it alone. It's probably like dct and is good at knowing what gear to be in all the time.

And for 90k a GTS is in that price range too. Not sure if you would like it, but I love mine. I like going to the track, but it is primarily a street car so I like how comfortable it can be when not in sport mode and with normal PASM on. The 7.2 GT3 is just a little too hardcore for me for street driving. I'm sure that the 991 GT3 will be much more comfortable.

It appears that the 991 GT3 will be pdk-s only and there will be an all new engine in it. I'm sure that it will be really fast and much more stable with the longer wheelbase and wider stance, but if I was upgrading to a GT3, I'd wait for the 2nd gen model. Buying a car with an all new engine for that price point is a big risk imho.

soberin · 02-27-2013, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo M3

This is going to be a tough choice for me.

I currently have an E90 M3, and I want to replace it at the end of the year.

I'm currently looking at either a used Cayman R, a new 981 Cayman S, or a used 997.2 GT3. It will be my second car, and will just be driven for fun and for the track.

The obvious choice is the GT3, but that is really stretching the budget; I'd like to keep it under $85-90k, so at the moment the 997.2 GT3 is out of budget.

Any suggestions or hints? I love the idea of a Cayman, but I fear that after being spoiled by the S65 V8, I will find the decreased straight line performance a disappointment. I'd also like something raw and uncompromised - I don't need much in the way of practicality, aside from the occasional errand on a weekend. It sounds like the new Cayman S is a bit softer and has lost its edge.

Used Cayman S or R is the way to go. Good price point, original HPS not the new electric--plus you will have so much more satisfaction with steering feedback and feel, plus the better cornering, that you will not miss the M3 V8. My 09 E90 is fully Dinan modded except for brakes, and although it's far better than stock for DD and my track days, it ain't no Cayman in terms of driver involvement.

PoweredBy///M · 02-27-2013, 03:09 PM

Two different machines, in my opinion. The Cayman S is geared towards the track with it's mid-engine layout and stiff(er) suspension and better brakes ,while the M3 is geared towards backroads and highway cruising. The M3 can be taken to the track, but you'll have to change a couple of things such as the brakes so you don't get fade.

klammer · 02-27-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShutUpandDrive

Two different machines, in my opinion. The Cayman S is geared towards the track with it's mid-engine layout and stiff(er) suspension and better brakes ,while the M3 is geared towards backroads and highway cruising. The M3 can be taken to the track, but you'll have to change a couple of things such as the brakes so you don't get fade.

Agreed, but with a simple brake upgrade, find the M to be faster around the track... Have only had one cayman pass me and it was this one. He had to let up as his brakes faded too trying to catch me and was pretty sure his were upgraded

soberin · 02-27-2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klammer

Agreed, but with a simple brake upgrade, find the M to be faster around the track... Have only had one cayman pass me and it was this one. He had to let up as his brakes faded too trying to catch me and was pretty sure his were upgraded

I believe the Porsche driver also doesn't understand the concept of an apex.

LarThaL · 02-27-2013, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SROC5

Does anyone know how easy or hard it is to increase horsepower in a porsche from 325hp to 400hp? What are we talking about here? Adding another $15-20k? 325hp is just a tad short of where I would like it to be. But as I said earlier, I would love to have one and would have bought one if it were out just a couple months ago.

You don't need 400hp IMO for this car. Remember, it weighs only 2900-3000 lbs, and is mid-engine so it has very little drive line power loss. More power also means bigger tires, brakes, and a heavier car structurally. I really think the Cayman S is one of the finest sports cars on the planet in terms of its overall execution. I seriously looked at one, but needed the utility of the M3 as well as the added comfort on long trips. And as we all know....there is just something special about that V8 !!

klammer · 02-27-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soberin

Quote:

Originally Posted by klammer

Agreed, but with a simple brake upgrade, find the M to be faster around the track... Have only had one cayman pass me and it was this one. He had to let up as his brakes faded too trying to catch me and was pretty sure his were upgraded

I believe the Porsche driver also doesn't understand the concept of an apex.

I believe you don't know the track... And he only really missed one, and that's because his brakes faded, at the end of the long straight. Just saying, cayman's aren't the dominating force at the track, 911's are, and really only the GT variants...

SROC5 · 02-27-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarThaL

You don't need 400hp IMO for this car. Remember, it weighs only 2900-3000 lbs, and is mid-engine so it has very little drive line power loss. More power also means bigger tires, brakes, and a heavier car structurally. I really think the Cayman S is one of the finest sports cars on the planet in terms of its overall execution. I seriously looked at one, but needed the utility of the M3 as well as the added comfort on long trips. And as we all know....there is just something special about that V8 !!

Yes sir, there certainly is. V8 magic, it's hard to explain.

I even debate on getting a VT-1 550 kit, just because I don't want to interfere with how balanced this car is in every situation I put it in.

soberin · 02-28-2013, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klammer

I believe you don't know the track... And he only really missed one, and that's because his brakes faded, at the end of the long straight. Just saying, cayman's aren't the dominating force at the track, 911's are, and really only the GT variants...

He missed one two turns after he passed you, unless it's a really late apex and you were early, but that's not how it looked to me. Then he really missed one later after the brakes went. But I don't know the track, as you state correctly.

1MOREMOD · 02-28-2013, 11:06 AM

ive oly had one cayman pass me as well and it was last week when the bullet racing cayman just fresh from 24hrs of daytona got me.

E90ab335i · 03-02-2013, 07:06 PM

Pick up a cayman S and don't look back. A whole different world as far as driving experience. I'm getting the biggest dick over the 981 S....

David 12 · 03-02-2013, 09:32 PM

As you all know, driver skill is the most important variable at the track. Although, it is hard to make up 100+ horsepower (a stock Cayman S vs a modified M3).

The Cayman can make even an average driver look good, especially a PDK car and it is a great car for a beginner at a tight track.

Former car: 2007 335i. JB3

Dave

ranger22 · 03-02-2013, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

ive oly had one cayman pass me as well and it was last week when the bullet racing cayman just fresh from 24hrs of daytona got me.

We should track some time.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by David 12

The Cayman can make even an average driver look good, especially a PDK car and it is a great car for a beginner at a tight track.

I think the M3 is better at making someone look like a better driver.

skxf430 · 03-02-2013, 11:11 PM

Save up for the GT3. You won't regret the car. The car is nearly perfect for street and the track.

No limp mode, no fading brakes, and it already has a good and capable suspension. All you have to do is flush the brake fluid and get a good alignment. If you find one with the GT2 sport buckets seats just add a 4 point rollbar and add some harnesses.

ranger22 · 03-03-2013, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skxf430

Save up for the GT3. You won't regret the car. The car is nearly perfect for street and the track.

No limp mode, no fading brakes, and it already has a good and capable suspension. All you have to do is flush the brake fluid and get a good alignment. If you find one with the GT2 sport buckets seats just add a 4 point rollbar and add some harnesses.

Upgrade the LSD and go for a track worthy alignment. Porsche LSDs are weak sauce, unless you're talking cup car.

Team Plutonium · 03-03-2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranger22

Upgrade the LSD and go for a track worthy alignment. Porsche LSDs are weak sauce, unless you're talking cup car.

02-28-2013, 11:06 AM	#56
1MOREMOD Major General Drives: at a moderate pace Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: garage Posts: 6,603 iTrader: (3)	ive oly had one cayman pass me as well and it was last week when the bullet racing cayman just fresh from 24hrs of daytona got me. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings & bearings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster knob\|Euro header\|Eisenmann sport\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|race pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|CSL brakes\|RS19s\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|Apex studs\|

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02-26-2013, 11:14 AM	#45
Echo M3 Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NY Posts: 1,413 iTrader: (0)	This is going to be a tough choice for me. I currently have an E90 M3, and I want to replace it at the end of the year. I'm currently looking at either a used Cayman R, a new 981 Cayman S, or a used 997.2 GT3. It will be my second car, and will just be driven for fun and for the track. The obvious choice is the GT3, but that is really stretching the budget; I'd like to keep it under $85-90k, so at the moment the 997.2 GT3 is out of budget. Any suggestions or hints? I love the idea of a Cayman, but I fear that after being spoiled by the S65 V8, I will find the decreased straight line performance a disappointment. I'd also like something raw and uncompromised - I don't need much in the way of practicality, aside from the occasional errand on a weekend. It sounds like the new Cayman S is a bit softer and has lost its edge.

02-27-2013, 03:09 PM	#49
PoweredBy///M Vroom...Vroom.... Drives: Looking into an ///M Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 140 iTrader: (0)	Two different machines, in my opinion. The Cayman S is geared towards the track with it's mid-engine layout and stiff(er) suspension and better brakes ,while the M3 is geared towards backroads and highway cruising. The M3 can be taken to the track, but you'll have to change a couple of things such as the brakes so you don't get fade.

03-02-2013, 07:06 PM	#57
E90ab335i Private Drives: 2007 Silver E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orange County Posts: 54 iTrader: (0)	Pick up a cayman S and don't look back. A whole different world as far as driving experience. I'm getting the biggest dick over the 981 S....

03-02-2013, 09:32 PM	#58
David 12 Captain Drives: 2009 Cayman S PDK SC+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 852 iTrader: (0)	As you all know, driver skill is the most important variable at the track. Although, it is hard to make up 100+ horsepower (a stock Cayman S vs a modified M3). The Cayman can make even an average driver look good, especially a PDK car and it is a great car for a beginner at a tight track. Former car: 2007 335i. JB3 Dave

03-02-2013, 11:11 PM	#60
skxf430 Private First Class Drives: Driving Miss Daisy Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 113 iTrader: (0)	Save up for the GT3. You won't regret the car. The car is nearly perfect for street and the track. No limp mode, no fading brakes, and it already has a good and capable suspension. All you have to do is flush the brake fluid and get a good alignment. If you find one with the GT2 sport buckets seats just add a 4 point rollbar and add some harnesses.