A salutation to the M3 part 2, exit stage left

[ruff]

Have close to 2500 miles on a 09 Cayman S. Bought it because I had a very weak moment and found myself buried up to my eyeballs in an incredible deal that I didn't have the guts to get out of. The car computer says I am averaging 25.4 mpg so far. Most of those miles were acquired driving through beautiful hill country in the great state of Texas where the car was purchased. Yes, Texas is big and the barbecue is to die for.

Very few 09 Caymans are fitted with the new factory LSD; rare indeed, especially in combination with a 6MT. I made sure the car I bought had one and Texas was the State with one. The additional 25 ponies + LSD pushes this car to world class driving levels. The key is the low weight and and low mid engine placement. The limits are so high on this car that it makes novice drivers falsely believe they have talent in short order.

By far, the biggest minus to the car is the Porsche name, and the price associated with that name, which is frankly embarrassing and leads one down the the road to financial ruin. The woes of conspicuous consumption. I thought I could hide the car in my garage but security has been breached and rumors continue to leak at higher than expected levels. Amazing how far stereotypes can stretch on an extremely overpriced car with German origins and a fancy name. The Accord is attention and drama free and has been genius from a financial stand point. Not a shabby driver either, with it's low weight, free revving motor, and slick shifter.

Still a member of BMWCCA and plan on keeping it that way. That is, unless I see X6 M yacht owners show up making the claim they bought it because they wanted the ultimate driving machine. And for Porsche owners, I hate to break it to you but there are excellent substitutes including every itineration of the M3. The M3 picture in my office remains my favorite piece of automotive memorabilia.

[immiketoo]

So, you don't have the M anymore? +1 on the Cayman. Incredible car...

[Cabinetman]

I'm glad you are enjoying the Cayman. My dad had a base model and it was fun to drive but definitely needed the extra ponies the S offers. I wouldn't mind owning one myself, but my wife is against the idea of strapping my two boy's car seats to the roof.

[southlight]

Congrats ruff. I don't want to brag, but I always told you this would be the right car for you.


Best regards,
south

[jk6672]

I've never driven a Cayman S, how would you compare the M3 with the Cayman S?
I think the Cayman body style is sexy, way nicer looking than the 911. Post some pics

[oneginee]

I have driven the 911 4S and was left unimpressed. I do not like small sports cars that feel like a kart. It is great on a race track with lots of twists but feels like you are doing so much work behind the wheel all the time. Even the 135i is too small for my liking.

[fpblue]

No offense, but the Cayman looks like a bug. It is also very cramped in there. The performance is not even close to the M3, unless it will be tracked all the time. The looks critique is just my opinion and will probably be in the minority.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by jk6672

I've never driven a Cayman S, how would you compare the M3 with the Cayman S?

I'd be interested in the comparason as well. That would be interesting.

Congrutulations btw.

[panbo]

very enjoyable car!! congrats & enjoy it in good health

[zenderm3]

Originally Posted by ruff

Have close to 2500 miles on a 09 Cayman S. Bought it because I had a very weak moment and found myself buried up to my eyeballs in an incredible deal that I didn't have the guts to get out of. The car computer says I am averaging 25.4 mpg so far. Most of those miles were acquired driving through beautiful hill country in the great state of Texas where the car was purchased. Yes, Texas is big and the barbecue is to die for.

Very few 09 Caymans are fitted with the new factory LSD; rare indeed, especially in combination with a 6MT. I made sure the car I bought had one and Texas was the State with one. The additional 25 ponies + LSD pushes this car to world class driving levels. The key is the low weight and and low mid engine placement. The limits are so high on this car that it makes novice drivers falsely believe they have talent in short order.

By far, the biggest minus to the car is the Porsche name, and the price associated with that name, which is frankly embarrassing and leads one down the the road to financial ruin. The woes of conspicuous consumption. I thought I could hide the car in my garage but security has been breached and rumors continue to leak at higher than expected levels. Amazing how far stereotypes can stretch on an extremely overpriced car with German origins and a fancy name. The Accord is attention and drama free and has been genius from a financial stand point. Not a shabby driver either, with it's low weight, free revving motor, and slick shifter.

Still a member of BMWCCA and plan on keeping it that way. That is, unless I see X6 M yacht owners show up making the claim they bought it because they wanted the ultimate driving machine. And for Porsche owners, I hate to break it to you but there are excellent substitutes including every itineration of the M3. The M3 picture in my office remains my favorite piece of automotive memorabilia.

Thanks ruff - great overview - I have a lot of respect for Porsche and totally agree with your comments about the kind of car it truly is... in concert with the bad side of cost/image associated.

That being said - I have a lot of respect for you and your considerations (and taste!) when it comes to the ///M - it would be easy for you to say one is better than the other - instead you sound like a true engineer and appreciate the benefits and nature and outcomes of the vehicles side-by-side.

Kudos on the car.

[swamp2]

Congrats Ruff, so glad to hear you finally purchased a wonderful car. Enjoy it to the fullest.

[urbo73]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

I'd be interested in the comparason as well. That would be interesting.

Congrutulations btw.

I've had both, they are totally different cars. What would you like to know? I made a recent post on this in another thread. Post #44 here:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=289143&page=2

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by urbo73

I've had both, they are totally different cars. What would you like to know? I made a recent post on this in another thread. Post #44 here:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=289143&page=2

That thread (and your post) pretty much covered the bases...thanks.

[warzilla]

Originally Posted by ruff

By far, the biggest minus to the car is the Porsche name, and the price associated with that name, which is frankly embarrassing and leads one down the the road to financial ruin. The woes of conspicuous consumption.

That was very elegantly said Ruff. Felt the same way when I was looking at some 911s before I brought the m3. Its really really overpriced for what it is (but yes, they are great cars).

I think thats why Porsche is in the position it is in now, there isn't enough wall street bonus babies around to pay those ridiculous asking prices from the p-car dealers.

[MJC///M3]

very nice write-up ruff. I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

[footie]

Congrats ruff, you have possibly bought the best Porsche available today (price calculated in) and thus the best sportscar PERIOD.

Yes Porsches are dear when you look at what you get in outright performance compared to the M3 but there is a certain kudos with driving a Porsche that you don't get with an M3 (some might prefer it that way) and what it may lack in outright acceleration it more than makes up for it the quality of every major control you happen to lay your hand on and how it actually behaves around the limit. I reckon that excellence comes at a price and the nearer you go to that pinnacle the more expensive each single gain becomes.

[urbo73]

Originally Posted by warzilla

That was very elegantly said Ruff. Felt the same way when I was looking at some 911s before I brought the m3. Its really really overpriced for what it is (but yes, they are great cars).

I think thats why Porsche is in the position it is in now, there isn't enough wall street bonus babies around to pay those ridiculous asking prices from the p-car dealers.

What car ISN'T overpriced for what it really is? You think the M3 is priced "fairly"? It costs less, but one can also say it's overpriced. If you are looking for good "values", don't look at cars - sports cars especially. Or buy used.

[991GT3]

Originally Posted by urbo73

What car ISN'T overpriced for what it really is? You think the M3 is priced "fairly"? It costs less, but one can also say it's overpriced. If you are looking for good "values", don't look at cars - sports cars especially. Or buy used.

precisely

[pepper]

Originally Posted by urbo73

What car ISN'T overpriced for what it really is? You think the M3 is priced "fairly"? It costs less, but one can also say it's overpriced. If you are looking for good "values", don't look at cars - sports cars especially. Or buy used.

so true, but what is life without fun? they got us good, that's all I can say.

women and shopping / men and cars..

[pepper]

Originally Posted by oneginee

I have driven the 911 4S and was left unimpressed. I do not like small sports cars that feel like a kart. It is great on a race track with lots of twists but feels like you are doing so much work behind the wheel all the time. Even the 135i is too small for my liking.

man ,then I have to suggest the mini cooper to you, also is the smart car, fun as hell, then there is the ...

[bonk55]

Rumor has it that someone in a new Cayman S was seen smokin everything in site around the Alpine Loop during the BMW rally...surely that wouldn't have been you...or would it?

[ruff]

There is no indication that this particular car was equipped with an optional LSD, possibly leading to the understeer comments by Pobst. IMO, an LSD is the must have option to extract the full potential of Cayman's world class chassis. Most people who own or have driven Caymans have never piloted one with an LSD. The PDK, though efficiently fast, adds 55 lbs of pork, pushing the car's mass past the critical 3 k barrier. Mass and cornering speed are forever mortal enemies.