New Porsche 981 ( 2013 Cayman S )

[PaneristiDriver]

Originally Posted by Singletrack

M3 handles extremely well; Cayman is just better....from what I hear anyway; haven't driven it at the limit : )

The Cayman handles far better than the M3, and anything else short of a GTx Porsche for that matter. At the limit, they are so easy to drive and are much more composed and planted. They make even novices look like pros. If you think the M3 is easy at the limit, the Cayman is even more so it makes the M3 seem unsure of itself in comparison.
This car looks great and the brillance of this car is in the handling and pure precision nothing else under ~150K is going to touch. Plus, considering that the previous gen 2 Cayman S isnt much slower than our M3s, this car will be plenty quick due to low weight. And if the 991 is any indicator (and it is) for this car, it will far supercede its 'paper' stats. There isnt a single other car in the world with 400-470 hp that will keep up with a 991S in a straight or a track. I expect the same from the Cayman S and R (when it launches).

[bates1325]

Originally Posted by klammer

Looks bad ass but still needs more power!!

http://www.tpcracing.com/products/TPCRacing-987-Cayman-S-Turbo-Kit/

Cheaper than our supercharger

For 5k more you can have the stage 2 which gives you 550 (477 to the wheels). That's 6lbs/whp.

I am contacting them regarding the 981 to see if they have an idea for a turbo kit. If I make the switch I will surely be getting at least the stage 1 and maybe the stage 2 after.

[1MOREMOD]

looks pretty amazing. if thats what they end up with it would be a nice choice for half the money of the 991c2s

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by klammer

Looks bad ass but still needs more power!!

Not as much as you might think.....

Much lighter than an M3. Mid-engine configuration also means less driveline power loss. Finally, you can actually drive this car at higher speeds due to it's handling capabilities. Porsche has always been a a bit conservative in their 0-60 claims, and the curent Cayman R is spec'd at 4.7 sec. It has been tested to 4.4 seconds. I may have to seriously consider the Cayman S as my next car. I have found that when I configure a Porsche on their website, I always end up spending about $30k in options to get it just the way I want. That puts a new 911 near the top of my comfort zone in terms of cost. With the Cayman, I could load it up with every conceivable feature I would want, and still be very comfortable with the cost.

[Team Plutonium]

Originally Posted by klammer

Looks bad ass but still needs more power!!

+1!

[SamS]

I have never driven a Cayman, but it just looks like it would be light, quick, and tossable. Those are not words I'd used to describe my M3. Well, "quick" yes, but more in that muscle-car/GT type of way.

[Team Plutonium]

Originally Posted by SamS

I have never driven a Cayman, but it just looks like it would be light, quick, and tossable. Those are not words I'd used to describe my M3. Well, "quick" yes, but more in that muscle-car/GT type of way.

My Cayman S was the best handling car I have ever driven... simply sublime! The steering was pretty much telepathic. Although while very light, I always felt the Cayman S could've used a little more power. It basically had a neutered 911 engine... if Porsche would've given the Cayman some real power it would have outperformed pretty much any 911 in the lineup.

[1MOREMOD]

in a few years im gonna have to make the decision between a used gt3 997, new f80 m3, or 981 cayman s to add to my e90 m3. 1st world problems.

[saeyedoc]

The M3 and Cayman, although in similar price ranges, couldn't be more different to drive. We have a 2011 M3 sedan with DCT and a 2012 Cayman S with PDK.
The engine in the M3 is a beast that just keeps pulling, but it's still a large, heavy sedan compared to the Cayman.
The Cayman, although lacking somewhat in ultimate power, handles sublimely and is fun to drive.
I had my Cayman on the track last weekend, it's amazing how it will keep up with the Carrera's on a tight track like we were on. This was only my second time on the track, but the experienced Cayman drivers were just blowing by me, on my butt on the curves so I just let them by (this was by no means a race). I haven't had our M3 on the track, but I can't see taking corners in it like I was in my Cayman. The PDK transmission in sport plus mode turns it into a different car, holding every gear until red line and rev-matching downshifts when braking into turns. The engine is so different in the upper ranges of RPMs.
I have no doubt the 981 will be a brilliant car.
Don't let the starting price fool you though, it's easy to put 20k or more in options on them without even trying very hard.

[alms211]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

My Cayman S was the best handling car I have ever driven... simply sublime! The steering was pretty much telepathic. Although while very light, I always felt the Cayman S could've used a little more power. It basically had a neutered 911 engine... if Porsche would've given the Cayman some real power it would have outperformed pretty much any 911 in the lineup.

Precisely one of the main reasons I sold my '06 CaymanS. I agree 100% re: telepathy as well. The car is a friggin slot car and the best handling car I have ever driven. The new 981 looks much better and will be a good bit quicker. This car is going to be fantastic.

[CPB]

Nice pics. New Cayman is a very good looking car.

[Buckeye_M3]

Very sexy momentum car but needs a blower or turbo to be an elite machine.

[TTG]

TT or nothing..... the rest of them are all trying to catch up.....

Seriously though......very good looking car.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by Singletrack

M3 handles extremely well; Cayman is just better....from what I hear anyway; haven't driven it at the limit : )

Actually incorrect or at least I think so. The Cayman S/R competitor is the BMW E89 Z4MC and 1M. We have known this for years. Not the E92 M3. I was in the market for the Cayman this year and was not impressed. Looks were ok but power was slow and ride was a little rough but it seemed to handle well. I wouldn't buy an entry level Porsche though. Just me.

I do have to say this new Porsche looks great but does not have the ultimate speed/power I want.

[Keik E92 M3]

nice car! can't wait to see the final pictures.

[klammer]

Am sure it's a quick car and all, it's just that caymans don't scare you on track, hell neither do 911's even S's (only turbos and GT3's), so couldn't see switching to one, but would get one in addition

[alms211]

Originally Posted by klammer

Am sure it's a quick car and all, it's just that caymans don't scare you on track, hell neither do 911's even S's (only turbos and GT3's), so couldn't see switching to one, but would get one in addition

Assuming equal drivers, A 997.1S will run with an E92M3 nose to nose; a 997.2S will beat it and a 991S will leave it for dead. You should be scared if you are worried about winning

[dawgdog]

Originally Posted by alms211

Assuming equal drivers, A 997.1S will run with an E92M3 nose to nose; a 997.2S will beat it and a 991S will leave it for dead. You should be scared if you are worried about winning

Not if the M3 has suspension and brake upgrades and decent rubber.

[alms211]

Originally Posted by dawgdog

Not if the M3 has suspension and brake upgrades and decent rubber.

....and if my Aunt had balls she'd be my Uncle.

If you do the same to the cars I mentioned the result is still the same. Get real man.

[klammer]

All I'm saying is that I don't worry about those cars on track, they never seem to be the fastest and I never see them coming up in my rear view. My experience in HPDE, that's all. Now vettes, vipers, Gtr's, Gt3's those are true "upgrades" IMHO... To each his own.

[PaneristiDriver]

Originally Posted by alms211

Assuming equal drivers, A 997.1S will run with an E92M3 nose to nose; a 997.2S will beat it and a 991S will leave it for dead. You should be scared if you are worried about winning

Very true indeed.

991S is in a different realm than anything BMW though. Even the M3 GTS gets owned by a 991S that is heavier (slightly) and has 50 less hp. Granted the 991S is probably the biggest overachiever on the market currently but nonetheless is still far, far ahead.

[MaxL]

Originally Posted by klammer

All I'm saying is that I don't worry about those cars on track, they never seem to be the fastest and I never see them coming up in my rear view. My experience in HPDE, that's all. Now vettes, vipers, Gtr's, Gt3's those are true "upgrades" IMHO... To each his own.

+1

For some reason 997.2S are not as quick at HPDEs as they are supposed to be based on reviews and magazine tests. Compared to M3s, they are about equal in turns, and a bit faster on straights, but in general are surprisingly comparable. On last HPDE, as an experiment, I followed an instructor driving 997.2S with track camber, Pilot Club Sport tires and upgraded pads - same "upgrades" as my M3 - for the entire session and had no trouble keeping up (he was driving 10/10 for some of the laps and is a more experienced driver, but had a passenger). Also, in general other drivers in 997.2S and M3s are about the same, given comparable driver skill.

I have two theories about that - 1) 911 is more difficult to drive at the limit, so only very good drivers on very familiar tracks can be truly fast in them; or 2) M3 better responds to small upgrades (camber, tires, pads - things that everyone does) because from the factory it comes under-tired, with street-friendly alignment, and pads made of beeswax, while 911 comes with enough rubber, good brakes and more track-friendly alignment, so upgrades in these areas do not help 997 as much, practically equalizing the cars.