vs the new Cayman

[bluekn8286]

So, I have been reading/seeing a few reviews about the new Cayman S and I can't help to think about how much fun it would be to own! Please talk me out of trading in my e92 M3!!!!!!!

[1MOREMOD]

its a great car. not better just different. depends what you prefer. would be in addition for me if i went that route i think.

[gblansten]

I'm probably getting a Boxster S for my next car. Just want to have a convertible again. The Cayman looks great as well.

[HighandDry]

The new cayman looks great.

However, if you've never had a P car, I would get a 997 C2S over the cayman.

[dreamspeed]

Has there been a head to head comparison for these two cars? Want able to find one and was wondering how the performance of the two cars compare. Although realistically the M3 would be a much more practical daily driver

[saeyedoc]

I have both. The M3 has better tech stuff, like streaming bluetooth, controls on the wheel, more room of course, more powerful and better sounding engine. The downside is short range due to poor gas mileage and a small tank.
The Cayman handles better, great on the track, actually has an amazing amount of storage space between the two trunks. Better gas mileage and range.
If you don't need 4 seats and don't care as much about straight line speed, I'd keep the Cayman S if I had to get rid of one of my cars.
I mainly daily drive the Cayman, the M3 is mostly my wife's, but we switch out often. The Cayman with PDK is fine as a DD, maybe better than the M3 just because of the range.

[Team Plutonium]

I had 2 Caymans, and they are fantastic cars! One of the best handling cars on the planet... steering is sublime. The M3 has a whole different philosophy and feel, so it is really hard to compare. For some reason the new Cayman leaves me somewhat cold, and uninspired... I'd pick up an 'R' instead.

All new Porsches are getting more and more clinical and almost too perfect... it feels almost that they traded the soul for even more perfection.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

I have both. The M3 has better tech stuff, like streaming bluetooth, controls on the wheel, more room of course, more powerful and better sounding engine. The downside is short range due to poor gas mileage and a small tank.
The Cayman handles better, great on the track, actually has an amazing amount of storage space between the two trunks. Better gas mileage and range.
If you don't need 4 seats and don't care as much about straight line speed, I'd keep the Cayman S if I had to get rid of one of my cars.
I mainly daily drive the Cayman, the M3 is mostly my wife's, but we switch out often. The Cayman with PDK is fine as a DD, maybe better than the M3 just because of the range.

New Cayman S is getting 0-60 times of 4.4 with PDK Sport Chrono and that seems pretty competitive. I will grant you that the upcoming M4 will likely be faster.

[Transfer]

This may have been posted already but good ol' CH on Cars: Very nice video review as always.

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

I have both. The M3 has better tech stuff, like streaming bluetooth, controls on the wheel, more room of course, more powerful and better sounding engine. The downside is short range due to poor gas mileage and a small tank.
The Cayman handles better, great on the track, actually has an amazing amount of storage space between the two trunks. Better gas mileage and range.
If you don't need 4 seats and don't care as much about straight line speed, I'd keep the Cayman S if I had to get rid of one of my cars.
I mainly daily drive the Cayman, the M3 is mostly my wife's, but we switch out often. The Cayman with PDK is fine as a DD, maybe better than the M3 just because of the range.

How's the ride comfort for DD in comparison to the M? Do you have EDC on your M3?

[M3 Esq.]

The Caymen is an awesome car but like others have said very different than the M3. Go and drive it. I always know once I drive them.

[GIdriver]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

I had 2 Caymans, and they are fantastic cars! One of the best handling cars on the planet... steering is sublime. The M3 has a whole different philosophy and feel, so it is really hard to compare. For some reason the new Cayman leaves me somewhat cold, and uninspired... I'd pick up an 'R' instead.

All new Porsches are getting more and more clinical and almost too perfect... it feels almost that they traded the soul for even more perfection.

I've have not read such a valid statement in a long time. Which ironically is good and bad at the same time.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by GIdriver

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I've have not read such a valid statement in a long time. Which ironically is good and bad at the same time.

I don't have any Porsche experience so this may be true. But, for them to really lose their soul they would have to use the car's stereo system to create fake engine noise.

[Team Plutonium]

I drove the new 991... and it is simply perfect in every way. I couldn't even complain about the electric steering, still as precise as a scalpel. But that is my main gripe... it is mechanical perfection all around. You can't even bitch about the weight... it's still super light. But when you drive a 911 from the 70's, 80's, and 90's you feel alive. And almost every trip in those cars had a "oh shit" moment.

[GIdriver]

Originally Posted by gblansten

I don't have any Porsche experience so this may be true. But, for them to really lose their soul they would have to use the car's stereo system to create fake engine noise.

The freaking false engine noise is unacceptable, and in no way I agree with it. Too bad the new M3/M4 will likely have it. It differs from Porsche's system.

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

I drove the new 991... and it is simply perfect in every way. I couldn't even complain about the electric steering, still as precise as a scalpel. But that is my main gripe... it is mechanical perfection all around. You can't even bitch about the weight... it's still super light. But when you drive a 911 from the 70's, 80's, and 90's you By now, it is pretty obvious is not the transmission. Pick up the car and drive the hell out of it (after negotiti alive. And almost every trip in those cars had a "oh shit" moment.

Yes, you can drive a "better" car now with new freaking technology. And new technogy is NOT bad. But what Phillip states cannot be oversighted. P-cars, although marvelous pieces of engineering, with every new generation are becoming more artificial. The same is true with other brands as well.

[saildoc]

Having in owned both and currently in a Cayman R I would say without a doubt the Cayman is a sports car. Seats two. Very light. Very responsive steering. Rides hard. Is loud.
The M3 is a fast GT that handles well. Very different cars and not really comparable. If you like comfortable and quiet get an M3. If you like hard edged get a Cayman.
As far as 997s go-they are nice but to me they feel more GT than sports car. The last 997TT I drove on track felt just like my M3, kinda fat. A fast kinda fat

[SROC5]

I would love a new '14 Cayman. If it were already out, I might have gone that route and paid a premium. The Cayman looks has finally matured IMHO.

[Z K]

I would get the new Cayman S over the current M3 in a hearbeat.

I drove the old Cayman/S/R on a lot of Porsche test drives on public roads and on track. Also drove the new Boxster S. You feel connected with the car in the Cayman in a way the M3 doesn't. But I was a bit disappointed in the new Boxster. It felt more disconnected than the previous one. Still good but because it is larger, you feel more isolated.

The older Cayman communicates so well and feels alive without tiring you out like a track-oriented car does. The M3 does not give this feeling. The M3 feels good but a lot more isolated and soft.

The pricing on these cars are insane when new. I'll wait for a good pre-owned one maybe in the future.

[krnnerdboy]

Originally Posted by HighandDry

The new cayman looks great.

However, if you've never had a P car, I would get a 997 C2S over the cayman.

I had a 997 and all I can say is save your pennies and get a cayman. The 997 is worth the premium once your looking at the gt3/2/rs

[M3 Esq.]

Originally Posted by gblansten

I don't have any Porsche experience so this may be true. But, for them to really lose their soul they would have to use the car's stereo system to create fake engine noise.

I see what you did there.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by M3 Esq.

I see what you did there.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by Transfer

This may have been posted already but good ol' CH on Cars: Very nice video review as always.


How's the ride comfort for DD in comparison to the M? Do you have EDC on your M3?

I have EDC on the M3 and PASM on the Cayman, both are perfectly fine as DDs, the suspension is not harsh at all. Different story when the Porsche is on the sport setting, it's really not good on the street, but amazing on the track. I could see how the Cayman R might be too harsh for a DD and it's also louder, they took out some of the sound insulation to lower the weight.
Last time I was at the track, there was a bump on one of the straights they were warning us about, even on PASM sport, the Cayman was fairly smooth over the bump.
On my commute when there's a lot of stop and go traffic, I need to keep both cars in less aggressive transmission settings to avoid jerking at low speeds as it will downshift into 1st too readily.

[HighandDry]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

I had a 997 and all I can say is save your pennies and get a cayman. The 997 is worth the premium once your looking at the gt3/2/rs

Had a 997 C2S, GT3, and Turbo.

Would pick the C2S over the others for a daily driver.

You can't beat the steering feel of a 911. Although, the Cayman is a great sports car, I would go 911 all the way.