1 year post-Elise: Cayman S

[mkiv808]

I must say - after being without the Elise for almost a year - I am 100% happy with my choice on the Cayman S.

Don't get me wrong - I still contend that nothing beats the driving experience of the Elise. The connection to the road is a thing of a beauty.

However, the Cayman S is just a better car in every other way. For someone who wants a dedicated hardcore track and weekend car, the Elise can make sense. For someone like me who is more casual and wants something more well-rounded, the Cayman S just works better for me. I feel safer in it, it's more comfortable, and I worry less about its fragility.

When it comes down to it, I truly believe this is the ONLY car that could've replaced something so special as the Elise. The Cayman S steering and brake feel, handling and overall confidence inspiration are all superb and missing from just about every sports car made today. In fact, I find it more confidence inspiring than the Elise on most real-world roads.

I've driven a few 911's, including a friend's highly-modified 997... and it just doesn't quite do it. It's missing that handling feel and x-factor that the Cayman gives.

It doesn't get as much attention, but it does get more than I expected. Of course, mine is bright red with black 997 turbo wheels. But it does get a lot of stares and compliments, and kids love it.

But what's most amazing is the whole package - totally livable, extremely comfortable, well built, beautiful quality interior, handling feel, confidence inspiring handling, just enough torque, great sound (especially with the Remus exhaust) and very fun. Mine is stock, but there is very little I will be doing to it other than a tune and new springs.

Now, I'm not trying to dissuade any happy Lotus owners - as I understand there is NO replacement for that kind of driving and ownership experience. However, if you are like me and want something more practical and livable, but don't feel like anything can replace an Elise... the Cayman S might be the right car. It definitely was for me, and I'm a picky and discerning enthusiast when it comes to finding the right driver's car. It gives me that giddy feeling when driving that the Elise did - maybe not quite as much, but it's certainly there. And it's a feeling that was absent when I owned Corvettes and Supras.

So, to anyone considering one: do it. It's a fantastic car.

This Motor Trend article puts it well: 2009 Porsche Cayman S - Motor Trend

Would've loved to have seen an Elise/Exige in that mix of cars tested though.

[axecreatives]

I think you miss your spontaneous and wild old girlfriend, Elise

+anthony

[rackhenry]

Agree with your points, being forty, the Elise as a daily driver is not my first choice, as a track car ( my main purpose) perfect..

Underscored yesterday, on my way to the track and stuck in 5 hours of LA traffic.. I could barely walk when I stepped out of the car. Going to need to trailer this thing...

[EliseAtLeast]

To the OP, I'm glad that you like the Cayman. Its a great car and seems like everybody else also think so. I would love to get one but the maintenance cost scares me away. How hard is it to maintain it yourself? Looks like you can barely even see the engine.

[dickedup]

Originally Posted by EliseAtLeast

To the OP, I'm glad that you like the Cayman. Its a great car and seems like everybody else also think so. I would love to get one but the maintenance cost scares me away. How hard is it to maintain it yourself? Looks like you can barely even see the engine.

The OP is spot on about the Porsche Snapper S. Just picked up my second one a few weeks back. Those Krauts can really screw a car together. The addition of 30 ponies is evident in this latest model.

You're absolutely correct that the engine in completely buried amidships. Maintenance is minimal. Do yourself a favor and go test drive one.

[ivan1]

It does take a bit longer to get the top off, no?

[dickedup]

Originally Posted by ivan1

It does take a bit longer to get the top off, no?

Love ragtops but I have a thang about owning one after a certain price point.

Convertibles tend to get more ragged out in my mind as their exposure to The Elements is greater... or so I've convinced myself after all these years.

[tabajay]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

I truly believe this is the ONLY car that could've replaced something so special as the Elise.

You including the Boxster?

And how much closer do you expect springs will bring the Cayman?

[VBCurtis]

Originally Posted by ivan1

It does take a bit longer to get the top off, no?

I think Porsche has such a model for those inclined. Those folks can buy a "cayman" badge for the rear deck and confuse the unwashed masses, too.

[ivan1]

Originally Posted by VBCurtis

I think Porsche has such a model for those inclined. Those folks can buy a "cayman" badge for the rear deck and confuse the unwashed masses, too.

I am not a boxster fan....now turbo cabriolet - I will take one of those.....

[A7594217]

I was thinking of making the switch to a cayman s so its good to hear. However its bad to hear because if i buy another car my wife will beat me.

Can you post up a pic of you car

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by tabajay

You including the Boxster?

And how much closer do you expect springs will bring the Cayman?

The Cayman feels much more solid and communicative than the Boxster, but the Boxster is certainly no slouch either if you must have a convertible.

The springs should help. More than the springs, the more aggressive alignment I have planned should make a big difference. That'll enhance response, feel and handling. Will it make it an Elise? No. Will it make it handle better and be more responsive, like an Elise? Yes.

Also plan on Nitto NT-05 tires.

Also, regarding maintenance - I haven't had to do anything in the past year. I don't think it's too bad. I've had less warranty issues than with the Elise. They had to reset an airbag light, fix an A/C hose, and I'm about to take it in for a slightly squeaky seat. I'm about due for an oil change in November, but I will buy the oil and filter and have my mechanic do it. No way I'm spending untold amounts at a Porsche dealer. It does take a ton of synthetic oil, that's the only expensive part about the oil change if you do it yourself. The engine cover takes a bit of time to get off, but gives you a fair amount of access. I've not heard about any big engine problems, except oil starving in very extreme cases on track (there's a fix for it).

Overall though, I'm a convert. Let's put it this way: I used to hate the Cayenne, but this car has given me so much to love about it... that I want to buy one, just so I can have some of that Porsche owning experience year-round. I did drive a Cayenne. It's a weird beast. Gigantic, and feels huge... but has the steering feel and braking feel of their smaller cars, and very little body roll for an SUV.

[paulhastings]

I drove a Cayman once a couple years ago. No real complaints. Seemed to do everything well. However, I just didn't find it terribly exciting. For sure it's a very well rounded car and no doubt if daily driving were my objective I would prefer over the Exige/Elise. However, for those early weekend morning drives through the mountains and the occasional road trip, it's much more exciting to put on the Lotus. With that said I do miss many things about Porsches. Just much less hassle overall and tons of performance. A 911 would be an excellent GT compliment to the Lotus.

[Slipstreamer]

Originally Posted by paulhastings

I drove a Cayman once a couple years ago. No real complaints. Seemed to do everything well. However, I just didn't find it terribly exciting. For sure it's a very well rounded car and no doubt if daily driving were my objective I would prefer over the Exige/Elise. However, for those early weekend morning drives through the mountains and the occasional road trip, it's much more exciting to put on the Lotus. With that said I do miss many things about Porsches. Just much less hassle overall and tons of performance. A 911 would be an excellent GT compliment to the Lotus.

+1. A 911 is simply an excellent compliment to the Lotus.

Jeremy Clarkson also agrees (although not a direct supplement/compliment to the Lotus) when he reviewed the "Coxter S (a cross between the 911 & a Boxster)".

[BadtZ]

If not exige... then 911
If not elise... then cayman

[mini63]

Well, to each his own. I've owned Porsches in the past and would never consider buying another one now that I have the Lotus.

[Slipstreamer]

If the Lotus had a steel body (similar to a Porsche) and a more powerful engine, it would not be a Porsche (since it has a rear engine), it would be a well balanced sports car.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by Slipstreamer

If the Lotus had a steel body (similar to a Porsche) and a more powerful engine, it would not be a Porsche (since it has a rear engine), it would be a well balanced sports car.

The Cayman/Boxster are mid-engine.

In fact, they have a more equal weight balance than the Elise/Exige.

Originally Posted by Slipstreamer

Jeremy Clarkson also agrees (although not a direct supplement/compliment to the Lotus) when he reviewed the "Coxter S (a cross between the 911 & a Boxster)".

I love JC, but that review was a joke. He's just got a hatred for Porsche in general on the show. It's his schtick. Top Gear magazine made the Cayman S their sports car of the year when it came out.

For example, in the Times he gave a glowing review of the Boxster RS60. Essentially drives the same as the Cayman, with not-quite-as-good handling.

And that, rather late in the day, brings me on to the Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder. I have a sneaking suspicion that Porsche is now the only car maker left that’s still motivated by the same things that motivated the Italian car companies of yore. There is no Porsche econo-box. The 911 still puts its horsepower at the back. And when the firm did finally follow fashion and build a 4x4, it gave it a sodding great turbo.

Porsches do not sound like other cars. And they do not drive like other cars. They drive . . . how can I put this? Better.

This is not a volte-face. For reasons I don’t understand, I still do not want one, but that is not relevant here. If I put on the hat of an impartial reviewer, ignore the badge and concentrate on the RS 60 as a piece of machinery, I’m forced to conclude it’s wonderful.

Yes, it looks silly, the driving position is cramped and the interior colour on this limited-edition special is exactly the same colour as a cow’s bottom just after it’s given birth. I must also say I cannot see how it’s worth £5,405 more than a normal S. All you get is bigger wheels, a button to make the exhaust noisier and a dribble of extra power. But those are details. The package is superb. The way it steers, the way it rides, the way it grips. It makes you fizz and shiver in a way other cars do not.

I drove it on the Fosse Way with the roof down the other night. There was no other traffic. The sun was out. The countryside looked stunning. And then, as Nessun Dorma came on the radio, I started to smile. Because – and this is the highest compliment I can give to any car in these profit-and-loss times – it felt Italian.

[Slipstreamer]

Robert,

Please don't take it the wrong way, I love Porsches. I have driven more than my farir share. I prefer driving and owning the 911's.

Tony