19 Votes

Boost it!

First Drive: 2009 Porsche Cayman S

inspirion7 submitted on 12/17/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:43:03 PM

21 user comments | Category: New Cars | Source: | SOURCE: www.egmcartech.com

Pity the poor Porsche 911.

Wounded by challenges from brands as diverse as Aston Martin and Nissan it now faces the sternest test of all: that from its own flesh and blood. Richard Meaden drives the revamped Cayman S.
Conspiracy theories, don’t you just love ‘em? You know, like the one about Porsche deliberately hobbling the Cayman by not fitting it with a limited-slip differential, just to protect the 911 from getting a kicking.
Trouble is, it would have been much easier to laugh at the preposterousness of such paranoia, were it not for the fact that in a dark moment even the most diehard 911 fundamentalist would confess to thinking there was more than a grain of truth to the speculation.

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First Drive: 2009 Porsche Cayman S

About the Author

inspirion7

"Show me the money" - Cuba Gooding Jr. The bigger the Government, the smaller the man.

— inspirion7 (View Profile)


User Comments

DaHarder

Really nice handler, though the competition is coming coming on strong, and for much less money, but...

That color is simply atrocious IMO!

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 12:57:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

204E60

That's Mexico Blue... great color.

— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/18/2008 12:05:55 AM | | Votes: 3   

mini22

The closest right now is the new Z. However it will be interesting to see how the new Lotus Evora handles against the Cayman. We know that the Elise Exige has slightly better cornering and handling but that's a car with too many compromises. The Evora,However, is a car that is both larger,has a V6 and offers luxury ammenities that should be a good challenge.

— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 1:13:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

1995e34

forgot about the lotus...nobody really seems to be talking about it. i think the cayman and evora are the 2 best sports cars around.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 3:17:35 PM | | Votes: 6   

HSCenterconsole

Am I the only person that thinks the Cayman is a great looking car? That being said, I don't think I would ever buy one. Despite being a little too tall to sit in one comfortably (I'm 6'2"), I would always feel like I was too poor to buy the real thing -- a 911.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 1:16:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

BSBB

I am with you 100% HSC....I wouldn't fit in one either (too tall) and I think the Cayman is the poor man's Porsche. I would equate it with the 1-series from BMW: too entry-level to do the brand any justice.

— BSBB (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 1:52:30 PM | | Votes: -1   

1995e34

yes, it's cheaper. but its also more balanced. stop worrying about how you are perceived, and enjoy the ride!

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 3:16:04 PM | | Votes: 4   

KeinenErsatz

Hmm... I'm 6'3" and fit inside the Cayman just fine... true, the seat is all the way back, but I can still fit fine. Also, call me crazy, but having driven both, I prefer it to a base 911 (maybe even an S), simply for the outstanding handling. And if you want a real idea of what a "Poor man's Porsche" is, look at the 914 from the 70's...

— KeinenErsatz (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 6:01:34 PM | | Votes: 2   

bitschaser

I have an '07 Cayman S and am 6'2" and fit fine also. I have grown to appreciate the car the more I have driven it. Strangely enough I also find it more practical than a 911 because I seldom would use the midget back seats in the 911 for passengers and therefore find the rear storage of the Cayman much more practical for two sets of golf clubs and generally schlepping around groceries etc. The 911, by comparison, would be a pain to get into the back seats to retrieve shopping and even harder to carry golf clubs. All things equal I would rather have a 911 S, but would choose the Cayman S over the base 911 again.

— bitschaser (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 8:27:19 PM | | Votes: 3   

KeinenErsatz

Exactly... My dad owns a base '06 911 and while it is possible to fit 4 6'0" people inside (trust me, I've done it), it is HIGHLY not recommended to say the least! I would much rather have the added trunk space that comes with the Cayman in lieu of the 911's toddler seats. And now that the new Cayman S has 5 hp less than the 997 Mk.1... whew! Now that's something worth driving. (Still don't know if I would go for the PDK or manual.)
Still... why can't Porsche get off their high horse and put twin turbos in the Boxter/Cayman?

— KeinenErsatz (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 8:49:49 PM | | Votes: 2   

S4cabriofoxone

"I would equate it with the 1-series from BMW: too entry-level to do the brand any justice."

I don't think it carries the same stigma as the Boxster. People don't really know what it is. They know it's a Porsche, but you can't tell by looking at it that it's lower in the hierarchy than the 997.

Anyway, as e34 said, who cares? I would take one in a heartbeat. If it handles better than a 911, it's a better sports car.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 9:57:43 PM | | Votes: 2   

Agent63

Drive it for what it is and not for what how people will judge you. The Boxster and Cayman are great handling sports car. It is only the Boxster that's tainted with the image of "cheap man's porsche". The Cayman not so much, still a very respectable car in terms of image but who the hell cares when you're dumping that kind of money. While their not the most powerful the driver is rewarded with a solid and precise package. It may be expensive but it's in a market where money isn't a factor. If you want outstanding performance, dollar for dollar, the new Z is phenomenal, especially with its new interior fit and finish seems to be upgraded so that's a bonus!. Not too fond of that blue though but a hot blonde from New Port Beach or Laguna Beach would suit it perfectly.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/18/2008 6:37:48 AM | | Votes: 2   

shabaru

interesting color for the choice of blue

— shabaru (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 2:37:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

204E60

Porsche has a long-standing history of offering very intense colors, often in the blue, orange, gold and green ranges.

— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/18/2008 12:07:49 AM | | Votes: 1   

JVince

I'm currently in the market for a sports car and I find myself constantly going back and forth regarding the 911 and Cayman. As a kid, I have loved what I call the 'pure' 911. That is the rear wheel drive 911. Something about the prone to tail wagging appeals to my inner child. Having test driven both, I have to say that while I love the 911, the Cayman seems more the proper drivers' car as it inspires more confidence on my part. Having the perception of the inherent danger of a tail heavy car, I tend to pull back a lot more and as such am not able to enjoy the experience as much. So, at this point I'm leaning towards a Cayman for the drive and the cost. However, the 911 is a better looking car and I am ashamed to say that I do care about how I'm viewed in the Cayman. That is too poor for a 911, which is not necessarily false (we can all be a tad more frugal). I've never driven a Boxster either but I know of people who swear by theirs.
Plus, now there's that gorgeous Z4 coming from BMW and while I desire a more pure sports car (BMW has increasingly relied on gadgets and gimmicks to be seriously considered) I can't help but putting it amongst the three choices. Plus there's the reliability concern with Porsches' Intermediate Shaft Failures. Decisions, decisions...
Any suggestions?

— JVince (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 4:00:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

BSBB

It depends on if you are leaning more toward the performance end of the spectrum or the luxury end of the spectrum, or a compromise. Porsche is about performance, not luxury. Same with the Z4. The Bentley Cont. GT is all luxury, with some performance (good HP, but suffers from power-to-weight ratio). Aston Martin DB9 is both luxury and performance. It's important to consider your price range and not to go broke.

— BSBB (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 4:27:55 PM | | Votes: 0   

BSBB

FYI..You can pick up '00 to '03 DB7s for around $50K.

— BSBB (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 4:32:30 PM | | Votes: 0   

t_bone

Get a new Cayman S with DFI and it won't have the engine issues, it is completely redone--with 40% less parts and an incredible 31 MPG fuel rating with 320 hp!

— t_bone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/18/2008 12:55:32 PM | | Votes: 1   

204E60

IMO, the only real Porsche will forever be the 911. As one editor at Autocar magazine said, "drive one and you're hooked; probably for life."
100% true.

— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/18/2008 12:09:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Htay7500

Matte black and gold for me!

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/18/2008 5:36:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

USCCayman

First, with the new Cayman S costing just over 60 grand before you begin ticking off the options list, it's hardly a "poor man's" Porsche. Secondly, the very first Porsche (Gmund Porsche) was mid-engined, but for the production version the motor was moved to the back so you could bring the kids along. Rear engine placement was a compromise to what was an excellent design to begin with. All of the prototype racing Porsches had/have the motor in the middle, so it's a streach to say that the only true Porsche has a motor in the rear. And now, auto journalists are beginning to call the Cayman the best sports car in the world, regardless of cost. The Cayman is a real Porsche and probably the best road going Porsche ever made. I have loved the 911 for over 40 years, but I can't deny the fact that the Cayman is the better design.

— USCCayman (View Profile)

Posted on 12/19/2008 9:11:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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