Well, there's a lot more to car than just what you see on paper as far as power, handling, etc, etc. Porsche is just a different animal and to truly appreciate it, you should go and drive one. The chassis is tuned differently, the entire feedback is different, things are just different in the car. Whether it's worth $20K is something I can't answer for you. Some may think it's worth more while others will say the opposite. Also, if you don't have the extra $20K, the point is mute. I'd trade my Z for a Cayman in an instant if I could justify the expense to myself and my better half.

 

Thanks for the post! I really enjoyed the read!

 

 

Actually he quite liked it. I did write an article about it on Top Gear magazine a few months back and he said a lot of good things.

 

Well, personally, I can not see a $20K difference. You could do all sorts of chassis and engine tuning for that amount of cash. When you say "Porsche" we must remember it is their entry level offering. But to each his own.

 

The idea of a Cayman being "just" $20k more than a Z is ridiculous. No dealers order those cars as bare bones as that price comparison appears at first blush. Go look at porsche.com and check out the options list:

* Side Strips with Model Designation: $775
* Side Mirror Attachment Point Finishers Painted Exterior Color: $500

Those options add up, fast. Bi-xenon lights are an extra $1,560. Granted, they corner with the steering wheel, but the starting MSRP on these cars leaves them BARE. You only get "partial" leather seats at the starting price.

Don't get me wrong though. I own an 08 Grand Touring /w nav and I've driven the 2008 Cayman S. The gearbox was buttery smooth and it felt much more composed taking a turn. Then again, an optioned out Cayman S is nearly $75k, and I got my Z for $36k. I got what I paid for, and nothing more.

 

QFT.

It's amazing how many Cayman owners I see who don't even have the essentials like HIDs, full leather, and a ton of other things that we get standard. And it's amazing how many early Cayman owners settled for the paltry 2.7L model just because. It's even more amazing how much they spend on these cars...Porsche Cayman and Boxter owners are morons, especially if they buy new.

 

my ? is why motor trend got a 0-60 at 4.9, and top gear 0-62 at 5.4 not sure who to believe.

 

The updated (2009+) Cayman S is even more apparently. I just built a model with all of the perf and creature comfort add-ons (PDK, chrono, nav, LSD, full leather, PASM, 19" wheels) but none to few of the visual adjustments to the tune of $83k. That's MSRP for a fully loaded GT-R. Gee, a GT-R or a Cayman?

 

0-60 times depend a lot on how well the tire is gripping the surface. Variations in temperature (ambient, and tire) make a big difference as well. It also depends on the RPM at which the clutch is engaged. You'll probably see up to a half a second variation across magazines.

 

Pretty much what I expected. The 370Z has more power but the Cayman is far more refined.

The Cayman S runs well into $70k or so with options, not sure why they are comparing a car so far outside the 370Z's price range.

Ironically, I did make an offer on a 2008 Cayman S ($44k car was $48k) before I settled on a 370Z.

EDIT: Nevermind. They used a base Cayman. Bleh. Do not want. Significant difference in performance.

 

Meh, doesn't really count. I consider the Cayman S the only Cayman there is :P

 

Agreed. It's like settling on a 328i when you have the money for a 335i. There's simply no reason to not buy the better model if you can afford it (and you should be able to considering it's a Porsche).

 

Well, Nissan is the one that picked the fight. They did state that the Cayman was their benchmark target for the 370Z.

All being said, they are different animals altogether. Heck, the drivetrain layouts are completely different.

 

Interesting. They did the same thing with the GT2/GT-R challenge.