987.1 Cayman Newbie! First Impressions

[Jon968Sport]

This week I sold my 968 Sport and on Wednesday night bought a 2008 Cayman 2.7 Manual.

I was very taken with the Cayman when I first drove one a couple of years ago prior to buying my 968 but at the time they were simply too much money. I was also nervous about the well publicised problems with modern Porsches so needed to do my homework...

So I've bought a 26,500 mile 5-speed conventionally damped (not PASM) Cayman currently on 19" wheels with the other options being silver metallic, full black heated leather, rear parking sensors, sound system plus and Xenon lights.

First impressions are boy is it fast - all this stuff about needing the 'S' on the road to me is nonsense. I find its ability to carry speed phenonominal - either Porsche is being very conservative about the number of horses or my 968 had lost a few. The steering feel even on stupid big wheels takes the 968 experience to another level - you seem to be able to feel every stone in the tarmac. To me, the engine sounds amazing with a great boxer 6 wail when extended but quieter than the 968 when cruising. Having a characterful engine certainly adds a new dimension. I do suspect that comparing a 5 year old 26.5k miles car with a 19 year old 136k miles car is rather unfair but it is nice driving something that feels that tight.

In terms of the negatives, on stupid big tyres at present there is too much grip, way more than you could exceed within my abilities on a dry road - surprisingly the ride is actually (generally) ok even on 19s - albeit very unsettled by patched up roads. The car is certainly less chuckable with such huge grip - probably something I'll miss most (those modest speed slides). I'm looking to fit some 17" wheels to counteract this. The car is less practical than the 968, you can't just chuck luggage/kids or anything else in the back. The cabin space seems good but I've still taken to using the front boot rather than stick bags on the passenger seat. The speedo is a waste of space, small offset to the left and in pointless 25mph increments you just use the digital readout in the middle.

As prices converge further I suspect I'll not be the last to move over from 968 to Cayman...
I took her down to Poole Quay for Porsche night on Friday night and she seemed to get a very positive reception.

Apologies for the inappropriate user name!

Jon

[sam]

Yes Jon, your new car certainly looked nice, and a good buy! think you should post up some pics for the benefit of those who have not seen it yet

[Jon968Sport]

Can you see pics via this link?

this.

Not really mastered this uploading pics onto forums lark!

[sam]

yes Jon, can see them, some nice pics

[Byakkonick]

Hi Jon,

I have a 2007 2.7 Cayman and I love it. Had it coming upto a year now and I think the performance is excellent and the sound is even better!

[Jon968Sport]

Good to hear
I don't need any in a hurry but which oil is the preferred choice for top-ups?

Thanks,

Jon

[WazzerM]

Jon at JMG recommends 5W-40 (Mobil?)

[j61]

Hi Jon
Nice to see another happy Cayman owner ..... It certainly is a great machine and I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun driving it. I was lucky the other week when I was given a brand new Cayman S to use when I took my Cayman S in for a 111 point inspection at Solihull OPC, the inspection went very well and I have now taken out the Porsche Approved Waranty. The latest Cayman I have to say is again an improvement on an already fantastic car........ which brings me on to ask Wazzer how his Cayman is?? Hope things are going well??

[WazzerM]

John it's STILL in hossie, last I heard was '3-4 weeks' boohoo.

[Sean Smallman]

Red Bull changed an engine in an hour of Friday