Cayman and Boxster ComparisonsThis sub forum is for messages specifically about comparing the Cayman or Boxster to other cars. For example how the Cayman compares to the 350Z or the Boxster to the S2000 or SLK, etc.
Full Day Number One: 200 miles round trip freeway drive (EDH to Walnut Creek, CA)
Getting a bit too cozy. We have a silver Honda Odyssey, too. Sorry...you have to go home on Friday!
The car senses the fob in my pocket so the door unlocks when I push the "request" button next to the hidden handle. Foot on the brake and hit the "start button". Select "R". Ha! a weak link in the techno-tranny! It fells a bit jerky as I back up with the wheel cranked, up my driveway a bit. Not as smooth as the rest of the Auto operations.
I put the suspension in "comfort" and the tranny in Auto. In Auto it feels almost like a CVT. At normal traffic pace it shifts through every gear and into 6th by the time you are going 35 mph. It has plenty of torque down low and only downshifts when you take a concerted jab at the throttle. Think about that. 1-2-3-4-5-6 and you barely feel it. It down shifts into 2nd as you come to a stop and only selects 1st if you completely stop.
On the freeway I adjust the Auto climate, plug in an address into the Nav system, fire up the iPod, and settle in. There is a good bit of road noise from the tires. The ride is a bit softer than my Cayman on 18s with no PASM, but still tight and firm. I am really likiing all of the gadgets. You can custom program gauges into some of the screens. One screen tells me my water temp is 185, oil temp is 195, tranny fluid is 199, oil pressure is 56 psi, tranny pressure is LOWish (normal)...pretty sweet.
After about 20 miles I have a wave come over me. This could be the perfect "all around car". And I will be able to afford one when the premium goes away! It isn't as "sporty" as my Cayman, but in Auto/comfort mode it is a completely different car than when it is in manual/sport mode.
Acceleration feels smoother than a stock Turbo. The engine feels like a V8, not an FI 6.
It is a gorgeous car when you are looking through the windshield and can't see the exterior. Then again, alchohol and coffee don't "taste good" until you associate what they do for you with the flavor. My Cayman is so much more sensual.
The car gets lots of attention from a different class of people than your average Porsche. Nissan 350Z drivers give you the "hang loose" gesture. Slammed Civics worship it.
I was curious to see what I would have to pay for the comforts in Porsche dollars. My config for a Cayman S = $90,465 MSRP
And a Turbo...the car that arguably equals the performance? $149,680
Simply too much to spend on a car for me.
Tomorrow I will drive in a more spirited fashion...also I take my Cayman in for service first thing in the AM, so I will have back to back driving to report.
Saturday and Sunday we will be at Reno-Fernley with Hooked on Driving. So I will have a track report.
4 miles and 24 turns !
PASM - Porsche Active Suspension Management
This active damping system offers continuous adjustment of individual damping forces based on current road conditions and driving style.
The driver can choose from two setup modes, ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’, using a separate ‘damper’ button on the center console. ‘Normal’ mode is designed for general road driving and circuits with uneven tarmac. ‘Sport’ mode is intended for smoother track surfaces, where the harder settings help eliminate pitch and roll.
In either mode, PASM continuously evaluates the current conditions while automatically selecting the corresponding damper rates from the respective set of mapped values.
A range of sensors are used to monitor the movement of the body under acceleration, braking and cornering maneuvers, as well as on poor road surfaces. The PASM control unit then evaluates this data and modifies the damping force on each individual wheel in accordance with the selected mode. The result is a significant reduction in body movement as well as a better grip on the road.
For example: if ‘Sport’ mode is selected, the suspension is automatically set to a harder damper rating. If the quality of the track surface falls below a certain threshold, the system immediately changes to a softer rating within the ‘Sport’ setup range. When the quality of the tarmac improves once more, PASM automatically returns to the original, harder rating.
Need more information about PASM? Click this link: FAQ for PASM
Nice. Make sure to get some pics from the track. I think I'm going with white/frost. The dealers here have already dropped 10 to 15k off the premiums but I'm still holding for msrp, been burned too much in the past and like you have an 08 porsche to pass the time with.
Speaking of passing the time in my 08...I am sitting in a nice cafe enjoying breakfast while my Cayman is in for an oil change.
What a great car.
A completely engaging drive.
The GT-R wins the "freeway cruise" contest...where you don't really want to drive. Especially because of all of the other things the car offers in terms of entertainment and comfort.
My Cayman still wins the "sports car" award.
My brother demanded that I drive the GT-R hard today, so my jumping from one to the other should be interesting.
Meet you halfway. We'll be at Reno/Fernley next weekend.
Dang, you guys are serious! I was at Reno-Fenley 3 weeks ago with the Audi. Unfortunately I leave for Europe on Sunday. Otherwise I would go for a double day at Reno with the TPC Cayman.
Have fun, guys. I'm sure you will.
TPC Racing
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Dave--I'm going to be at Southlake Tahoe this weekend. Unfortunately not with the CS. I'll try and swing by maybe Sunday.
__________________ Nov 16, 2007 build:
'08 CS Midnight blue metallic--6 spd
Black sport seats, Delete model designation
Fire extinguisher,Floor mats, Sport steering wheel
My brother demanded that I drive the GT-R hard today, so my jumping from one to the other should be interesting.
Please show no mercy.
If the stock GT-R doesn't float your boat, fear not. My Cobb Accessport tuning gizmo just arrived at home. +60HP/+70TQ on pump gas with stock exhaust. ECU tune only. $995. More aggressive maps will be free when they are released but will require new exhaust.
It is a gorgeous car when you are looking through the windshield and can't see the exterior. Then again, alchohol and coffee don't "taste good" until you associate what they do for you with the flavor. My Cayman is so much more sensual.
The car gets lots of attention from a different class of people than your average Porsche. Nissan 350Z drivers give you the "hang loose" gesture. Slammed Civics worship it.
lol... very poetic. Please do post more impressions on the new RE070's... I have high hopes for its grip in looking over its tread pattern, it's half RE050A and half RE-01R, a two face of a tire? You know...good manners on the street with vomit-inducing grip in the twisties...
If the stock GT-R doesn't float your boat, fear not. My Cobb Accessport tuning gizmo just arrived at home. +60HP/+70TQ on pump gas with stock exhaust. ECU tune only. $995. More aggressive maps will be free when they are released but will require new exhaust.
Not to sound like a "fanboy", but that is 15% more HP.
I can't get 15% more HP for $995. That puts it in the modded 996 Turbo power range...so even a sleeper 996 Turbo should not pose a problem.
I am starting to sound like the white part of sushi.
Don't worry guys, I am not like a DEA agent who gets too close to the biker gang he has infiltrated.
Tomorrow is another Bay Area commute...but with an "R"titude. I might try getting some video clips.
Today was a quick 30 miles of racing around. Respecting speed limits, of course. Acceleration is so smooth and powerful. Because of the tranny it has none of what I described as the "brutality" of a stock 997 Turbo.*
*Chris' current 700+ HP in his 997 Turbo must be experienced to be believed.
lol... very poetic. Please do post more impressions on the new RE070's... I have high hopes for its grip in looking over its tread pattern, it's half RE050A and half RE-01R, a two face of a tire? You know...good manners on the street with vomit-inducing grip in the twisties...
I can speak to the street part so far. They feel great. On the local "country road course" they seemed to have a higher threshold before they started talking back versus my Cayman's PS2s. And lots of grip. Other factors go into this, of course, and we will see what they do on the track this weekend. In the cabin the loudest noise is from the tires when cruising around. That surprised me. Especially on mildly rough surfaces. Even in "comfort" mode.
They are an imposing sight. 20 inch wheels with massive Brembos. I'll snap some close-ups later. They don't looked "oversized". This car was made for "twennys".
I get sea sick pretty easily, so I am not going to do a vomit test. My vomitometer is too sensitive.
I had the RE050's on my STi and they were horribly loud. Almost unbelieveably loud. But then again there was a disclamer when you bought the car that said, "Due to the high performance nature of the car you may experience some noise, vibration, and harshness." Something like that.
__________________ Nov 16, 2007 build:
'08 CS Midnight blue metallic--6 spd
Black sport seats, Delete model designation
Fire extinguisher,Floor mats, Sport steering wheel
I had the RE050's on my STi and they were horribly loud. Almost unbelievably loud. But then again there was a disclaimer when you bought the car that said, "Due to the high performance nature of the car you may experience some noise, vibration, and harshness." Something like that.
Definitely loud tires.
It was hammer time today. Plus a special guest comparo host joined me. He is a Realtor. But more importantly he has a motorcycle racing background and currently owns a 2004 E46 M3 with Dinan's Stage III intercooled supercharger set up and SMG II. He is rated at 464 HP at the crank.
First we drove the GT-R. Then we drove The M3.
His thoughts first. Based upon his relatively mellow driving of the GT-R. The GT-R transmission in Auto mode is mind bogglingly smooth compared to what he considers the unusable SMG Auto mode...even in the "granny setting". He also could not believe how smoothly and quickly the Manual shifts were in the GT-R...even under hard acceleration. The SMG II manual mode feels like you are doing something bad to your transmission when in sport mode.
He felt that the GT-R seemed "heavy" and "big" compared to his M3. I agreed. I thought the E46 felt more "Cayman-like" than "GT-R like"...except for his incredible acceleration.
He was most impressed by the stopping power of the GT-R's brakes compared to his stock E46 brakes.
I did some "mash the pedal and shift at high RPM" launches (not using the actual launch control) and we agreed that the GT-R is easily quicker than his lighter car.
The verdict: The GT-R is more GT car than "sports car". The E46 and the Cayman have a similar "light and nimble" feel. Despite what the statistics may show when it comes down to objective tests.
Guest thoughts: "I gotta get one of these."
Now, in the spirit of K-Man's reviews of the iPhone, I submit the following disappointments:
The navigation system is not integrated with radar detection and doesn't create a log of false alerts and then filter them.
The Nav system traffic alerts and rerouting suggestions fail to take into account wind direction and speed.
All shocking omissions in a car that is billed as offering so-called "technology".
Escort Radar
At ESCORT, we're continually improving our line of radar and laser detectors with the best technology. Our latest invention, the GPS-powered PASSPORT 9500ix, is no exception. It provides the best long-range protection against every known radar and laser gun in use in North America, but also incorporates GPS accuracy to silence each and every false alert. It is by far the most intelligent, fully automatic radar and laser detector ever designed. You drive. It learns. End of story. http://www.escortradar.com
Dave if you paid attention that one list I cited was not my list but from Engadget so you'll have to take it up with them. My review of the iphone 3G was that it was a good phone, good browser but lousy corporate email device and what *I* need is a good corporate email device that is also a good phone, hence a Blackberry or BlackJack is better suited to that profile.
Today was a quick 30 miles of racing around. Respecting speed limits, of course. Acceleration is so smooth and powerful. Because of the tranny it has none of what I described as the "brutality" of a stock 997 Turbo.*
*Chris' current 700+ HP in his 997 Turbo must be experienced to be believed.
You mean its smoother than a TT? How's a TT considered brutal? (Never drove one, so I cant know)
________________________
"Sir! We're surrounded!" - "Excellent! We can shoot in any direction!"
A good car will get you from point A to point B. A great car... will just get you into trouble!
From a dig or from a roll, the GT-Rs power and efficient drive train / tranny let it smoke the CS. But what about handling?
Motor Trend is repeating the "America's Best Handling Car" test (Cayman did very well last year) and is releasing results in installments. Winners will be announced tomorrow.
Lots of interesting quantitative and qualitative data on several newer models:
GT-R and R8 both doing well by the numbers (along with the "barely legal" Viper racecar), but test driver panned the GT-R in his subjective rankings. Will be interesting to see how editors do the final rankings.
CS is not in test this year, but several tests are the same, (e.g., Laguna lap times and skid pad Gs) so a quasi-comparo is possible.
Feels like they'll give the crown to the R8, but we shall see (GT-3 won last year).
You mean its smoother than a TT? How's a TT considered brutal? (Never drove one, so I cant know)
________________________
"Sir! We're surrounded!" - "Excellent! We can shoot in any direction!"
A good car will get you from point A to point B. A great car... will just get you into trouble!
Brutal in the sense that first to second gear shifts are abrupt and snap your neck back under full acceleration compared to the GT-R. It is hard to get the most out of first because you hit the redline so quickly. That is why the Tip 997 TT is a tick quicker to 60 in the hands of most drivers. The double clutch transmission shifts so smoothly it doesn't feel like there is any delay in acceleration. It will be cool to see the Traqmate data that clearly shows shift points in my brother's Turbo versus the same data for the GT-R. I believe that tenths of seconds are gained by the zero latency shifts in the GT-R.
Now, let me remind you that I am talking about two cars owned by my brother, so I certainly don't speak with the same authority...but I think he agrees with my assessment based upon our conversations on this vital subject.
My contention is that despite his Turbo's 700HP, I could pull ahead until he is fully into second gear because of the launch control and the transmission in the GT-R. After a short distance it would be "game over", of course, but that GT-R is darn quick.
Two more minor points...
The wiper washer nozzles are built in to the wiber blades and move with the blades...very cool.
Better still, the cruise control is completely DIGITAL. You can drive in traffic with your thumb. There is no jerkiness when you coast or accelerate using the cruise control. It is perfectly smooth. You click from 72 to 75 and it gently rolls up to 75 mph. Slow down and it works exactly the same. I drove for 50 miles in traffic that varied from 50 to 80 mph and my foot never touched the accelerator.
__________________ Nov 16, 2007 build:
'08 CS Midnight blue metallic--6 spd
Black sport seats, Delete model designation
Fire extinguisher,Floor mats, Sport steering wheel
ChrisN, since the GT-R is so much better than your 911 Turbo, I'll be happy to take the 911 off your hands for $60K (assuming it's a 997).
It is a 997, and I appreciate the kind offer. ;-)
I never said the GT-R was better, but (according to pro test drivers) is faster stock-for-stock on some tracks. On a "value" basis, I think the GT-R definitely is a better deal.
My rationale on the GT-R was that it would be different/new/cool and a less (economically) painful to crumple up on the track.
As noted above, we're going to track this weekend, so we'll report back on GT-R v. Cayman on track (and I have some old GPS data from me in Turbo on same track)
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