[man with no name]

I am in the market for a Cayman S but somehow got sidetracked onto the Exige and then started listening to everyone and reading every forum and, according to most (even current Croc owners who had both), the Exige made the Cayman feel and handle like a Buick (I am exaggerating to make a point) and real car people by the "cheap" Lambo called the Exige. The lack of power steering provides the kind of feedback that is missing in all cars.

So I took a Skip Barber course at Lime Rock (excellent) and had a chance to extensively drive both a base Croc and the Exige. Of course I would walk away straight to my Lotus dealer after a confirmatory drive in the Exige.

HOWEVER- I fell in love with the Cayman (this one was a base) again. The Exige is just NOT the car for me. Had I not taken this course I probably would have bought one but the Cayman feels like 85-90 % of the Exige in handling and feel. Throw in the practicality and the deal was sealed.

The point about this is not to flame Lotus. It IS a better track car than the Cayman and probably the CS (can't say because I did not track).

The point is it is not the car for me. So many times people like me float from forum to forum looking for the answers when it really is up to the individual.

Side notes: cars I drove- RX-8, Cayman, Carrera, Exige, 330i, IS-F.

The RX-8 and 330i blew me away after the Cayman. Two WONDERFUL cars that I thought would leave me cold. The RX-8 is so light and sweet that I can't believe it was not even in my head. The 330i (ya know that "bloated" sedan) just had incredible steering feel like the RX-8.

The Carrera is the Carrera. To comment would add nothing to its stellar reputation and racing heritage.

For me the Cayman was hand in glove.

[kimchang]

Sounds good. Glad you chose the Cayman.

No comment about IS-F?

[KS-CS]

Originally Posted by man with no name . . . So many times people like me float from forum to forum looking for the answers when it really is up to the individual. . .

Excellent point - so often we see people posting something to the effect of: "Should I buy this car or that car?" The forums are great to get feedback on a particular car and it's issues, but I don't know why people go to the forums for advice about which car to buy.

If they haven't formed their own opinion or choice, then they should do what you did - try them on for size, drive them, etc. Of course, I think you made the right choice!

[man with no name]

Originally Posted by kimchang Sounds good. Glad you chose the Cayman. No comment about IS-F?

I guess my forgetting to comment says volumes.

A great car that might have floated my boat 10 years ago but now looking for smaller, lighter with more feeling.

Outstanding quality.Easily, I mean easily sits 4-5. Incredible v8 rumble over 4 grand on the tach. Butter smooth transmission. Probably will be have flawless reliability. Refined. IMHO- great looking (although the stacked exhaust is just downright ridiculous). Solid- feel like you would be protected in an accident. Great view over the hood.

Also, heavy, heavy, heavy- did I say fat???- Steering has "surprising " feel for a car this heavy but you go in with low expectations. Put this "feel" in the Croc, RX-8 or Bimmer and you would descirbe it as numb.

But like the M3 gets that weight around pretty good at the track with enormous push on the straights.

At the autocross it left me cold and bored. Would have had more fun in a Civic Si.

IF, IF- I had a vette and wanted 4 doors this is what I would get. Just not into big and heavy anymore. If I wanted refined muscle with good handling this is what I would get. Hats off to Toyota to at least getting the feel and handling better than the IS 250/350 from which it sprung.

[finance09]

I appreciate the positive comments about other vehicles. I think that sometimes we get tunnel vision that if it's not a Porsche, it doesn't have redeeming qualities...

One of the things that I've learned is that while there are better cars for the track, luxury, utility, etc., no car brings them together like my Porsche, which, by the way, is a base 2.7.

It's light, has good power, and is a complete joy to drive. Everyday. When I get the 7 car garage that I think I so greatly deserve, I'll start with the specialized vehicles, but until then...

[madcow]

Alot of the posts that i experience on this forum are from people who already want a Cayman they,like Myself, are just doing some homework.Which is a good thing,so as to make an educated purchase (like yourself). You are correct i believe in saying that the end purchase is solely yours to make. I can rationalize things to the point where i put myself in a position of complete stalemate. Sometimes i feel that there is a point where given a few facts,a fist full of dollars and a heart full of want, i just say "What the $#%@, i'm going to go for it". I'm a big boy and the end result of the decisions i make are just that. They are mine to own and mine to enjoy.Good Bad or Indifferent.I know we are just talking about a car but i do have a passion for this obsession. The trick i find is to keep things in check and find some kind of balance in my life.So long as what i'm doing does not adversly affect those about me.I will have fun with it. It is a privilige to be able to afford these things and one that i do not try to take for granted.Geez i hope i do not sound like some kind of whack job! that is not my intent.Three cups of coffee and ten minutes to spare on the forum this morning

[anucci]

I had a '06 Elise with the track pack and I added a BWR Supercharger. I recently sold it for on '07 Cayman S. The Elise and Exige are indeed great track cars. But, I ultimately wanted to make more use of the car on public roads and it just is not a great car for that. What makes the Lotus a great track car works against it on the street. Sure, it's thrilling at first. You are basically driving a go-cart. That's the thing. The Lotus is a race car that is legal on public roads. The Cayman is a car built for the street, but still capable at the track. You can easily mod the Cayman to make it just as good as the Exige on the track. Install a track suspension and put on some R compound tires. I also found the Lotus a very nervous car to drive near MY limit on the track. While I have not had the Cayman at the track yet (believe it or not, I am still breaking in an 07 that had 700 miles on it) I can already feel that it is may more planted at high speeds and bumps don't upset the chassis. It is the best stock handling car I have ever owned (except maybe for the Elise). But that will change once the car is modded for the track. Add to that, that I can COMFORTABLY drive it to Lime Rock, New Hampshire and Watkins Glen and fit a tool box and a suitcase, and this car is just about perfect.

Enjoy your Cayman!

[anucci]

BTW, think I did that same Skippy school a few years ago (2 day HP driving school). They had Carreras, Caymans, e46 M3s, and RX8s. The Cayman was hands down my favorite. It's great that they added Lotus to the stable.

[Kenkg]

I think you went through the same decision process a lot of went through. The balance of very good track performance and excellent road manners and comfort sold me. I also drove an Exige S and my fangs came out and I was ready to go. Thinkling about it, I decided that I could probably not endure long trips in the car. Drove the Cayman S and knew the choice. RIght size, right character, right balance of track and street. Done deal. I am still overjoyed.