So, it's been a few weeks since I've checked in -- I've been traveling quite a bit -- but I'd like to show off my new toy now that I (finally) have a free night at home.
Due in large part to the advice and ensuing discussion of the Pelican community here, during the last week of June I test drove a number of Caymans and ended up purchasing a 2007 Cayman S with 31,000 miles on the clock. Since then, I've driven her from PA to VT to Cape Cod and then back to home to CT. What a car!
Here she is in my cousin's driveway in PA:
And with my friend's (my college roommate, actually) Cayenne on Cape Cod:
And, finally, home and at rest:
Here are my driving impressions: the car is impressive in that you can just cruise along at 2500rpm or snarl into a corner at full chat. Cornering is, predictably, completely manageable and flat; I've already encountered several scenarios in which I head into a corner ostensibly a little too hot, scrub off some speed with those Big Reds, and then realize, exiting the corner, that I didn't really need to slow down at all.
The exhaust note is intoxicating. Sometimes I'll give the gas a little nudge at 3000rpm just to hear it. I actually would like it to be a little louder... (although NOT piped into the stereo like some BMW)
Although it is clearly a fast car, the car actually doesn't FEEL all that fast below 4000rpm, at least not compared to the power delivery I'm used to with turbocharged cars. With the 951 (and, to a lesser extent, the Cooper S), the power comes on in one strong punch in a fairly narrow section of the rev range; with the Cayman S's 3.4 liter flat six, the power curve is far flatter, although getting the engine above 5000rpm is where it really hits its sweet spot.
Speaking of comparisons to other Porsches, the clutch and gearbox feel EXACTLY like those in the various 944s I've owned -- surprisingly mechanically-feeling for such a new car; compared to some other sports cars I've driven, the transmission of a Cayman actually feels satisfyingly "clunky" (in a good way). A Porsche is a Porsche is a Porsche, I suppose...
Gripes: although black looks good when clean and shiny, EVERY SINGLE FINGERPRINT shows on the paint.
That is all for gripes.
Well, maybe a little more power, but that would be the case no matter what car I bought, wouldn't it?...
