Which one: Cayman S or Lotus Exige?

[Vipergrün]

If you had some extra play $$, which would you get and why?

I absolutely love the Exige. Only 220HP, but light, nimble and sexy.

.....But, it's not a Porsche...

Thoughts?

[livi]

I wish I had the oppurtunity to test drive any one of them. Then I would know. Be interesting to hear of any live driving reports. I am not sure, but if the Noble fits the price, that would probably be a strong candidate. They road tested a dozen sports cars in a British magazine some time ago. Everything from Lamborghini to Ford Focus RS. The new Noble dusted them all. All but one. The Porsche Turbo.

[Don Plumley]

They are different cars. The Cayman is high performance daily driver. The Exige is a track car that's street legal. I say get one of each.

[89911]

Actually, I'd say neither. And I'm not trying to be smart. After the newness of the cars have worn, I'm not as impressed as I was intially. I'd buy a used GT3.

[legion]

I wish I had your problems.

[azasadny]

Cayman S, it's a Porsche, what else can I say?

[Tobra]

GT2 and GT3 are fantastic, but the engine is not in the right place. Noble is pretty awe inspiring, as are the Loti(Elise and Exige). Lotus is pretty spartan for a daily driver, though I could live with it.

If it is me, I get a Cayman with right drivetrain swap(big turbo motor), but then you are talking megadollars. I would rather have a Lotus with some other drivetrain, I would prefer a Honda or even Mitsubishi 4 cylinder over a Toyota, which is what they come with.

[kstar]

How about a rumored Cayman Club Sport:



From this link: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/09/enter-the-rumormill-porsche-cayman-club-sport-spied/

The introduction of the Porsche Cayman S was met with equal parts reverence and revilement, with many criticizing Porsche's midship masterpiece as being underpowered despite a chassis that was begging for more oomph. While tuners have been swapping larger engines from the top-of-the-line 911 into the Cayman, its doubtful that Porsche's pencil pushers would risk cannibalizing sales of its 40-year old flagship. However, the idea of making an RS-version of the Cayman may be on the horizon, as this newest spy shot reveals.

The next generation Cayman – likely to be unveiled in Geneva – will feature a few minor changes keeping with Porsche's long-held tradition of slowly evolving the breed. But a lightweight, track-friendly edition might also be available in the near future. The shot above shows a new Cayman (note the drawn down headlamps) undergoing testing, with a roll cage mounted aft of the two front seats. Could it be a Club Sport version? Hopefully we'll find out in a few months.

Source: autoblog.it

[dd74]

I wouldn't buy either one new. I'd go to the used market after either has depreciated a few thousand dollars.

[BeyGon]

Since I haven't driven either, it goes on looks alone, I don't really like either one but I like the looks of the Cayman better, plus I always look at resale and am guessing the Porsche will be a better resale. I think Porsche would love to give up the 911 and just make more powerfull Caymans. If they made them better looking, more like a 911, it would be ok with me.

[Vipergrün]

Originally Posted by legion

I wish I had your problems.

I wish I had this problem too

It's 80% hypothetical at this point and I'd have to sell my 73 RS lightweight replica, which will probably happen anyway.

Both of these cars have a LOT of depreciation the fist couple of years, so 06's look to be a decent deal.

A 'club sport' version of the Cayman would be cool. I could do without a Nav system, A/C and all of the other heavy options....

[trekkor]

One of my students had a nicely prepared Exige on Yokohama race slicks.
He kept begging me to drive it so he could see what it could do at Sears.

I had to keep declining until he apologized for pushing me.

Really nice car. Not a daily driver in my opinion.

I've not been in a Cayman.


KT

[artplumber]

The Exige S is a lot more tractable than the Elise because of the supercharger. Those door sills are really painful. If you get in it only to have fun I'd go Exige. If you plan to make it a daily driver and you like light, stick with what you've already got. The Cayman is definitely not light/nimble although it may be more capable (if that makes sense).

[HardDrive]

I would lean towards the Cayman just for the 'livibility' factor. Nice big trunk in front, easier to get in and out of, you don't look like you should be wearing a bumble bee suit when your driving it.....

[Zef]

Go with the Lotus...all the way...

[nostatic]

I got to drive a friend's Cayman S through the canyons above Malibu last weekend. Incredible car and highly livable. I've instructed in a Lotus before and it is a different beast. Not a daily driver in any way, shape, or form imho. A blast at the track though...but it spins like a top when you push it. Yesterday I rode in a student's Cayman S and he was pushing hard. The thing is totally composed, and abs/psm make average drivers into heroes on the track...until physics catches up with them.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I would lean towards the Cayman just for the 'livibility' factor. Nice big trunk in front, easier to get in and out of, you don't look like you should be wearing a bumble bee suit when your driving it.....

aye carumba!

[sammyg2]

Neither.

[Komenda Fan]

The Lotus is impractical to an extreme, which is exactly why I think you should buy it.

What's the point of getting a fun weekend car that's practical, the way a Cayman is? Don't get me wrong, I like the Cayman, but if its just to be a toy, get something that reminds you its a toy. That's why I love my car, I wouldn't want to drive it everyday, but wow what a visceral experience everytime I step into it.

There is something that is just so satisfying about a car designed with such purity. Don't you get enough compromise every other day?

[DARISC]

Cayman = Grand Touring car
Lotus Exige = sports car

My perspective on these definitions is admittedly archaic as it remains rooted in the era of XK 120s, MG TDs, Austin Healeys, Allards, Morgans, etc. Caried to the extreme, only roadsters were pure - coupes were considered to be a concession to Grand Touring (chassis stiffness was not yet a mainstream consideration).

I bought my SC because it fits into that perspective more than other, newer "sports cars".