Originally Posted by CharlesW

Jerome,

Porsche make a point of their brakes being more than 2x as powerful as their engines. By which they mean that, if the car accelerates to 100 mph in 10 seconds, it will stop in 5 seconds.

What I suspect is that you are used to cars with more servo assistance to the brakes. So the initial 'bite' might not feel as sharp. You do have to apply more pressure to Porsche brakes to get maximum effect. However this gives you more feel, in that there is a larger range of pressure from a little braking to a full on emergency stop. You only have to look at the brakes on the Cayman S - 318mm front discs and 299 mm rear discs with 4 pot calipers. That should stop a 1350 kg car.

Originally Posted by Jer

I love the look of these. There is a red one where I live that looks the dogs. I don't think they will put the 3.6 in the caymen as it would be faster than the flagship 911.

Originally Posted by Jer

I love the look of these. There is a red one where I live that looks the dogs. I don't think they will put the 3.6 in the caymen as it would be faster than the flagship 911.

Originally Posted by spectrum48k

that's why they didn't include a limited slip diff, isn't it ?

Originally Posted by lestippp

Thanks for the replies chaps, I was only kidding about cheaper to run, my point was more one of "not as dear as you would think" to be honest, although the purchase price is significantly more and on everyday costs such as fuel, insurance and servicing there is little in it. On depreciation the scooby will drop 50% in two years where the Porsche drops about 25 - 30% from a higher price obviously but that equates to about £13 - 15k on each of these cars... surprising isn't it Owning a Porsche is an experience, I just wanted to share some stats that some may find interesting is all.

The Cayman S was first to have the 3.4 flat six with 295bhp, Porsche then put it in the Boxster S as the chassis could easily handle it. My guess is that the Cayman will soon get the 3.6 as an upgrade but we'll wait and see.

Fabioso on the performance side of the car, I'm pretty sure on dry roads the Cayman S is faster and that includes through the twisties, having spent 10 months driving my STi PPP (05) I also appreciate the difference weather makes and in the rain the scooby would have the advantage but then I never got near to the scooby's limits in this kind of weather, preferring to live a little longer instead If you get a chance to drive the Cayman go for it, I guarantee you would be astounded by its levels of grip, traction and handling. I had one for a day last year and that was when I decided I wanted one, I had the scooby at this time so could make good comparisons. I wasn't sure that it was as good as everyone was claiming but it is and more

Stig took the WR1 (quicker than a STi PPP) round the track in 1,29.4 and the Cayman in 1,26.2 so a huge difference I think you'll agree. I never really read much into how a car is driven on public roads as some people drive their corsa's round corners faster than I would but this doesn't make the car faster, just the driver more dangerous / mental really If you pass a 911 turbo, in a WRX because it is being driven by a more cautious driver, the WRX still isn't the fastest car, is it? These comparisons only work where the cars are driven in the same conditions by the same driver, in turn, otherwise it's like comparing Michael Schumacher with your granny

I like to think that I am always unbiased in my opinion on cars and the scooby is still one of my favourites and is a hell of a car for the money so I am not criticising it, just stating that the Cayman IS a faster car when driven well, in good conditions is all.

Simon they are cracking cars and I wish you luck to have one some day.

Originally Posted by lestippp

The same Sti was 13s slower than the Cayman S around the ring, where cars speed and handling are truly tested
Power to weight of 217/t versus 185/t in the STi. 0 - 125mph in 18.8 for the Cayman and 21.9 in the STi.

I think this is a similar situation to that which you see in F1 where some tracks suit certain cars.

I would still say that the Cayman S would be hard to beat in a standard STi or a PPP'd version, simply speaking from my experience in both

We all see how the cars are tested on Top Gear and if a 316bhp WR1 (which is an excellent car and seriously quick) dropped 3.2s in 1 lap to a Cayman S then you have a fair idea of what the Porker is capable of Remember these times are from a standing start which benefits the faster launching WR1. I think more importantly, they are carried out by the same driver.

Scooby's are great cars and I will never forget their explosive power but compliant behaviour in daily use. I just wish Subaru would fire their design team and bring in someone to "modernise" the original shape whilst giving the interior a quality face lift and then putting a 2.5 - 3.0lt "boxer" (burble included) engine in it with 300 - 320bhp, what a cracking car that would be

For now though the Cayman rules but loses out in practicality, otherwise it's a stunning car and I would recommend one to anyone who is interested

Originally Posted by markGT

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I take your point about the Scoob, the Caymen is a cracking motor. On the point about the WR1 it may have slightly more power than MY05 PPP but the MY05 STI is regarded as a much better handling car with the wider track etc etc. Like you said track times are track times.

I nearly bought a C4S before I got my EVO and STI but my wife hates them with a passion. I nearly convinced her to get one then we went to the Le Mans 24hr museum in Le Mans and the Porsche club of French were there about to do a track day. There were about 30 cars with Porsches right through the ages. Anyway to my horror every single one of them was fat and bald and in their late 50's early 60's. My wife turned around to me and said no way! Unfortunately that’s the image Porsche drivers have rightly or wrongly. So I'll probably get one when I'm in my sixties (I hope) when I'm maybe a little flabby and have no hair.

Good luck with the car and enjoy