370Z is total garbage; not even worth comparing. In the recent car and driver's "best handling car under $40k" comparo, it got 2nd to last place. Steering feel is non-existent. Engine sounds like it's about to explode at high revs. Engine oil overheats if you do any kind of a spirited driving and the car goes into limp mode where you can't drive past 2.5k revs. Visibility is non-existent. Connectedness to the road is non-existent. Power is good but only when it's not overheating. When it is, you're getting burned by priuses. Overpriced, overdone 350z. This is why I was never a fan of the 350 either.

Now, the Cayman R. There is a reason why in the 2009 car and driver's "best driving car in the world" comparo, Cayman S got first place. Cayman S is the best handling, most neutral, best steering, incredibly light on its feet sports car I've ever driven. The mid engine layout + sub 3000 lb curb weight + porsche engineering = sex on wheels. Honestly, nothing that i've driven feels like it; even the lotus. There is something about the P cars that just makes you feel so good driving it. The Cayman R that i drove literally made me weak on my knees and speechless. I drove it for 5 laps around a local track and while, 330 hp does not sound like it's a lot, you gotta keep in mind this car only weighs 2900 lbs. It's as fast as e92 M3s on straights and will leave them in the dust on corners. Driving the CR feels like you're controlling an extension of your body. You know exactly where the wheels are and it's just the most communicative car out there. Even more than GT3s, as claimed by many sources (which i do not doubt).

The S2k kinda falls in the middle. Everything about the S is awesome, except the steering feel. While it's not an apples to apples comparison, s2k and CR are both good driver's cars. You guys all know how the S feels so I don't have to elaborate, but if you have 70k to burn on a car, definitely look at the CR.

Edit: You will notice that 09+ (updated version) Cayman S and Cayman R are extremely hard to find used. That's because noone sells them. They're THAT good.

 

Better than being named Placenta

 

Before you get too weak in the knees over the Porsche, you should check in on this link every once in awhile and go through the threads. It will quickly make you appreciate the S2000 more. I started reading it because I wanted a Boxster, but now I read it for entertainment. It is hilarious to read what crappy engineering failures these guys will put up with. Same repeat problems again and again on these cars that never get engineered out and they all just keep forking over the cash when Porsche won't stand behind their product.
http://www.planet-9.com/cayman-boxst...ms-complaints/

 

WWWOOOWWW.... thank you for the info on the 370... and here i thought they were trying to develop a real sports car w some added power (shortening/widening the wheel base)

 

I lurk there all the time. You gotta keep in mind the enthusiast community that post on that forum only represents a tiny fraction of the total owner population, and you're only being exposed to the people that report problems. Porsche is a very reliable brand unlike before and is one of only a few companies that encourage taking your car to the track and will replace blown engines from tracking as long as it wasn't driver error.


You're right - It's funny because they started in the right direction.....and then that was it.

 

So I drove the 08 Chicane Silver today...and WHY in hell is the cluth so soft?!?? I really liked the stiff clutch with good feedback on my previous 07...but this clutch feels like that of a civic! engagement is not as fun and shifting just isnt as fun as my 07. Is this normal? Thanks in advance.

 

[quote name='tbonesteak' timestamp='1317463657' post='21029993']

I lurk there all the time. You gotta keep in mind the enthusiast community that post on that forum only represents a tiny fraction of the total owner population, and you're only being exposed to the people that report problems. Porsche is a very reliable brand unlike before and is one of only a few companies that encourage taking your car to the track and will replace blown engines from tracking as long as it wasn't driver error.


[quote name='TougeS2k' timestamp='1317440862' post=

That's funny. You used the same response that most of the Kool-Aid drinkers on their site use when someone questions their reliability. The fact is, their forum is just like any other forum. You could say the same thing about the S2k or Miata forums too. The real difference is simply that S2000 and MX5 Miata engines don't fail at anywhere near the rate as Cayman/Boxsters. Do a search on the link above for Planet 9 for "engine failure" and you will see what I'm talking about.
To suggest that somehow on a Porsche forum you will mostly find only the few that had problems and all the others with good cars are out enjoying them and don't have time to post on a forum is just silly. If that were true, it would be the same for Miata and S2K forums as well.

By the way, they have been complaining quite a bit recently on that link on the exact topic you mentioned except it is about how Porsche is not covering failed engines if they find out the owner has been tracking them. They are mad because they feel Porsche is marketing them to be raced, but they end up having oiling problems and ultimately fail on the buyers dime.

 

S2K won award for "most reliable premium sports car" for a reason.

 

8escape, that's why i'm referring to the 09+. Those engines with dfi had the bugs fixed.

 

TBone,
if I remember right your town is near Yorba Linda? Over in Off-Topic a moderator is Magician and he lives in Yorba Linda. Might want to talk to him.