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Test driving a Cayman GTS


Chris-p

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I was lucky enough to be offered at short notice a Cayman GTS for the day last Saturday. Having never driven anything other than 911's i thought what an opportunity not to be passed up. So some quick shout outs and got a couple of people to meet me for a bit of a drive in the Dandenongs and a look over the car.

 

I have to say that I have never really been able to look passed the 911 as the car I would own so this was a bit of a challenge and I have to say an eye opener.

 

Driving position was excellent and very familiar with being able to see over the two front wings just like in a 911 and actually the view was better because in the 993 the wipers obscure the view to the drivers side front wing. Seats fantastic and that Alcantara covered steering wheel was just awesome. Even the ambiance inside the car was similar to a 911 with the space in behind the seats above the engine giving a feeling of space and not claustrophobic like I thought it might be. It even felt small on the road like the aircooled 911! Lots of power and goes like a scalded cat when you push on. Absolutely bonkers when you push the sport button and everything tightens up in the suspension the sports exhaust opens up and the PDK hangs onto gears. Hangs on like its on rails through the twisty bits and gives lots of feedback which was one of the things I was most interested in as that's one of the things I enjoy the most about the 993 especially with the RS engine mounts and PSS10 suspension.

 

Somebody said on another thread about Porsche losing their way. I disagree, not when they are building cars like this.

 

Gary (redman) I bet you must be beside yourself with excitement waiting for yours to arrive. get the Alcatara steering wheel too!! :)

 

What a great car. It certainly opened up my world to things other than a 911.

 

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I was lucky enough to be offered at short notice a Cayman GTS for the day last Saturday. Having never driven anything other than 911's i thought what an opportunity not to be passed up. So some quick shout outs and got a couple of people to meet me for a bit of a drive in the Dandenongs and a look over the car.

 

I have to say that I have never really been able to look passed the 911 as the car I would own so this was a bit of a challenge and I have to say an eye opener.

 

Driving position was excellent and very familiar with being able to see over the two front wings just like in a 911 and actually the view was better because in the 993 the wipers obscure the view to the drivers side front wing. Seats fantastic and that Alcantara covered steering wheel was just awesome. Even the ambiance inside the car was similar to a 911 with the space in behind the seats above the engine giving a feeling of space and not claustrophobic like I thought it might be. It even felt small on the road like the aircooled 911! Lots of power and goes like a scalded cat when you push on. Absolutely bonkers when you push the sport button and everything tightens up in the suspension the sports exhaust opens up and the PDK hangs onto gears. Hangs on like its on rails through the twisty bits and gives lots of feedback which was one of the things I was most interested in as that's one of the things I enjoy the most about the 993 especially with the RS engine mounts and PSS10 suspension.

 

Somebody said on another thread about Porsche losing their way. I disagree, not when they are building cars like this.

 

Gary (redman) I bet you must be beside yourself with excitement waiting for yours to arrive. get the Alcatara steering wheel too!! :)

 

What a great car. It certainly opened up my world to things other than a 911.

 

2cd59dc48d2e7aca5107d43c9bb19e18_zps1xe5

 

165542948699c0afdbfb93cdb345c384_zpsomvh

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I was lucky enough to be offered at short notice a Cayman GTS for the day last Saturday. Having never driven anything other than 911's i thought what an opportunity not to be passed up. So some quick shout outs and got a couple of people to meet me for a bit of a drive in the Dandenongs and a look over the car.

 

I have to say that I have never really been able to look passed the 911 as the car I would own so this was a bit of a challenge and I have to say an eye opener.

 

Driving position was excellent and very familiar with being able to see over the two front wings just like in a 911 and actually the view was better because in the 993 the wipers obscure the view to the drivers side front wing. Seats fantastic and that Alcantara covered steering wheel was just awesome. Even the ambiance inside the car was similar to a 911 with the space in behind the seats above the engine giving a feeling of space and not claustrophobic like I thought it might be. It even felt small on the road like the aircooled 911! Lots of power and goes like a scalded cat when you push on. Absolutely bonkers when you push the sport button and everything tightens up in the suspension the sports exhaust opens up and the PDK hangs onto gears. Hangs on like its on rails through the twisty bits and gives lots of feedback which was one of the things I was most interested in as that's one of the things I enjoy the most about the 993 especially with the RS engine mounts and PSS10 suspension.

 

Somebody said on another thread about Porsche losing their way. I disagree, not when they are building cars like this.

 

Gary (redman) I bet you must be beside yourself with excitement waiting for yours to arrive. get the Alcatara steering wheel too!! :)

 

What a great car. It certainly opened up my world to things other than a 911.

 

2cd59dc48d2e7aca5107d43c9bb19e18_zps1xe5

 

165542948699c0afdbfb93cdb345c384_zpsomvh

 

 

what a cracking car...

 

Don't know how, don't know when, but i've got to get one  ^_^

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As an ex-owner of a poor mans first Gen Cayman S, I can say they are a sensational car and when you can get one for $50-$60k, (less than just about any air cooled 911 now) they really do make a LOT of sense.

Plus they have an awesome sound system and freezing cold aircon... 

 

But I reckon this new GTS would be mind boggling!

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It was a stunning car Mike. I really didn't expect it to give me the feedback that it did and I didn't even turn on the sport plus mode!

 

Given that it might very well be the last atmo 6 in the Cayman and may even be the last 6 then it could very well be a car that doesn't get hit with the depreciation whack. that is what would scare me off buy a new one.....

 

Still it was very compelling.....

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"Gary (redman) I bet you must be beside yourself with excitement waiting for yours to arrive. get the Alcatara steering wheel too!! :)"

Hey Chris, good review. I drove the same car a couple of weeks ago but not in the Dandenongs. You're right about the waiting, mine will be a July build so I won't get it until Sept/Oct. Optioned the Leather wheel based on wear factor but I'm the same, love the feel of the Alcantara.

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Was admiring this car as I chased it through the twisties.

 

It looked so composed and planted in bends where mine was struggling to keep up.

The rapid acceleration out of the turns and that crackling exhaust was incredible.

 

The thing that I found most interesting was it's size. As Chris mentioned earlier it is about the same as an air cooled 911.

Build and finish was as you would expect from Porsche.

 

In GTS form this is an absolute winner. 

 

And I know I'm going out on a limb here, but in GT4 guise.....................why would you want to buy a 991????????

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"In GTS form this is an absolute winner. 

 

And I know I'm going out on a limb here, but in GT4 guise.....................why would you want to buy a 991????????"

 

 

​Absolutely!  

 

Do the maths when comparing to a new 911, its an enormous amount of bang for your buck!

 

And i think its a really nice point of difference.  You won't see them everywhere....

 

 

 

 

​(qualification time) i couldn't buy either so should probably shut up. But still.......    B) 

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Was admiring this car as I chased it through the twisties.

It looked so composed and planted in bends where mine was struggling to keep up.

The rapid acceleration out of the turns and that crackling exhaust was incredible.

The thing that I found most interesting was it's size. As Chris mentioned earlier it is about the same as an air cooled 911.

Build and finish was as you would expect from Porsche.

In GTS form this is an absolute winner.

And I know I'm going out on a limb here, but in GT4 guise.....................why would you want to buy a 991????????

Back seats.....that's about it

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I've driven gen 1 & 2 caymans on the track & they are exceptional, outstanding cars, this is from a 997, 991 owner. They should never be underrated for chassis, handling, poise & true P car credentials. From a value proposition they are (IMHO) hard to beat.

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"Gary (redman) I bet you must be beside yourself with excitement waiting for yours to arrive. get the Alcatara steering wheel too!! :)"

Hey Chris, good review. I drove the same car a couple of weeks ago but not in the Dandenongs. You're right about the waiting, mine will be a July build so I won't get it until Sept/Oct. Optioned the Leather wheel based on wear factor but I'm the same, love the feel of the Alcantara.

Just in time for the good weather Gary. We will have to plan an SMT just for the occasion :)

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It was the Cayman that made me look at Porsche.

Buying a home more suited to our family was my priority so I budgeted much lower and bought the Boxster.

Love the chassis and feedback. Now I'm hooked.....

This Cayman is stirring me to find new ways to increase my income, which can only be good.

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