Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - Driver's Republic - Mission Impossible 370Z vs Porsche Cayman S 04.09.09

MannyLJr · 04-10-2009, 02:17 AM

I've shopped Porsche Caymans for months and recorded it on my blog.

Lizard's Lair: Porsche Cayman Best-in-Price

I've since have leaned toward the new Z. I've driven both base Caymans and Cayman S's. I had test driven a lot of cars during my shopping. The Cayman S is the best driving car I have ever experienced. My current cars are an '04 Mazda RX-8 GT and a 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE, which I both bought new and still drive.

I test drove an '08 350Z last summer. I thought it handled heavy, it's drive train seemed unrefined, and it's interior cheap. I dismissed it as an alternative to a used Cayman. Then the '09 370Z came out. I listened and read all the news and hype as it was introduced and slowly came to dealers. I finally got to drive one, then another. I have two dealers that I frequent, one near my work, the other near my house.

I've driven 4 different 370Z's now. My favorite was a Nismo body enhanced, plus a Stillen Exhuast, Red Touring MT with Sport Package. The new Z drives so much better than the '08 model. The new Z has so much better feel in corners and it's interior looks almost luxury. It's only weakness in my early drives had been the engine and the exhaust note. Both felt and sounded strained. The Stillen exhaust made a huge difference for me.

Now, I am almost ready to get a new car. I've chosen a new Z, totally loaded, Touring, Sport, Nav, Persimmon interior (I'm waiting, though I saw 2 cars recently at dealers in the LA area), and the added Stillen exhaust. I plan to offer $1000 under sticker and the exhaust included without additional cost. Otherwise, I'd offer $2500 under sticker + muffler.

Though the Cayman felt like the best driving car ever, even after the new Z, the fact of paying $40K for a new car with more options, than a 2 or 3 year old used Porsche Cayman S for around the same price, plus the added maintenance cost of owning a Porsche, it has been an easy argument for myself that the 370Z will be my next car.

04-10-2009, 02:17 AM	#11 (permalink)
MannyLJr Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 12 Drives: 2004 Mazda RX-8 GT Rep Power: 16	I've shopped Porsche Caymans for months and recorded it on my blog. Lizard's Lair: Porsche Cayman Best-in-Price I've since have leaned toward the new Z. I've driven both base Caymans and Cayman S's. I had test driven a lot of cars during my shopping. The Cayman S is the best driving car I have ever experienced. My current cars are an '04 Mazda RX-8 GT and a 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE, which I both bought new and still drive. I test drove an '08 350Z last summer. I thought it handled heavy, it's drive train seemed unrefined, and it's interior cheap. I dismissed it as an alternative to a used Cayman. Then the '09 370Z came out. I listened and read all the news and hype as it was introduced and slowly came to dealers. I finally got to drive one, then another. I have two dealers that I frequent, one near my work, the other near my house. I've driven 4 different 370Z's now. My favorite was a Nismo body enhanced, plus a Stillen Exhuast, Red Touring MT with Sport Package. The new Z drives so much better than the '08 model. The new Z has so much better feel in corners and it's interior looks almost luxury. It's only weakness in my early drives had been the engine and the exhaust note. Both felt and sounded strained. The Stillen exhaust made a huge difference for me. Now, I am almost ready to get a new car. I've chosen a new Z, totally loaded, Touring, Sport, Nav, Persimmon interior (I'm waiting, though I saw 2 cars recently at dealers in the LA area), and the added Stillen exhaust. I plan to offer $1000 under sticker and the exhaust included without additional cost. Otherwise, I'd offer $2500 under sticker + muffler. Though the Cayman felt like the best driving car ever, even after the new Z, the fact of paying $40K for a new car with more options, than a 2 or 3 year old used Porsche Cayman S for around the same price, plus the added maintenance cost of owning a Porsche, it has been an easy argument for myself that the 370Z will be my next car.