Road & Track: 370Z vs Cayman S

hey32g · 02-26-2009, 07:15 PM

Okay, hope THIS hasn't been posted:

Road & Track Magazine - Clash of the Coupes: 2009 Nissan 370Z vs. 2008 Porsche Cayman S (4/2009)

RCZ · 02-26-2009, 08:41 PM

I am rather happy with the results. I still think the Z is the better choice regardless of price. The Cayman is too bland...it handles well and looks good, but its too mainstream and the interior isn't exactly astonishing. Porsche needs a serious update to their interiors...the flat pannel isnt cutting it.

I think the Z is a lot more fun around a track AND around town. Its more special too.

Greg · 02-26-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Porsche needs a serious update to their interiors...the flat pannel isnt cutting it.

That would be kinda like going backwards for Pcars. As the 996 and 986's had curvey interiors etc.. Which many in the Porsche crowd disliked.

tvfreakazoid · 03-02-2009, 05:13 PM

Well when they test the new 09 cayman i'm pretty sure it will out perform the 370z. If I could afford the 09 cayman I would probably get it, but then again I I would spend an extra 10k or so to get the GTR.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

I am rather happy with the results. I still think the Z is the better choice regardless of price. The Cayman is too bland...it handles well and looks good, but its too mainstream and the interior isn't exactly astonishing. Porsche needs a serious update to their interiors...the flat pannel isnt cutting it.

I think the Z is a lot more fun around a track AND around town. Its more special too.

frost · 02-26-2009, 10:15 PM

Totally agree on the flat panel. I sports car interior should be hugging you; that flat panel stuff makes me think of the mustang.

FairmanZ · 02-27-2009, 01:55 AM

If they tested against the 2009 Cayman S, the Z would have been creamed. Against the 08 Cayman S it was able to hold its own. But it would have been more competitive if not for the heat issue.

R&T exposed the Z's overheating oil issue. As noted in this thread, this issue is the Z's "achilles heel":
First track experience today ! Some good, some really bad

It seems this test car was not one of the early "ringer" press cars which had oil coolers installed. Nissan needs to fix this on the 2010 cars, otherwise the Z will not be track competitive!

sbkim · 02-27-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairmanZ

If they tested against the 2009 Cayman S, the Z would have been creamed. Against the 08 Cayman S it was able to hold its own.

I agree. I think I recall seeing 0-60 in 4.5 sec for the new cayman with pdk...

Endgame · 02-27-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbkim

I agree. I think I recall seeing 0-60 in 4.5 sec for the new cayman with pdk...

O.K. So.... The Z did 4.7 0-60 in MotorTrend. It is still within spitting distance.

sbkim · 02-27-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

O.K. So.... The Z did 4.7 0-60 in MotorTrend. It is still within spitting distance.

You clearly missed my point - all I am saying is that 2009 cayman would have performed even better than 2008. 0.2 secs could mean one or two car lengths, perhaps even more by the time they hit 100mph. BTW, I am NOT a fan of cayman.

SiXK · 02-27-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairmanZ

If they tested against the 2009 Cayman S, the Z would have been creamed. Against the 08 Cayman S it was able to hold its own. But it would have been more competitive if not for the heat issue.

R&T exposed the Z's overheating oil issue. As noted in this thread, this issue is the Z's "achilles heel":
First track experience today ! Some good, some really bad

It seems this test car was not one of the early "ringer" press cars which had oil coolers installed. Nissan needs to fix this on the 2010 cars, otherwise the Z will not be track competitive!

or people can just add the oil cooler if they want to track the car. thats what I would do.

FairmanZ · 02-27-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSUTurboTiger

or people can just add the oil cooler if they want to track the car. thats what I would do.

True, but at least Nissan via NISMO should make these coolers available for sale. Otherwise there's always the potential for some dealer to give you hassles on warranty.

OTOH, the Z is marketed as serious sports car. This heat issue is a weak spot that Nissan knows about. Having the car go into limp mode and lowering the rev limit to 6500 is Nissan's fix, but it cripples the car's performance. You don't need to add oil & diff coolers to most other cars if you want to track your car.

MightyBobo · 02-27-2009, 10:45 AM

Shouldnt need to have to add an oil cooler, though. Its a band aid for something Nissan will hopefully fix.

klubbheads · 02-27-2009, 10:52 AM

I'm kind of surprised on acceleration numbers on the Z when it comes to 100mph and up. I would think it would be faster than the 2008 Cayman S when it comes to tripple digits.

Z is begging for a shorter FD. 3rd gear on that car is just too long.

Lug · 02-27-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klubbheads

I'm kind of surprised on acceleration numbers on the Z when it comes to 100mph and up. I would think it would be faster than the 2008 Cayman S when it comes to tripple digits.

Z is begging for a shorter FD. 3rd gear on that car is just too long.

I found a 0-60 at 5.2 kind of odd. We've already seen 5.1, 4.9, 4.8, 4.7 and 5.3. This range is pretty extreme even taking into account variations due to elevation and temp.

!xoible · 02-27-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

I found a 0-60 at 5.2 kind of odd. We've already seen 5.1, 4.9, 4.8, 4.7 and 5.3. This range is pretty extreme even taking into account variations due to elevation and temp.

arent the numbers under 5 when the car is rolling?

02-26-2009, 07:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
hey32g Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 278 Drives: ‘14 370Z, Black, 7AT Rep Power: 6727	Road & Track: 370Z vs Cayman S Okay, hope THIS hasn't been posted: Road & Track Magazine - Clash of the Coupes: 2009 Nissan 370Z vs. 2008 Porsche Cayman S (4/2009)

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02-26-2009, 08:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	I am rather happy with the results. I still think the Z is the better choice regardless of price. The Cayman is too bland...it handles well and looks good, but its too mainstream and the interior isn't exactly astonishing. Porsche needs a serious update to their interiors...the flat pannel isnt cutting it. I think the Z is a lot more fun around a track AND around town. Its more special too.

02-27-2009, 01:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
FairmanZ Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paradise Posts: 133 Drives: Z34 future owner Rep Power: 17	If they tested against the 2009 Cayman S, the Z would have been creamed. Against the 08 Cayman S it was able to hold its own. But it would have been more competitive if not for the heat issue. R&T exposed the Z's overheating oil issue. As noted in this thread, this issue is the Z's "achilles heel": First track experience today ! Some good, some really bad It seems this test car was not one of the early "ringer" press cars which had oil coolers installed. Nissan needs to fix this on the 2010 cars, otherwise the Z will not be track competitive!

02-27-2009, 10:45 AM	#12 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 53	Shouldnt need to have to add an oil cooler, though. Its a band aid for something Nissan will hopefully fix.

02-27-2009, 10:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
klubbheads Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 221 Drives: Very slow Nismo 370 Rep Power: 17	I'm kind of surprised on acceleration numbers on the Z when it comes to 100mph and up. I would think it would be faster than the 2008 Cayman S when it comes to tripple digits. Z is begging for a shorter FD. 3rd gear on that car is just too long.