Top Gear 370Z v. Cayman article

radiZh · 10-29-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

Ive seen one, but only once every couple weeks.
Anyway, I highly doubt if "some people" won the lottery tomorrow, they would be saying "I'm going to buy a nissan, it's the economical choice after all."

So true, hahaha.

insalubrious · 10-29-2009, 12:29 AM

I'd probably still buy a Z but i'd also buy a '69 Camaro, and Aston Martin. The nice thing about the winning the lottery is choices are generally limited to space and availability.

antennahead · 10-29-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

Ive seen one, but only once every couple weeks.
Anyway, I highly doubt if "some people" won the lottery tomorrow, they would be saying "I'm going to buy a nissan, it's the economical choice after all."

Quote:

Originally Posted by insalubrious

I'd probably still buy a Z but i'd also buy a '69 Camaro, and Aston Martin. The nice thing about the winning the lottery is choices are generally limited to space and availability.

Very true. We must have similar tastes, because a late 60's Camaro and an Aston would be on my short list also if money grew on trees

Pharmacist · 10-29-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

Ridiculous? The people who can afford these cars arent losing sleep about saving a buck.

Funny because I always thought the boxster and cayman were more of a porsche on a "budget" (budget being a relative term of course) made for those wanna-be porsche owners who cannot afford a 911 carrera. At least that's the impression you get from carrera owners and how they look down on boxster/cayman owners. I strongly doubt anyone who can afford a carrera would downgrade to a cayman/boxster

antennahead · 10-29-2009, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

Funny because I always thought the boxster and cayman were more of a porsche on a "budget" (budget being a relative term of course) made for those wanna-be porsche owners who cannot afford a 911 carrera. At least that's the impression you get from carrera owners and how they look down on boxster/cayman owners. I strongly doubt anyone who can afford a carrera would downgrade to a cayman/boxster

I think that's true of the Boxster, but the Caymen really handles well compared to a stock 911, and Porsche was so concerned about the two being too close, that they detuned the Caymen engine. Of course when you get into GT-3 territory, it's a whole nother ballgame, albeit an expensive one.

Trips · 10-29-2009, 12:43 AM

a civil discussion!

antennahead · 10-29-2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

a civil discussion!

Amen bro

nicknick · 10-29-2009, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

Funny because I always thought the boxster and cayman were more of a porsche on a "budget" (budget being a relative term of course) made for those wanna-be porsche owners who cannot afford a 911 carrera. At least that's the impression you get from carrera owners and how they look down on boxster/cayman owners. I strongly doubt anyone who can afford a carrera would downgrade to a cayman/boxster

Hang on, a 911 is a flawed design. the cayman is not. the cayman had to be held back so as not to "outperform' the 911. people are buying the 911 based on history and image and the nodding admiration they will get by morons who do not know about the car but the porsche name is enough for them. If porsche put the 911 engine in the cayman it would be lights out for vthe 911 and porsche knows that. cayamn is not really a downgrade that is what illl informed 911 owners would say because their ego can not accept otherwise.

JonBoy · 10-29-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

sorry but the cayman is hardly a realistic choice. to pay so much money for a car that is only marginally faster than the z is ridiculous. at that price range, there are so many better options on the market. Like an m3 or a used 911 carrera. or even just fork out the extra few thousand and upgrade to a gt-r. and its exterior looks really lame, too conservative, passive and girly.

You didn't see the stats for the 2009 Cayman S with PDK, obviously.

0-60 in 4.1s
1/4 mile in 12.5s @ 110 mph
0.99 lateral gs
60-0 in 104 ft

Those numbers match a 2009 Corvette in a straight line for time though the 1/4 mile trap speed is lower (purely a function of power). The 2009 Cayman S is significantly quicker (when launched) compared to a 370Z. It grips as hard or harder and it brakes better, plus it is better balanced (this goes for all the Caymans, not just the 2009 models).

It's as quick or quicker than the M3 and it's just as quick as a base 911 from a dig and only marginally slower than the 911S (997S) with PDK. Only from roll would you see the M3 and 911 pull away (again, purely a function of power).

I'm not saying it's worth $70K (I wouldn't pay it - I'd buy it used for $20K cheaper in two years) but it's definitely a LOT quicker than a 370Z when it has the PDK transmission.

I also agree that a Nissan GT-R is a huge performance bargain for the price but it's also very expensive to maintain (seen the "required" maintenance costs yet?) and close to $20K more than the Cayman S after it's all said and done.

kenchan · 10-29-2009, 12:52 PM

are you guys like spec-racers?

who cares.

just enjoy your Z for wat it is. no need to compare it with a porsche. they have their niche, nissan has theirs.

ConchZ2 · 10-29-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknick

Hang on, a 911 is a flawed design. the cayman is not. the cayman had to be held back so as not to "outperform' the 911. people are buying the 911 based on history and image and the nodding admiration they will get by morons who do not know about the car but the porsche name is enough for them. If porsche put the 911 engine in the cayman it would be lights out for vthe 911 and porsche knows that. cayamn is not really a downgrade that is what illl informed 911 owners would say because their ego can not accept otherwise.

I agree 100%.....................One can only image if Porsche placed a 3.8 liter twin turbo 500 HP in the Cayman!

It would give the GTR a real challenge!

alan93rsa · 10-29-2009, 12:57 PM

It's interesting what appeals to us. I really don't like the GTR. I think the Z is a better looking car. I like the 997's and they are good cars but I like the size and lines of the Cayman better. The new Vette with the Grand Sport option is another car I like.

I suppose we all take a look at the overall picture and pick what fits on an individual basis. Of the cars discussed I think there is no wrong pick. Only right picks for each persons perception of 'their' car.

Enjoy

370Zsteve · 10-29-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insalubrious

I'd probably still buy a Z but i'd also buy a '69 Camaro, and Aston Martin. The nice thing about the winning the lottery is choices are generally limited to space and availability.

I was thinking the same thing the other day...what if I had $200k lying around....would I still be buying a Z? I thought about it for a few seconds and decided "yes", but I wold also buy a GT-R and a Benz E-Class. The Z would be my DD

Rhinetom · 10-29-2009, 01:15 PM

My thoughts exactly!

370Zsteve · 10-29-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan93rsa

I have owned a 370Z and it is the best bang for the buck in it's price range. I currently have an '09' Cayman S with PDK, PASM and Sport Chrono Plus. Having driven both cars on the track and street I give the nod to the Cayman. At higher limits there is more confidence in the Cayman. With the PDK set to Sport Plus it is an amazing transmission. The 370 6 speed with rev match is a great product but it can't do what the PDK can on track.

You'll be north of $70k by the time you tick off the options on the Cayman, about double the 370Z. So is it worth it? I'd say the average person would say no. But if it doesn't bother you to spend the extra the Cayman is fun both on and off the track with great fit and finish thrown in.

However, you can take a sport/touring 6 speed 370Z toss in $10-15K of the savings and have a rocket with at least $20k left in your pocket. It just gets down to what you value. It's nice to have choices.

I've driven the Cayman S and I agree with everything you say. I also think the Z is a much-better looking car. I find the Cayman's styling to be a bit whacked. For the money, I'd rather have a modded-out Z! Or maybe 2 Z's!

10-29-2009, 12:29 AM	#107 (permalink)
insalubrious Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stayton Posts: 235 Drives: Future Car Rep Power: 16	I'd probably still buy a Z but i'd also buy a '69 Camaro, and Aston Martin. The nice thing about the winning the lottery is choices are generally limited to space and availability. __________________ Is that a taco pie?

10-29-2009, 12:43 AM	#111 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,730 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	a civil discussion! __________________

10-29-2009, 12:57 PM	#117 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 220	It's interesting what appeals to us. I really don't like the GTR. I think the Z is a better looking car. I like the 997's and they are good cars but I like the size and lines of the Cayman better. The new Vette with the Grand Sport option is another car I like. I suppose we all take a look at the overall picture and pick what fits on an individual basis. Of the cars discussed I think there is no wrong pick. Only right picks for each persons perception of 'their' car. Enjoy __________________ 16 Cayman GT4, Carmine Red, Buckets, PCCB etc.

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10-29-2009, 12:52 PM	#115 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	are you guys like spec-racers? who cares. just enjoy your Z for wat it is. no need to compare it with a porsche. they have their niche, nissan has theirs.

10-29-2009, 01:15 PM	#119 (permalink)
Rhinetom Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: United States Posts: 92 Drives: 09 370Z auto, red Rep Power: 16	My thoughts exactly!