Top Gear 370Z v. Cayman article

cab83_750

To appreciate a Porsche, one must own and drive one for a period of time.

Buy a Porsche. In the first few days, you will most likely say,

1. "What is the big deal about the Porsches?"
2. "I paid what for this car?"
3. "This car is just too hyped up!"
4. "What have I done with my $$?"
5. "Did I just pay tend of thousands for the the badge? ......

Be warned that after a week, you will end up going "Wow!"

Don't get me wrong.....I love my Z. I even tend to drive it everyday and everytime. However, having driven Porsches for many many years, I quickly noticed within the first 3 days of driving the Z that in the handling, cornering, composure and predictability aspects, the Porsche (in my opinion) wins.

Again, I am very happy with my 370. I have plans of upgrading the springs, shocks, bars, etc. to improve the handling.

Cheers!

Forrest

Okay your better person to ask this too, since i have never driven a porsche for years or a day for that matter(would love to though). Do you suspect springs, shocks, bars may get you to the level you feel your porsche was at? Or do you suspect it may allways feel "worse".

cab83_750

In my humble opinion, the answer would be "no" -- there are too many 'engineering' differences such as weight, engine placement, etc.

No one should ever try to pursue making a car handle like another car; if you try, you might as well just buy the other car

All I am pursuing (perhaps dreaming) is to make the Z corner and handle better than what the factory delivered. At the mininum a) upgrade the sway bars, b) lower the car, and upgrade the shocks.


BTW,
If you do not work on cars (valve adjustments, engine drop, tranny drop, 12-14 quarts of oil changes, etc.)..... DO NOT buy a Porsche. Typical tuneup runs about $1,000.00!!!

Modshack

I sold a Boxster (face it, it's a Cayman convertible), bought an '08 Corvette and modded it nicely. Suspension, tune, intake and exhaust to 470HP. Sold the Vette to buy the Z. I like the Z better. Suits my personality, drives better around town and at the limit. The Corvette is a Long wheelbase, Fat tired car that feels far heavier than it's 3200 lbs. It was great when pushed, but you had to be at 8-9/10ths to make it really work well which will put your license in serious jeapardy. The Boxster was like a Ballet dancer in comparison to the WWF wrestler that the Vette was. The Z fits nicely in the middle. It's a little rorty, but light on it's feet. I've had 8 Porsche's. They are remarkable cars, but putting it all on the table, the $$ premium and inability to Mod the car kept me from going the Cayman route. The Z is quite good out of the box, and will be outstanding when I get done with it..

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kannibul

Vette - George Foreman
Boxster / Cayman - Ali
370z - Mike Tyson

355890

Why would you want to put the Z in the same ring as that looser.

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kannibul

I'm speaking from when they (each) were at the top of their game, and their styles.

Tyson is regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time...

Sub Tyson for Fraiser or Robinson, if that suits you...

Mostly I'm saying the Vette is big and mean (Foreman), Porsche is light on it's feet (Ali)...and the Z is like a blend of the two.

cab83_750

Boxster as a Cayman convertible???? Hmmmm......a lot would probably disagree with you. This statement is like (to me anyway) saying...... a 240Z is a 370Z. IMHO.


BTW, I saw a funny thread once posted by someone in one of the Porsche forums who said, "I do not like the Porsche Gayman or the Porsche Cockster........" What an uproar the thread started!!!!

semtex

Well, it'd be more accurate to say the Cayman is a Boxster hardtop. I don't know why this would be controversial or disagreeable. When Porsche introduced the Cayman they were very clear that it was essentially a hardtop Boxster. There was a market segment gap that they were trying to fill. The Boxster was/is their less expensive model targeted to those who want a Porsche, but can't quite afford a 911 (yet). But not everyone in that segment wants a convertible either. Enter the Cayman, for those who want a Porsche, can't afford a 911, but want a hardtop.

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oldschoollear

Hey man,

You on Pelican? If so I followed your thread about your Z purchase, btw thoses guys are waiting for a review I agree, Working on Porsches is half the fun, but time consuming, alas I sold my 85 911 euro a few months ago. I really have become interested in the z lately, it is A LOT of car for the money. Oh yea, first post, hello everyone.

The HACK

Let me put it this way.

I had a 350Z with coil overs, sways, headers, exhaust, intake, tune, and just about everything under the sun I can throw at it, including massive 19" super-light forged rims (19 lbs), fat R-comp rubber (245/275), and an oversized brake kit...

And my MZ4 Coupe was faster than the 350Z fresh out of the box. Bone stock. And not just a little bit faster. SIGNIFICANTLY faster. And the Cayman S I drove were every bit the equal to my MZ4 Coupe.

Yes, you pay a lot more for Porsche. But there's a good reason. And trust me, I'm no Porsche fanboi. I hate Porsche with a passion. I'd sooner commit ritual suicide by slicing open my stomach, than BUY a Porsche.

tkindred

But I think the 370Z is coming closer, that is why you are beginning to see comparisons. The 350Z, in the past, would not have been considered to be quite of a match.

355890

Let me Answer these questions individually:

1. Lots
2. Experience
3. No hype required, sorry.
4. Please
5. No, you paid for it's History as a superb automobile.

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