new 370Z video vs. Cayman S

ConchZ2 · 08-17-2009, 11:17 AM

Car News and Reviews - Autofiends.com - News Archive Video: Nissan 370Z vs. Porsche Cayman S

marcussoori · 08-17-2009, 11:39 AM

In my opinion this is the most fair review to date...

Lug · 08-17-2009, 11:46 AM

I'm still waiting for the 370Z vs the regular Cayman. I don't think Nissan named the "S" model and the 370Z more than made it's goal of matching the car they actually said they would. A better comparison would be the 370Z vs. Cayman and NISMO 370Z vs Cayman S.

ConchZ2 · 08-17-2009, 12:31 PM

The fact that the Cayman S (direct injection w/320 hp) was up against the heavier 370Z GT and was only 0.1 second quicker (0 to 60), really cements Nissan’s goal for selecting it as the benchmark.

Lug · 08-17-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConchZ2

The fact that the Cayman S (direct injection w/320 hp) was up against the heavier 370Z GT and was only 0.1 second quicker (0 to 60), really cements Nissan’s goal for selecting it as the benchmark.

Those times also prove Brits can't drive.

I kid...I KID!!

alan93rsa · 08-17-2009, 03:04 PM

Having owned both I prefer my Cayman S with PDK. However, for the money I don't think anything out there tops the Z when it comes to bang for the buck. Also, you have a lot of money to play with in mods before you get to the Cayman S/PDK price point.

If you enjoy tweaking a car the Z is probably the way to go.

FricFrac · 08-17-2009, 04:44 PM

Wasn't it also going off the '08 Cayman S which I believe has lesser specs than the '09? Not sure on this but I think I read that somewhere...

Modshack · 08-17-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

Wasn't it also going off the '08 Cayman S which I believe has lesser specs than the '09? Not sure on this but I think I read that somewhere...

Actually, considering typical development time of 3-4 years, more likely the 2005-6 Cayman...

shabarivas · 08-17-2009, 05:08 PM

Isnt this a repost? ... Saw this vid ages ago on this site...

JoeD · 08-17-2009, 05:34 PM

I don't understand why the Z is compared to the Cayman S. The Cayman S's base-price is exactly double that of the Z's. Why stop there? Why not just compare the 370Z to the GT3? At least their shape is somewhat similar.

I think a comparison to the base Cayman is more fitting, even though it starts out $20K more than the Z does. On top of that, we all know how fast a Porsche's MSRP will balloon once you start adding options. Check enough boxes, and a base Cayman can easily run north of $90k.

A comparison-test is only useful if both cars will be cross-shopped in the market. This is certainly not the case.

Diversion · 08-18-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

I don't understand why the Z is compared to the Cayman S. The Cayman S's base-price is exactly double that of the Z's. Why stop there? Why not just compare the 370Z to the GT3? At least their shape is somewhat similar.

I think a comparison to the base Cayman is more fitting, even though it starts out $20K more than the Z does. On top of that, we all know how fast a Porsche's MSRP will balloon once you start adding options. Check enough boxes, and a base Cayman can easily run north of $90k.

A comparison-test is only useful if both cars will be cross-shopped in the market. This is certainly not the case.

It's not that they are comparing the 370 to a Cayman S because it's similarly priced and both sports cars. It's that a HALF PRICE vehicle can perform NEARLY THE SAME as a double the price car. That's the grand feat. And bravo to Nissan for bringing such performance at a steal of a price.

Of course on the other hand, you could also pick up a 30k Evo9 (or 10) and with 2 grand into it, be competing against cars triple the price, right?

spearfish25 · 08-17-2009, 05:25 PM

The main difference isn't really performance as much as the finesse and finishing touches. You can mod a 370Z all you want, but it won't make it have the feel and smoothness that they describe for the Cayman S. I love my 370Z and I'd buy it again over a Cayman S, but some of the differences between the two can't be evened out with bolt-ons or other mods.

I like the brute nature of the 370. And the Cayman does look like a girlie car compared to the Z....loved that description in the video. Girl has hips!

Sardis · 08-17-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

The main difference isn't really performance as much as the finesse and finishing touches. You can mod a 370Z all you want, but it won't make it have the feel and smoothness that they describe for the Cayman S. I love my 370Z and I'd buy it again over a Cayman S, but some of the differences between the two can't be evened out with bolt-ons or other mods.

I like the brute nature of the 370. And the Cayman does look like a girlie car compared to the Z....loved that description in the video. Girl has hips!

Lots of truth in what you say. This is what most people miss in these debates about the more expensive cars. The feel they provide, feedback, visceral experience is really what you are paying for. Given the means, I'd have both, because to me, the Z is that good. It will always be difficult to replicate that "feel" those cars give you.

I know on some other forums a few people have sold off their GTR's for this reason, it just didn't give that experience they were looking for.

Pharmacist · 08-18-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

The main difference isn't really performance as much as the finesse and finishing touches. You can mod a 370Z all you want, but it won't make it have the feel and smoothness that they describe for the Cayman S. I love my 370Z and I'd buy it again over a Cayman S, but some of the differences between the two can't be evened out with bolt-ons or other mods.

I like the brute nature of the 370. And the Cayman does look like a girlie car compared to the Z....loved that description in the video. Girl has hips!

Maybe true, but is "finesse" and "finishing touches" really worth the price of a SECOND 370z?????????!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've always thought german cars, especially porsche are insanely overpriced for what you get. I mean, performance wise, the cayman s even fully equipped is only marginally faster than the Z. If I had the money to buy a cayman s, I'd rather buy a 370 z as a summer/weekend car, AND a lancer evolution as a wintery/daily driver car, both of which are barely any slower than the cayman.

tolnep · 08-18-2009, 09:05 AM

IF.. they were sitting side by side and the price of each was the same... almost everyone here would buy the cayman S. wouldn't you?

so in the end it just comes down to money..

once upon a time someone who was into extremely high end hi-fidelity sound systems said something like.. 'you pay your last 50k to get that .5 percent (thats 1/2 of one percent) sound perfection'

and so it is with the porsche.. and for those that are a tier or two above porsche.. a ferrari..

its all about the benjamins in the end...

08-17-2009, 11:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
ConchZ2 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: connecticut Posts: 329 Drives: 09 370Z red 6sp sprt Rep Power: 17	new 370Z video vs. Cayman S Car News and Reviews - Autofiends.com - News Archive Video: Nissan 370Z vs. Porsche Cayman S

08-17-2009, 11:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 20	I'm still waiting for the 370Z vs the regular Cayman. I don't think Nissan named the "S" model and the 370Z more than made it's goal of matching the car they actually said they would. A better comparison would be the 370Z vs. Cayman and NISMO 370Z vs Cayman S. __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

08-17-2009, 03:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 221	Having owned both I prefer my Cayman S with PDK. However, for the money I don't think anything out there tops the Z when it comes to bang for the buck. Also, you have a lot of money to play with in mods before you get to the Cayman S/PDK price point. If you enjoy tweaking a car the Z is probably the way to go. __________________ 16 Cayman GT4, Carmine Red, Buckets, PCCB etc.

08-17-2009, 04:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
FricFrac A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 1,481 Drives: 370Z 300ZX 280ZX 240 Rep Power: 229	Wasn't it also going off the '08 Cayman S which I believe has lesser specs than the '09? Not sure on this but I think I read that somewhere... __________________ '09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra //

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08-17-2009, 11:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
marcussoori Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 468 Drives: 09 370Z Red AT Sport Rep Power: 17	In my opinion this is the most fair review to date...

08-17-2009, 12:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
ConchZ2 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: connecticut Posts: 329 Drives: 09 370Z red 6sp sprt Rep Power: 17	The fact that the Cayman S (direct injection w/320 hp) was up against the heavier 370Z GT and was only 0.1 second quicker (0 to 60), really cements Nissan’s goal for selecting it as the benchmark.

08-17-2009, 05:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	Isnt this a repost? ... Saw this vid ages ago on this site...

08-17-2009, 05:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
JoeD Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA Posts: 495 Drives: Z Rep Power: 0	I don't understand why the Z is compared to the Cayman S. The Cayman S's base-price is exactly double that of the Z's. Why stop there? Why not just compare the 370Z to the GT3? At least their shape is somewhat similar. I think a comparison to the base Cayman is more fitting, even though it starts out $20K more than the Z does. On top of that, we all know how fast a Porsche's MSRP will balloon once you start adding options. Check enough boxes, and a base Cayman can easily run north of $90k. A comparison-test is only useful if both cars will be cross-shopped in the market. This is certainly not the case.

08-17-2009, 05:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	The main difference isn't really performance as much as the finesse and finishing touches. You can mod a 370Z all you want, but it won't make it have the feel and smoothness that they describe for the Cayman S. I love my 370Z and I'd buy it again over a Cayman S, but some of the differences between the two can't be evened out with bolt-ons or other mods. I like the brute nature of the 370. And the Cayman does look like a girlie car compared to the Z....loved that description in the video. Girl has hips!

08-18-2009, 09:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
tolnep Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: teluria Posts: 30 Drives: 20 mule team waggon Rep Power: 16	IF.. they were sitting side by side and the price of each was the same... almost everyone here would buy the cayman S. wouldn't you? so in the end it just comes down to money.. once upon a time someone who was into extremely high end hi-fidelity sound systems said something like.. 'you pay your last 50k to get that .5 percent (thats 1/2 of one percent) sound perfection' and so it is with the porsche.. and for those that are a tier or two above porsche.. a ferrari.. its all about the benjamins in the end...