Thursday, February 2, 2017

fancying for a porsche - part 2


911 Carrera S is out. I think a Cayman S offers a lot of car for the price. However I do not base my choice base on the highest performance to purchase price ratio. For that a Chevrolet Corvette would likely be the winner - depends on the price range and the performance criteria. I want a Porsche and a driver's car so nothing else will do.
In my research on the Cayman GT4 this article by Evo is the best article I could find, especially the interview with Porsche Racing who developed the car (the second video below).





I have my name down on the waiting list for a GT4 though I have no unrealistic expectation one would ever come my way. Also should I am fortunate to be allocated with a GT4 the cost would likely be around $100,000. Unless it is very exceptional and would hold the value relatively well it would be hard for me to justify one relative to a Cayman S with a modest option list for circa $75,000.

Back to reality, I really like the new 2017 Cayman S. There are subtle changes to the body styling. When you compare it to the much more expensive 911 series, they share many design cues for the exterior as well as interior. Like most Porsche enthusiasts I want a car with the legendary flat six engine. My timing is wrong that in this model year face lift for the first time the Cayman and its convertible counterpart Boxster transition to four cylinder engine. The displacements also reduced to 2.0 and 2.5 liter. Both however is now turbocharged. With the smaller engines the Cayman and Boxster models are faster than previous models with naturally aspirated flat-six engines, according to Porsche's published specifications.

2.0 l (left) and 2.5 l (right) 4-cylinder engine outputs; the most impressive is the platteau shape torque curves because of the turbocharger

I found this promotional video with snazzy animations which helped me seeing how the variable geometry turbocharger on the 2.5 l engine works



older Cayman S

718 Cayman S

911 Carrera S

I gave some thought to the paint finish. My preference is metallic white or metallic racing silver. I think the traditional metallic silver would look really good as well as keeping the car cool in the summer.

One of my rationalizations is I set out to fancy for a 911 but leaning towards to the Cayman. I am sold on the performance of the Cayman S but how does it stack up against the elegant and refined 911 in appearance?

911 and Cayman side by side



Cayman S
911 Carrera S
Cayman S
911 Carrera S


Cayman S; unlike many others the body side air vents are functional instead of cosmetic

911 Carrera S

Cayman S
911 Carrera S; note the more tapered rearend despite of the rear engine configuration giving its 2+2 capacity; amazing packaging of the drivetrains
Cayman S


911 Carrera S

Cayman S

911 Carrera S







unlike many others the body side air vents are functional instead of cosmetic

the variable geometry turbocharger of the 2.5 l engine

turbocharger of the 2.0 l engine without variable geometry
 active engine mounts


optional dynamic directional headlight

Citreon CV's directional headlight

Porsche's V-4 engine that produces 500hp for Le Mans 24-Hour

One thing that I could not reconcile is the published acceleration of the Cayman S with the new 2.5 liter engine. How on earth can it be so close to the 911 Carrera S which has a 6 cylinder engine and two turbo chargers. I then found this dyno test when the tuner reports 344 bhp at the wheels. They went on and estimated the 2.5 liter engine is likely has more than 400 bhp instead of the published 350 PS net engine output. It is possible their dynamometer is badly out of calibration.

BHP and torque measured at the rear wheels


do note that these (Porsche marketing) curves looks too smooth and the sharp leading edge of the torque curves look very artificial




This site has a very good report of the new Porsche B4 engines and their relationship to the B6 engines - a modular engine designs that share many common elements.

The most unexpected thing is today, of all the mid-engine performance cars in production, Porsche offers the most affordable one in the Cayman and Boxster series.

I am in justification and rationalization phase of this potential purchase right now. It is certainly not something that is essential as for my needs of a "daily driver" my 2005 Mini Cooper S is a perfect vehicle even 12 years later. The Cayman S or a Cayman GT4 would be an emotional purchase. There is due diligence to be conducted - like insurance, finance, disposition of the Mini, garage, and purchase timing. I would certainly want to experience the European delivery at Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart (over in Leipzig).

As to the transmission choice, my heart and limbs want the 6-speed manual, but my head rationalizes the faster shifting 7-speed Doppelkupplung.

9 comments:

  1. I'm with you; the Cayman has been about the only car I've even considered to replace my 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII. At least until the Mustang GT350 came out. A V-8 that revs to 8000 RPM certainly gets my attention.
    I actually prefer the looks of the Cayman over the 911, especially over the rear quarter.
    I suggest driving last year's naturally aspirated model and comparing it with the new turbo; I find that I enjoy the response of a naturally aspirated better than a turbo, even if the turbo has more power.
    Lastly, go with your heart and get the six-speed.

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  2. you have to do the European delivery. We did it with Mercedes and traveled for a month. Had to purchase additional coverage as standard was 2 weeks. If you want any of the euro only spec items, put them in your luggage. I stashed them under the spare and they were removed during vehicle inspection. The only drawbacks are waiting 6 weeks to drive it again and driving on I-5 after the autobahn. Mercedes has an optional 5 day Black Forest tour that puts you on great roads each day between nights at 5 star hotels, do that if Porsche offers something similar.

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    1. Hi Rob. Thanks for your inputs. If I do decided on a new, I would definitely take the European delivery option. I would want to make it a vacation as you did with your Mercedes. That alone is one huge factor on my willing to go with the 4-cylinder engine. Right now I am cautiously hoping for a GT4 but I cannot wait forever.

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  3. John. Amazing we both are hanging onto a 2005. Glad to hear you like the Cayman too. I definitely prefer the NA flat-6 over the 4 on the response. From what I read the new engine turbo lag is near non-existent but I am skeptical with automotive journalists. The lag on my supercharged Mini is pretty bad. The sound of the 4 can never compare to the 6 as it has 33% less cylinders. While the PDK shifts faster and has one more gear, I have a hard time being told my left foot would be obsolete. It is also much fun to heel and toe on manual. If you too decide on a new Cayman, we can sync up for the factory delivery and pretend we are clarkson and May in Europe.

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    1. Interesting your thinking of a Porsche, was just watching a video on YouTube by Nick Murray. He's into newer Porsches and does reviews.
      Has one on the GT4 and just took delivery of a new 2017 911 after selling a previous 2013 911. Goes through the configurator and why he ordered the options he did. would definitely check it out if your ordering one, so many options that add up even on the cayman I'm guessing.

      I'm over my fast car days. Now i have a slow car that I try to drive fast.

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    2. Tom, thanks for mentioning his video. I can't believe that I actually put up with 24 minutes of his 35 minutes video on why he picked his options. It is like watching This Old House the home owner specifying their kitchen they will hardly do any cooking. Except for 1 or 2 options, his are polar opposite of what motivate me. I also watched a few segments of his GT4 video. They guy who lucky enough to bought one bitched about the options that Porsche took away - like the folding mirrors. What can I say about the Connecticut super rich?

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    3. Yeah I thought about putting in a disclaimer but maybe some of it might be useful.

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    4. The critical test I have when looking at options: how does it help lap times? If it doesn't, I don't.

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  4. John. I only wish it is that simple. For best lap time on track, PDK wins over a manual gearbox, which is proven by the numbers. If I have ready access to good big tracks and plan to do a lot of tracking PDK might be my choice. I went and did 2 test drives at my dealership for the first time and I have to compromise what they have to achieve my goals. I wanted to compare the NA flat-6 against the new turbo flat-4 engine (on the driving experience), and if I would like the PDK over the manual 6-speed gearbox. I tested a special edition of 2012 Boxster with manual, and a 718 Cayman S with PDK. They didn't have any 718 Boxster or Cayman with manual gearbox and will not have any in the foreseeable future - as the lion share of buyers opts for PDK (roll eyes)! With the test drive it is clear to me I hated the PDK. For me it takes out much of the driving engagement and I might as well have my left leg and right arm amputated. If I regularly track car at Nürburgring I might consider one with PDK. As to the turbo engine, I cannot make a proper assessment due to the 718 Cayman S has a PDK. I was so miserable with the PDK that I was unable to have a positive and objective impression with the new turbo flat-4. I do know that it sounds nothing close to the NA flat-6 because of the 33% lower pitch.

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