Topic: For $53K USD – Cayman or Corvette?

[sailor723]

For every poser driving a Cayman there's a Jersey Shore Guido driving a Corvette. 

[Fobroader]

For every poser driving a Cayman there's a Jersey Shore Guido driving a Corvette. 

I can rock a gold chain and some Brut.....boat shoes and capri pants.....no thanks.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

[CanuckS2K]

Holy, this thread certainly turned for the worse.  Even though I probably shouldn't be, I'm still a little shocked at the comments towards BOTH cars in the last number of posts.  IMHO, both are amazing cars and they both target different audiences.  Personally, I don't think that there is any wrong choice between the two and I'd happily have either of them in my stable. 

I don't think that the Vette is a redneck with a mullet type of sports car, nor do I think that the Cayman is an inferior 911 or the Boxster is a chick roadster only purchased by buyers that have to have the Porsche badge on the hood.  That line of thinking is fawking ridiculous to me.

Mark-N, you've got a pretty damn sweet Boxster in your stable......I'm a BIG fan of the Boxster!  If I were to get rid of my S2000 in search of another roadster (and had the funds) I'd LOVE to have a Boxster S.  Having said that, your elitist attitude is a little over the top.......and well, just rather sucks.  Although I don't know you whatsoever, your posts strike me as one of those guys that it's all about the badge on the hood and look down at others that don't drive vehicles with the same badge.  At least that's my impression of you from your post to Fobroader.  People choose to purchase the vehicles they do for many different reasons, and I've never understood the point of belittling someone because they choose something different than you. 

[Snowman]

Agreed CS2K, people from both sides of the debate have demonstrated a lack of intelligence and resorted to belittlement. Both cars are great and it just comes down to a preference in driving style.

[quadzilla]

Another great thread down the shitter.   

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Boxter S            3:04.2
Cayman R          3:03.9
Camaro SS LE1 3:01.5
GT500               3:00.6
911 Carrera S   2:58.9
Camaro ZL1      2:57.5

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/lightning-lap-2013-hot-cars-hot-track-hot-laps-feature

The Boxter would have its hands full with a Camaro let alone the new Corvette.
The last Corvette ZR1 that ran there did it in 2:50.7. The last Z06 that ran there did it in 2:53.5.

[rrocket]

Boxter S            3:04.2
Cayman R          3:03.9
Camaro SS LE1 3:01.5
GT500               3:00.6
911 Carrera S   2:58.9
Camaro ZL1      2:57.5

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/lightning-lap-2013-hot-cars-hot-track-hot-laps-feature

The Boxter would have its hands full with a Camaro let alone the new Corvette.
The last Corvette ZR1 that ran there did it in 2:50.7. The last Z06 that ran there did it in 2:53.5.

Who cares? An S2000/BRZ/Abarth would get owned by most of those cars too, yet the lighter more agile cars can be quite a bit more enjoyable to drive than most of those cars on the street. Especially on the street where you aren't likely to often use the full 400+ hp. For example, I'd take an S2000 over the bunker on wheels Camaro any day.

 Track times are an important metric for a car's all out performance. But it's not always a great indication of fun to drive. The Z06/ZR1 were fast around a track, but the tester always said they were white knuckle rides.

Just saying...

[sailor723]

^
 I think these are very different cars when it comes to target market and most importantly, image. I think image is a huge component of car buying decisions even for people who consciously try and avoid buying on anything other than totally rational factors. I suppose that in a way even doing that projects a certain image.  I think this is more northernridge's area of expertise. Any comment nr?

[rrocket]

Sir Osis is doing his usual thing of ball washing GM

Fixed for accuracy.

[Snowman]

Sir Osis is doing his usual thing of ball washing GM

Fixed for accuracy.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Just to clear a few things up.

I like the Cayman, I've stated before that it's my favourite Porsche. I think it could be the best Porsche. It's got a very nice flat 6, low cg, terrific styling and the engine is in the right place. The only real problems I have with it, are as pointed out by Snowman, Porsche will always ensure that it's down on power so as not to encroach on 911 territory, and the PCA attitude so aptly demonstrated by Mark-N.

I like Clarkson's "you only got the Boxter/Cayman because you couldn't afford a 911" argument not because it's accurate, or that I believe it. I like it because that's the attitude that the PCA 911 owners show towards basically anyone but other 911 owners. It really raises the hackles of people who own other than 911s.

The lap times don't matter in real life. But the idea that a Boxter or Cayman can't be compared to the Corvette because of breeding, or feel is ridiculous. The C7 Corvette functions on a different plain from either.

[rrocket]

Just to clear a few things up.

I like the Cayman, I've stated before that it's my favourite Porsche. I think it could be the best Porsche. It's got a very nice flat 6, low cg, terrific styling and the engine is in the right place. The only real problems I have with it, are as pointed out by Snowman, Porsche will always ensure that it's down on power so as not to encroach on 911 territory, and the PCA attitude so aptly demonstrated by Mark-N.

I like Clarkson's "you only got the Boxter/Cayman because you couldn't afford a 911" argument not because it's accurate, or that I believe it

But remember...when he originally said that, it WAS true. The Boxster was originally 217hp and despite being ok to drive was a bit weak sauce.

This is certainly not the case today, especially the Cayman. I too think it's more pure than the 911

[johngenx]

I haven't driven a Boxster is a long time and was underwhelmed. But I know it's come a long way since. More power, better chassis and improved quality have brought it into the big leagues.

That said, no way is buy a new Porsche. I think they're all very poor value. Also, I want to know the possible problems, and that means buying used. Porsche problems tend to be bankrupting in the newer models, and I'll wait until the cars have some miles/years on them so I know what's what.

[Northernridge]

The two were compared on track by Edmunds. Spoiler alert...the Cayman wins although the C7 is faster everywhere.

Also, there was a massive difference in sticker price.

http://www.edmunds.com/porsche/cayman/2014/comparison-test.html

[rrocket]

The two were compared on track by Edmunds. Spoiler alert...the Cayman wins although the C7 is faster everywhere.

Also, there was a massive difference in sticker price.

http://www.edmunds.com/porsche/cayman/2014/comparison-test.html

This stood out to me:

Selecting Sport mode in the Stingray triggers an ever-present second-guessing of your intentions. And it's not elegant. The throttle ignores your inputs until you unwind the wheel. Then the engine springs back to life abruptly and unexpectedly. Forget about rotating the Stingray in Sport mode, as the system ungracefully shuts down any oversteer.

Yes, switching to Track mode solves the problem by granting the driver more direct control while boldly daring him to push harder. But in the end, the reins are again tightened as Performance Traction Management begins to do the driving for you.

 It dares even the best drivers to dial back the electronic nannies. And whatever your skill level, the Stingray's safety nets remove the driver from the equation in a way that also removes some small bit of the experience.

[Weels]

The two were compared on track by Edmunds. Spoiler alert...the Cayman wins although the C7 is faster everywhere.

Also, there was a massive difference in sticker price.

http://www.edmunds.com/porsche/cayman/2014/comparison-test.html

Was that noise Fobroader's head exploding?

[rrocket]

The two were compared on track by Edmunds. Spoiler alert...the Cayman wins although the C7 is faster everywhere.

Also, there was a massive difference in sticker price.

http://www.edmunds.com/porsche/cayman/2014/comparison-test.html

Was that noise Fobroader's head exploding?

Yea, likely.

But this means something too: 

But it doesn't matter. The Cayman S is a masterfully executed sports car that makes the numbers virtually irrelevant. It lulls its driver into a state of oneness unmatched by the Stingray. And in doing so it wins this test.

[rrocket]

Great another test from Edmunds using that DOG pre-production Vette. Motor Trends numbers from this month had the Vette at 0-60 in 3.7 and the quarter in 12.0 ) 118.4.

Slappy talk here, but it does get annoying when a car beats another in every measurable category but they give the other car the win based on subjective feelings.

Also, Rocket, if you don't want the Traction control you can turn the entire system off or tailor the system and choose what you want on and off and at what level...they make no mention of that. 

Huh.....I never heard you complain much when this was happening to other sports cars.  Weird.

And I don't find it that odd.  Some cars (while faster) don't have the driving dynamics.  Ditto an S2000, RX8, 911 etc

[Northernridge]

l liked the comparison in the first place because of the similar base price for two very different performance cars...which turned out to be unrealistic because the Cayman is really much more expensive. I do still like the question because both cars are very good and very different. Also the voting is pretty much split.

[rrocket]

l liked the comparison in the first place because of the similar base price for two very different performance cars...which turned out to be unrealistic because the Cayman is really much more expensive. I do still like the question because both cars are very good and very different. Also the voting is pretty much split.

It is...but as you can see, it's not impossible to get a Vette over the MSRP of a Cayman.