Topic: Northern Exposure: Little Red Porsches, Done Two Ways (911 GT3 & Cayman GTS)

[Autos_Editor]

Justin compares two top-dog little red Porsches with different layouts, personalities and stress levels.
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[JohnnyMac]

That's the one I would have too.  IMO the Cayman is actually a nicer looking vehicle as well.  It's nice to be able to use all that power in the real world and not be afraid to do so.

Now let's see how many people mention the Chevy Corvette Z06 or the regular Z51 package on the Stingray as cars they'd buy instead of these two.

[jyarkony]

no question for me, though I haven't driven the Cayman GTS, I'd keep saving my money until I could get a GT3... i felt that way when i drove it, and Justin's thoughts on both convince me I'd rather have that sheer lunacy of the GT3 in my life... I probably wouldn't be driving it every day, and would drive a Cayman more often, but the GT3 is, as Justin says, is 'beautifully haywire' and oh so special. and to get this thing on a track, oh damn, the noises it makes...

[mixmanmash]

I think, between these 2,  I would have the Cayman GTS as well, and I like going on the track a fair bit.

All this talk about a GT3 being a race car gives me the lols.  Ever been in a GT3 Cup Car (the actual race car)?  It makes the GT3 seem like a proper street car by comparison.

[SaskSpecV]

Count me in  the Cayman camp as well.  Maybe's Snowy's obsession has been rubbing off on the forum over the last few years?

But what size are those wheels on the GTS?  Are they 20s or something?  They look ridiculously big and cartoonish.  What do you get with the GTS that is optional/not available on the "S" (besides more power)?  And is ihe GTS significantly different from the old Cayman R?  Non-porschephiles like me can't keep their special editions straight!

[redman]

These two vehicles are so vast in price that it comes down to one thing, do you want value in a premium vehicle brand or does one also want some exclusivity with pricing being secondary.
Both cars are excellent choices with the GT3 stepping up the game but at a cost. Is the GT3 worth $63+K more than the GTS I think that's an individual assessment.

[Fobroader]

911 for me all the way.....but I would swing by the Corvette dealer just to see what the Z06 can do on the way to the Porsche dealer.

[whaddaiknow]

In the "money is no object" world, it would have to be the GT3. Even if the "sensible" part of the brain kicks in and the GTS ends up on my driveway, I would still want some seat time in the GT3.

Great article, BTW!

[johngenx]

911 for me all the way.....but I would swing by the Corvette dealer just to see what the Z06 can do on the way to the Porsche dealer.

Then you'd find out that the base Vette matches the GT3 performance wise.

[Fobroader]

911 for me all the way.....but I would swing by the Corvette dealer just to see what the Z06 can do on the way to the Porsche dealer.

Then you'd find out that the base Vette matches the GT3 performance wise.

Yeah....but, again money no object, there is something about the 911. Ive always wanted one, Ive lusted after one since age 8. I know its flawed and the Vette will walk all over it....but if I could pick a car that would make me smile and actually look forward to my commute everyday, it would be the 911.

[aquadorhj]

911 for me all the way.....but I would swing by the Corvette dealer just to see what the Z06 can do on the way to the Porsche dealer.

Then you'd find out that the base Vette matches the GT3 performance wise.

Yeah....but, again money no object, there is something about the 911. Ive always wanted one, Ive lusted after one since age 8. I know its flawed and the Vette will walk all over it....but if I could pick a car that would make me smile and actually look forward to my commute everyday, it would be the 911.

i'm Surprised, Fob..   you know GT3 only comes in Automatic,...   Cayman can be fitted with manual..
I would LOVE some GT3 seat time, but to own, i would go Cayman.  (boxster would come before Cayman though)

[Fobroader]

911 for me all the way.....but I would swing by the Corvette dealer just to see what the Z06 can do on the way to the Porsche dealer.

Then you'd find out that the base Vette matches the GT3 performance wise.

Yeah....but, again money no object, there is something about the 911. Ive always wanted one, Ive lusted after one since age 8. I know its flawed and the Vette will walk all over it....but if I could pick a car that would make me smile and actually look forward to my commute everyday, it would be the 911.

i'm Surprised, Fob..   you know GT3 only comes in Automatic,...   Cayman can be fitted with manual..
I would LOVE some GT3 seat time, but to own, i would go Cayman.  (boxster would come before Cayman though)

Cayman does nothing for me, if I had the $85k +, a nice CPO 911 sounds like a much better idea for me. I know the GT3 has only that PDK silliness, but, the overall car, what a package. 

[OliverD]

I'd split the difference and get a normal 911 with a proper transmission.

But between those two, if it's not my money, I'd take the GT3. Either way it wouldn't be my only car.

[LimitedSlip]

 That’s 7,000 rpm.
 That’s 8,000 rpm. Eight thousand!
 Nine Thousand ...!! Whoa THAT'S VTEC Yo !!
 

[Kris78]

What a great read - it certainly put a smile on my face. I could tell that Justin must have had a blast doing this article!

Winter driving was referenced in the article... Last year, there was an article on it on Porsche's winter driving program (links below). I'd love to know how many folks take advantage of this and actually drive their Porsches all year round. My car would have to be a year rounder, as I don't think the WAF would ever be high enough to allow for a summer car AND a motorcycle.

http://www.porsche.com/canada-pde/en/winterdriving/
http://www.autos.ca/winter-driving/monday-rant-learn-drive-winter-dummkopf/

With yet more snowfall this morning, I've got winter driving on the brain. Spring seems, and is, a long time away!

 

[Northernridge]

You guys are too hot-shoe for me. My 911 would be a regular Carrera or S at the most.

[Noto]

I'm with NR...

If I had a racetrack nearby, it would be a different choice. But I don’t. And in the real world, with police radar guns, potholes and pieces of highway infrastructure strewn about, I think I’d be wasting too much of what the GT3 can do, too much of the time.

Can the same not be said of any car above a Corolla?  I'd say a Boxter can do that.

In any event, I like the Cayman for what it is: a balanced ride.  It'd be my choice in any guise if I were going Porsche, though the Boxter's drop-top has its appeal.

Pritch, sounds like you had a great two weeks and thank you for conveying it in your writing.  I agree with you - unless you live somewhere near a track, a track-ready car like the GT3 simply isn't worth the required concessions.

[aquadorhj]

how are they compared to the Viper?

[johngenx]

My $85K for a Porsche would be for a 911TT - nothing else.  It's 10x the car the Cayman is.  In fact I'd rather have any year 911 turbo than any model new Cayman.  They're all among the most desirable cars in the world - from the old air cooled single turbos to the first AWD 993s and the latest super-car versions.  I could spend half of the new Cayman and "live with" a 996 TT - the least desirable turbo and still a ridiculously fast and over-engineered car.

[mixmanmash]

My $85K for a Porsche would be for a 911TT - nothing else.  It's 10x the car the Cayman is.  In fact I'd rather have any year 911 turbo than any model new Cayman.  They're all among the most desirable cars in the world - from the old air cooled single turbos to the first AWD 993s and the latest super-car versions.  I could spend half of the new Cayman and "live with" a 996 TT - the least desirable turbo and still a ridiculously fast and over-engineered car.

Agree with you on the 996TT.  And plenty of money left over for track days / mods.