Sports Sedan? Really?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
The 997's rear seats fold down and offers space when upright as well however...
I've had a few Cayman S's as loaners, nothing handles quite like a mid engined car
I've had a few Cayman S's as loaners, nothing handles quite like a mid engined car
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I've looked for years for an OEM rear seat delete package for the 993. They pop up once in a while on eBay or in classifieds, but are gone in an instant and/or are the wrong color, etc.. They have two built in storage cabinets in the bottom. Very cool and it's rare to see that option on factory ordered cars.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 8
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Ha, ha! I think Vettel could make any car sporty! There was a news story about Michael Schumacher making a minivan sporty when he was late to the airport:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...port-dash.html
I remember another anecdote in a biography of Gilles Villeneuve about how he routinely drove rental cars until they were smoking heaps. The story I remember was funny -- the story teller (forgot who) rode shotgun, while Gilles' wife got in the backseat. She immediately dove for the floorboard -- "I can't watch!" Gilles proceeded to drive so fast that he bounced off of parked cars.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...port-dash.html
I remember another anecdote in a biography of Gilles Villeneuve about how he routinely drove rental cars until they were smoking heaps. The story I remember was funny -- the story teller (forgot who) rode shotgun, while Gilles' wife got in the backseat. She immediately dove for the floorboard -- "I can't watch!" Gilles proceeded to drive so fast that he bounced off of parked cars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpo8RDyOEWY
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
In my opinion, absolutely a "best buy" in a true sports car. Sure, the suspension is stiff but I probably have a different take on that. I think "stiff" does not have to mean insufferable. The rebounds are quick and precise. There's no sloppiness (which I think feels worse in a chassis than 'stiffness.') The Cayman is comfortable. It doesn't bang around; just quick little rebounds that allow for the feeling of total control. Sometimes in a Mercedes I feel like I'm on rubber stilts. And with the Cayman the steering is very precise and you know exactly where the wheels are pointing at all times. In fact it's ergonomic to the point where I find myself physically leaning my body into the corners like you would on a motorcycle or bicycle; as though my body weight will make a big difference. You really do feel like you're driving your body and the car itself is just an extension.
But cruising long distance could tire one out a bit, relatively speaking (I could fall asleep easy driving a Mercedes, it's so relaxing.) Plus there's the sound and heat from the motor right behind your head. And it's small. It's definitely a sports car yet it feels like a Rolls Royce when you compare it to something like a Lotus Exige. It's nothing at all like a hardcore old school sports car, in fact it's very mild-mannered when you're just out cruising. I wouldn't hesitate at all to drive one across country, it would be a fun road trip adventure. And there's more storage space in a Cayman over the 997 (there's a storage space in the rear and there's the front trunk.)
You should drive one and see if it fits you. It's definitely a weekend car in my mind, but I know several people who use one as a daily. Fit and finish is superb and you can option it out (like any Porsche) with all the amenities you want or get the lightweight Cayman R instead.
The old story about Porsche not wanting to put a higher performance motor in them because people might stop buying 997s has some validity. The Cayman doesn't have prestige or iconic value that the 911 variants hold, but they could easily be argued to be a better over all handling sports car. They are just so perfectly balanced that it's scary. Mid-engine design really makes sense, just ask Ferrari.
But cruising long distance could tire one out a bit, relatively speaking (I could fall asleep easy driving a Mercedes, it's so relaxing.) Plus there's the sound and heat from the motor right behind your head. And it's small. It's definitely a sports car yet it feels like a Rolls Royce when you compare it to something like a Lotus Exige. It's nothing at all like a hardcore old school sports car, in fact it's very mild-mannered when you're just out cruising. I wouldn't hesitate at all to drive one across country, it would be a fun road trip adventure. And there's more storage space in a Cayman over the 997 (there's a storage space in the rear and there's the front trunk.)
You should drive one and see if it fits you. It's definitely a weekend car in my mind, but I know several people who use one as a daily. Fit and finish is superb and you can option it out (like any Porsche) with all the amenities you want or get the lightweight Cayman R instead.
The old story about Porsche not wanting to put a higher performance motor in them because people might stop buying 997s has some validity. The Cayman doesn't have prestige or iconic value that the 911 variants hold, but they could easily be argued to be a better over all handling sports car. They are just so perfectly balanced that it's scary. Mid-engine design really makes sense, just ask Ferrari.
