Alex - Thanks for the pics from PCA

[FT@SGP]

Thank you.:kewl:

[BahnBaum]

Thank you.:kewl:

My pleasure Fatih. I had no idea you bought a Caymen S. If I'd have known that was you, I would have taken more pics!

Alex

[FT@SGP]

What you have already is awesome. The details captured and their clarity is truly high quality; thank you.

[BahnBaum]

What you have already is awesome. The details captured and their clarity is truly high quality; thank you.

Thanks, but never mind that.

Tell us what you think of the car...

Alex

[JST]

My pleasure Fatih. I had no idea you bought a Caymen S. If I'd have known that was you, I would have taken more pics!

Alex


Wow, really? Cool.

[blee]

Yeah, speak up! :)

[rumatt]

You have a Cayman and didn't post a review yet?

:wtf: :ban:




:p

[TD]

And where are the pics?

Unlike others here, I'd be thrilled with a Cayman. Or I think I would.

So I'd love to hear/see more.

[BahnBaum]

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/63907013-L.jpg

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/63907050-L.jpg

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/63910181-L.jpg

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/63923686-L.jpg

Alex

[TD]

What are you trying to say, Alex?

[BahnBaum]

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/63921765-L.jpg

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/63921828-L.jpg

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/63924656-L.jpg

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/63911772-L.jpg



Alex

[rumatt]

Nice pics.


I love the cayman. The hind quarters do seem to be a bit humpy though.

[BahnBaum]

I love the cayman.

Yeah, I'm digging it too. However, my polarizing filter doesn't like the clearbra on the silver one.

Alex

[TD]

Which one is FT's?

[clyde]

What are you trying to say, Alex?
here (http://www.teamwtf.org/index.php?set_albumName=album208&option=com_gallery&Itemid=87&include=view_album.php)

[BahnBaum]

here (http://www.teamwtf.org/index.php?set_albumName=album208&option=com_gallery&Itemid=87&include=view_album.php)

Yes. There (http://www.teamwtf.org/index.php?set_albumName=album208&option=com_gallery&Itemid=87&include=view_album.php).


Alex

[BahnBaum]

Which one is FT's?

Black one.

Alex

[TD]

Heh. Didn't think of it that way.

Alex
Taking the VDub on after a series of Cayman pics seemed a bit, er, deliberate.

[BahnBaum]

Taking the VDub on after a series of Cayman pics seemed a bit, er, deliberate.

Nah. I really like the Cayman.

I stuck the Beetle in there just because it was one of the coolest weird-choice cars I may have ever seen at an autox. And it appeared to handle much better than I would have guessed.

Alex

[FT@SGP]

What are you trying to say, Alex?
He is just showing the cars great great great great Grandfather :o :)

Well, I have a little over 5K mi. on it, did one VIR Grand East course and one autox with it thus far, drive it daily during a commute of ~70 mi./day, scheduled to go to Jefferson next weekend. So, I do not really know the car just yet very well. One this is clear however, it will take me a while to get to car's limits.

One of the things that I always kept thinking about the STi previously, it never felt easy to drive compared to the 330Ci before it. Some how the 330Ci was very easy to drive and get to its limits at the track or autox and daily it was a great car as well. In some sense I do regret selling it, but with the few minor issues it had, I am also glad I do not have it anymore.

The Cayman reminds me of the 330Ci. It seems very easy drive, you can predict easily what it will do at most conditions; It feels very agile. The steering feel and response is something I never felt before. It feels more responsive than couple of the 996 911s I drove, very precise almost to the level that you say "this is too much" if there is such a thing. The steering is so sensitive that the slightest off-balance wheel(s) create vibrations; which became a significant issue with the stock wheels and aftermarket wheels. Thankfully Paul @ Radial fixed it perfectly.

The interior feels perfect for my body proportions, enough adjustments and just enough luxury. Some 6'2"+ may have issues though finding the right driving position. Driving over 4 hours to VIR I felt completely comfortable and had no complaints at all.

I only ordered what I would call the essential with the car, standard A/C, leather, Xenons, Bose sound and auto-dimming lights. Other than that I also got PASM and Sport Chrono. PASM turned out to be a great buy IMO as its shock adjustments seem perfect for my taste in and out of the track. There are significant differences between sport and normal modes, and the same with the throttle response with sport chrono.

The overall quality is better than the 645Ci we have; although at some parts it is apparent that cost-saving parts have been used; such as radio buttons, which are also too busy. Everything else is quite simple and not flamboyant if you will. Storage space is much better than I expected, except I cannot even fit a single track wheel/tire in it :)

The power is couple of notches above "adequate". What is there is usable 100% as the chassis so strong and balanced, so it keeps reminding you that more power would be welcome. At VIR front straight, getting to over 120 mph was not even an issue; although, with the STi I could hit 145 mph before braking. I have not pushed the car at VIR yet as the event I attend was the same event, on the same date and with the same instructor when I had crashed my STi, nearly totaling it; not that I am superstitious :D

An interesting and unexpected issue: at full throttle, the exhaust note is quite loud. So much so that they have banned couple of Caymans from Laguna Seca as I hear. At VIR more than few people commented that they could not hear their own engine/exhaust while I was passing them at the front straight. On the street with partial throttle, it is hard to hear in side the cabin; the engine behind your ear is of course louder. Over all, when windows are close and cruising, the car is almost as quite as the 645 though.

I have to say that I had gotten so bored of Bimmers that even though I seriously thought an E46 M3 and save significant money, after couple of test drives in the M3, I could not sign the order papers. The Cayman has been a very positive change for me, I think it is worth is $$$.

Cheers,

[rumatt]

Wow, great review. thanks

[BahnBaum]

Thanks Fatih, great write up. Sounds like you've made a great choice.

I'm curious, did you rule out the M Z4 Coupe because of timing?

Alex

[FT@SGP]

Thanks Fatih, great write up. Sounds like you've made a great choice.

I'm curious, did you rule out the M Z4 Coupe because of timing?

Alex
Not timing at all. Cars are emotional choices, the MZ4 just did not move me at all; its specs, design (eventhough I actually like it). I always liked Porsches, never liked covertibles (takes the boxter out), and the 911 is just too .... I don't know... large?!?! I never felt comfortable with 911s after the 996 model. In the Cayman, you have the feeling you are just wrapped around with the car.

When I saw the Cayman in pics and saw the specs, I just ordered it in September. I never had a mid-engine car, and I thought it may fun to try it. That's really it about my choice.