Looked at a used Cayman S and decided the Z was the better buy. Then I discovered the oil temp issue and wished I had gone with the Cayman S. As it turns out I found a really good price on a new lightly optioned 08 Cayman S. The Cayman S now sits where the Z once sat.

Funny how things work out.

If I had known the Evo-X had telepathic steering I would have bought one. Or at least thought about it.

:driving:

I thought about the Elise and I was looking at the car as a weekend vehicle only. BUT even just on weekends the Elise is just too rough. It is a dedicated track machine and those who drive them daily don't mind taking a beating.

I too have been cross-shopping with a Cayman S. I'm leaning toward an '07 vs. an '08, because of price. I'm curious, how much was the new Cayman? What was MSRP? I haven't bought my car yet. I'm waiting for an expected raise in a month or 2. I've driven maybe 6 Cayman, both S and base. I've driven '08 350Z both coupe and convertible and I've driven 4 370Zs. Besides the oil temp issue, the other issue I fault the new Z for is the roughness of the engine at higher revs. I know the car I currently drive is special. My RX-8 redlines at 9K RPM. I shift past 7K every day I get on the freeway and it always feels and sounds velvety smooth 7K to 8K RPM. I couldn't drive the Z test drive cars very hard, but there was definitely vibrations in the stick and harshness in the engine tone as I took the new Zs past 5K.
The Cayman's drivability and smoothness around the turns is maybe unmatched, at least in my personal experience. Though the base Cayman, at 245 hp, didn't have the oomph I was looking for in an upgrade from my Mazda. The Cayman S and the 370Z both have that extra power I'm craving, it's just a question of where am I going to spend my $40K.:driving:

The smoothness of a high-reving Wankel motor isn't a very good thing to compare to ANY motor lol - hell thats one of its selling points....

If I had the money I would have gotten a Cayman in a heartbeat - I LOVE its styling.

The base Cayman has a new 2.9 L engine that has been upgraded to 265 hp with a broader torque curve and while that is still less power than the Z makes, the car is lighter by a few hundred pounds. Still it is going to cost you at least 20K more.

I looked at a number of different cars:

Cayman S - Definitely the closest competitor to the Z in terms of performance. Loved the car but wasn't sure if it was worth the pricetag and wondered what maintenance was going to be like.

Corvette C6 - Love the car and the power. One day I will have a Corvette, but I just didn't want to be stuck with that interior on my DD.

2010 Mustang GT - I'm a Mustang freak... glad I didn't wait for the Mustang to come out before I bought the Z. I love the car but it's not what I wanted right now.

BMW Z4/M - I really like this car, but it just doesn't feel as good as the Z.

On the used lot I looked at some '03/04 Cobras, C6 Z06's, GT500s, and the M3/911 lot. Didn't really feel comfortable buying a used sports car as a DD.

In all, the Z is just the best value. It came down to the Z and Cayman and the two cars are just so close IMO I ended up deciding the Z based on a couple factors:

Price - I'll put the difference towards an engagement ring
Style - Love the look of both cars... to me the Z is edgier, more unique.
Performance - Both cars are so close you won't tell a difference unless you're pushing beyond 10/10ths. I think the Cayman inspires a little more confidence and the Z makes you work a little more. The major performance difference between the two cars I think is this:

The Cayman is so solid and sure-footed that it's the car instilling confidence in you.

The Z is kind of rough around the edges. It's not an easy car to drive 100%. It's a car that demands respect and experience. Basically, driving this car to the limit requires that the driver has confidence in his or her ability, because the car just isn't going to give them the level of comfort the Cayman does.

Needless to say I'd be happy with either car. I have no regrets!

well, I have been a corvette fan for all of my life. I had a 58, 64 small block with air, 70 454, c6 vert, c5 z06 commemorative. Loved them all. But,,, the new nissan z is really something special. The car just looks terrific. The interior is outstanding. Those 19 inch wheels are excellent. It has to be one of the best values on the market today for such a great sports car. Now if they would just put on twin turbos or supercharged it, I would get it in a second.