Top Gear 370Z v. Cayman article

semtex · 05-19-2009, 03:59 PM

Hey, at least they didn't call the Z "effeminate," as they did the Cayman. If refinement comes at the cost of driving something "effeminate," I'll pass. Quoting them again, the 370Z "is a hairy chest to the Cayman's boutique wax." They make the Cayman sound gay, or metrosexual at the very least.

shabarivas · 05-19-2009, 04:01 PM

I am sure you will have a much nicer drive if you dropped 20k on top of a Z... relentless refinement can be done by the consumer w/ enough $$ in it...

wstar · 05-19-2009, 04:36 PM

Forrest, personally I like mid/rear-engine designs (mid moreso than rear). When properly built, they tend to have a real handling advantage because it's easier to get a neutral weight balance, and you've got the heaviest part of the car (the engine) sitting much closer to the driving wheels, which lends them more grip.

The Cayman is a great car. If I could afford to buy (and insure, and trick out, etc...) a Cayman I probably would have taken it. The base sticker difference alone doesn't really tell the whole story though, and I'm not the kind of guy that can quite afford to be a Cayman enthusiast without making me financially uncomfortable over it. I think the magazine article was reasonably fair really. Where I differ with them is in the final analysis of the ratio of dollars to performance/fun. I think the Z really wins there, there's no way the Cayman really makes up for the extra total costs to anyone for whom that kind of money means anything.

2bits · 05-19-2009, 05:10 PM

"Both cars are fast in a straight line. Equally so in real terms. But introduce a few corners and the Cayman quickly, and literally, leaves the Z behind."

Granted the Cayman had a PDK, I still find this hard to believe. The Z even beats a Cayman S around a track in early testing. Are we to believe a base Cayman with PDK is quicker than a stick Cayman S? Skeptical.

jginnane · 05-20-2009, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bits

"Both cars are fast in a straight line. Equally so in real terms. But introduce a few corners and the Cayman quickly, and literally, leaves the Z behind."

The photos in this thread indicate a base 370Z with an aero kit.

I think having the Sport package's 1" wider rubber and LSD would have made the driving results significantly different.

(Even though I didn't choose Sport, myself.)

semtex · 05-20-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jginnane

The photos in this thread indicate a base 370Z with an aero kit.

I think having the Sport package's 1" wider rubber and LSD would have made the driving results significantly different.

(Even though I didn't choose Sport, myself.)

I believe you're mistaken. I don't think you can get a Base with Nav. And it has the Sport Pkg -- you can tell by the fact that their test model has SRM. Also, those look like the 19" wheels to me.

alan93rsa · 05-19-2009, 05:32 PM

I just traded my 370Z sports/touring/MT last week for an '08' Cayman S. I got a great deal on the S and a good price for my Z.

I haven't had the opportunity to take out the S yet for a good run but it is a nice car. The sound of the engine behind your head negates the desire to turn on the radio. The engine is extremely smooth all the way to the red line. True it's a little smoother over the bumps but mine is on 18" rubber, for now.

If you shop around there are leftover new '08' S models for $47000 with little to no options. So, it might only be a $10k stretch from a loaded MT 370Z to the '08' Cayman S. Of course you'd need to add an additional $1500 for a limited slip in the Cayman S. Three years post purchase you might get half of that delta back in resale value.

On the other hand there's a lot to be said for taking a 370Z with the extra $10k and seeing what pops out the other side.

RCZ · 05-19-2009, 05:34 PM

Cool review.

tvfreakazoid · 07-28-2009, 04:48 AM

Both nice car's but if I could afford the caymen, i may get that instead or GTR.

gnarf · 07-28-2009, 08:38 AM

^^ I agree..for the price of a Cayman S..I would much rather buy an e92 M3 or a Grand Sport/Z06 Corvette

Sand123 · 10-22-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

I never driven a rear engine car but isnt it kind of not worth it?
I have only heard and seen "horror" storys of the car spinning out due to rear engine.

Cayman isn't rear engined. It's mid engine. Perfect balance.

Forrest · 05-19-2009, 05:36 PM

btw dont get me wrong i believe its a great car. But when you get into corvette money i rather have a corvette.

thats just me though

SoCal 370Z · 05-19-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

...i rather have a corvette.

Another great enthusiast car!

Musashi · 05-20-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

btw dont get me wrong i believe its a great car. But when you get into corvette money i rather have a corvette.

thats just me though

You cannot compare a corvette to a Porsche. I have had a few of each. My C6's had problem after problem. Porsche's are a much better car.

Also, I don't think the Z and Cayman should be compared. Very different machines.

nicknick · 10-22-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musashi

You cannot compare a corvette to a Porsche. I have had a few of each. My C6's had problem after problem. Porsche's are a much better car.

Also, I don't think the Z and Cayman should be compared. Very different machines.

no they are not "very different" machines. Both a 2 door, 2 seat sports cars, rear drive, 6 cylinder engines, sexy, fast, handle well, brake well etc. It is just that one costs more, cause your paying for a badge and cred snobbery to boast to your mates at golf clubs!!

05-19-2009, 03:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 55 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 34	Hey, at least they didn't call the Z "effeminate," as they did the Cayman. If refinement comes at the cost of driving something "effeminate," I'll pass. Quoting them again, the 370Z "is a hairy chest to the Cayman's boutique wax." They make the Cayman sound gay, or metrosexual at the very least. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

05-19-2009, 04:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	Forrest, personally I like mid/rear-engine designs (mid moreso than rear). When properly built, they tend to have a real handling advantage because it's easier to get a neutral weight balance, and you've got the heaviest part of the car (the engine) sitting much closer to the driving wheels, which lends them more grip. The Cayman is a great car. If I could afford to buy (and insure, and trick out, etc...) a Cayman I probably would have taken it. The base sticker difference alone doesn't really tell the whole story though, and I'm not the kind of guy that can quite afford to be a Cayman enthusiast without making me financially uncomfortable over it. I think the magazine article was reasonably fair really. Where I differ with them is in the final analysis of the ratio of dollars to performance/fun. I think the Z really wins there, there's no way the Cayman really makes up for the extra total costs to anyone for whom that kind of money means anything. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

05-19-2009, 05:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 222	I just traded my 370Z sports/touring/MT last week for an '08' Cayman S. I got a great deal on the S and a good price for my Z. I haven't had the opportunity to take out the S yet for a good run but it is a nice car. The sound of the engine behind your head negates the desire to turn on the radio. The engine is extremely smooth all the way to the red line. True it's a little smoother over the bumps but mine is on 18" rubber, for now. If you shop around there are leftover new '08' S models for $47000 with little to no options. So, it might only be a $10k stretch from a loaded MT 370Z to the '08' Cayman S. Of course you'd need to add an additional $1500 for a limited slip in the Cayman S. Three years post purchase you might get half of that delta back in resale value. On the other hand there's a lot to be said for taking a 370Z with the extra $10k and seeing what pops out the other side. __________________ 16 Cayman GT4, Carmine Red, Buckets, PCCB etc.

07-28-2009, 04:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
tvfreakazoid A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: kommie kali Posts: 1,238 Drives: 2015 Audi S5; 6spd. Rep Power: 10326	Both nice car's but if I could afford the caymen, i may get that instead or GTR. __________________ Mudders milk

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05-19-2009, 04:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 916	I am sure you will have a much nicer drive if you dropped 20k on top of a Z... relentless refinement can be done by the consumer w/ enough $$ in it...

05-19-2009, 05:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
2bits Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 118 Drives: 09 370Z Blk Sp 7AT Rep Power: 18	"Both cars are fast in a straight line. Equally so in real terms. But introduce a few corners and the Cayman quickly, and literally, leaves the Z behind." Granted the Cayman had a PDK, I still find this hard to believe. The Z even beats a Cayman S around a track in early testing. Are we to believe a base Cayman with PDK is quicker than a stick Cayman S? Skeptical.

05-19-2009, 05:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1120	Cool review.

07-28-2009, 08:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
gnarf Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jersey Posts: 160 Drives: G37 Rep Power: 18	^^ I agree..for the price of a Cayman S..I would much rather buy an e92 M3 or a Grand Sport/Z06 Corvette

05-19-2009, 05:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 260	btw dont get me wrong i believe its a great car. But when you get into corvette money i rather have a corvette. thats just me though