Top Gear 370Z v. Cayman article

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!

Anatoray · 05-19-2009, 06:17 PM

Isn't what this comparison is saying the opposite of past such articles? I thought past comparisons with the Cayman S had the Z being even/faster in the turns, and considerably slower on the straights?

nicknick · 05-19-2009, 07:38 PM

Personally, I would not hold to much faith in what Top Gear has to say. I love all the shows (aussie, Brit and US). 5th gear is more geared towards real road tests, Top Gear is more entertainment biased.
I too thought from alll the magazine articles etc that the Zed was a very close match for the Cayman. I still beleive it is after driving one. TP....don't believe them. Additionally TP Brit is heavily biased towards Euro cars.

alan93rsa · 05-19-2009, 09:32 PM

Thought seriously about an '09' Z51 Vette. There are also some very good deals on used Z06's. But in the end the wife is not a Vette fan.

Bottom line, and it is a good one, we all have some very good choices.

cab83_750 · 05-19-2009, 10:43 PM

To appreciate a Porsche, one must own and drive one for a period of time.

Buy a Porsche. In the first few days, you will most likely say,

1. "What is the big deal about the Porsches?"
2. "I paid what for this car?"
3. "This car is just too hyped up!"
4. "What have I done with my $$?"
5. "Did I just pay tend of thousands for the the badge? ......

Be warned that after a week, you will end up going "Wow!"

Don't get me wrong.....I love my Z. I even tend to drive it everyday and everytime. However, having driven Porsches for many many years, I quickly noticed within the first 3 days of driving the Z that in the handling, cornering, composure and predictability aspects, the Porsche (in my opinion) wins.

Again, I am very happy with my 370. I have plans of upgrading the springs, shocks, bars, etc. to improve the handling.

Cheers!

sensi09 · 05-19-2009, 11:38 PM

The article's sentiments on the Cayman have been repeated time and time again, with both the old and new cayman and regardless of the competition, 350z, 370z z4, Mcoupe.

There's no doubt that the 370Z is the better bargain and in terms of sheer performance, will match or exceed a Cayman S, but in terms of driving dynamics and subjective attributes the Cayman is hard to beat. Oh in case someone missed it, the base Cayman with just 265hp was the car tested.

In terms of dollar amount though, if we're talking about a new Cayman S, I'd rather have a M3 or a used 997 S.

Forrest · 05-20-2009, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cab83_750

To appreciate a Porsche, one must own and drive one for a period of time.

Buy a Porsche. In the first few days, you will most likely say,

1. "What is the big deal about the Porsches?"
2. "I paid what for this car?"
3. "This car is just too hyped up!"
4. "What have I done with my $$?"
5. "Did I just pay tend of thousands for the the badge? ......

Be warned that after a week, you will end up going "Wow!"

Don't get me wrong.....I love my Z. I even tend to drive it everyday and everytime. However, having driven Porsches for many many years, I quickly noticed within the first 3 days of driving the Z that in the handling, cornering, composure and predictability aspects, the Porsche (in my opinion) wins.

Again, I am very happy with my 370. I have plans of upgrading the springs, shocks, bars, etc. to improve the handling.

Cheers!

Okay your better person to ask this too, since i have never driven a porsche for years or a day for that matter(would love to though). Do you suspect springs, shocks, bars may get you to the level you feel your porsche was at? Or do you suspect it may allways feel "worse".

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.

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.

jginnane · 05-20-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

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.

Whoops -- my bad. Earlier I was looking at this Porsche vs Z review --

iMotor : Page 12

-- and thought it was the same as "Top Gear". After all, all red Caymans look alike, right?

cab83_750 · 05-20-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

Okay your better person to ask this too, since i have never driven a porsche for years or a day for that matter(would love to though). Do you suspect springs, shocks, bars may get you to the level you feel your porsche was at? Or do you suspect it may allways feel "worse".

In my humble opinion, the answer would be "no" -- there are too many 'engineering' differences such as weight, engine placement, etc.

No one should ever try to pursue making a car handle like another car; if you try, you might as well just buy the other car

All I am pursuing (perhaps dreaming) is to make the Z corner and handle better than what the factory delivered. At the mininum a) upgrade the sway bars, b) lower the car, and upgrade the shocks.

BTW,
If you do not work on cars (valve adjustments, engine drop, tranny drop, 12-14 quarts of oil changes, etc.)..... DO NOT buy a Porsche. Typical tuneup runs about $1,000.00!!!

Modshack · 05-20-2009, 11:31 AM

I sold a Boxster (face it, it's a Cayman convertible), bought an '08 Corvette and modded it nicely. Suspension, tune, intake and exhaust to 470HP. Sold the Vette to buy the Z. I like the Z better. Suits my personality, drives better around town and at the limit. The Corvette is a Long wheelbase, Fat tired car that feels far heavier than it's 3200 lbs. It was great when pushed, but you had to be at 8-9/10ths to make it really work well which will put your license in serious jeapardy. The Boxster was like a Ballet dancer in comparison to the WWF wrestler that the Vette was. The Z fits nicely in the middle. It's a little rorty, but light on it's feet. I've had 8 Porsche's. They are remarkable cars, but putting it all on the table, the $$ premium and inability to Mod the car kept me from going the Cayman route. The Z is quite good out of the box, and will be outstanding when I get done with it..

355890 · 05-20-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

As an enthusiast—I love them both!

Absolutley correct !!!

05-19-2009, 09:32 PM	#20 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 220	Thought seriously about an '09' Z51 Vette. There are also some very good deals on used Z06's. But in the end the wife is not a Vette fan. Bottom line, and it is a good one, we all have some very good choices. __________________ 16 Cayman GT4, Carmine Red, Buckets, PCCB etc.

05-20-2009, 11:31 AM	#29 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 976	I sold a Boxster (face it, it's a Cayman convertible), bought an '08 Corvette and modded it nicely. Suspension, tune, intake and exhaust to 470HP. Sold the Vette to buy the Z. I like the Z better. Suits my personality, drives better around town and at the limit. The Corvette is a Long wheelbase, Fat tired car that feels far heavier than it's 3200 lbs. It was great when pushed, but you had to be at 8-9/10ths to make it really work well which will put your license in serious jeapardy. The Boxster was like a Ballet dancer in comparison to the WWF wrestler that the Vette was. The Z fits nicely in the middle. It's a little rorty, but light on it's feet. I've had 8 Porsche's. They are remarkable cars, but putting it all on the table, the $$ premium and inability to Mod the car kept me from going the Cayman route. The Z is quite good out of the box, and will be outstanding when I get done with it.. __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here! Last edited by Modshack; 05-20-2009 at 11:35 AM.

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05-19-2009, 05:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 258	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

05-19-2009, 06:17 PM	#18 (permalink)
Anatoray Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 794 Drives: 09 BLK 370Z Rep Power: 17	Isn't what this comparison is saying the opposite of past such articles? I thought past comparisons with the Cayman S had the Z being even/faster in the turns, and considerably slower on the straights?

05-19-2009, 07:38 PM	#19 (permalink)
nicknick Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 438 Drives: Mazda mx5 2007 6sp m Rep Power: 16	Personally, I would not hold to much faith in what Top Gear has to say. I love all the shows (aussie, Brit and US). 5th gear is more geared towards real road tests, Top Gear is more entertainment biased. I too thought from alll the magazine articles etc that the Zed was a very close match for the Cayman. I still beleive it is after driving one. TP....don't believe them. Additionally TP Brit is heavily biased towards Euro cars.

05-19-2009, 10:43 PM	#21 (permalink)
cab83_750 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Posts: 887 Drives: 09 NISSAN 370Z Rep Power: 417	To appreciate a Porsche, one must own and drive one for a period of time. Buy a Porsche. In the first few days, you will most likely say, 1. "What is the big deal about the Porsches?" 2. "I paid what for this car?" 3. "This car is just too hyped up!" 4. "What have I done with my $$?" 5. "Did I just pay tend of thousands for the the badge? ...... Be warned that after a week, you will end up going "Wow!" Don't get me wrong.....I love my Z. I even tend to drive it everyday and everytime. However, having driven Porsches for many many years, I quickly noticed within the first 3 days of driving the Z that in the handling, cornering, composure and predictability aspects, the Porsche (in my opinion) wins. Again, I am very happy with my 370. I have plans of upgrading the springs, shocks, bars, etc. to improve the handling. Cheers!

05-19-2009, 11:38 PM	#22 (permalink)
sensi09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: so cal Posts: 449 Drives: _ Rep Power: 16	The article's sentiments on the Cayman have been repeated time and time again, with both the old and new cayman and regardless of the competition, 350z, 370z z4, Mcoupe. There's no doubt that the 370Z is the better bargain and in terms of sheer performance, will match or exceed a Cayman S, but in terms of driving dynamics and subjective attributes the Cayman is hard to beat. Oh in case someone missed it, the base Cayman with just 265hp was the car tested. In terms of dollar amount though, if we're talking about a new Cayman S, I'd rather have a M3 or a used 997 S.