Top Gear 370Z v. Cayman article

Matt · 10-29-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

I was thinking the same thing the other day...what if I had $200k lying around....would I still be buying a Z? I thought about it for a few seconds and decided "yes", but I wold also buy a GT-R and a Benz E-Class. The Z would be my DD

If I had 200k lying around, I would have still bought the Z, but the TT would already be hooked up.

kenchan · 10-29-2009, 01:07 PM

if i had 200k i would pay off my friggen house and still drive my Z.

Trips · 10-29-2009, 03:30 PM

with 200k that would put the train back on the tracks from the person's that derailed it!!!

muhrad370z · 11-29-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakoye

This article seems a bit confused. Why would a car reviewer take Nissan's bluster about besting the Cayman with the 370z seriously? Obviously, Nissan *knows* that the 370z is no match for the Cayman. But is it a Cayman minus $20,000? I would think the answer there might be "yes".

So yes, the Z will not match or exceed the Cayman in much of anything. But not all of us can afford 50K sports cars. Better to compare the Z to its "real" competition: that of sports cars in its price range (and that does NOT include the Z4, which is yet another ridiculous comparison).

are u a video game expert too?

oldschoollear · 11-29-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cab83_750

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!!!

Hey man,

You on Pelican? If so I followed your thread about your Z purchase, btw thoses guys are waiting for a review

I agree, Working on Porsches is half the fun, but time consuming, alas I sold my 85 911 euro a few months ago. I really have become interested in the z lately, it is A LOT of car for the money. Oh yea, first post, hello everyone.

travisjb · 11-29-2009, 09:21 PM

oldschool, welcome to the forum!

jakoye · 11-30-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muhrad370z

are u a video game expert too?

No, but I play one on my TV.

gumpy · 12-15-2009, 04:47 PM

The Z is one of the best handling cars i've ever driven. In the whole scheme of things it must be right up there in the top percentile in terms of handing... I just cannot imagine how awesome a Porsche must be to get that sort of comment from the reviewer... I'll keep my head down, work harder and get that promotion i need to afford one... =)

pulpz · 12-15-2009, 07:03 PM

Test drove cayman 09 and 370z back to back. No question the cayman is more refined, with an incredible feel - a superior automobile.

To me the price difference is substantial. I paid $30k for my 370 sport, $28k for my 09 tsx. That's two very well engineered cars serving to distinct needs for the price of a new cayman.

A few other thoughts, maintenance, depreciation, and a need for a decent everyday driver came in to play. Also, I'm 6'2" and too tall for the cayman - knee's were against the steering wheel.

pulpz · 12-15-2009, 07:04 PM

Oh and I agree - there's a bit of the Euro-snobbery undertone to the comparo as well.

pulpz · 12-15-2009, 07:12 PM

...and one more thought , the guys that do the reviews kill me. they act like 20-30K is chump change. Most people who can afford a 30K car can't afford to by a $60k car.

wishihadnav · 12-16-2009, 12:45 PM

^^true.

Shamu · 02-13-2011, 12:19 PM

I know I'm late to this thread but Im long time Porsche guy 3 914, 2 boxsters, 914 race car and Boxster race car. I had my heart set on a first Gen Cayman S and after driving it it felt too much like my old Slow boxsters. Yes they have great handling dynamics but there is something real boring about well balanced mid engine Porsches for me. Also newer Porsches just seem to be missing something.

My 2000 lb 1999 Boxster race car is closer to feel of my fun 914s but Cayman felt lifeless and it's very expensive. I chose 2010 Nismo over Cayman.

Other thing people don't mention is that nissan doesn't carry some of the stigma that Porsche ownership does. I really never feel comfortable driving new Porsches on the street. Maybe it's my Irish Catholic roots haunting me? Lol!

There is just something raw and basic about the 370z. Its also a car that feels like it has lots of hidden potential. My intent with Nismo is to try to build a car very similar to a GT3 in concept. Install fully adjustable suspension, bolt on few more performance parts, try to reduce weight a little more, even thinking of doing rear cage and harness bar in similar fashion to GT3 cars. Just a clean capable street car that has real capability on the track. I might be delusional but I think with right development the 370z could be just as fast as an older 996 GT3 and still be street able.

cossie1600 · 02-13-2011, 01:12 PM

After $15K maybe

antennahead · 02-13-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamu

I know I'm late to this thread but Im long time Porsche guy 3 914, 2 boxsters, 914 race car and Boxster race car. I had my heart set on a first Gen Cayman S and after driving it it felt too much like my old Slow boxsters. Yes they have great handling dynamics but there is something real boring about well balanced mid engine Porsches for me. Also newer Porsches just seem to be missing something.

My 2000 lb 1999 Boxster race car is closer to feel of my fun 914s but Cayman felt lifeless and it's very expensive. I chose 2010 Nismo over Cayman.

Other thing people don't mention is that nissan doesn't carry some of the stigma that Porsche ownership does. I really never feel comfortable driving new Porsches on the street. Maybe it's my Irish Catholic roots haunting me? Lol!

There is just something raw and basic about the 370z. Its also a car that feels like it has lots of hidden potential. My intent with Nismo is to try to build a car very similar to a GT3 in concept. Install fully adjustable suspension, bolt on few more performance parts, try to reduce weight a little more, even thinking of doing rear cage and harness bar in similar fashion to GT3 cars. Just a clean capable street car that has real capability on the track. I might be delusional but I think with right development the 370z could be just as fast as an older 996 GT3 and still be street able.

I'm really trying to duplicate

Dude, ex 914 owner/addict here as well. That is the most fun car I have ever owned. I still find myself wanting to duplicate that driving experience today. Needed more power, but the handling was unreal ( mine was totally tweaked out for auto crossing). I miss the targa top and open air feel that car had, so much so I think I will be going to a convertable of some sort in the future. Nice to see another 914 aficionado

10-29-2009, 03:30 PM	#123 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,728 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	with 200k that would put the train back on the tracks from the person's that derailed it!!! __________________

11-29-2009, 09:21 PM	#126 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	oldschool, welcome to the forum! __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

12-15-2009, 07:03 PM	#129 (permalink)
pulpz Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 281 Drives: 09 PG 370Z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	Test drove cayman 09 and 370z back to back. No question the cayman is more refined, with an incredible feel - a superior automobile. To me the price difference is substantial. I paid $30k for my 370 sport, $28k for my 09 tsx. That's two very well engineered cars serving to distinct needs for the price of a new cayman. A few other thoughts, maintenance, depreciation, and a need for a decent everyday driver came in to play. Also, I'm 6'2" and too tall for the cayman - knee's were against the steering wheel. __________________ 2016 Cayman GTS 6MT / 2017 Q60 Sport / 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD / 2015 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport (Sold) / 2009 PG 370Z Sport 6MT, (Sold) / 2003 SS 350Z Enthusiast 6MT (Sold)

12-15-2009, 07:04 PM	#130 (permalink)
pulpz Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 281 Drives: 09 PG 370Z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	Oh and I agree - there's a bit of the Euro-snobbery undertone to the comparo as well. __________________ 2016 Cayman GTS 6MT / 2017 Q60 Sport / 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD / 2015 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport (Sold) / 2009 PG 370Z Sport 6MT, (Sold) / 2003 SS 350Z Enthusiast 6MT (Sold) Last edited by pulpz; 12-15-2009 at 07:12 PM.

12-15-2009, 07:12 PM	#131 (permalink)
pulpz Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 281 Drives: 09 PG 370Z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 16	...and one more thought , the guys that do the reviews kill me. they act like 20-30K is chump change. Most people who can afford a 30K car can't afford to by a $60k car. __________________ 2016 Cayman GTS 6MT / 2017 Q60 Sport / 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD / 2015 Lexus IS 350 AWD F-Sport (Sold) / 2009 PG 370Z Sport 6MT, (Sold) / 2003 SS 350Z Enthusiast 6MT (Sold)

10-29-2009, 01:07 PM	#122 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	if i had 200k i would pay off my friggen house and still drive my Z.

12-15-2009, 04:47 PM	#128 (permalink)
gumpy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 449 Drives: 09 370z white manual Rep Power: 15	The Z is one of the best handling cars i've ever driven. In the whole scheme of things it must be right up there in the top percentile in terms of handing... I just cannot imagine how awesome a Porsche must be to get that sort of comment from the reviewer... I'll keep my head down, work harder and get that promotion i need to afford one... =)

12-16-2009, 12:45 PM	#132 (permalink)
wishihadnav A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 90090 Posts: 1,851 Drives: Force Fed Nismo Rep Power: 183	^^true.

02-13-2011, 12:19 PM	#133 (permalink)
Shamu A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,059 Drives: 370Z Racecar Rep Power: 19	I know I'm late to this thread but Im long time Porsche guy 3 914, 2 boxsters, 914 race car and Boxster race car. I had my heart set on a first Gen Cayman S and after driving it it felt too much like my old Slow boxsters. Yes they have great handling dynamics but there is something real boring about well balanced mid engine Porsches for me. Also newer Porsches just seem to be missing something. My 2000 lb 1999 Boxster race car is closer to feel of my fun 914s but Cayman felt lifeless and it's very expensive. I chose 2010 Nismo over Cayman. Other thing people don't mention is that nissan doesn't carry some of the stigma that Porsche ownership does. I really never feel comfortable driving new Porsches on the street. Maybe it's my Irish Catholic roots haunting me? Lol! There is just something raw and basic about the 370z. Its also a car that feels like it has lots of hidden potential. My intent with Nismo is to try to build a car very similar to a GT3 in concept. Install fully adjustable suspension, bolt on few more performance parts, try to reduce weight a little more, even thinking of doing rear cage and harness bar in similar fashion to GT3 cars. Just a clean capable street car that has real capability on the track. I might be delusional but I think with right development the 370z could be just as fast as an older 996 GT3 and still be street able. Last edited by Shamu; 04-19-2011 at 01:45 PM.

02-13-2011, 01:12 PM	#134 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	After $15K maybe

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