Top Gear 370Z v. Cayman article

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

Originally Posted by antennahead

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

Originally Posted by Slade

My dad had a 914 when I was a kid, I loved that car and it got me into Porsches. Can't tell the front from the back but that was a great little car. He took out the engine to work on it...but abandoned the project and never put it back in.

This talk about Porshces makes me wanna put my 944 back online and use it as my DD.