Driving Impressions: New 911 S vs. Z

obito

Have you ever test drive a Lotus exige ? I have never try it out yet, but I heard that it's a best handling car. My first sport car was Rx-8, and i'm not a fast driver, so I usually fall in love with good handling vehicles. Is Porsche deliver better handling than a Lotus ?

PM yea Lotus interior is suck as hell

bvl

OP: the 911 does not drive close to a Cayman. Sales guy was being a sales guy to get you to try something.

The 911 is a great drive and has plenty of fantastic attributes, but from a feel and purist of sports car perspective you owe it to yourself to drive a Cayman. Comparing a new 991 to the outgoing 987 Cayman may not be that fair, but there still are significant differences either way (until the new 981 arrives).

I love the Z for what it is: a good value package. I rate it as 75% of a Cayman (which to me is the logical comparison vs. a 911). The Porsche has better steering feel, better rotation, better chassis manners, and is a lighter package. The Z gives you more value per creature comfort and more raw power. Power isn't everything however.

- b

bigdog1250

While I will surely test-drive the new Cayman for the true experience, I think you're wrong and here's why. The new 911 is DRASTICALLY different than the old car and addressed all the criticism of the rear-biased car. Every magazine has emphasized this. If you drive one you'll see what I mean. He was VERY knowledge about Porsches and you could tell he was being truthful. He openly told me that he is planning on buying the new Cayman as well (he currently is leasing a 2012 WRX until the new one is released). He wanted to give me the best comparison to the current Cayman S and even advised me to not drive the base Cayman which they had on the lot at the time. He knew i wasn't in the market for a 911 and couldn't afford it. He just wanted me to have the most similar experience.

I thought he was just talk until we hit the road. This machine is extreme. Remember, I've a driven a friend's 996 turbo on twisties as well... so I can compare to that car and it behaved VERY different.

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Ricks.

Well, I think Porsche is a wonderful sport car. I love the 911 (after the Panamera!!) but the price is high and the maintainance cost just to much. The Z on another hand is very cheaper and lucks just sexy as a cayman in my opinion.

If we want to compare 911 I think we should bring the older 370z brother, GTR....

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Rick

RoshDawg

I agree! Except for one part, why does everyone keep saying cost of ownership is so much on the Porsche (besides oil which can be done by yourself!)? Maybe I my parents (cayenne turbo and 997 S) were lucky as they have never required maintenance in their 155K+ mile run (outside of recalls).

Porsche is a rather reliable brand if you ask me. But hey, I'm a bit biased

But I do feel like next gen Z can actually compare to the base 911! (I have high hopes for the next Z).

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Cmike2780

Interesting comparison between the new Boxster S and the 2012 911. It shows just how good the Boxster has gotten. The Cayman S will no doubt be even closer.

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cossie1600

I drove a Lotus Exige at the track. It's a great handling car, but the 911 can still do donuts around you as the Lotus just doesn't have the horsepower. The novelty of great handling wears off pretty quick when you have to climb in and out of the car, also you know how annoying it is to not have a rear view mirror?

There is a reason why many Lotus owners don't keep their cars!

coltrain

The novelty of driving a Lotus Exige would quickly wear off. You'd really need to be obsessed with the car to drive it daily.

A good friend of mine just bought a Lotus Exige with all the track package goodies. Last I talked with Mike (bigdog1250), we briefly discussed the Lotus Exige. Again, any owner that drives a Lotus Exige daily is insane. It's a purpose built track car and the novelty quickly wears off. But I'm also 6'5", so driving the Exige was a major pain in the ***.

Owning a Lotus Exige in San Francisco would really suck!

LakeShow

120k for a Carrera S. Damn, that's literally creeping into 911 Turbo territory.

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|2013 370z|PearlWhite/Persimmon|Touring/Sport/Nav|F.I. CBE 18" CF|
|Sold|2011 370z|Gun Metallic|Touring/Sport/Nav|

axmea?

Thanks for your review. Aren't there enough mods to close the gap on the handling department? I'm thinking suspension, tires, breaks, and sway bar. Even without electronic steering, there is a way to take the handling of the Z somewhere in Porsche territory.

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cossie1600

You could, but the experience is still not the same. Also you are not driving a Porsche 911....

I spent some time comparing my car to my friend's GT3. At the end of the day, I just have to accept his car is way faster and way better. Still I sometimes wonder if it is worth 4x the money as it is not 4x faster.

bvl

From a numbers perspective sure however some of the replies (mine included) are of the ilk that its not all about the numbers. There are other things in play, such as basic physics (which I don't know how I can be 'wrong' about...hehe), and the subjective feel of the machine. The GT-R pulls insane numbers for its size, an engineering marvel. It will never feel light or tossible on a back country road going 30-50 mph.

Some cars have a feel that is verym very hard to match. BMW has it with the 3 series. Lotus and Mazda have small roadsters. Porsche has their thing too.

Having spent significant time in a 987 Cayman, being down 1l and 70 HP or so to the Z it still has a much different feel in both basic handling and power delivery. I'm hardly a brand snob (strait, miata fan here. yes they exist), but the experience of the Cayman is far better then the Z. 2X the price better?

To me, no way.

But if they are close.....well, its trade offs at that point. Picked up our 07 Cayman (my wife's DD) for < 40K with warranty and 14K on the ticker.

Now you are talking about a 5-7K premium. Is it worth it?

To me, hells yeah.

The 911 is a different category IMHO. Its larger, cost far more, is a 2+2, and is the epitome of engineering for the brand. It teeters the edge of sports car and ultimate GT depending on packaging.

- b

bigsix

Apparently the 370z was designed more as a rival to the Cayman than the 911. To my eyes, the Z's design/body looks similar to the 911 with a wide,low, muscular stance and sloped, bulging rear end.
The key difference is where the engine sits: over the front axle vs. behind the rear axle. Rear-wheel drive vs. available All-wheel drive.

bigsix

Sounds like a humbling experience. I think we can appreciate the car we drive, no matter the level of experience. There is something so incredible about a Porsche 911.

DLSTR

Really nice review! I drive the new 911's yearly over here. Easily rented at Avis in Stuttgart or any other major city.
With the 911 you get what you pay for. No question. Thanks for posting this up.
That being said the Z offers a fantastic, dynamic driving experience as well. Being able to actually and legally use the power here is key. Its called the Japanese 911 here in Germany.

Well done on the drive and I hope you do obtain your Porsche. Worth every cent! Also get over here and tour the 911 factory!! Its a great experience and then rent a 911 and drive it the way it was meant to be driven on the Autobahn!