Pick one -- 370Z vs Porsche Cayman

vh1

I just got done driving my '14 Sport back to back with a '09 Cayman (not S), this weekend on Mulholland Drive.

The Cayman had about 55K miles on it, so it was well used. From an engine perspective, it had less low RPM power and really wanted to be revved. I was short shifting at 4K in my Z and keeping up pretty well coming out of the corners. The brakes on the Z provide much more better stopping power compared to the Porsche. These two points were confirmed by the Porsche driver who took my car out for a quick spin down the mountain. The steering rack on the Porsche had some play in it, so the Z definitely felt more direct, but gave up a very little bit of feel at the very limit, coming into the apex.

A used Cayman was on my short list of cars to buy, before picking the Z about 2 weeks ago. The thing that pushed me toward the Z was the potential IMS (Intermediate Shaft Seal) and RMS (Rear Main Seal) problems reported on various Porsche forums and the expense of changing out really expensive parts like the fuel pump, down the road. Engine Swap/Rebuild = $20K.

In the end, after trying the Cayman I am 100% positive I made the right decision by going with the Z.

P.S. - A well driven 370Z on a back road has nothing to fear from an average driver in a Porsche!

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2014 370Z - Midnight Blue, FI Twin Turbo, Specialty Z 6 Puck Clutch, eboost2, Swift Springs, SPL Front Arms and Rear Camber Arm, SPC Toe Bolt, FI CBE w/18 Resonators and Res HFC

MMC Racing

Cayman S > 370z
370z > Cayman (non-S)

Not considering price. Just car to car.

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2014 F150 Raptor, 2014 Mazda 3, 2015 Nissan GT-R

Nissanboy

As a tech who's worked at Nissan and now works at Porsche, I have to say they are COMPLETELY different cars.

Z is a front engine, tail happy vehicle while the Cayman is a mid-engine car that just seems to stick to the roads so well on every corner. Which scenario is more fun is all up to you.
The brakes on any Porsche are far better than the Z (even with the akebono).
Both cars have different yet distinct exhaust notes.
IMO the Z looks better than the Cayman; parts are FAR less cheaper for the Z.
Maintenance isn't too bad on the Porsche, especially if you're a DIY'er
And if you are a DIY'er, it is quite a bit more time consuming to work on the Cayman (vs the Z) as there are several covers/panels that you will need to take off to access the top portion of the engine and as well as having a lot less room to work with.
The Cayman S has a much better engine than the base Cayman so make sure you go with the S if you do get a Cayman.

Like most people said, the Porsche does seem to be much more comfortable as a daily driver while still being very aggressive when you want it to be.

If I had to choose, I'd pick the Z again since it's much cheaper to modify, looks better, and just seems less forgiving with vdc off; which makes it more fun in my opinion.

Although, one really cool thing about the Cayman that I could never get over was the fact that the engine is literally right behind you. You can take off the covers right behind the seats and look at that engine running right next to you. I just think that's so awesome.

nmjaxx9

At the end of day just dont research too much about this and make it harder on yourself!!!!!! People gotta stop doing that, thats what makes decsions difficult, and then you have regrets and push your bad decsion on others. I say stop searching and following threads like this, just go test drive, be content, and live your life. My verdict LMFAO goodbye and take care.

kenchan

hummm.... i think we're onto something here.

Driftomodachi

My friend had an '09 Cayman S that I drove. It was nice but I would want to spend a week behind the wheel of one before I decide. Unfortunately, $350 oil changes are not in my budget even though the Cayman has a 10k oil change interval which is crazy imo

victort

porsche. all day every day

scionide

If money isn't an issue, Cayman

edub370

cayman is a better balanced car thru the twisties. z allows more hooning

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Red__Zed

In a world where hooning means understeer.

edub370

in a world where corner entry speed can be controlled...

z is probably one of the easiest cars to hang the tail out with in the world. don't try that in a p car

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Red__Zed

It does power-on oversteer as well as many other rwd coupes, but not sure I'd go as far as claiming it's one of the easiest cars to do it with.

kenchan

cause you crashed your Z?

RiCharlie

a dealership around here was offering a used Boxter, a red convertible for $26,000.it was nine years old and had less than 30,000 miles on it.. It was beautiful...definitely not a DD.. I cant imagine putting so few miles on a car..

dbodner22

I'm currently in the same market, and have it down to the same two cars. What somebody said about the Z being 85-90% of the Cayman at 50% of the running cost is absolutely right. During my rational days, I am tempted calling up the Nissan dealer. During my other days....

There's just something about the balance (and the sound) of a mid-rear engine sports car. It was a driving experience that was so incredibly unique and rewarding. But finding one that isn't 7 years old and is in the same price range is tough, and I'd really prefer to go 2009+ with at least part of a CPO remaining.

I...don't even know how to respond to this one. The Cayman is, as stated by virtually anyone who has ever driven one, one of the best engineered sports cars readily available to the (relatively) common person. If that's the definition of a chicks car, okay. People need to stop living in the 'Porsche with panties' past. The Boxster (and thus Cayman) have improved leaps and bounds from the mid-90's, and if it weren't for Porsche's fear of cannibalizing the 911's sales, would be the best sports car in their lineup.

Keep in mind, IMS is no longer a concern on 2009+ models.

The previous timeline was, IIRC, 2 years / 20k miles, so 1 year / 10k miles is pretty conservative. It helps eat some of the oil change cost. What, IMO, is a bigger concern maintenance wise are the tires. But the biggest concern is, to find something in the same price range, the lack of warranty for something catastrophic. From most of the first-hand accounts I've read, Porsche seems to be fairly reliable, but no car is bullet proof, and those bullets cost a heck of a lot more to fix on a Porsche.