Pick one -- 370Z vs Porsche Cayman

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.

mts

The comment about $350 oil changes on a Cayman are just silly. It's easier to change the oil on a Cayman than on a Z, in fact the Cayman is one of the easiest ones out there. It does take twice as much oil as the Z, which helps with the extended drain intervals, and of course twice as much synthetic oil isn't cheap, but anyone paying much labor to get a Cayman's oil changed isn't trying very hard.

My 993 on the other hand takes me about 2 hours to change the oil....with a lift. You just have to take so much of freakin car apart to do it. Now if someone says it costs $350 to change a 993's oil I would say that sounds about right.