Not a 981 but I have both a 987.1 (07 Cayman S) and a 09 370Z with the sport package. No comparison. The Cayman is a far better driving car in every area. I track the Cayman and would never dream of tracking the Z without some major modifications. The Z is a sloppy tank compared to the fine surgical precision of the Cayman. I enjoy the Z as a DD and love getting the tail to break loose on occasion so I think it will be around for a while. The GTRs that track with us at PCA events are very appealing but I have yet to drive one to make that comparison. Also, the Cayman attracts women far more than the Z so that settles it.

Which Z have you tracked? That makes a huge difference. The Nismo is more suited as a track competitor. But either way. MR > FR It's very hard beating an MR car with all other things being equal

So you enjoy driving the cayman more than the Z? If you had to recommend a new Z or a used cayman you'd go cayman?

Today's NISMO Z compared to a 10-year old Cayman S:
http://www.zeperfs.com/en/duel4693-1326.htm
(keep in mind, the pricing would have been new, and is European list).

Assuming the car is still doing what it should, the Cayman out accelerates and out-brakes the 370Z in almost every range. It's lighter (not surprising, as 10 years ago the safety features were less, as were some of the comfort items). But they are no match for a more modern true sports car.

The newer Caymans (the 981s you originally mention) are considerably better.
Today's NISMO Z vs outgoing generation Cayman S
http://www.zeperfs.com/en/duel4693-4557.htm
I've toyed with them on the track with my car (not the Z) and they are truly impressive. I can still take them but not as easily as the older generation cars, and depends more on on how they are driven. And those drivers probably have a far more comfortable trip to and from the track, or daily driving their Cayman than I do my ride. Driven well, they'd eat a stock Z and spit it out their tuned tailpipes.

The newest, 718 with the turbo 4, is really just as good as the last generation on a race track.

In the end, the question is really what you want out of your car. Reliability? Bragging rights? Looks? Comfort? Tech? Safety? Value? Economical operation? Practicality for daily driving? Back seats? Cargo space? Quarter mile speed? Road course or Auto Cross performance (economical or otherwise)? Doesn't have to be just one, but it pretty much cannot be all of the above in top priority.

It is hard to beat a Porsche for a lot of things. But as they age, it gets harder to keep them doing what they do best, and harder to justify putting the money into keeping them up to the standard you'd like yours to be.

I'll take the Porsche until the warranty runs out. Then the Mustang until it starts rusting in about 3 years.

U got 20 rep points from me for that...well played sir! :bowrofl:

I had a cayman s before my 370z and because I generally enjoy mountain carving i would definitely say the mid engine cayman is tough to beat. As stated above its all about what makes you happy so don't take that as a recommendation just my personal preference. There are obviously many factors to include when deciding but i remember one day i pulled up next to a 370z at a dealership in my cayman and was blown away by the fact that I honestly liked the exterior of the 370Z more not to mention you could nearly buy 2 z's for the price of one cayman. Honestly that day was probably the genesis of my Z madness. I've never owned a mustang and probably never will, they just don't appeal to me because I prefer smaller more nimble sports cars. Buying a car that just goes fast in a straight line isn't my thing. Im sure its fun at first but I think I would get bored quickly

That GT350 doesn't only go fast in a straightline though. It has monster brakes and a great suspension setup. I do hear you on size though. It's a boat. Tough to toss something like around tight corners.

Do you ever regret trading up your Cayman for a Z?