OK, I'm sure this is not the first thread on this topic, nor will it be the last, but:

I need a new daily driver, and the two options that keep coming up are the Cayman S and the 2014 Z51. Either would be new, and the options I'm looking at put them at about $59K for the Z51 and $77K for the Cayman. My driving is aggressive, but this one probably won't see much in the way of track time - I have a dedicated purpose-built race car for SCCA events, and that consumes my track budget.

Equipment I am considering:

Cayman S: 6MT, Burmester, Sport suspension, Sport Chrono, Sport Seats Plus, Carrera S wheels, SportDesign wheel.

Z51: 7MT, 20" wheels, Magnetic suspension, performance exhaust. I would aftermarket the audio for the Z51 - Bose is not an option that I will entertain for either car, under any circumstances.

I think I prefer the Porsche, but I'm having trouble figuring out how I justify $15K (assume $3K for audio in the 'Vette) more when my wife asks why I didn't just buy a 'Vette (or M3, but that's not a serious contender). The Z51 just looks like a screaming bang-for-the-buck in comparison...but is it really?

Aside from the seats, where the Cayman is the absolute undisputed victor, what are the other real-world differences that I should consider?

 

I don't think you will go wrong with either car especially as a daily driver. I've got a Cayman S on order so I may be biased, and for me it will be my weekend fun car. I think you should test drive a 981 S if you haven't already. And maybe wait and test the corvette when available. I had a chance to see the new corvette up close last Friday at a car show, and it does look pretty spiffy. But that said for me after looking at it I still preferred the Porsche.

Some things to think about...
Interior ...size, fit etc... Something tells me the cayman while now bigger would fit me better than the new Vette.. (I'm fairly small so I prefer smaller feeling cars.).

Speed vs twisty fun If you want to go faster in a straight line, clearly the Vette is the choice, the cayman is all about twisty roads. Of course reviews I read sound like the Vette is quite capable there too,but I bet it will still feel different behind the wheel. Again test drive...

Styling, name, badge etc... For me while the cayman is not a super fast 911 in name or ability it still has that Porsche quality and look. I just loved my old boxster despite being made fun of by coworkers. The new cayman s is the same specs as a older Carrera and is getting rave reviews. In a few years probably both cars will be more common where I live in CA but I still see way more vettes than Porsches. And even more 911s than Cayman. Something to think about if you even care...

Maintainence cost... If you are going burmeister etc it sounds like you have the cash, but clearly again the Porsche will cost more to maintain. Dealerships charge a lot more per hour than Chevy. Heh.

A few other note...if you want smoother ride for DD I'd suggest PASM vs. sport suspension especially if the wife will ever be in the car. It won't get quite as stiff in the stiffer setting but will be way more compliant on bumpy roads or long trips and especially with 20" wheels.

Also if you are going 6MT (I am doing the same ). You don't really need sport chrono...th new cars come with sport mode. Sport plus is what the chrono will add..the downside to this is it will automatically rev match on downshifts for you. Assuming you want to rev match yourself you cannot kill this off! For me I wanted the fun of blipping the throttle so I left chrono option off my list. If you want the automation then it makes sense.

Don't forget Porsche also has their PSE sport exhaust...it's not too too loud but has a wife friendly button to turn on and off. Flip side if you actually want weight drop and performance gain go aftermarket. My experience with aftermarket is that it gives better hp but doesn't sound like a Porsche should sound...YMMV.

If you have a lot of 981 questions I'd suggest checking out the Planet-9 forums in the 981 section there...lots of good info.

Like I said either car will be killer...good luck deciding hehehe... I am hoping I don't regret my decision myself too hehehe....

 

Already did - and I like it a lot!

With you on this one - the Cayman fits me well.

I'm definitely more focused on cornering. Straights are for fast engines, corners are for fast cars and drivers.....

I'm more interested in enjoying the drive than what others think.

Good point.

Hmm....

Interesting. Is there any place online to get the details on this?

Does PSE have any impact on power, or is it just a loud button?

Cool - thanks for the insightful post!

 

For maintenance both cars will be new but if you plan on gong to dealers for things like oil changes, brake flush etc call and price that out, if you haven't had a Porsche before you might be in for a surprise. Cheaper than exotics but more than bmw or audi. Most dealers seem to charge around $275 or so plus or minus for an oil change and basic service check. I would bet a Vette would be like half that.

Sport chrono info besides looking at the Porsche site and config, again check out the 981 chat forum on "Planet 9" forum website. Lots and lots of info there and there is a specific sub forum for config and options questions and info.

PSE offers ZERO gains. It's ridiculously heavy as is their stock exhaust I think my 986 was like 40lbs. The flip side is it has the on off switch so you can be quiet when you want and then louder if you want that. It's on the quiter side of aftermarket exhausts or so I hear. There are plenty of good aftermarket too like fabspeed or awe etc... Cheaper cost on aftermarket and you get hp gains...but you lose the on off. If sound quality is important try to find a car to listen too whichever way you go.

 

Being a Porsche nut (and I may get tarred & feathered for this) but for the price delta here, the C7 Z51 is mighty tempting. Think of the audio upgrade & other goodies you can get for that $15k-$17k differential in price. If the looks of the C7 'vette don't turn you off, I'd consider it real closely.

I haven't driven the C7 yet, but have driven the 987 CaymanS, not the 981, and that car was an absolute blast. Having said that, the C7 isn't just a straight-line monster and reports of its handling seem to be very impressive. Add to that a 450hp engine that gets nearly 30 MPG on the highway, and it's hard to be dismissive of the new C7. I have also read many statements from those having been in the C7 that the interior is smaller (narrower) than the outgoing C6. I was in a C6 Z06 a few months ago and was shocked at how big (wide) it felt sitting inside the cabin. Not so with the C7 from what I'm hearing.
And yes, the new 981 is quite handsome- IMHO an improvement on the 987, IMHO.

Have fun on your quest.

 

Have you driven a C6 Z06 before? Alot of the test drivers say the C7 chassis behaves alot like the C6 Z06 in ride handling/drive feel/etc obviously the power delivery is different but many people are saying it's very familiar to a C6 Z06 if you need a car too compare the C7 attributes too. Other than interior fit and finish as that has been taking to a whole new level with the C7 of course.

Good luck on both if you can wait it out till the C7s hit dealers and drive one and pull the trigger on it if you like it over the cayman Either or really can't go wrong both are truly drivers cars.

 

Yeah- these are two completely different species of automobiles. Both bring something great to the table. However, if your veins have the Porsche blood in them, my guess is no matter how good the C7 may be, you will always want the Porsche.

I can say this: the short time I was behind the wheel of a 987 CaymanS was absolutely the most fun I've had on four wheels. YMMV.

 

How about a Gen I CS with full options? Needs a copy and paste since link format sucks.

http://www.planet-9.com/classifieds.php?p[mshow]=listing&p[id]=2006-cayman-s-launch-vehicle-pasm-sport-chrono-sports-steering-wheel-heated-seats-bose-etc-14653

 

I was going to ask why you were selling the Cayman over the 996 and then I saw you had both listed...heh. Whichever sells first ?

 

Are you suggesting that the C7 won't corner as fast as the Cayman S? I haven't driven one, but a LOT of what I've heard/seen so far suggests that this Corvette is going to perform quite well.

I'd even suggest that this new 'Vette might be more fun than the Cayman, because of the better weight distribution, the many improvements, more power, etc...

In my opinion, the 987 Cayman S is my favorite handling car - ever. So please don't take this as being biased against the Cayman.

 

Im not suggesting - I'm asking. I know how the 981 handles - really, really well for a street car. I haven't driven the C7, so...?

 

Late one night, during a recent road trip, I pressed my 981BS's remote button to lock the doors. Since I had the dealership turn off the lock sound when I took delivery, I usually glance back at its taillights when I hit the button, watching for the flash to confirm that the doors are actually locked.

Maybe I was just tired, but that night, those taillights looked especially awesome for some reason. I must've stood there in the hotel parking lot for two or three minutes, locking and unlocking the doors with the remote just to admire the design of the 981 taillights.

Try that with your C7.

 

LOL.Ya mean there's no remote with a C7??

 

Cheap shot. Funny as can be, but still a cheap shot.

 

Try getting updates from your car (tire pressure, average speed, mileage etc...), locking/unlocking your car, or starting it - from 10,000 miles away using your portable cellular device with your 981.

Every car has it pros and cons.