MY vs thread, Cayman vs Z06

FWIW, I really like the base Cayman and I drove a bunch of them before I bought my "S". You are much more likely to find a base model that doesn't have a million accessories that you don't need added on top of an already good car. I was mainly looking at dealerships because I wanted a low mileage car with a warranty. I made an offer of $28k on one base car and $32 on another. Both cars had less than 20k miles on them and both offers were declined.

The car that I bought was the first "S" that I drove, but my decision had more to do with finding a great deal on a really nice car with a known history than anything else. There's a pretty huge gap between a base car and an "S", but I could be really happy with base Cayman.

I have no horror stories about oil leaks, expensive parts or getting screwed at the dealership. The parts that I have purchased have not been out of line with what I would pay for a similar item at the Honda or Toyota place and my dealership experience has been fantastic.

Grizz wrote: Neither. I'm gonna be honest with myself for once, and say that either of those cars is more than I A: need, and B: can more than likely handle. What's the point in owning a car with limits higher than I can get to?

I'm going with Grizz on this one. I didn't need the power in my A6 biturbo, either. Lotus Seven for the win!

I spent at least 20 years dreaming of a Caterham 7, but I can't see myself driving one on the street at this point. Five to ten years ago, sure, but now everyone is in an SUV and everyone is on the phone. Nobody's paying attention to the cars around them anymore.

Grizz wrote: Neither. I'm gonna be honest with myself for once, and say that either of those cars is more than I A: need, and B: can more than likely handle.

I agree that both of those cars are above my automotive paygrade.. but I think while I would be scared of the Cayman, I would be downright terrified of the vette

Neither car intimidates me, hell my challenge S10 has Z06 power, but my heart leans towards the Cayman for the build quality, interior and driving experience.

Woody wrote: C5 and C6 Corvettes just seem *massive* to me. I think that is the main thing that pushes me away from them.

Really? Because a C6 is barely bigger than a Cayman.

Length x Width x Height:
C6: 174.6" x 72.6" x 49"
Cayman: 172.1" x 70.9" x 51.4"

For me, I would probably pick the vette, just due to maintenance costs. My understanding is that the Cayman has the same problems that the Boxster and watercooled 911 have in terms of long term reliability. Sure they're fine for 50k or 90k but how many 150k mile watercooled Porsches are on their first engines? The Boxster engine was described as a "when, not if" for catastrophic failure, and that's enough for me to be scared off of them.

I do see the appeal, the Cayman is a beautiful car and I'm sure the interior is way beyond the Corvette's. But I would probably go air cooled 911 before I went Cayman. As far as the car being "too much," of course the upper limits are. But a C6 'vette is an amazingly docile vehicle at the lower limits. I was really, really impressed with how easy it was to control the power around town.

Woody wrote: I spent at least 20 years dreaming of a Caterham 7, but I can't see myself driving one on the street at this point. Five to ten years ago, sure, but now everyone is in an SUV and everyone is on the phone. Nobody's paying attention to the cars around them anymore.

I'll bet 10 years ago there were more SUV's now. That was the height of the SUV craze.

I do feel the same way though. I lusted after a 7 for years, and it was a realistic choice back in the UK, I do konw people with 7's as their only cars there. But when I moved here in 94 7's imidiatly got moved to the 'track car only' portion of my mind.

Man, tough choice. I would probably say the C6.

But I would really love to get in a Cayman everyday. That smile wouldn't wear off.

Still gotta go with the C6 though.

I have a 06 Cayman S and at a track I think it would be killed by a well driven Z06 (even a C5 Z06). The weak spots so far on the Cayman have been brakes (very spongy feel ,even with braided lines) and oiling concerns. Over on the Cayman club website a number of people have grenaded the 987's on sticky rubber due to oil starvation. The oil also builds up in the PCV system after a hard run and it smokes like a B**ch when you start it up. I think the Z06 is a better choice for a track car. For a street car, I prefer the Porsche, it feels more exotic, sounds better and I don't have to grow a mustache or wear gold chains ;-)

-TrentO

Adrian_Thompson wrote: I'll bet 10 years ago there were more SUV's now. That was the height of the SUV craze. I do feel the same way though. I lusted after a 7 for years, and it was a realistic choice back in the UK, I do konw people with 7's as their only cars there. But when I moved here in 94 7's imidiatly got moved to the 'track car only' portion of my mind.

If I could build and register a 7 in NJ without it having to comply with todays safety and emissions specs.. I would DD one. I am just that much of a masochist

Woody wrote: I spent at least 20 years dreaming of a Caterham 7, but I can't see myself driving one on the street at this point. Five to ten years ago, sure, but now everyone is in an SUV and everyone is on the phone. Nobody's paying attention to the cars around them anymore.

huh? I ride a bike fer cryin out loud

I don't know that I have an opinion on this one. I can appreciate both cars, but don't see actually buying either. I'd have to drive both to make up my mind here. Unlike other vs threads these two cars do not really seem like they have much in common to compare them. They are different.

Swmbo and I both vote Cayman no contest.

Z06 if for no other reason then I know people who build them.