drove a Cayman GTS last weekend...

[IEDEI]

was invited to a local Porsche event where they let us drive a bunch of different Porsches around the New Jersey Motorsports Park race track.....the car i was MOST interested in driving was definitely the Cayman GTS.

I have NOT driven my 1M around a 'track' per se....so i guess some of these comments are not equatable....however I did get a good feel of what the Cayman GTS is like in a brief time.

The good:
- it sounds fantastic. really great exhaust note
- the seats were amazing and the interior was as well (lots of alcantara)
- the brakes were strong
- the sound of downshifts = heavenly

the bad:
- the steering was disappointing. couldn't feel much
- PDK gearbox was 'technically' good but boring....
- the looks are nice but not special enough for a GTS, IMO

All in all...i think the handling felt better sorted out than a 1M....but the steering is significantly better on the 1M. The acceleration/speed felt very much similar to the 1M. I'd guess the acceleration times if the Cayman GTS was a manual would be pretty much identical. The Cayman GTS was fun to throw around a track, but it did not feel like a 'fun' car. It felt like a very SERIOUS sports car......which some people will love and some people don't want.

I've always liked Caymans...i've driven a handful of them over the years and they always drive great. My problem with them is that they don't have much imagination.....they're just a really good and well sorted sports car but there is no sense of adventure or recklessness about them! I'd rather keep my 1M.

[chris82]

the steering is bad!? that is a true shame! is your 1M better in that respect?

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

the steering is bad!? that is a true shame!

well i wouldn't say it's bad....but it feels 'artificial'....it feels electric. The problem with these electric steering racks it that they don't feel like you are connected to the wheels. It feels more 'video game-like' where your input is matched by the response....but your response is not a part of your input. I don't know if that makes any sense.

The other weird thing about the electric steering units i've driven thus far is how they change depending on input. I feel like they are not predictable. Sometimes it feels like it is tighter and faster, while other times it feels different. I want to know what kind of response i'm going to get.....and that feeling is lost with this type of steering.

All that being said.....all the new cars are going to come with electric steering so i guess we have no choice....but i am definitely disappointed in the ones i've driven thus far.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

well i wouldn't say it's bad....but it feels 'artificial'....it feels electric. The problem with these electric steering racks it that they don't feel like you are connected to the wheels. It feels more 'video game-like' where your input is matched by the response....but your response is not a part of your input. I don't know if that makes any sense.

The other weird thing about the electric steering units i've driven thus far is how they change depending on input. I feel like they are not predictable. Sometimes it feels like it is tighter and faster, while other times it feels different. I want to know what kind of response i'm going to get.....and that feeling is lost with this type of steering.

All that being said.....all the new cars are going to come with electric steering so i guess we have no choice....but i am definitely disappointed in the ones i've driven thus far.

I had very high hopes for the electric steering in the Porsches. I heard the 911s had good feedback, but if this Cayman GTS got the same system, then I don't know anymore. On another note I drove my Uncle's 2001 Boxster the other day. The steering was otherworldly. I was just blown away by how good it was. I mean, my 1 couldn't even hold a candle to it lol.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

I had very high hopes for the electric steering in the Porsches. I heard the 911s had good feedback, but if this Cayman GTS got the same system, then I don't know anymore. On another note I drove my Uncle's 2001 Boxster the other day. The steering was otherworldly. I was just blown away by how good it was. I mean, my 1 couldn't even hold a candle to it lol.

Me too. older Porsches had amazing steering......at least the ones i've driven. Before i drove the Cayman GTS that day, i drove a 991 Targa....and it was even worse IMO!!!

[Romo]

Well, I`m keeping the 1M witch is pretty much the best Bimmer I`ve ever driven (having owned a E46 M3 and E92 M3)

I just can not sell that car.......

So a man has gotta do what a man`s gotta do.........so I bought a Cayman GTS aswel

So here she is;












Best of both worlds..........

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Romo

Well, I`m keeping the 1M witch is pretty much the best Bimmer I`ve ever driven (having owned a E46 M3 and E92 M3)

I just can not sell that car.......

So a man has gotta do what a man`s gotta do.........so I bought a Cayman GTS aswel


Best of both worlds..........

wow that looks great in blue!! congratulations man!!! having a 1M and a Cayman GTS? that's an amazing garage!

[Romo]

Just forgot to mention my BMW HP4 Competition motorcycle........

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

well i wouldn't say it's bad....but it feels 'artificial'....it feels electric. The problem with these electric steering racks it that they don't feel like you are connected to the wheels. It feels more 'video game-like' where your input is matched by the response....but your response is not a part of your input. I don't know if that makes any sense.
The other weird thing about the electric steering units i've driven thus far is how they change depending on input. I feel like they are not predictable. Sometimes it feels like it is tighter and faster, while other times it feels different. I want to know what kind of response i'm going to get.....and that feeling is lost with this type of steering.
All that being said.....all the new cars are going to come with electric steering so i guess we have no choice....but i am definitely disappointed in the ones i've driven thus far.

In jets the switch to fly-by-wire was made already quite some time ago.
http://www.ahrtp.com/RSS-JSfeeds/Fly...m#.U-0bz6NeJ8E

[infinitekidM2C]

my word that blue gts is amazeballs....seriously considering a cayman gts over an m3 for my next car...

[gregthegr8]

IEDEI - which do you think sounded better? Your 135is or that cayman GTS?

I swear, the cayman S exhaust note sounds almost identical and eerily similar to the 135is (N55 + PPK). Not sure if the GTS sounds any different with the extra 15hp or so.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

IEDEI - which do you think sounded better? Your 135is or that cayman GTS?

I swear, the cayman S exhaust note sounds almost identical and eerily similar to the 135is (N55 + PPK). Not sure if the GTS sounds any different with the extra 15hp or so.

Cayman GTS sounded better than a 135is....it sounds amazing! way better than the standard Cayman S! Probably one of the best sounding cars I've ever driven.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

Cayman GTS sounded better than a 135is....it sounds amazing! way better than the standard Cayman S! Probably one of the best sounding cars I've ever driven.

Interesting. Well you also get all that engine noise right behind you. Guess we could all use a garage then with BOTH a 1M and a cayman GTS. Perhaps Romo will adopt me.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Interesting. Well you also get all that engine noise right behind you. Guess we could all use a garage then with BOTH a 1M and a cayman GTS. Perhaps Romo will adopt me.

are you an orphan?!!? :P

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

are you an orphan?!!? :P

I am if it gets me access to that garage!

[Romo]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I am if it gets me access to that garage!

Well, if you have a sister who`s single and good looking, I`ll consider it

[1'M Blue]

@Romo

Beautifull color (Saphire Blue) !!!

[Stratus650]

I think electric steering wheels are still new and would be further refined by time to a point where they feel identical to a hydraulic one, just time would tell

Thanks for the review IEDEI !

[TS135i]

The Cayman S does everything right, as a result one can only nit-pick the minor things that may not feel right. Drive it long enough and those minor "things" are soon forgotten.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by TS135i

The Cayman S does everything right, as a result one can only nit-pick the minor things that may not feel right. Drive it long enough and those minor "things" are soon forgotten.

I agree....except for the disappointing steering. The Cayman GTS is even more 'perfect' than the S. Except being practical as a small family car. My biggest issue with the Cayman has always been that it feels a bit too refined as a 'perfect sports car'....I know that sounds weird but sometimes imperfections create charm and imagination....the Cayman doesn't leave room for that sort of abstract thinking.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Romo

[nachob]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

wow that looks great in blue!! congratulations man!!! having a 1M and a Cayman GTS? that's an amazing garage!

Ditto...If I could, I surely would!

Congrats, the most fun car in the world and one of the best looking!