Porsche Cayman S vs Cayman R

[@Porridgemuncher]

Both of the cars in this review have been up for sale recently, it's interesting to see the spec of them and realise how contrived some of these videos are. Both of these examples have the same limited slip diff, seats, brakes, and aero kit, none of which gets mentioned here. Shows what great value the R was new though.

[@meatmissilef111]

I think for 50kg I'd rather have a radio and A/C

[@AdamS32828]

I think the one of the best parts about this car is that you can actually use it everyday, with its double-trunk space and PDK, plus the balanced suspension.

[@Dreadzedan]

that would cannibalize the 911, that why Porsche refuse to put power in it near the 911 hierarchy because they know this is a much superior chassis layout etc, and better looking to most.

[@pushatsinfrared]

Dreadzedan *Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder 981 and 982 enter the chat*

[@davidmoore5822]

I love driving the Cayman S, my buddy has one that he lets me drive. A most generous man. Poise and enthusiasm are my best description of these cars. But no air con and no radio/sound system, what a downer for the R. Especially for Australian conditions, no air is one thing but our roads eat lightweight rims for snacks. Porsche must be commended on going mid engine. Future Carreras will be thus.

[@Reathalack]

The only reason the Cayman doesn't have a bigger engine is because Porsche want a middle-of-the-road Porsche. They have the Boxter, the Cayman and the 911 (modern) of the sports cars. You could theoretically put the heaviest 911 engine into the Cayman, but then it would be better. The Cayman isn't supposed to be better.

[@l33t_g33k]

Shows up in a holden t-shirt to test a Porsche...

[@detective3728]

The prices on the Cayman R now, are so up in the roof..

[@Chaoutzu]

It's not just that. Its got a bit more power, a different tune, different cam. Also the suspension is different, and the wheels are the lightest wheels any porsche has on them. I don't think anyone would really buy this though, unless they were a purist and either collected cars, or actually raced them on the track.

[@ipodkiller6]

In my opinion these Caymans are the best looking Porsches made at the moment. That rear end finally looks refined. I really love it!

[@akburst510]

I DEMAND Porsche make a Cayman Turbo.

[@MathewBMW]

@subestimado You're absolutely right. We have 911 (aspirated) GT3 RS MKII and 911 (not-aspirated) GT2 RS, which are also "track cars" like these you said: Boxter Spyder and Cayman R. They're all great and they value what you pay, but I still prefer a Boxter Spyder, don't you? PS: "I don't know if the Cayman is better, it's just a Boxster with a roof", Jeremy Clarkson.

[@sireg9vti]

Would love one of either as they are definitely the two most driver focused 987s. Unfortunately The R won't depreciate and the S has bore score woes.

[@ZZDavidJRZZ]

That's a Gen2 version with the revised engine, no reports of scored bores on those.

[@marshknute]

@llovevuvu My uncle races his GT3 with the Porsche Club of America, and he and other racers never use the AC. The Cayman R was designed for track use and is commonly used at Porsche Club race events (alongside similar stripped-out Porsches like the Boxster Spyder, GT3 and GT3 RS). For road use the R doesn't make too much sense as Porsche owners would likely never notice the difference between a Cayman S and Cayman R.

[@M4rkmcc21]

Im picking up my Cayman R tomorrow. Test drove it and certainly is the best handling car iv driven. Never driven a 911 or a cayman s but i dont need to as i dont want one. In time when i can afford the next step up ill go for a 997 911 gt3. but they are silly money and i doubt they will depreciate anymore. Dont see why ppl keep comparing the Cayman and 911, they are different cars, aimed at ppl who want different things. Ones mid engine ones rear. one has 2 seats the other has 4. one has rear wheel drive and the other can come in 4 wheel drive soft top, targa and coupe, turbo. So many differences but ppl still think they can be compared.

[@lastmiles]

No mention of brakes at all? I am thinking of moving to a Carrera GTS in the spring or perhaps another Cayman S but with the ceramic brakes, pasm and the usual sport options. Not too sure about those ceramic brakes however. My primary concern is that the cost versus the benefit just is not there. The standard brakes seem to be up to the task very well and are fairly cheap to swap out pads and rotors. The ceramics are offensive in cost for maybe 10% better performance. It is a tough call.

[@gurlsingerfan]

Opting for the no air conditioning is a gutsy move....it essentailly marks the car as a one you would buy for yourself for the joy of driving. Most of the U.S. is unbearable in summer with no air-conditioning, so it is not the kind of car for weekend excursions with the girlfriend or wife (have you ever tried to deal with a woman in an non-air conditioned car in the summer...its not pretty). This car would appeal to a very select group of performance enthusiasts, hang the tail out crowd.

[@tigerbalm666]

I love that green - both shades are not bad at all! I prefer blue, but damn I could live with that darker, richer green with some blue tones.

[@n9athan]

Porsche needs to take the cayman to its full potential, it would be amazing to see the 4.0L flat six from the gt3rs 4.0 in the cayman with a lighter chassis. Call it the cayman rs haha.

[@p1fly]

It's here the Cayman gt4rs

[@n9athan]

@@p1fly 11 years later lol

[@aurelian1]

@zephyrod Don't know why people are hung up on lap times for this. We know that a Cayman R driven equally well will be slightly faster than a Cayman S. What's pointless is having a number that means nothing for how you'll actually drive the car yourself.

[@fctsui57]

I will find out which one is better in two weeks. I have a 2008 Cayman S with titronic shfit and ordered a Cayman R with PDK in Feb. that should arrive in end of May or early June. I love the mid engine design of the Cayman.

[@THEROADSMITH]

Am I the only one who noticed he’s a Pom in England driving a Porsche wearing a “holden” t shirt How/why

[@OUTRID3R_117]

What's the demand factor for this car? Is it for enthusiasts who want a nice Porsche but don't want to look like all the other 911-leasing jerk offs in their town? Saw one today. It looked good.

[@mornadu]

Problem with that, the 911 would have to be discontinued.

[@MusicAnimeNSX]

I would like to see the Cayman R vs. the only NSX-R in UK. It will be a good comparison to see Porsche did something magical in a decade since the NA2 NSX-R.

[@Shift4g]

@minibus1351 You simply have to factor in how much any of the differences would cost if you tried to do them yourself on the S, and the value comes somewhat into view.

[@RayGettings]

True...but whne you drive a small fast car (Porsche Cayman S) it's important that other drivers see you coming, even if that does require a less than attractive color. Ray

[@metamuse42]

@spencermel is that why the porsche 911 turbo roasts the z06 on the nurburgring?

[@CaymanClub]

For those wanting numbers or detailed information the place to visit for Cayman information is planet-9.com which specializes in the Cayman and is home of the Cayman Club and various Cayman-related racing series. BTW, watch the two cars on the road at the beginning, you can see the stiffer suspension reactions in the Cayman R vs. the S, very similar to having PASM in sport mode.

[@Trades46]

As a 911 admirer, this is no denying the MR triumphs over the RR. I would love to see a Cayman Turbo or a Cayman RS. It might make the 911 life more difficult, but that just strives the engineers in Porsche to make the 991 even more amazing than anything else. The 911 is already a top of the class car, but I believe that they can make it even better.

[@cobass]

9 years later, gt4 and gt4 rs

[@JETZcorp]

@JaySee5 I don't think that would end well for the Boxster, at least in terms of performance. Caymans are generally regarded as the better-handling between the two, and I imagine the same would be true of these stripped-out versions.

[@randombloke10]

@gurvir44 fantastic car i'm a big audi fan myself especially there motorsport division, 24th april lemans 24h test race :D fantastic. looking to buy an A1 built from the chassis of a vw polo, 1.4l 185bhp and dual clutch gearbox, if your from the states then i dont think its out coming to the USA not yet anyway. what engine did you go for?

[@elirentz]

@itsdastuff So you want/ need traction control in your sports car? Every time I get in the Caymen S (without the lsd) I turn off the PASM. I'd rather control it myself personally especially on track/ autox.

[@esca8652]

@DumpValvesAndDnB I agree. I think as long as a car looks pretty and drives and handles well and is of course fun to drive, then that's all that should matter for the average person.

[@DumpValvesAndDnB]

look at that turn in!!! 0:18 :O ....and for all you begging for lap time. He perfectly explained the difference between the characteristsics of the 2 cars. He's not a racing driver, im sure you aren't so why is an extra 6 tenths or so so important to you? The extra feel and enjoyment you get from driving it is what is important. There are only 2 kinds of people who compare road cars using lap times; Knobs and show-offs.

[@fctsui57]

Drove the Cayman R for two days already. It is faster than the S but not as comfortable. The 7 speed PDK is excellent, respond quicker than the titronic. For US$3,600 more, I definitely recommend the Cayman R than the S. But if you don't mind to sacrific a little performance and want more comfort for daily driving. You should consider the S. I had a 2008 Cayman S with titronic for three years and still love it. but can't keep both. BTW, either the R or S handles better than the 911.

[@JaySee5]

@JETZcorp No, just like this video. We know the R is faster, but it shows what's gained and what's lost in going up to the R from the S.

[@JaySee5]

Now they should do a Boxster Spyder vs Cayman R comparison.

[@dagnut]

The unsprung weight saved by the wheels makes the most difference...get your self those rims..a decatt/remap...same suspension set up and turn your "S" into an "R"

[@Robbieifyoucan]

@shobin05 LOL! The cayman is a boxster coupe... and the boxster is a cayman cabriolet. They are literally exactly the same, same engine (in the base model). They just made this car to make money, what they should do is scrap the boxster and make the Cayman in a coupe and cabrio...

[@StueLord]

AWESOME , HE'S WEARING A HOLDEN SHIRT!

[@JesusHatesChristians]

@wownurdable Cayman S(treet) Cayman R(acetrack)

[@drewwalton5973]

Actually S is for Super and R in this case is Racing. But the summary is spot on

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

@@drewwalton5973. I believe S is for Sport

[@drewwalton5973]

@@MoskusMoskiferus1611 Possibly now, different sources say different things it seems.. although it always used to be for Super, 356 Super 90 for example although not shortened to ‘S’, 944 S definitely stood for Super aswell. Maybe Porsche have fallen in line with most other manufactures who offer sport (S) models. Either way I prefer Super, any Porsche is meant to be sporty, and an ‘S’ Porsche is just Super!

[@aurelian1]

@zephyrod The problem is, again, that we know it'll be slightly better -- not a huge amount better, simply because it's about 50kg lighter and a little bit more powerful. I'd argue that the subjective driving experience described in the video is more important, because that's how it'll actually feel from day to day. Unless you hit the track every week and genuinely care about your lap times, you need more than just numbers.

[@fctsui57]

@xevious2501 You can add the radio with NO additional cost. The AC is $1700!!

[@jayMbodybuilding]

personally i think this is one of the most beautiful porsches out. how much tourque, horse does this beast has?

[@EugeneCamilleri]

A car, no matter how fast or furious, is not a car without a radio and Air Con. I also prefer the shape of the Cayman S. I'm sorry, the R is for regression.

[@lastmiles]

@3089280288 well, the up front PCCB cost are no real concern. I was thinking of the maintenance costs. I swap out my rear tires twice a year and get new fronts as needed. The brakes, however, seem to really survive a lot of abuse neatly and work wonderfully. I have put a very hard 20,000 km on my current set and the Porsche techs tell me I have 60% of my front pads left and 80% on the rear. The standard brakes on the Cayman S are really wonderful. The ceramics? Well, who knows really.

[@mornadu]

@CarAddictCrAzY Lighter steering, he talks about how it moves the weight around into under or oversteer. That is called handling my god sir.

[@fctsui57]

Also, the black fixed spoiler of the Cayman R makes the car looks much more sexier than the S. The leather steering wheel in the R is also a plus. Overall, the Cayman R is a better driving car in all aspects but not as comfort as the S. The R definitely has the better look than the S. BTW, both my Cayman R and S are Speedy Yellow in Color. I think that is the best color for any Porsche.

[@minibus1351]

@100littlecurses that's exactly what I'm thinking! AC is pretty much essential and the performance upgrade doesn't seem to be worth it. If it was substantially more lighter with more carbon fibre body parts then maybe..

[@sail0r2]

@shobin05 the cayman is pretty much a coupe boxter and a boxter is a cayman roadster haha.

[@100littlecurses]

@minibus1351 Exactly. I mean, if you put a person in the passenger seat, the weight saving is gone. Also, I don't think 110 lbs is noticeable in a car's performance and cornering ability.

[@BurnRubberL12]

i live in brackley the nearest town to silverstone and i ride my motorbike around all the roads he goes on at the start :P

[@JaySee5]

@JETZcorp The point would be to see how much performance you lose by going convertible since they're almost the same car.

[@mornadu]

@CarAddictCrAzY Your question is stupid.. its ride comfort is obviously worse since its an R version. Stiffer suspension etc. It weighs 50 kilos less and has 10 more horses.. go figure that its not insanely faster, its only more agile and better at turn in. Top speed has probably hardly moved as well, if u are really that interested in minor details go check wikipedia ;)

[@Emil-Roma]

@n9athan Hell, I guess it would more than do with a 911 Carrera engine, provided it had the lightweight body of a Cayman R.

[@Normally_aspirated]

This dude can drive... he's so smooth.

[@AlternativeUses]

the cayman R is pretty much my ideal trackday car minus something nuts like a gallardo superleggera

[@ShadowFalcon]

@KaiserKujo Why would I wear a Ferrari cap in Denmark? Because it looks cool and it's an awesome car manufacturer.

[@subestimado]

The Spyder and theR perform nearly identically for all practical purposes. The difference wil be the driver. Both are amazing. As are each of the 987 variants produced to date. No serious enthusiast thinks otherwise.

[@DZoneMotorsportTV]

And ironically, an old Porsche drives past in the background @ 5:16.

[@petroltalks]

nice filming , good information, good drivers fantastic channel !!!

[@sniperBOBAH]

With modern Cup2 tyres this car should be an amazing drinving machine nowdays.

[@plug007]

They wont do that because it would out perform the gt3 and Porsche sales could go down. Good idea for a car though!

[@obeasthead]

he was talking all serious and with a straight face then he suddenly went "hehehe~" hahahaha

[@a64738]

Cayman R cost 3 times as much on the used market as the non R model with same engine and same horse power... If you buy new then buy GT, R or similar as they will tripple or more in value if you sell them later compared to the regular models.

[@KuntaKinteToby]

The should put the 3.8 L 400 HP engine from the Carrera S in the Cayman.

[@m3lightweight]

I think you certainly have the foresight in seeing that happen. Look at the new GT4.

[@jW-kr5xn]

Cayman gt4 lol

[@KuntaKinteToby]

Jason wong Yes, I posted this a year ago, evidently Porsche had the same thinking I did.

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

BarakaObama2012 Yes but they also use long gearing and have detuned the engine to 385hp.. so not quite the car we were expecting!

[@matt965vtec]

I really love porsches, theyre my favorite cars in the world. But I just find the overall concept and logic to some things Porsche does is just humorous, I find. It's not only with Porsches though, its with all super cars. They give you less, but they charge more. standard cayman, with air con, radio the lot, 46 K.. same cayman, without air con, and radio.. 51 K... I obviously understand why they do it, but I just find it abit funny. but obviously when you get deeper, its a car thats alot better

[@JETZcorp]

@JaySee5 Ah, I see what you mean. I thought you meant like a competitive thing to see which is faster. But it sounds like you're talking about something more along the lines of the 911 Carrera vs 911 GT2 RS video Autocar did a while back.

[@spencermel]

@EVILSPAWN1000 you don't race do you?I've been racing SCCA and rally events for almost 10 years now,any veteran will tell you mid or front mid(corvette,aston martin)layouts are the best and easiest to dial in. Do you know how much Porsche has to go thru to eliminate snap oversteer in those cars?It ruins the balance,when they make it understeer and that messes up the alignment.I knew a few guys(really good drivers) who have DIED in a 993,996 and even a 997. THAT DESIGN IS FLAWED,BALANCE IS KEY!

[@zephyrod]

@postalshack The Lap Time is the only thing that proves if all the weight saving and the extra cost are worth it. In this video they just tell us what we can read in a magazine or an article I would have wanted to see a Drag Race between the two, a shoot out, lap times, something that proves the R version is worth the money, i mean How much better is it really is against the S ???

[@mobeenamjad1]

the only differences i could possibly conclude were the alloys and the paint. God, i want R to at least be air conditioned!

[@chrisdblue]

i think i'd keep the AC, who buys a car at that price for JUST the track.

[@1TB0T]

NO aircon. Ah that's why I can't find a Cayman R in Australia. I'll stick with my S :)

[@Monkeylabs]

I actually think the Cayman looks better than the 911 cuz the 911 is just a freaking old beetle. But the looks could be better by changing the front bumper and better performance!

[@thebossisheretostay]

they arent the most light weight wheels you can buy....those are on the GT2, and GT3 RS and can be specd on the turbo with the centre locking wheel nut. With the mid engine layout this car could be some thing incredible. The carrera GT was way ahead of its time. Doesnt make sense porsche build better mid engined cars that those who usually do it, but they still focus on the 911 way too much. e.g. the GTS, no need for a carrera S, GTS and GT3

[@boy638]

since he is already at a track, why did they not compare their lap times and see the difference?

[@Arjandeiro]

@3:08, that is a scary guardrail :o

[@KCWhoa]

You guys are right this driver is not effective. Regardless new porches are garbage. $4k for less stuff? I swear they think were stupid. Give me an old 911 maybe a gt2.

[@teakbridge101]

Finally! I have been waiting for this comparision!!!!

[@quwers]

So what Autocar are basically saying is that you should go and watch the latest MCN video about 3 vehicles that normal people can afford.

[@Kaipelana]

It's the limited slip diff. Wish it were standard.

[@rosenfeld8]

odd review this one, he says the R has more understeer than the S but ends up saying it's 10 to 15 % better handling.

[@viasevenvai]

@MrLoose26 maybe, he also noted it might have been from the LSD.

[@KaiserKujo]

@MrFalconfly You miss the point, Holden is only sold in AUstralia and New Zealand. It is not available in Europe where as Ferrari is. Ferrari looks cool and is an awesome car manufacturer, Holden is the opposite of that... It is like me wareing the Opel shirt even though I have nothing to do with the brand, the brand is not available here and lets face it, there is nothing special about it... Just thought it was strange for him to ware the Holden shirt in England and being an Englishman

[@VivaLaFelix11]

@shobin05 Boxster is cayman roadster and cayman is Boxster coupe ;)

[@jjkroll32]

Why do all auto journalists think that drifting (or trying to drift) is something the public wants to see or is the cool thing to do? It's getting old very quickly.

[@rosenfeld8]

@boy638 I think it's because the tester wasn't a professional driver

[@kevinmsft]

@Veyronp87 I have actually never driven any Mustang... or any American cars for that matter. I am a bit of a car snob so I go with German cars.... =) Nothing wrong with Boss 302 though, I heard it's a sweet car for its price.

[@gurlsingerfan]

@MikeW259 I like your logic :-). By the way, I live in KY and do much of my driving even further to the south in Alabama...so you may have to make that 110 miles per hour that far south...:-) Do you think that will work with state troopers, that with no AC you get to drive faster the further south you are to compensate? It's the only humane way to handle it I would say...

[@joeyoung3319]

Put the stickiest tires on the R AND THEN see how it goes around a track.

[@CarAddictCrAzY]

so this video basically tell's u that the Cayman R is 10~15% better than the Cayman S.... what about 0-60? what about top speed? what about handling? what about brakes? what about ride comfort?

[@NatthapolVanasrivilai]

the reason for flicking steering wheel in the corner rather than cornering smoothly? testing a car cornering by cornering like this is a joke!

[@Osmosium2507]

At 4:06 the wheel looks crazy

[@1249mark]

Just get a 911 turbo around the same price and you get the name and more practicality

[@ouzts12]

4:17 "oodles of feel" :3

[@Shift4g]

@boy638 They don't have a tame racing driver who could return credible times?

[@ztunelover]

@BradComis numbers are important... if I am looking at a track only car, but for a street car I will gladly trade tenths of a second for a better driving sensation.

[@fctsui57]

@Chunderitis Those are options, you can add them on.

[@Maxxix4890]

@khyentse8 when you're looking for numbers and stuff, why don't you just visit the Porsche Website, they offer lots of numbers and performance figures...