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    2013 Porsche Cayman review

     

     
    Steve Sutcliffe tests the all-new 2013 Porsche Cayman - and explains why he'd buy one over a Porsche 911.

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    Porsche and other cars video collection

    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    I remain undecided between the manual or PDK .


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    CGX car nut:

    I remain undecided between the manual or PDK .

    PDK every time. Faster, more economical and better in every concievable way. There is no reason not to specify it. Make sure you order the sport design "paddle" wheel with it though and sport chrono.


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    Porsche 997 Carrera S PDK Aqua Blue / Black - Toyota Yaris D4D  "Clockwork Rat"


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    dreamcar:
    CGX car nut:

    I remain undecided between the manual or PDK .

    PDK every time. Faster, more economical and better in every concievable way. There is no reason not to specify it. Make sure you order the sport design "paddle" wheel with it though and sport chrono.

    Really tough noice to be honest. I can see why anyone would chose either or. The clear choice for me is the car itself, I haven't driven it but it terms of performance for $, this is the best car Porsche makes today.

     


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    For a second car or a fun car I recommend manual. It's more fun.

    After sometime PDK get's a little bit boring. Second reason the 6. and 7. gear with PDK are only for cruising.

    I ordered manual today, but with all features PASM, PTV, Sport Chrono, PCCB, full Leather, ...


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    As I read more about the new Cayman, it might well become the car to tempt me out of my current car. I'm really hoping for more hardcore versions to come. I really dream of a basic, focused model in the old Clubsport tradition, lightweight seats, manual gearbox, basic interior and sound deadening and passive dampers and an LSD.

    http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/288211/2013_porsche_cayman_s_review_and_pictures.html


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    I was torn between the Cayman S and the R8 4.2, yes I do realize that there is a significant price differential between the two; however, what other mid-engined sports cars exist that close to the same pricing point.  The reviews, and seeing the car in person made the decision easy.  Now I remain undecided between the manual and PDK gearboxes. I actually enjoy driving a manual in traffic so that's not the issue, I fear boredom from the PDK.


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    Here's another review complaining of the electric steering from a reliable reviewer:  http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1302_2014_porsche_cayman_s/


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    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    Looks like the car, based on his statements above the power steering comments, is equipped with Power Steering Plus, which has received near universal pans.


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

     

    This is the quote, "At low speed, the rack-and-pinion device enhances the self-centering force, which is okay for parking but counterproductive through hairpins. Equally debatable is what Porsche describes as filtering action. Although well meant and effective, these brief and barely noticeable correcting inputs can be more of an irritation than a help. Especially through undulating corners, on off-camber blacktop, and along aquaplaning grooves, it sometimes feels as if car and driver are debating who is in charge."

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    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    CGX car nut:

    Looks like the car, based on his statements above the power steering comments, is equipped with Power Steering Plus, which has received near universal pans.

    Maybe, but he references at least two cars - one manual and one PDK.  Also, ps+ only works at parking speeds - should be identical above.


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    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    From four paragraphs above:

    "The optional "power steering plus" system provides extra assistance at speeds of up 30 mph, complementing the green picture that also features brake energy recuperation, thermo-management, and auto stop/start."

    Thirty miles-per-hour is a bit more than parking speeds and would be a reasonable speed through a hairpin turn.


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    I drove a 991S at high speed and felt a big letdown from the steering, relative to the 997...

    The self-correction is part of the system, whether ps+ is added or not...

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    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    I've also driven a 981S Boxster on a racetrack at 10/10 and enjoyed it, but wished for more life and feedback in the steering compared to 987 - still a very nice car though


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    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    Hydraulic steering systems are virtually a thing from the past because of more stringent emission and fuel economy standards worldwide.  Couple this with a generalized trend toward "smart" electromechanical systems and the end result is less driver satisfaction.  Hence, my initial concern on PDK versus the knuckle-dragging manual.


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    I hear you, but Porsche should use a hydraulic system powered by an electric motor, as in the Cup cars.  This method was abandoned for the road cars to save a few bucks.  I'm with you on the manual - PDK is boring!


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    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    Grant, I agree with you that the Porsche hydraulic system generally provides more feel and I think that most enthusiasts given the option would buy a 'Cup' type steering option if it were available. I certainly would pay for it even ahead of other things.  The Boxster steering seems a better compromise than the current 911. Unfortunately I can't see Porsche going back except perhaps on the GT3 maybe (wishful thinking?). Having said all that I do wonder if there is an element of tyre choice and programming of the new system so I suppose the acid test will be at Geneva when we find out what they put in the GT3. 

    Having driven both PDK and manual cars I cannot deny that  PDK is more efficient and faster and perhaps even safer as you can do everything with both hands on the wheel. I have a sport automatic gearbox on my F11 535d and it is very convenient and quite good, if not as good as the Porsche PDK. But I feel that a manual box and clutch pedal is more satisfying for me because I can fully use the skills I worked hard to gain, heel and toeing, matching the engine revs on shifting, feeling the mechanical meshing of the gears as the lever slots home. The art of driving.

    Some of that is lost I think in the quest for efficiency with PDK. But each to his own - I hope we can still have the choice.

     


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    May I add my own experience.

    My 997S steering is very good but the 991S's is even better in the sense that no accuracy at all  is lost. What is lost is the "wrong type of feel"  that the traditional system has on uneven and broken surfaces which IMO detracts from driving finesse and pleasure.

    As to PDK, drive it a Sport Plus in M mode on twisty roads and it has all the control of a manual gearbox with added gearchange speed that no one can achieve with a stick gearbox. The best of both worlds. In D it could be boring but this mode is a bonus in town and on the highway.


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    "Form follows function"


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    The Power Steering Plus is very similar to the Mercedes and Audi systems. They are a good aid in terms of on the spot maneuvers i.e. parking in tight spots but terrible for driving at low speed on twisty roads, hairpins etc.

    For a relatively light car like the 991, PS Plus detracts from driving and IMO it is on the option list just for the increasing number of women drivers and for some geriatric owners. The 911 as a "real man's car" is losing its identity angry


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    "Form follows function"


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    john999s:

     I suppose the acid test will be at Geneva when we find out what they put in the GT3. 

     

     

    I have a prediction on that:  Just electric steering with another Sport button-activated software to increase the required effort, but will still be numb compared to previous GT3


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    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    I agree, unfortunately, Grant. Where I notice the difference on the 981 most is just off centre on a slippery road as you turn in. There's weight to the steering but you don't know quite where you are with remaining grip. As it loads in the corner it does have some feel but if you are pushing its really hard to know when you are about to run out of grip. Its not bad really (and not an issue in the dry)  but if you are of a certain age and were brought up on cars with no assistance and rack and pinion steering then you notice these things, don't you? I'm really interested to see how my new car behaves on the SportTechno wheels with summers on-they are half an inch wider than the rest of the rims for the Boxster/Cayman which why I chose them-to make it as feelsome as I could make it.


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    Here are some interesting impressions from Chris Harris about the new Cayman (several observations about the steering too):

    http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/roadtests/doc.asp?c=105&i=27122

     


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    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550


    Re: 2013 Porsche Cayman review

    ....and Evo's Richard Meaden seems to like it too-even the steering:

    http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/288211/2013_porsche_cayman_s_review_and_pictures.html


     
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