My Porsche Cayman R PDK+ test drive review

[Gibbo]

I like how Gibbo rates the running costs of a car that he has had for literally two days.

In comparison to my 911.

First of all I don't include depreciation in those running cost, buy any Porsche and it will loose you tons of money in depreciation. My running cost are based on fuel consumption, tyres, servicing etc.

Compared to my generation 911 a Cayman R will cost less to run, lots of that shall be saved in petrol alone, then factor in tyres are cheaper too.

I did a 20 mile run on dual carriage-way with speed hovering between 60-75mph, the car averaged 38mpg on that run and it would still be circa 38mpg if I'd have done 200 miles of motorway driving using the same driving style, which is top gear and light throttle inputs. Done the same in my 911, on a run I can manage 30-32mpg on a long run, whether I do this for 20 miles or 200 miles the end result is similar, unless of course you end up stuck in traffic or sit at just 50mph all the way in which case it improves further or if you start doing 100+ or keep slowing down and speeding up then it will greatly reduce. The TT-RS I drove for a much shorter amount of time, but in the 3 miles or so stint down the A500 at a constant speed it was hovering around 40mpg, I have a friend who has owned one for a couple of years and is remapped too 400+, so if anyone wants to know for sure I can ask him what he can achieve mpg wise on a run, but they are not far of manufacturer claims I believe.

If you drive a car carefully on dual-carriage ways or motorways, trying to keep a constant 65-75mph in top gear, using very light throttle inputs, looking into the distance to prevent slowing/speeding up, I find it quite easy to get near most manufacturers claims. Fact is driving in such a manner is hard to sustain because at times it is hard to resist the temptation to floor it which destroys your economy rather swiftly.

 

[Gibbo]

Gibbo is actually the stig. true story

Oh, you owe me a 350Z by the way.

 

[Firestar_3x]

The Cayman R seems like one heck of a package, how much do these cost new?

 

[Gibbo]

The Cayman R seems like one heck of a package, how much do these cost new?

Too much, 55k with the right options, or around 49k with no extras, a lot say it offers only minor improvements over an S. I've driven older Cayman S and found it a lot of fun, but that was because it was manual, a new Cayman R in manual would be better again.

I did consider giving you a bell but it was past midnight so thought I'd not wake you. Yes I was hooning about in it after Midnight.

Was truly fantastic, but I still preferre my 911 though its such a close call, think the only next Porsche for me is a GT3, though I may try a turbo again but feel it will not have the rawness/sound I crave.

 

[Blackhawk47]

'Again'? Without trawling the thread I thought the TTRS discussion ended up pretty conclusive anyway.

I know exactly how it ended. With Gibbo confirming exactly what I was saying and everyone else completely writing off what I had said just because they know best. I'll leave it there and OllyM, I am not starting a 'argument', I am discussing. Thanks.

 

[Gibbo]

I know exactly how it ended. With Gibbo confirming exactly what I was saying and everyone else completely writing off what I had said just because they know best. I'll leave it there and OllyM, I am not starting a 'argument', I am discussing. Thanks.

Well everyone has different driving styles, I can be lead footed, but I can also drive a car very gently like its an egg under my foot. I tend to use that method on motorways to get better economy, the Jaaaag is the most impressive on the last RR I got 35mpg going down and 38mpg on my return, admittedly I was trying to hyper-mile.

I use the above method when I state what is possible on a run, its maximum possible mpg by driving very gently and focusing on mpg soley. The moment you boot it down a slip road, speed up, slow down etc. then that mpg quickly drops.

As such when I do a general motorway trip in the 911, even though 30-32mpg is possible, I tend to get 26-27mpg as I can't resist booting it.
Likewise in the Jag, I've achieved as high as 38mpg, but generally its more around 32mpg.

 

[Simon]

Pressing reset on a warmed up car then sitting at 70 on motorway isn't 'real world'

I'll dig out the review from another thread. The driver owns a GT3 and like you had the R for a few days. He too got caught out in the wet.

 

[Firestar_3x]

Too much, 55k with the right options, or around 49k with no extras, a lot say it offers only minor improvements over an S. I've driven older Cayman S and found it a lot of fun, but that was because it was manual, a new Cayman R in manual would be better again.

I did consider giving you a bell but it was past midnight so thought I'd not wake you. Yes I was hooning about in it after Midnight.

Was truly fantastic, but I still preferre my 911 though its such a close call, think the only next Porsche for me is a GT3, though I may try a turbo again but feel it will not have the rawness/sound I crave.

That's one heck of a wedge for a Cayman.

Think i was in bed at that time mate, been helping my parents move / start the DIY jobs so i've been dead come the end of the day.

It's going to be interesting when you start looking for the next upgrade, i'd be tempted to go for a turbo just to get it out your system!

 

[Simon]

Here it is

Well I had a full day with it today, and I have a chunk of tomorrow too while Porsche see what's going on with my front suspension.



Unfortunately it was wet most of today, so I didn't get to give it some stick until this evening... What I did find is that in the wet, it can be a handfull. I had a massive moment powering out a bend at about 50mph, in sport mode (which relaxes TC) The back kicked out on it pretty hard and the stability control kicked in at about the same time I was on opposite lock. Got the pulse going I tried it again straight away and using a lot of power with the wheel anything other than straight resulted in the same thing. Twitchy! More of that later.

Spec of the car was Cayman R with Sport Chrono, carbon buckets, standard brakes, ac and stereo. Inside it's much like a regualr Cayman or Carrera. It felt a bit cheap in a couple of places, but mine has full leather stitched dash and alcantara all over it. This one had alcantara wheel and handbrake, but there are lashings of that silver plastic here and there, but it's nasty and tinny. Otherwise it's the usual high quality. The door pulls are a bit gay though.

Outside it's an appealing thing, and subtly different to a standard one. Doesn't turn too many heads, which is nice. Only got one angry looking stare from a man in a van (I like it when that happens ) Black doesn't flatter the car, I think white is nicer. Also, looking in the mirrors seeing the big curved rear wings made me feel like the Cayman is starting to look a little dated. The GT3 widebody is a more appealing site.

Engine wise, I was pretty blown away. This is one fast car. The figures are 330bhp and about 1400 kg. The GT3 is 415bhp and about 1395 kg. Obviously the GT3 is a rocket ship, but the Cayman doesn't feel far behind. I couldn't see it needing any more power, it just pulls really really hard. The big difference in engine is that you can feel the direct injection on the Cayman - the throttle responds almost as soon as you think about pressing the throttle. I found myself driving it along just jabbing it The GT3 enigne sounds special all the time, which it should being a race engine. This is a big plus. While the Caymans is only 0.2 litres less, and does sound good, it doesn't sound as nice. At idle it's near silent, but once you get it going it does sound pretty throaty. The exhaust button makes it louder, but it's still a bit more tinny than the GT3. Very nice though, just different, and not as good.

I did have a straightline battle with a 350Z from about 40 mph, and the Cayman walked away. 350Z driver didn't want to exchange thumbs up. Shame.

Everthing else around the drivetrain is just a bit more everyday than the GT3. The clutch is light, as is the gearchange, which is probably nicer for pottering around but also feels more natural when you are on it. The GT3 has a very stiff clutch and gearshift, but it's all part of the character - it's a very raw and mechanical thing.

Handling. No surprises other than the wet driving I mentioned. The car doesn't move around as much as the GT3 and it doesn't bob it's nose. Very nimble and you can chuck it around by poiting the nose at things and stepping on the throttle. I got some dry driving this evening and it's very grippy - almost as much as the GT3 but it's at an obvious disadvantage with less rubber on it not track rubber. The R comes with an LSD as standard, but i've never driven a normal Cayman so I can't comment on it really.

Brakes were a bit more spongy, with better feel for it, and very strong. Stronger than mine, but I am sure my pads need putting in the bin. GT3 brakes are massive, and with the car weighing the same it should be stopping better.

In summary then, it's one hell of a car, very fast and seems to be good at everthing. Felt like a junior GT3 to me. It's not as quick or as special as the GT3 but then it's about £40k less when new, and it is a special car in it's own right. Would I have one? Absolutely? Will I buy one? Possibly but I don't need to sell mine for any reason, so I probably wont unless I find that job changes coming up mean I need something else from my car. I doubt Porsche could offer me anything tempting enough as a deal anyway, although I do know they want my car. I'd be very happy with one, although there would be that little nagging thing where you don't have a GT3 anymore - it's a very cool car and has the 911 X factor

Also the Doris said it was fast but scruched her face up when I suggested it could replace the GT3

On that note, I think it would make an excellent / cist effective road and track car.

 

[Gibbo]

Pressing reset on a warmed up car then sitting at 70 on motorway isn't 'real world'

I'll dig out the review from another thread. The driver owns a GT3 and like you had the R for a few days. He too got caught out in the wet.

Yes very true, but when I state mpg on a run that is what I mean, hit reset and sit at motorway speeds and see what your getting some miles later.

Obviously anything else is a true average, as cold starts, thrashes around country lines very quickly pull you into the teens.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Which motorway is it that allows 0-65mph joining with no fuel use?

 

[Gibbo]

Here it is

Yeah he seems to come across similar things to myself with the handling in the wet.

Agreed on the door pulls too, they just seem stupid, I mean proper handles would weigh, what 100g more?

I think the thing is to a 911 owner, once you've got used to a 911 and learnt to drive them it is hard to move to something else. It does make jumping into a Cayman/Boxster very easy and being able to spank them pretty much from the word go, but as the guy above found out, the Cayman R can seriously bite in the wet and struggles to lay its power down.

The Cayman R is quick becausing its gearing is a lot shorter than GT3, it is even shorter than my Carrera I think, though marginally and then factor in it weighs less too. I've had upteen races with my mates GT3 (996 380BHP) and I win everytime even into higher speeds. What helps is believe it or not my 997 is 50kg lighter than his GT3, it has shorter gearing and power wise they are both very similar. Against 997 GT3 well only come up against them on Donny straights, but on the long straight they pull about one-two car lengths on me, needless to say brings a smile to my face with how well mine goes.

 

[Gibbo]

Which motorway is it that allows 0-65mph joining with no fuel use?

Too clarify when I check to see what I can manage on a trip, I reset the trip computer once on the motorway, this is probably what has caused all the confusion.

The moment you come off off course mpg drops.


Here is something you can probably answer, when a manufacturer states its extra urban fuel consumption, what is the basis of that test? I just assumed they'd be sitting car at a constant 70mph, hit the trip button and take the consumption several miles later?

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Its a drive cycle of two parts, first section 19mph average, second section 37mph.... the whole of the NEDC cycle has only 4 seconds of 70mph.

 

[Gibbo]

Its a drive cycle of an 19mph average.... the whole of the NEDC cycle has only 4 seconds of 70mph.

Well now you can probably understand my results a little better. I just hit trip reset on motorway at 70ish and do my commute down the motorway and see what its averaged too a good few miles later, hence no doubt the surprising mpg results.

But to me that is what I can achieve on a motorway run, but agreed if you factor in the cold start, the drive to the motorway, come off the motorway then it is indeed a lot lower.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Not really 70mph is massive load compared to NEDC acceleration demand.

They aren't the manufacturers figures anyway, they are standardised results from a set cycle conducted by an independant lab on cars submitted to them by a manufacturer.

 

[rG-tom]

Well now you can probably understand my results a little better. I just hit trip reset on motorway at 70ish and do my commute down the motorway and see what its averaged too a good few miles later, hence no doubt the surprising mpg results.

But to me that is what I can achieve on a motorway run, but agreed if you factor in the cold start, the drive to the motorway, come off the motorway then it is indeed a lot lower.

i can get into the 60s by doing that

 

[Simon]

Yeah he seems to come across similar things to myself with the handling in the wet.

Agreed on the door pulls too, they just seem stupid, I mean proper handles would weigh, what 100g more?

I think the thing is to a 911 owner, once you've got used to a 911 and learnt to drive them it is hard to move to something else. It does make jumping into a Cayman/Boxster very easy and being able to spank them pretty much from the word go, but as the guy above found out, the Cayman R can seriously bite in the wet and struggles to lay its power down.

The Cayman R is quick becausing its gearing is a lot shorter than GT3, it is even shorter than my Carrera I think, though marginally and then factor in it weighs less too. I've had upteen races with my mates GT3 (996 380BHP) and I win everytime even into higher speeds. What helps is believe it or not my 997 is 50kg lighter than his GT3, it has shorter gearing and power wise they are both very similar. Against 997 GT3 well only come up against them on Donny straights, but on the long straight they pull about one-two car lengths on me, needless to say brings a smile to my face with how well mine goes.

Nice, his GT3 is his Road Toy, stupidly wide rear tyres.

He is currently building an S2000 Race car to compete in the VTEC challenge series this year.

 

[Simon]

Well now you can probably understand my results a little better. I just hit trip reset on motorway at 70ish and do my commute down the motorway and see what its averaged too a good few miles later, hence no doubt the surprising mpg results.

But to me that is what I can achieve on a motorway run, but agreed if you factor in the cold start, the drive to the motorway, come off the motorway then it is indeed a lot lower.

So stop quoting unrealistic numbers It takes a long time to offset a cold start.

 

[Gibbo]

Nice, his GT3 is his Road Toy, stupidly wide rear tyres.

He is currently building an S2000 Race car to compete in the VTEC challenge series this year.

Sounds nice, he running 325's on the rear of the GT3 by any chance? Vtec engined cars are awsome on track, always on cam.