This car is all about the driver experience, not necessarily drag times. Although 0-60 in 4.2 seconds isn't slow. At just around 3,000 lbs, and mid-engined, the driving dynamics are just incredible. You are supremely balanced no matter what you do. And the steering, oh the steering! You must sample the hydraulic steering. To call it precise hardly captures the joy of sitting behind the alcantara-wrapped wheel and maneuvering the car quickly through a bend. Having come from a 2008 Audi TT (3.2L 6-speed DSG), loved the car to death, but the ultra-light non-adjustable steering just made controlling the car difficult in corners. So, how to describe this marvelous piece of machinery from Stuttgart?
Too spectacular...Magical. Telepathic. Intuitive. Superb, muscular stance. Perfectly balanced. Zero body roll. Love the PDK w/paddle shifters (seven-speed dual clutch transmission), burble of the engine, the exhaust note. The engine growls and sings opera-style at throttle, right behind you. It's literally got your back. Keeping it beneath 4K RPM for the break-in period is a repeated exercise in restraint. The R sits very low, nearly one inch lower than the Cayman S, yet it is so easy to get in and out of. The sport seats are amazingly comfortable, and contrary to popular assumption, it's not at all bad over bumps, even great as a DD (Daily Driver)!
Yes, it has a very firm suspension setup w/ Bilstein dampers, signifying the car will rock and bobble over pavement imperfections as one very cohesive, solidly built unit. But it's not harsh. If you want ultimate cornering and handling dynamics (not 2 ton weight or exotic price tag), this is one of the best on the market. The mid-engine layout really causes the car to shine in the corners, everywhere really. The handling prowess of this focused tool is difficult to put into words. Suffice it to say, the Cayman R offers phenomenal levels of car control and you have no idea what you've been missing until you drive one. At last, a true sports car and constant reminder that power is nothing without control.
The color (Aqua Blue) sparkles in person, a phosphorescent type of blue. Spec'd the car exactly as is. Originally wanted the bucket seats, but found out sport seats are required for child seat preparation. A good option with a little one on the way. Obviously won't be using a two-seater to transport an infant much -- that's what our four-door is for. Nevertheless, smart to have it there when he's old enough, since it'll be a cool opportunity for him. No doubt he'll be indelibly marked by a Porsche, as I was.
I'll never forget sitting in my Grandpa's 911 at the age of 5. The memory's lasting impression sparked a desire to work hard and someday own a Porsche. The moment served as a clarion call to choose. How will you live your life? Will you follow your dreams? Discover your potential? Or just settle in to a life of mediocre? Now, several decades later, owning a Cayman R just makes life so much sweeter. When it's parked, I stand there gawking at this remarkable machine, speechless, stunned that a lifelong dream has come true. -- Brian (br2002) @ 125 miles
If you want to participate in the Readers Rides blog, click here to read the submission guidelines and email your text and photos to submissions@edmunds.com -- Donna
farvy says:
06:09 AM, 02/ 3/12
Spectacular in every way. A guy here at work has an older one & absolutely loves it for basically the same reasons you do (steering, handling, brakes, etc.).
Congrats on having a dream fulfilled after being influenced by your grandfather. Mine was a mechanic for many years & pointed me into my liking of cars. I even have his 1964 Omega Automatic watch that he got after 25 years of service at the dealership. In the 1980's he had a Mercury Capri (their version of the Mustang) with a manual trans. Loved riding in it with him & seeing him shift the gears. But his favorite car of all time was a 1920's Oakland. Said it was the best car he ever owned.
Your words convey the essence of cars like a Porsche. People complain about the high price & how a riced out Civic offers the same performance for much less money. No way. Sure, Porsches cost a lot of money & may have their quirks. But there are certain things in life that "you get what you pay for". This is one of them. And it shouldn't matter what other people think anyway. You obviously love the car after dreaming of owning one for decades. Enjoy your Cayman.
Love the color too.
dexdizzy says:
07:00 AM, 02/ 3/12
Nice...
Wish I lived in a place that had streets paved as nicely as those :-(
bassrockerx says:
09:35 AM, 02/ 3/12
Good to know this car looks so good in blue. If it was mine I would have a hard time choosing between brown or purple.
throwback says:
10:37 AM, 02/ 3/12
That is a very nice shade of blue, and a great car.
subytrojan says:
11:00 AM, 02/ 3/12
Nice!!!
I hope you will track it several times!
brn says:
11:01 AM, 02/ 3/12
When did Porsche get sexy lines like that? I like it.
cjasis says:
11:27 AM, 02/ 3/12
I'm a hard core 911 guy but I love, love, love the 987 Boxster and Cayman. I was lucky enough to spend about a month and nearly 1,000 miles with Cayman S (non DFI, manual transmission) and loved it. I haven't driven the Cayman R but by all acounts it takes a good thing and makes it better.
I love Aqua Blue as well. If I were buying a new Cayman R, I'd be hard pressed between your color choice or guards red (silver wheels, delete model designation/stripes).
If you haven't done so already, do yourself a favor and join the PCA. Great group of people and at least here in S.CA they open the door to a lot of great Porsche related activitites including, but certainly not limited to, auto-x.
Many happy, safe miles. Keep the shiny side up!
nyccarguy says:
11:29 AM, 02/ 3/12
Your car is absolutely, drop dead, gorgeous! I love the lines of the Cayman, that shade of blue is perfect, & I simply LOVE the black wheels with the blue body! Congratulations & I wish you MANY years of joy & happiness with your Cayman R.
lautomobile says:
05:36 PM, 02/ 3/12
One of the finest sports cars money can buy.
isend2c says:
10:57 AM, 02/ 4/12
That's a fantastic car, but it says you've only driven 125 miles? I'd like to see your review after having gone 22,000... It could have been on the dealer lot with that many miles, and everybody is (or should be) enamored with their new car when they buy it, and not aware or not thinking of it's faults and flaws.
br2002 says:
11:19 AM, 02/ 4/12
Thanks everyone! Have almost 900 miles now, had 5 when driven off the lot. Opinion has not changed, only gotten better. Will have to wait and write another review after several thousand miles, but imagine I will have learned a lot more amazing personality attributes by that time, not too scared of any flaw that might appear. Every luxury car I've owned has them. Still, really is a must to sample the Cayman for oneself to see that it/its handling and performance, are more than pen and ink can describe. To agree with an earlier comment, you get what you pay for, and it is that good :)
hooklyn says:
07:52 AM, 02/ 6/12
We should have awards for Readers Rides where we vote on our favorites. I vote for yours. You should win.
Do you daily this car?
hooklyn says:
07:54 AM, 02/ 6/12
@ br2002;
"To agree with an earlier comment, you get what you pay for, and it is that good :)"
This is what I tell people when they question my choice for a $27,000 hatchback (GTI).
I couldn't agree with the sentiment more.
roadburner says:
08:54 AM, 02/ 6/12
Beautiful. I'm thinking that a Cayman will be my next track toy.
inlinesix says:
10:34 PM, 02/ 6/12
If I ever sell my S2000 I might have to get a Cayman S. Your "R" looks fantastic with those wheels and the colors.
vikasdesai says:
06:14 AM, 02/13/12
Awesome car man, only thing about this car, not enough power(obviously held back by porsche) also those ridiculous door handles for lightness is ridiculous. It cheapens the product. Overall though, cayman R is just awesome, and unlike other cars will not be lose its impact and its coolness. Imagine you bought a bmw 550I for the same money or a lexus GS/ls in 5 years it becomes invisible and dated but this cayman R will always be cool. This is what separates porsche sports cars from all others
projectm96 says:
06:17 AM, 02/13/12
This is my dream car. I have a 2000 Boxster Base right now and I love it. I have driven other Boxster's and 911's as well. The Cayman S has been my dream car since it came out in 06. And Now I am going for the Cayman R. I have about 6 more years of saving up before I can afford a used one. haha.
06sti says:
01:36 PM, 02/13/12
I really dig the matching silver painted rearview mirrors and side intake grills with the black wheels. Well done. I hate to be crass asking this, but what was the final tally optioned up like this? I might just have to do the same ;)
singletrack says:
05:58 PM, 02/13/12
Congratulations on your R. It's great to discover your blog as I have come to my Cayman R (Black/Silver contrast/PDK/Sport Bucket Seats) as you have, from a 2008 Audi TT, 3.2 DSG. My impression of the R in relation to the TT echo yours. I absolutely LOVE this car. Never have I owned an automobile so clearly focused. And no matter how many different ways you try to describe the steering, until you actually drive one, understanding "telepathic" has no context. I'm just at 1,000 miles on my now and have to agree that trying to keep it under 4,000 rpm is torture - the car just wants to GO.
Please continue sharing your thoughts and if you are not already a member on Planet-9 - the Cayman/Boxster forum, please consider joining our community.
Cheers!
kyolml says:
11:18 PM, 02/13/12
Hey, nice getting some special edition, sure will keeps its value for the low volumn. 125 miles is nothing yet, need more mileage to truly understand how it's going to be a DD. Post something in long-term longevity or something later, please!
marcus1701 says:
12:24 PM, 02/14/12
That is a great looking cayman! Coming from a Z4 3.0si and an Audi TT 225 I definitely have a love/passion for little sports cars. Caymans when they first came out didn't appeal to me for the lack of horsepower gain, lack of significant weight reduction, and it looked too much like a boxster with a roof. This is really no different than Z4 coupes that are basically built as convertibles first. So for me, the methodology didn't make sense.
6 years later, and seeing quite a few of these cars on the road, and reading reviews on how great midengine cars handle- to the levels of 911's- I have definitely have more respect for the car. I love seeing these R's as well. I saw a red and white boxster R and they are just so pure I love the way it looks. I can only imagine everything's stiffened up, and some of the creature comforts are gone, but I'm sure it sounds and drives unreal.