370Z vs. Cayman
Jan 29, 2009 | 11:27 AM
#21
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
A week later, I stopped by my local Porsche dealer and checked out a Cayman S. Prior to this, I really had no interest in the Cayman, and it was probably one of the last cars on my list. However, the salesman threw me the keys, and let me take it for a spin. WOW, that car gave me the exact same feelings I had when I drove my S2000 for the first time. I had the biggest grin on my face after the test drive--a complete 180 from the underwhelmed feeling I had with the 370Z. Long story short, I took the CS home last week and have enjoyed every minute of driving it since. I have no regrets, and can't say that I would have had nearly as much fun in the Nissan. Sure, it performs about as well as the Cayman, but it doesn't have that same Porsche magic...
I don't know how I feel about the SyncroRev thing. It's very cool, but I like to do that myself. I don't like gizmos that help unskilled drivers gain the abilities of skilled drivers.
I couldn't deal with the interior of the 370Z. Way too busy and way to Japanese for me. That 370Z may be a damn fine car, but you'd never get me to trade my Cayman S, even for 2 of them.
Jan 29, 2009 | 11:32 AM
#22
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 682
From: Orlando
Well you should be ok since there is no launch control LOL
Oh wait.... it has traction control. Yup they can proabably void your warrenty if you shut it off
Oh wait.... it has traction control. Yup they can proabably void your warrenty if you shut it off
Jan 29, 2009 | 12:07 PM
#23
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,118
From: Omaha, NE
Thats a good read!
I sat in a 370Z and Cayman last weekend at an auto show and the interior really felt cramped in the 370. I mean the 350 was cramped but this just felt small and the dash seemed really "busy". THe cayman has a much nicer feel in the interior.
As for style... I think both are kind of ugly without modifications (Caymans with an aero kit, drop and wheels are GORGEOUS however). But i've gotta say, I hated the 370 from all the photos I saw on the internet but in the flesh... it was actually kind of nice.
Regardless, it is impressive that you can get essentially cayman performance at a 30k discount.
I sat in a 370Z and Cayman last weekend at an auto show and the interior really felt cramped in the 370. I mean the 350 was cramped but this just felt small and the dash seemed really "busy". THe cayman has a much nicer feel in the interior.
As for style... I think both are kind of ugly without modifications (Caymans with an aero kit, drop and wheels are GORGEOUS however). But i've gotta say, I hated the 370 from all the photos I saw on the internet but in the flesh... it was actually kind of nice.
Regardless, it is impressive that you can get essentially cayman performance at a 30k discount.
Feb 1, 2009 | 08:55 PM
#24
Teamspeed Rookie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3
From: Miami, Florida
Thanks for the review and the pictures. I have owned 2-240Zs and now own a Boxster and there is no comparison between the two. I sat in both the 350z and the Cayman at the recent Miami Auto Show and the build quality is comparable, but still different. The 350Z was still very japanese in design and the Cayman is classic German design. Both designs are very different and are appealing to different tastes. As it has been stated, the Z's look better in person than in pictures, where as the Caymans photograph better.
Feb 19, 2009 | 04:17 PM
#26
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,209
From: City of Angels and Nice Cars
I had been looking forward the 370Z for a long time, and actually came VERY close to ordering one for myself. I had the opportunity to test drive one a couple of weeks ago, and it's a great improvement over the 350Z. The synchro rev-match feature is actually pretty cool, and there are lots of little features (intelligent keys, for instance) that I really liked. For the price, there are no other new cars out there that can touch it, but I ended up picking up a CPO'd '06 CS last weekend instead.
Why? Well, despite how good the 370Z performs on paper (and in real life), I just didn't feel connected to the car as I do when I drive my S2000. The car was great--it was faster, handled better, and stopped harder than the 350Z, but I just felt so isolated from everything. It was definitely more luxurious than the 350Z, and even though the car performed exactly as described by all of the magazine reviews, it just seemed a bit soul-less to me.
A week later, I stopped by my local Porsche dealer and checked out a Cayman S. Prior to this, I really had no interest in the Cayman, and it was probably one of the last cars on my list. However, the salesman threw me the keys, and let me take it for a spin. WOW, that car gave me the exact same feelings I had when I drove my S2000 for the first time. I had the biggest grin on my face after the test drive--a complete 180 from the underwhelmed feeling I had with the 370Z. Long story short, I took the CS home last week and have enjoyed every minute of driving it since. I have no regrets, and can't say that I would have had nearly as much fun in the Nissan. Sure, it performs about as well as the Cayman, but it doesn't have that same Porsche magic...
Why? Well, despite how good the 370Z performs on paper (and in real life), I just didn't feel connected to the car as I do when I drive my S2000. The car was great--it was faster, handled better, and stopped harder than the 350Z, but I just felt so isolated from everything. It was definitely more luxurious than the 350Z, and even though the car performed exactly as described by all of the magazine reviews, it just seemed a bit soul-less to me.
A week later, I stopped by my local Porsche dealer and checked out a Cayman S. Prior to this, I really had no interest in the Cayman, and it was probably one of the last cars on my list. However, the salesman threw me the keys, and let me take it for a spin. WOW, that car gave me the exact same feelings I had when I drove my S2000 for the first time. I had the biggest grin on my face after the test drive--a complete 180 from the underwhelmed feeling I had with the 370Z. Long story short, I took the CS home last week and have enjoyed every minute of driving it since. I have no regrets, and can't say that I would have had nearly as much fun in the Nissan. Sure, it performs about as well as the Cayman, but it doesn't have that same Porsche magic...
Feb 22, 2009 | 02:28 AM
#29
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,592
From: Mulholland Drive
I like the new Z. I like the balance, that rev match thingy (even if I have finally gotten really good at the old heel-toe) and the value. Still they're comparing a 4-year old design to a brand-new one. I should hope they've at least partially caught up.
I feel the opposite about their comfort readings though--I feel like they got confused or something. My Cayman makes a pretty freaking superb GT car when you're not hammering on it, wheras my friend's Z punishes you absolutely relentlessly. I think they got their notes backwards on that one. The Cayman rides pretty damn nicely considering it all on the standard suspension settings (w/ PASM).
I feel the opposite about their comfort readings though--I feel like they got confused or something. My Cayman makes a pretty freaking superb GT car when you're not hammering on it, wheras my friend's Z punishes you absolutely relentlessly. I think they got their notes backwards on that one. The Cayman rides pretty damn nicely considering it all on the standard suspension settings (w/ PASM).
Feb 24, 2009 | 01:10 AM
#30
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 130
From: Las Vegas, NV
Personally I like the new interior on the Z, but the chunky rear half of the exterior kills it for me. The front end has potential but that bulky looking window behind the door and rear 1/4 panel hips just don't flow. Can't deny it's a performer though, and the aftermarket tuning world will push it to the limits I'm sure.
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