Anyone compare to a 981 Cayman S?

Find a 360 and/or 430 to drive and see what it does for you. I owned a 2008 Cayman, 911's and a couple Boxsters. All were great cars. Once I switched to Ferrari I never looked back. Its all in what you like and the enjoyment you get. What you won't get is the latest gadget or modern conveniences. OTOH, I don't think you'd regret either car, they are wonderful to drive.

 

As a long time 911 owner I traded my 993 six speed stick car for my 360. It is my first paddle shift car--- and I love it.
I thought I would look back and miss the 911 but as you said, in a sense, for me, the 911's have gotten way too docile as the year models progressed.
As a result I don't see another 911 in my future.

The Ferrari is an entirely different breed. No cup holders, no cruise control, no unnecessary gimmicks. You just drive the hell out of it and it performs, sounds, and looks amazing. IMO the 360 is one of the most curvaceous and sexy Ferraris ever designed with limited tech so as not to take the joy out of actually driving.
Simply not looking back.

As suggested, drive the 360 and the 430 if you can. Also drive the stick and the F1. I did. I decided that the F1 was simply phenomenal--- and this from a life long 3 pedal guy. Kind of took me by surprise as I was already talking myself into another stick shift car.

Over a year now and still loving my F1 360.

 

I have a 2010 Cayman S, and my Son whips a GT4. I can give you a comparison with my Stradale.

The Cayman S & GT4 both perform better. My "S" is converted to a full tilt racecar. The GT4, well its a damn fine mount too. If I had to only have one I would drive the GT4. Its not the "rockstar" that the Stradale is but its sum of parts in a well done Cayman exceeds a 360/430.

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With that said... I turned my attorney onto a 360 and he calls me regularly thanking me for the tip. He has owned all the top makes, including Cayman but he says nothing makes him happier than the 360. He will peek out in his garage just to see that he has one.

He wont ever drive it to the limit, or put a wrench on it, so for him the 360/430 feels like the top of the heap. But if he had to get familiar with it & work on it, or have high expectations from its performance in stock form then perhaps he would be less inclined to peek out at it.

Ferrari 360/430 cars are great, and I luv my Stradale, but it is a toy in many measures when compared to a proper German performance car.

 

Doug’s a little biased towards Porsche IMO, but still worth a watch.

 

I had a 981 Boxster Spyder.

I now have a 360 Spider.

Virtually the same performance.

Far easier to live with. And it stays planted in the twisties way better than the box spy.

Oh yeah, and it's a frigging FERRARI

 

Evo comparison: Boxster vs 360 Spider https://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/boxster-spyder/11512/porsche-boxster-spyder-v-ferrari-360-spider

 

I love my 360 CS but I also have an Alfa 4C. I would choose the 4C over the standard 360 or 430. It feels special every time I drive it, gets more attention than CS at roughly a third the investment. Maybe not quite as quick in stock trim as the Caymen but the entertainment factor is over the Porsche in spades. It's Italian, rare and special. Just my take. Good Luck!

 

I had a boxster now I have 911 and gated 360. They are not substitutes for each other, Porsche is a far superior point A to point B car and Ferrari is a far superior point A to point A car. You need both.

 

My girlfriend drives a 718 Cayman S, and I have had 3 360's and 2 430's, sorry but the Porsche should be and is a better car. Once you get past the oh wow it is a Ferrari (which means nothing to me) and look at the cars as engineered machines (which is how I look at all cars), the Porsche wins. I just bought Porsche #42 (have 3 now), and Ferrari #7 is gong into winter storage soon. The 360 and 430 are great cars in their own right but built on designs that are over 20 years old. If you want to great car at what I think is the best bargain on the market, go look at an AMG GTS, that thing has become my favorite car. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

What I personally like after having a 986 and now a 997 as a DD.. is the 360 WILL slap you if you're not in tune with it.

Porsches are so composed and easy to drive fast. I'm not even talking about below 70MPH. Any idiot can look good and PSM keeps you planted regardless of the drivers ability. The 360 BTW is going to stick to the road in the real world. What I've found is when you really push it to the limit the 986 will dance like a ballerina until she looses her footing and then kick out. 997 is just a hammer. Throw it in the corner and keep on the gas don't lift.

The 360 OTOH... she get's "nervous" as you push her at the limit. She's ready to kick that tail out at the apex or later of the turn. You have to be respectful of her and really know what she's feeling, or she's going to do her own thing and slap you. The e-diff and the different spring rates in the 430 attenuate it, but it's still there. The 458 completely eliminates it. I like it because it's NOT an easy car to drive fast. it's planted and it feels confident until you really explore the limits, then you find out she'll slap you.

 

Made similar transition from Boxster S to 360 Spider 4 years ago.

In my opinion, pre-781 Boxster/Cayman **S** (must be S) is arguably the perfect sports cars and best ever made. They perform flawlessly, are perfectly balanced, perfectly tuned, etc. They are like having sex with a super model who has flawless skin, perfect features, etc. You simply cannot find anything wrong with them. I truly enjoyed every drive.

The 360 is just mind-blowing, more like a pornstar that just begged me to F*** her harder, faster and in every possible position screaming with pleasure every time, leaving me completely physically and emotionally spent and needing a cigarette. I take her out just for long drives, not to go anywhere. The emotion and soul of the Ferrari just puts it on a different level. Classic German v Italian I suppose.

BUY a 360 or 430, don't just drive one. Buy a relatively stock, well maintained example. You can always go back to Porsche, it's so easy but if you're even considering it then there's no reason not to live with it for a year and see how you feel.

 

Wow, what an explicitly perfect account. Back in 10...

 

Should I point out the other detail that has been alluded to but not stated? You are comparing a 2012 design to a 1999 design I would expect any decent car that is 13 years newer to be faster AND better handling than the older car. Does that make it better? I personally don't think so and I really like the Cayman. In fact, for less money you could get a used GTR that would crush both cars; personally I think it is UGLY but that isn't the measure you stated. Years ago I had an Alfa Spyder and it was FAR from fast, great ride, or great handling BUT it made you smile every time you drove the car; it was just fun. The point is: get the car that you enjoy driving and makes you smile. All the rest is noise.

 

I have a 430 SCUD, 430 Spider, 981 Boxster GTS, if I had had to live with any for 12 months of the year it would be the 981 GTS

 

You did WHAT!!??? (Choke, splutter, gurgle).

You got rid of a 993 manual, stick God of all vehicles, car??

Oh dear, I need a nurse. The words you said -they're eating me up. Dear gawd please someone help me....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

 

The 993 isn't all that. It's nice... but Gen-Xers and Boomers have elevated it with hype beyond what is deserved.. 360 is QUITE a step up.

 

You’re really going to miss your Cayman when it’s gone.


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I don't presently own a V8 Ferrari, but I do have some V12s, which I love dearly.

However, I love, love, love my 981 Cayman S. When I run out of money or get locked up in memory care, that will be the last car to go.

 

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I’m owned a Columbo engined 4 liter Ferrari V-12. I currently own a V8 Ferrari, a PurSang Bugatti 35B, and a few other fun cars. But I’d be hard pressed to give up my 993 C4S.

Matt

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I drove my first 911 just about 48 years ago, and for some reason I cannot explain I can tell exactly what a 911 will do (regardless of what model) when I am driving one. The 911 (or kit car as the Porsche dealers call it) sitting up on my lift (in winter storage) is the most frightening thing I have ever driven, but it was built at a time when I was not really concerned about death. I see the emotion that comes into play, and it is interesting that it can make up for a cars weak points, I had a 718 Cayman S in the garage at the same time as I had both a 360 and a 430, but I have no emotional attachments or feelings about cars so I can only see them as machines. I don't drive with any nannies on and though I don't dislike the 360/430, it is not as good a car as the 718 Cayman S. What I do like about the 360/430 is that it is compared to the new car simplistic, no air cooled sets or fancy infotainment crap . But then again I also had a 4C in my garage at the same time, and I though it was not the most comfortable car, it was better than a 20 + year old Ferrari. I could go on and on, after as many cars as I have had there is one thing I learned, none of them are perfect, they are machines, some better than others, and all of them can be made better than when they come out of the box. OP if you can drive a stick, try an Evora 400, I liked mine.

 

I'd keep the Cayman and still get the Ferrari. They are beautiful cars and I'd like to have one someday. When I was originally looking at 360's I was looking under the impression that it would possibly replace my Z06. I'm glad I kept the Vette. Completely different cars with completely different attitudes. The Z06 I would jump in and drive cross country right now. The 360, I wonder what little gremlin it may decide to throw at me just cruising around town and it isn't nearly as comfortable so any more than a couple hours and I'm done.