500hp FD vs 2016 Porsche Cayman S - Considering Selling
 

Hi all,

I've owned my FD for over 10 years and seriously considering it's time for me to move on. While it will be difficult to replace, one car I am interested in is a 2015/2016 Porsche Cayman S (6 Cylinder). While I have not driven one yet (Which I will of course) I have read and watched many reviews where everyone says it is one of the best cars out there especially in that price range.

I wanted to reach out to see if anyone owns one or has driven one? I would love to know how it compares to the FD in terms of overall feel, excitement, handling etc.

Thanks

Going to tell you right now that you will regret it. maybe not in the next year, or even 2, but someday you will.

Cayman's are great cars, especially compared to others in that price range, and they drive and feel great. but they're everywhere, and there's nothing nostalgic or unique about them, and they're an absolute pain to work on.

i think the only Porsche that will give you the same joy is a 911 S or better(997 and up). and that will even eventually wear off someday.

just my opinion.

I added a cayman S (2008) to my garage added a few things to it with the hope that it will be fun... it was the wrong choice

Only sports car I know (have not driven or ridden in many exotics) that compares is a 911 GT3 and once you've invested say 25k into both cars to set up for track use the FD may actually be the more entertaining drive. However the GT3 is the superior overall car because of it's build quality and reliability.

In other words a 2016 cayman isn't going to fit that script. However a GT4 could be pretty close but not as attractive/sexy as an FD or 997.

I currently own both a 1993 RX7 and a 2016 Porsche Cayman GTS. If you are going to do this then I would recommend getting a GTS or the GT4. The Cayman S is a fine car but will probably bore you after the first week. I had an 2008 Cayman S prior to my GTS. World of difference. Good luck.

Steve

I don't know what you're planning on spending, but you can get a clean used Nissan GTR for around $50k.

One local rx7 owner here, got a GT4, had it for a few weeks - and sold it for more than he paid Porsche - wasn't very impressed with the car. He's got the 2.5 turbo GTS cars now, they're a much better proposition apparently, still has 2 FDs though.

I've owned my 1993 FD since new and also a 2014 981 Cayman S. My suggestion is to go drive the Cayman and see for yourself. The Cayman is a great car, similar but still quite different than the FD. As I've said in another thread, you can't really deny 20+ years of automotive progress, and Porsche builds incredible cars. Can't imagine anyone being bored with a 981 S, but then my FD is pretty much stock. If you're use to the kick of 500 HP maybe you would be. The 981 S is a fantastic sports car, but not a drag racer. And the GTS will not drive appreciably differently than an S model, with just 15 more HP. The GT4 is 385 HP but now you're at roughly $100K. A nice '14 Cayman S can be had for <$50K. Good luck with your decision!

If you care anything about modding, I wouldn't do it. It'll be hard to pull any extra power out of the car at all and then you will be handicapped by the transmission. Great car but only if you plan on using it for cruising.

I have a Cayman GT4 and a single turbo RX7. They are very different and you cannot really exchange one for another. Cayman IMO is a very well rounded car. Superb handling without being punishing in daily driving. If you can only have one car go for the cayman. If you can afford to have both, do not get rid of your FD. FD is very special car in terms of the engine + chassis set up along with the raw feel it provides when it works. With the Cayman, you can bet the car will start every morning.

my dad had a boxster, and he sold it, because the dealership spent 3 summers trying to get it to start in the morning, and failed.

the good part of the car is that they did a great job of addressing all the sensory inputs, it smells good, sounds good, the things you touch feel good, etc the handling is good, but very different than the FD, its actually more like a sorted FC.

in addition to the non reliability, i felt that the power curve of the engine was no fun, when you're driving normally it feels like if you step on the gas its going to rip your head off, but then when you do step on the gas you find that you were getting 90% of the available power, kind of the reverse of an FD.

also you should consider that the Mazda owners are typically really nice people. the Porsche crowd has some cool people in it, but overall its not as good

The main reason I am considering the change is my FD is used for fun opposed to convenience. It rarely gets driven and its not something I can just jump in and go. With the laws in Australia getting worse, the scrutiny around modified cars and being taken off the road is growing.

I wish I could keep both, but a Cayman S in Australia is around $75k USD ($110k AUD). It wouldn't be viable to have both.

I would leave it standard with the exception of an exhaust (if the stock sports one isn't enough) but i'm sure it will be.

Thank you, appreciate the feedback. The power would be missed but looking for overall feel and excitement of the driving experience that can compare to the FD.

Great, then I think you'll be favorably impressed with the 981 Cayman. You'll wish for a little more low end grunt at times (and shorter gearing) as I do, but overall it's a great street-driven sports car. I've owned mine for 5 years now and it still does it for me!

It's almost funny that I stumbled on this thread as I have been having similar thoughts. I have toyed with the idea of selling my FD for a multitude of reasons and have thought about the cayman GTS. I threw the idea out because I have a wife and young daughter that I would like to get involved in the cars and coffees, car cruises, etc and neither the FD nor the GTS have rear seats. The catless single turbo rx7 leaves that 2 stroke smell on my clothes so riding in it to our dates is also out of the question but I guess that was the trade off. At this moment I am leaning towards a camaro ZL1 1LE. Small rear seats but they will do the job. I doubt I will find a car that I enjoy as much as the FD and even with all of this time and money into it I am still considering the sale. At this point I am ranting hoping I will change my own mind :hahano:

get a 911 991 thats a proper upgrade

I contemplated this decision too .....
Only a 996 or 997 turbo will suffice.

Yes, I say skip the Caymans (unless you want something super small) and go 997tt.

Cayman is significantly roomier than an FD, just sayin'....

I know, I have 14 CS. I wasn't talking about interior space, was more on the exterior size. Although the 911 isn't much bigger than the Caymans.