④ Handling

On winding roads, even with my limited skills, when I steer, I feel an incredible sense of unity with the car, excellent responsiveness, and can follow the line I want.
I also like the moderate steering weight.

Recently, I had the chance to test drive the new BMW Z4 and 8 Series coupe. The Z4’s steering was too light, and the car’s sway during lane changes was scary. I never noticed this when I owned a Z4 before, but the Cayman reaffirmed itself as a true sports car.

⑤ Fuel Economy / Maintenance

Fuel economy is about 13 km/L on highways and around 8 km/L in town (both in Sport mode). Not bad.
Maintenance follows the Porsche mechanic’s recommendations. For example, engine oil was first changed at about 3,000 km, then roughly every 15,000 km thereafter.
Tire tread wears slowly. The first replacement was around 30,000 km. The mechanic said, “The slow wear is probably because of lots of long-distance driving.“
When I push hard on empty skylines and get out, I sometimes smell burnt rubber, but that’s probably just my imagination (laughs).
After delivery, the car showed an engine problem warning. I left it at the dealer, and it seemed there was a slight issue with piston operation—maybe a computer glitch. It was fixed quickly, and since then, the car has had no problems. The engine is in excellent condition.

5) Family Reactions

Many kids today are said to have little interest in cars, and mine are no exception (laughs).

6) Favorite Points

I love the exterior and the car’s color. Especially Sapphire Blue—it really stands out against the blue sky and sea and is truly beautiful.

7) Overall Impression

I always feel glad I bought the 981 Cayman. I’m sure I would have been satisfied with the Alpina B4 too, but the cars have different characters.
Alpina wraps you in a refined space with no tension at all. Its suspension smooths out road irregularities without transmitting unpleasant vibrations, yet it conveys road information and holds firm in corners.
Acceleration is also very quick. Truly Alpina magic.
Once, a driving service driver told me, “I get to drive many cars in this job, but this is my first Alpina. It’s nice. Want to go for a drive?” That shows how easy it is to drive.
The Cayman, with its low stance and snug cockpit, exudes excitement typical of a sports car. I wouldn’t take the Alpina to mountain roads, but the Cayman really shines there. It’s highly recommended for those who love driving on such roads.

8) What Porsche Means to Me

It’s a good partner that frees me from daily stress and lets me enjoy driving.

〘Blog Administrator’s Thoughts〙
The Sapphire Blue Cayman is stunningly beautiful. Personally, I like the design and sound of the 981, but I’ve never driven a 981 Cayman. After reading makoto’s review, I’m eager to drive it on the Royu Driveway and mountain roads. Thank you, makoto!