{"id":37501,"date":"2019-07-06T06:00:34","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T21:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=37501"},"modified":"2019-10-01T13:47:33","modified_gmt":"2019-10-01T04:47:33","slug":"porsche-owners-file-16-cayman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/porsche-owners-file-16-cayman\/","title":{"rendered":"\u3010Porsche Owners File #16\u3011Porsche Cayman (981): Buying, Options & Driving Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello, everyone! I\u2019m Mina, the editor of \u201cWelcome Home, PORSCHE.\u201d Our Porsche Owners File<\/a> series was created in response to readers who wanted to hear firsthand stories from Porsche owners. For installment #16, \u201cTakemaru<\/strong>\u201d shares his buying story, options, and driving review of his \u201cCayman (981)<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u3018Owner Profile\u3019<\/strong>
\n\u30fbFeatured car: Porsche Cayman (981)
\n\u30fbName: Takemaru (Twitter @tkr9811<\/a>)
\n\u30fbLocation: Kanagawa Prefecture
\n\u30fbFamily: Father, mother, and younger sister
\n\u30fbPrevious cars:
\n(My father\u2019s cars)<\/span> BMW 320i M Sport (late E46) \u2192 BMW 523i M Sport (early F10)
\n\u30fbA message for readers:
\nI\u2019m 24 this year, and although I\u2019m still young, I took the plunge and bought a Porsche as my first car. I hope my story can help others like me who are young and interested in Porsche<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1) How I Decided to Buy a Porsche<\/h3>\n

\u2014I wanted something to make life more fun<\/h4>\n

I\u2019ve always been interested in cars. When I started my first year as a working adult, I found myself dreaming vaguely of one day owning a supercar.<\/p>\n

Once I started working, there was a period when I lost motivation because of my work environment and compensation, and after a breakup as well. Then one day, I thought, \u201cThis isn\u2019t right! I need to find something new to make life more fun!<\/strong>\u201d That was what first got me thinking seriously about buying a car.<\/p>\n

\u2014Why I chose a Porsche<\/h4>\n

My father is a car enthusiast too and has owned several BMWs. Since he hardly ever drove his car, I was lucky enough to have free use of his BMW<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I drove a 523i, so I wanted my own car to be its opposite: instead of the F10 523i\u2019s four doors, front engine, rear-wheel drive, and automatic transmission, I wanted two doors, a mid-engine layout, and a manual transmission<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I also wanted a car with a \u201clarge engine,\u201d \u201croom for luggage,\u201d \u201cgood reliability,\u201d and a \u201cgreat-looking interior.\u201d<\/strong> The 981 Cayman checked every box.<\/p>\n

I asked the dealer to find me a manual in Agate Grey, so it took a while. When one finally came along, it was in great condition, and the salesperson strongly recommended it\u2014so I went with this Cayman.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think there\u2019s another mid-engine car with this much luggage space<\/strong>. Depending on the size, you can even fit a golf bag in it. The 987 Cayman can apparently hold two.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2014What sealed the deal?<\/h4>\n

Getting approved for the loan. I was trying to buy a car worth more than twice my annual income, so, honestly, I thought, \u201cThere\u2019s no way I\u2019ll get approved for this loan.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019d decided to give up if the loan didn\u2019t come through.<\/p>\n

2) Options and Specifications<\/h3>\n

I bought the car used, so I don\u2019t know all the details, but it appears to have a \u201cSport steering wheel,\u201d \u201ccarbon-fiber interior trim,\u201d \u201cSport Exhaust,\u201d and \u201cfull leather interior,\u201d<\/strong> among other features.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The previous owner had made quite a few modifications. It seems to have a carbon-fiber front lip, bucket seats, a ducktail-style (?) spoiler, and aftermarket coilovers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On top of that, I had the wheels painted black and added colored Porsche crests before delivery<\/strong>. When I have a bit more money to spare, I\u2019d like to paint the brake calipers yellow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s left-hand drive. I figured that since imported cars have the turn-signal stalk on the left, a left-hand-drive car would let me shift gears and use the turn signal with separate hands<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The downside is that reaching for a parking ticket can be a challenge. (Many urban multistory car parks do have ticket machines on the left, though.)<\/span><\/p>\n

3) The Buying and Delivery Timeline<\/h3>\n

I visited the dealership and checked that a loan seemed possible. I started looking in late December 2018, and took delivery in April 2019.<\/strong> If you\u2019re not particular about the body color and transmission, I don\u2019t think you\u2019d have to wait this long.<\/p>\n

4) What Porsche Ownership Has Taught Me About the Cayman<\/h3>\n

\u2460 Engine<\/h4>\n

The engine revs freely, and the sound is especially satisfying. You can also hear the mechanical sounds clearly\u2014maybe because of the mid-engine layout\u2014which makes me feel even more connected to the car.<\/p>\n

\u2461 Manual Transmission<\/h4>\n

I originally had an automatic-only driver\u2019s license. After deciding to buy a Cayman, I got my manual-transmission restriction removed while the dealer searched for a car that met my criteria<\/strong>, so the only manual car I\u2019d ever driven before the Cayman was the one I used for driving lessons.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m still learning, but the way the 981 Cayman\u2019s shifter slots into gear with a satisfying little click is addictive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If I stall, pressing the brake and clutch restarts the engine automatically.<\/strong> It\u2019s a luxury feature, but it makes the Cayman feel like a manual that\u2019s friendly to beginners.<\/p>\n

The electronic parking brake applies automatically on most hills, but I find it harder to use because I can\u2019t tell when it will release<\/strong>. On gentler inclines, it often doesn\u2019t hold the car at all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2462 Handling and Brakes<\/h4>\n

Compared with the 523i, the Cayman feels like this:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt turns so well! Incredibly well! It takes corners with ease, even at a pretty decent speed!\u201d<\/p>\n

The car still has plenty in reserve, but I feel like I\u2019m the one holding it back because I\u2019m nervous about pushing it harder. I feel like I\u2019m letting the Cayman down.<\/p>\n

At the same time, I sometimes think, \u201cIt must be scary once you go beyond the limit.<\/strong>\u201d I\u2019m thinking of taking a Porsche driving course (Porsche Track Experience)<\/span> so I can learn the car\u2019s limits and how to respond appropriately if I exceed them.<\/p>\n

As for the brakes, I\u2019m comparing them only in everyday driving on public roads. The 523i has more travel in the brake pedal than the Cayman, and its braking feels progressive and resistant to sudden, aggressive bite, even when you press a little harder. The Cayman\u2019s pedal has less travel, but the brakes feel responsive and sharp without grabbing suddenly.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think this reflects the difference in purpose between the \u201c523i, a four-door sedan designed with ride comfort in mind,\u201d and the \u201cCayman, a two-door sports car.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

I imagine the differences would become even clearer on a track or on a downhill mountain road. (Mina recently bought a BMW too, and I\u2019m curious how she finds it compared with her Porsche.)<\/span><\/p>\n

When I visit my grandmother in Fukuoka, I drive her Toyota Aqua. Its brakes scare me! They bite hard with just a light touch, and I kept lurching forward until I got used to them, haha.<\/p>\n

Next page \u2192 Cayman Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, and Track Driving\u2014How Does It Measure Up?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u2463 Fuel Economy<\/h4>\n

I get 12\u201314 km\/L on the highway and 10 km\/L on local roads.<\/strong> The 523i gets poor fuel economy, so when I saw the Cayman\u2019s numbers, I thought it was an eco car. (laughs)<\/p>\n

\u2464 Ride Comfort and Driving Feel<\/h4>\n

The suspension has adjustable damping, so I can set it anywhere from rock-hard to fairly comfortable. For a sports car, I think the ride is pretty comfortable.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That said, as mentioned earlier, the car has bucket seats and aftermarket suspension components, so its ride is likely different from a Cayman with all the original equipment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As for how they drive, the 523i feels like it uses a big engine to push its heavy body along with ease, while the Cayman feels like a light car shooting forward on a big engine.<\/strong> (I\u2019m really struggling to put it into words, haha.)<\/span><\/p>\n

I often feel electronic systems intervening in the 523i, and in Comfort mode there\u2019s quite a delay between pressing the accelerator and feeling the car pick up speed. Sport mode makes it much more responsive, but it still doesn\u2019t match the Cayman. Even compared with the E46 320i my father owned before the 523i, I noticed a lag in response.<\/strong><\/p>\n

By contrast, the Cayman responds quickly, thanks to its manual transmission and its nature as a focused sports car.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On track, the Cayman\u2019s \u201chandling,\u201d \u201cbraking,\u201d and \u201cchassis rigidity\u201d<\/strong> really stand out.<\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t driven any other car on a circuit, so I can\u2019t compare it directly. But it felt as though the Cayman was telling me, \u201cYou can take this corner faster. Keep pushing. You can brake harder.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The car still had more to give, but I couldn\u2019t keep up with it. Sorry, Cayman\u2014I\u2019ll keep working on my driving and get better.<\/p>\n

\u2465 How My Family Reacted<\/h4>\n

My mother\u2019s reaction was basically, \u201cI can\u2019t believe you actually bought a Porsche…<\/strong>\u201d I felt the same way myself. My father was happy for me.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

When I told my ex-girlfriend, she said, \u201cAre you crazy?<\/strong>\u201d She had a point.<\/p>\n

\u2466 What I Love Most<\/h4>\n

I love those sexy hips. And when I switch on the Sport Exhaust and hear it crackle as I lift off the throttle, I feel like I\u2019m glad to be alive.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thank you, Mom and Dad.<\/p>\n

5) The Option I\u2019d Definitely Choose on My Next Porsche<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m happy with the car as it is, but I\u2019m still terrible at heel-and-toe downshifting. The floor-hinged accelerator pedal makes it especially tricky, so I keep thinking, \u201cI wish it had the Sport Chrono Package.<\/strong>\u201d (On the 981, Sport Chrono activates automatic throttle blipping in Sport Plus mode.)<\/span><\/p>\n

But I shouldn\u2019t make excuses\u2014I\u2019ll keep working on my heel-and-toe technique! Experienced manual drivers, please share your advice!<\/p>\n

7) Anything I\u2019m Not So Keen On<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m not a big fan of the orange accents in the interior. I don\u2019t notice them while I\u2019m driving, though.<\/p>\n

8) Overall Verdict<\/h3>\n

I love everything about it\u2014except the orange interior accents!<\/p>\n

9) What Does Porsche Mean to You?<\/h3>\n

\u201cSomething that makes life richer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though I had free use of the 523i, it was still my father\u2019s car, so I\u2019d never been to an imported-car gathering or meet before. Buying a Porsche gave me my first chance to join one.<\/strong> I\u2019ve made new friends, and I\u2019m sure there will be more to come.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Since buying the Cayman, things at work have been going well, so maybe it\u2019s brought me a little good luck, too.<\/strong>
\nI\u2019ll keep working hard so I can afford to take care of this car.<\/p>\n

\u3018A Note from the Editor\u3019<\/strong>
\nTakemaru, who shared his story with us, once told me that this blog inspired him to buy a Porsche. He bought one at a young age and is working hard to keep it on the road. His straightforward love of cars and determination really moved me. Thank you, Takemaru!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0\u300c\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u300d\u306e\u8aad\u8005\u69d8\u304b\u3089\u9802\u3044\u305f\u611b\u8eca\u306e\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u3092\u7d39\u4ecb\u3059\u308b\u8a18\u4e8b\u306e\u7b2c16\u5f3e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u4eca\u56de\u306f981 \u30b1\u30a4\u30de\u30f3\u306e\u30ec\u30d3\u30e5\u30fc\u3067\u3059\u3002","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":12572,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=12561","footnotes":""},"categories":[60,56],"tags":[218,186],"class_list":["post-37501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aboutcayman","category-porscheownersfile","tag-218","tag-porsche-cayman","en-US"],"yoast_head":"\u3010Porsche Owners File #16\u3011Porsche Cayman (981): Buying, Options & Driving Review - 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