[bmwexecutive]

Okay, yes I'm an idiot. I'm sure almost everyone in the world knows the answer to this question but some reason it dawned on me as to whether Porsche's are all-wheel drive or not. Specifically the Cayman S. So what's the deal: AWD, RWD, or FWD?

[Agni]

i know some of the 911s are AWD.
Go check
http://www.porsche.com/usa/

[NFS]

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

Okay, yes I'm an idiot. I'm sure almost everyone in the world knows the answer to this question but some reason it dawned on me as to whether Porsche's are all-wheel drive or not. Specifically the Cayman S. So what's the deal: AWD, RWD, or FWD?

The boxter's and Caymans are mid engined RWD.

911's rear engined and RWD apart from the carrera 4's which (you guessed it) are 4WD.

Having the driven wheels and the engine at the back makes for very characteristic handling.

The cayenne is (obviously) 4WD.

and (thankfully) porsche do not make anything with FWD because it would be crap.

[just4kickz]

they handle so well ;o

[scubajag]

Cayman S is RWD, mid engine, and it is a terrific vehicle ( I own one). It can kick the tail of most other sport cars.

[shimshimhada]

you noob. You call yourself an enthusiast. All Porsches are FWD, silly. That's why they handle so well.

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by scubajag

Cayman S is RWD, mid engine, and it is a terrific vehicle ( I own one). It can kick the tail of most other sport cars.

Cool! Yeah, for me, unless some other model comes out, it's between the Cayman S and the BMW V8 M3 for my next car which is about 12 months away. My budget is right around $1,250 per month (leasing) and that's about what the Cayman S is with a 48 month lease and 12K miles (about $1,199/month)--- I'd be trading the least after 24 months anyway, I simply don't like to keep a car longer than that. Not sure on the V8 M3 since it's not out yet but I figure it'd be about the same--maybe $200/month less. And with the Cayman S, the MSRP on the one I want is about $74K because they make you buy every friggen feature --- power seats, automatic climate, etc.

So I look at it like this in terms of price:

BMW V8 M3 - $66K
$1,049/month
36 Month Lease
12K Miles

Porsche Cayman S - $74K
$1,199/month
48 Month Lease
12K Miles

But it's really going to come down to how the Cayman S drives. If it rides like the Z4, that's an automatic pass because I can't stand how firm and bumpy the Z4 rides. My 330i is actually very comfortable in terms of ride comfort and if the Cayman S is like my 330i regarding comfort, it's going to be a challenge to figure out which car I'm getting. Oh, and I'm sure insurance will probably be about the same on both cars--like $415/month.

[ward]

maybe lighten the option load on the cayman, 74K????


did you miss any of the boxes? not many

15 grand in options?

[GuillaumeSoete]

Turbo 911s are AWD too.

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by ward

maybe lighten the option load on the cayman, 74K????


did you miss any of the boxes? not many

15 grand in options?

Actually, if I choose all options it would come out at around $90K.

In order to make its feature comparable to those on my 330i, $15K in options is what it takes.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by GuillaumeSoete

Turbo 911s are AWD too.

This AWD one spun right in front of me, zipped off the track, and hit the tire wall (bounced about 5 feet into the air too) at the track on Saturday. I felt really bad for the guy, and I think he got hurt.

The car was not that damaged for the way the accident looked.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by lni

This AWD one spun right in front of me, zipped off the track, and hit the tire wall (bounced about 5 feet into the air too) at the track on Saturday. I felt really bad for the guy, and I think he got hurt.

The car was not that damaged for the way the accident looked.

Having driven one on a track (AWD) - I am cured of wanting a 911 for road use.

When they bite - you are in trouble.

The driving style is completely different to other cars and so is the racing line. The require a definate slow in fast out approach and trail braking is a no no.

If you brake hard in anything but a straight line the engine will overtake you. However, the positive part is phenomonal stability under acceleration. So as you approach the apex you can ram on the gas and the car justs settles and deals with it. I think this is what makes them so fast on a circuit .. they can get the power down extra early and the braking characteristics, just force you not to take a lazy line.

I've never driven a Boxter or Cayman (but would love to) being mid engined I would hope that the potential to kill you would be reduced in comparison to the 911.

There is a very good reason why so many 911's are written off - you do need to be careful.

[Master Deep]

The snap oversteer problems are greatly reduced in the newer (996 on) 911's.

Go to www.rennlist.com for more info.