Test Drive: Porsche Cayman S

I was fortunate enough to drive a Porsche Cayman S that was traded in last week. A local company had installed an aftermarket exhaust, intake, carbon fiber spoiler, and lowering springs. It looked amazing, and as soon as they drove off in their new car, I giddily hopped in the drivers seat and turned the key.

This is the first Porsche I've ever driven, or even caught a lift in. I've never turned the key on one, and it was a little strange, but exciting, having the key on the left side of the wheel.

The car was probably putting out around 320 horsepower to the rear wheels, and acceleration was as quick as you'd expect. I jostled the wheel at speed a little to feel out the stiff suspension, and it felt as tight as a drum and poised like a tiger. I had dreamed for years about driving a Porsche, and this was everything I had hoped to expect.

The exhaust note was nice, but being aftermarket it's impossible for me to say what the stock one sounds like. The interior is quiet, even when the pedal is floored, with the exception of a faint but welcome whine from the engine. I found the tranny to be silky smooth, though I'd prefer to have Reverse on the right side, near 5 and 6, rather than next to 1 and 2.
Having driven American, Asian, and European sports cars, there is little doubt in my mind as to which reigns supreme. It's just as you'd expect it to be. Americans prefer big-bore muscle, the Asians like their tuned out drifters, but the Europeans, especially the Germans, prefer refinement and prowess to braun and plastic. The Cayman S has earned a piece of my heart forever, and I can't wait to drive (and own) it's bigger brother, the 911.
-Biggs
(check out this link for actual pictures of this Cayman S)