but would never pick it over the RS4 for the same price. I was on the track in Portland with my old 2004 S4 V8, and a couple of Caymans, and an RS4, and the RS4 owned us all. I was faster than the Cayman S in the corners but it was slightly wet, and on the straightaways he ever so slightly pulled away from me. My S4 was completely stock. Was a very frustrating day because we were not allowed to pass in corners, so I would jam up behind the cayman in my S4, but since he was so light would pull away inches at a time on the straights.

OK so while we were deuling, the RS4 was busy working on lapping us both after 5 laps. No question I would take the RS4 first. But ask me if I would take a porsche cayman vs any other small sports coupe in the price range, I would take the Cayman hands down I think. I do love that car as well.

But I really do like the Cayman S. In my opinion the base Cayman is underpowered, but the S is a very nice car to drive and is quite quick on the track.

Since the Cayman S doesn't have a back seat it wouldn't be a consideration to replace the RS4, but a Cayman S would be a nice 3rd or 4th car.

Especially if the driver isn't good at carying speed into the corners. We participated in a couple of track days with the local Porsche dealer and my wife in our 2.0T A4 was passing Caymans. The Cayman S (which was the comparison in the OP) has more power and would be more difficult to keep up with.

I was driving and I swear I was jammed up on him every corner and he was on the edge of losing his back end. Yeah it was slightly wet, and that is what I attributed it to. Coming off turn 12 I was always right on top of him, but by about 20% down the straight I would no longer be closing the gap on him and he would then ever so slightly put some space on me. If I was 1/2 car length behind him at turn 12, then I was 1/4 car length behind at 20% and then by end of straight he was again 1.5-2 car lengths ahad of me where the jamming up behind him would begin again. Almost every lap I could have passed him on turn 6 and turn 11, but would have been black flagged (like the RS4 got because he was passing on corners). That guy almost got booted, instead got a stern talking to.

<a href="http://www.portlandraceway.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=45">Portland Raceway&gt;</a>

The cayman was 305hp I believe, but also only 3000lbs or something like that. I was 340hp but 4000lbs. But again, nobody was up to the task like the RS4 out there. Only car that would have been was a porsche GT3, but the dealer sales manager driving it spun it hard 2x exiting turn 12. I guess he got on it too hard and back end kicked out, front understeered and spun into the center grass. He decided no more driving the car that day and I never really got a chance to see it get going, because of the wet.

Edit** One other item to note, I had brand spanking new Toyo Proxes 4's on the car and they are quite a good wet pavement tire.

*golf clap*

I admit I am no Porsche fan, to me it looks like a very cheap car sold for a lot of money. But I'll try to stay objective and say that there are so many other two-door sport cars that are better than the Cayman S, and cost the same. GT-R comes to mind first.

much never drove the Cayman. I was fun to drive, but for some reason I always liked the RS4 better. I ended up getting rid of the Cayman.

Financially and spacially (live in a condo w/ 1 parking space) 2 cars are out of the question for me right now, so if/when I sell the Avant it has to be replaced by a car that will get things done. The RS4 will do 95% of the things I need it to while the Porsche won't. Especially the winter driving stuff.

The RS4 is suitable for being an only car/DD, the Cayman really isn't for most people.

just tells me the drivers can't drive what they can afford :-)

given the current prices, I recommend you check out the 911 Turbo (996).

As far as the Cayman versus RS4, I test drove a Cayman S and was not impressed with its power. My RS4 test drives (two) were a much different and in my opinion a much better experience. I'll admit that one test drive of the Cayman is insufficient to evaluate the car, but I did find the RS4 a much more satisfying drive. This was due to the fit and finish and power of the RS4 - surpassing the Cayman S in these aspects, IMO.

I eventually decided against the RS4 due to concerns about DRC and the fact that I had wanted a 911 Turbo for a very long time. I miss the room of my 2004 S4, the growl of its V8, and the Recaro seats, but the TT (Twin Turbo, that is) I replaced it with has made me very happy. It's also a great bargain these days.

It's a great daily driver, even during the recent snow here in Seattle. I was easily able to get around - with new winter tires and AWD it was not a problem.

Plus, you'll get better gas mileage than the RS4... Not that that's the average RS4 owner's key concern though. :-)