[F1FTY]

Originally Posted by Electric

Here’s the main thing that makes me want a Cayman. When you watch a mid engine car driven at 10/10 – 11/10 of it’s traction limits, you see how it rotates around the center, tucking the nose in and tightening up the corner. Watching Motor Trend tossing 1LE around, it does not rotate the way a mid engine car does.

Personally, I’ve never had that experience, having the car rotate around its center, and I just want to experience this level of car control, made possible in a Cayman S. Plus the lightness, and the outward visibility. Of course, just like all of you guys are saying, Camaro is much faster. Camaro offers much higher levels of body control with its modern suspension. It also feels sharper… sharper steering, shaper gear shifter, perhaps even throttle responses are sharper on the Camaro.

Decisions, decisions, decisions…

Edit: Can any of you who have experienced that mid-engine car rotation, comment if it worth the trouble of getting a mid-engine car? Again, I’m not necessarily looking for going as fast as possible or turning as tight as possible, it’s more about the experience; the car just has to be fast enough.

It sounds like you have an itch to experience a mid-engine car. There's nothing wrong with that. It also sounds like even if you went with the 1LE, you'd still want to experience a mid-engine car at some point in your future. There's nothing wrong with that either.

By the looks of it, you're going to end up with a Cayman S at some point. Cars are not for forever (despite what we may dream sometimes) realistically, so you should decide if now is the right time to get the P car experience or if you'll be ok putting it off for another 3-7 years (not knowing your situation).

OP, I really do understand what you're getting at. For me it was the rear engine feel of the 911 that was on my automotive bucket list. Had to have it and experience it, get it out of my system. Even though a Camaro V6 1LE is quicker around a track than that 911 I had, it was so well worth the experience behind the wheel.

The 1LE 6th gen is one of those performance bargains that haven't come along in years. It's capability far exceeds a Cayman S in every single metric. However, it'll never feel like a mid-engine P car. Go for the Cayman S, the 1LE will be there for you later on.

[TrackClub]

This is pretty silly. How on Earth can somebody you don't know, convince you to buy one car over another merely based on what THEY think, like, prefer, etc? You said you drove BOTH cars. Your mind should be made up already. And if it isn't: go drive them again and again, until it is made up.
I had been sitting on a fence regarding getting a 1LE for quite a while. Sure, all the media hoopla and this forum clearly peaked my interest. But what made up my mind to get the car over my previous very well sorted (yet old) track car was a test drive. I was sold in about 10 mins based on how the car FELT as a package. From composed chassis, excellent steering feel, crispy shifts, supportive seats, etc. I wouldn't give 2 cents if somebody insisted it was excellent car yet I didn't feel the same way. If that were the case I'd never consider one. Drive them again! And again if necessary. Then make YOUR decision. This is assuming this thread is "for real" and not just a hoax with somebody having "fun" pulling legs of forum members for 4 pages now...

[Rich J]

Sounds like you really want the Porsche, but it also sounds like you are not in a good financial position to own one out of warranty, especially a 987.1. Perhaps you could swing a 987.2 CPO car and then have the protection of the warranty for a couple years. The Porsche would probably be less expensive to own as well when you add up depreciation expense, gas and tires -- as long as you have the warranty to cover unscheduled repairs.

[Timbo-1LE]

Nothing beats new technology, ever...

[Tomiboy]

You and only you can decide what you want and what you intend to do with it. I have owned a mid-engined car (Lotus) and they are not magic, just different. On track I felt more confident in my SC Miata than my Lotus! (I would consider myself below the expert level) If you are not a really good driver you may get into trouble faster in a mid engine car then a front engine car. When they start to let go things happen quickly. Buy the car that will cause you to go out into your garage at night just to look at it....night after night! I think that will be the Cayman. Just be sure you can afford the best one possible. And make sure, if you decide to track it, you are prepared to be handed your lunch by 1LEs!

[Bosse'sBoss]

On '07 I bought a well cared '02 Porsche 911 w/. 45K miles on the odo. the car belonged to a Dr. And had all the maintance receipts, but now was out of warranty. It was my Garage Queen. I used and had some spirited and very few track times at my local PCA. The car was a beauty but very expensive to maintain, reability was very bad, labor and parts on the high side of the scale. Rich people don't buy these car used and they get rid of them once that their warranty is off to avoid those high costs. A local import mechanic after I ask why he had Porsches at his lot for more than 3 months, the time I saw them between my oil changes, and he was fast with the answer: People get emotional when they buy these used cars at lower prices, but they don't have any idea of what they are buying, after their maintenance cost they found out and many of them do not want to come back to pick up their cars because of the $.
Basically a dam nightmare, from now on for me its only american sport cars. GM has great cars that could compete performance wise with European cars that only have good name reputation and would cost you double or triple the entry price. Only Japanese cars would have a better reliability.
Get your awsome new SS 1LE and enjoy without having any nightmares.

[Casalino]

We have porsche guys here expressing how the 1LE really competes performance wise. I may not have the most porsche experience. The only one i drive is a 991 4S. But my 1LE gives it run for it's money. If you were to compare it to a 2008 cayman s? The Camaro is MILES ahead of it.

[Casalino]

Originally Posted by Electric

Here’s the main thing that makes me want a Cayman. When you watch a mid engine car driven at 10/10 – 11/10 of it’s traction limits, you see how it rotates around the center, tucking the nose in and tightening up the corner. Watching Motor Trend tossing 1LE around, it does not rotate the way a mid engine car does.

Personally, I’ve never had that experience, having the car rotate around its center, and I just want to experience this level of car control, made possible in a Cayman S. Plus the lightness, and the outward visibility. Of course, just like all of you guys are saying, Camaro is much faster. Camaro offers much higher levels of body control with its modern suspension. It also feels sharper… sharper steering, shaper gear shifter, perhaps even throttle responses are sharper on the Camaro.

Decisions, decisions, decisions…

Edit: Can any of you who have experienced that mid-engine car rotation, comment if it worth the trouble of getting a mid-engine car? Again, I’m not necessarily looking for going as fast as possible or turning as tight as possible, it’s more about the experience; the car just has to be fast enough.

So you want some sort of mid engined rotation masterpiece when driven at the limit. All i can say is when you take the 1LE and let that front end dig into the pavement with all of its grip and weight, steady on some throttle while it rips into a turn faster than you would ever imagine a car or even an american car doing, then put that throttle down and let the back end thrust you out of the corner with just enough sideways. You will have your mind made up. This is a hell of a car

[evanescent03]

I had a 718S boxster and dumped it for the SS 1LE. I have fun driving the Camaro honestly. if you're doing a good bit of autocross though i'd consider that cayman because they are just such sweet handling little cars whereas the SS 1LE is my pick for track use.

i'm sure you have but make sure you look on the forums for the "what to avoid and what to check" when buying a used Porsche. for warranty purposes the 1LE is a good buy honestly and has some good drama with that loud exhaust, sweet seats, aggressive looks, and very sporty steering/shifter feel.

[Electric]

So, I figured I should give an update in case anyone is curious. Last week put in a deposit for a 2018 SS 1LE in Nightfall Grey.

Now let the waiting begin...

[WhyUMad1LE]

If you have a hard time deciding between a $20k car and a $40k car, you should probably pick the $20k option.

[Electric]

Originally Posted by WhyUMad1LE

If you have a hard time deciding between a $20k car and a $40k car, you should probably pick the $20k option.

Here

Originally Posted by Electric

So, I figured I should give an update in case anyone is curious. Last week put in a deposit for a 2018 SS 1LE in Nightfall Grey.

Now let the waiting begin...

[Tomiboy]

great color!

[Electric]

Originally Posted by Tomiboy

great color!

Thank! Actually, I'll be honest, I prefer Hyper Blue. But it will attract more attention that I like getting.