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Comparing Porsches to the Nissan is like comparing apples and oranges. But, bearing that in mind; here's my take on it. If you want the most extreme speed and handling capabilities, the 911 would be the best choice. But most people never drive hard enough to come even close to those limits (thank goodness!). Besides, if you were that fanatical about performance; you wouldn't be asking these questions.
So, let's assume you're a more practical person. In that case, the responsiveness of the car under normal driving conditions becomes more important than it's maximum speed and acceleration potential. And I have always felt that the Cayman not only sounds nicer than the 911, but is also more satisfying to drive in everyday use (unless you get off on frequent stoplight drag races with American muscle cars). In addition; since the 911 is focussed on ultimate performance, it is most satisfying to drive when you get on it every so often. And that leads to traffic citations, radar detectors, tension, and ongoing paranoia. It also occasionally leads to these cars being wrapped around telephone poles, or being involved in fatal accidents. Is this the way you want to feel when you're driving your ideal car??? So the Cayman would be, hands down, my preference over the 911.
However, there is still the issue of status and image: Why are you interested in owning such a car? If it is to turn the heads of teenagers on streetcorners; the 911 would probably work better in that regard. If it is to attract women; it would be more of a toss up; the more educated, refined and mature women would probably go for the Cayman; but the gold diggers and adrenaline junkies would go for the 911.
Maybe the eventual resale value would be a major factor. This could turn out to be unpredictable. The Cayman will surely end up being a rarer model than the 911. And that rarity could result in the Cayman holding a greater percentage of its value as it ages. The Porsche 914 was such a car. Not nearly the hot rod as the 911 of that era; but the unique styling and relative scarcity of 914s has made more and more difference in their desirability over the years. The other operant factor is that the most powerful models are far more likely to be thrashed in their lifetime; which inevitably leads to degradation of their mechanical condition (and consequent loss of value).
But we still haven't gotten to comparing the Nissan 370Z Touring with these cars. And I must admit; this is a much more difficult call than it would have been some years ago. Some differences are certain here: The Porsches will be far more expensive to service and maintain than the Nissan; they will also break more often. So if you prefer to allocate your liquid assets for travel and driving expenses; rather than for renting cars and supporting mechanics, the Nissan would be the way to go.
The sound of a car's engine is one of the most important elements in its character. Here, I would be hard pressed to choose between these cars. Each one has a unique and distinctive character; and I feel that the quality of these individual sounds in many ways parallels the differences in their function. Which one is most comfortable for you to listen to? Drive all 3 cars, bear in mind what you know about them; observe how the seats feel, how the interior looks, and how comfortable you are while going down the road, and the choice will become much clearer.
We should all have such decisions to wrestle with!!!
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