Cayman S - what is it with people????

[Zippee]

I run a TVR T350 as my weekend toy, unfortunately I had someone run into the back of her a couple of weeks ago which means a 6 week plus repair. As a result I've been supplied with a 59 plate Cayman S as a hire car. Happy days, especially as far as the wife is concerned as she loves it.
Ir really is a fantastic car, comfy, quick, easy to drive - just not an event like the TVR, which as a weekend toy is quite high on my list of priorities. If I needed to use my car for more miles or everyday though the Cayman would be right up the top of the list.
Anyhow, having had the Cayman a few days now I can't help but notice just how many people get aggressive with you. Traffic lights on a dual, they will NOT allow you to go, people come right up behind and try to race, overtaking is hard as people see you and close up gaps etc. Why? In the TVR I get none of this, same driver, same attitude to driving but a different car and the mentality of other road users to me just changes.
Is this a common thing amongst you Porsche drivers? Is it jealousy or something else? If jealousy why do I not get this if I'm in a TVR or Lotus? Bloody annoying and at some points marrs the enjoyment of the car.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

I have a 997 and a Cerbera and to be honest Ive never really had any issues with other road users in either cars.

[Actus Reus]

Likewise - I drive a Cayman S (a white one at that so it stands out), and I don't get any of that - though I reckon I get let out at junctions less, and now and again young men seem to want to race me, but I've always just thought that was young men in hot hatches doing what they always do; I have a friend who drives a Focus ST and imagines that he's always 'racing' other cars - just the other week he 'raced' and 'beat' an R8...

All of that said I do think that Porsche's image has been sullied over the years, particularly by its associations with City Boys and various other wide boys...

[Davel]

But everyone wants to hold back and listen to the TVR.

People have genuine affection for TVRs though.

[Zippee]

Davel said:

But everyone wants to hold back and listen to the TVR.

People have genuine affection for TVRs though.

Possibly, or they don't want to get too close in case I deafen them.
Seems to be a bit more of the green eyed monster with the Porsche to me - or maybe I've just been unlucky and come up against some aggressive drivers who would be like that against any car....
That said though it really is a cracking little car. On a good run I saw over 30mpg (unheard of in the T350) and point to point it's so well balanced.

[kayc]

Its probably because there is not point in racing the Tvr,just wait for it to overheat

[Maersk]

When we got our Porsche we said 'that's it then, no more being let out at junctions, no more relaxed traffic lights etc.' BUT in all honesty the situation has improved over life with an Audi.

[cay]

I find it quite strange that people get adverse reactions when driving a Porsche.

I've had my Cayman just over a year and I always get let out at junctions. I've never had a bad word or gesture and I regularly get 'nice car' type comments from the local teenagers!

Maybe it varies in different parts of the country.

[Davel]

Got to say that I've never had a problem either, in any of my previous cars.

The Morgan got the most attention though.

[Zippee]

cay said:

Maybe it varies in different parts of the country.

It was Lincolnshire I was driving through so that may explain a lot (bit inbred around those parts).

[anonymous-user]

Zippee said:

Is this a common thing amongst you Porsche drivers? Is it jealousy or something else? If jealousy why do I not get this if I'm in a TVR or Lotus? Bloody annoying and at some points marrs the enjoyment of the car.

I think it's a mixed bag, I've got a Cayman R and have suffered some seriously wreckless driving by people trying to 'make a point' which is one of the unexpected joys of ownership. It's as subtle as the model can be in black but the decals down the side tend to remove any doubt as to what the vehicle is to anyone who can read. Vauxhall and BMW drivers tend to be the worst offenders in my experience. I just get out of their way so they can have their accident elsewhere.

Don't let it spoil your enjoyment of the car.

[Podie]

Zippee said:

Is this a common thing amongst you Porsche drivers? Is it jealousy or something else? If jealousy why do I not get this if I'm in a TVR or Lotus? Bloody annoying and at some points marrs the enjoyment of the car.

I've had a few TVRs and never had issues. My old man has had a couple of Porsches (which I've borrowed / driven) and experienced what you did.

[Carl_Docklands]

kayc said:

Its probably because there is not point in racing the Tvr,just wait for it to overheat

A low punch :P

[Carl_Docklands]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

One positive I experience. Unless car in front is a 997 :>

[kippaxking]

Six weeks hire of a Cayman S to replace a 'weekend toy'

and people complain about high insurance premiums....

[Zippee]

kippaxking said:

Six weeks hire of a Cayman S to replace a 'weekend toy'

and people complain about high insurance premiums....

It's my only car! What am I supposed to do? Walk everywhere? Reason I say weekend toy is I commute by train during the week. My self proclaimed weekend toy still clocks over 7k a year, more than many peoples main everyday car.

[Paul O]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Agree with this, I found the Cayman was generally a more relaxing car to drive as small minded people didn't hold you up just to prove a point. It was also safer on single carriageways too, as I found very few people would pull out from a side street in front you as the car looked fast - even if I was quite a long way off and not speeding.

[supermono]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Blame shirking inscos. Some eejit damaged the m5 quarter panel when it was parked once. I dealt directly with his insurance company and asked for a hire car - anything. Nope, no dice. So I went to the accident exchange and got an M3, their choice not mine.

If they weren't shysters we'd all save money.

As regards OP I drive an orange diseasel peugeot and the GT2, i try never to be behind anyone in either and never get any sort of attitude from anyone. Maybe I'm raced from every traffic light in the 911, i don't know but how would I tell?

SM

[Zippee]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Maybe - but then again this thread wasn't about the debating of the rights and wrongs of insurance courtesy cars. I started it as a light hearted(ish) query about how other roads users view porsches.

Edited by Zippee on Monday 23 April 15:30

[Davel]

But if you buy a 'decent' car and you are in a bump through no fault of your own, is it wrong to expect the use of a courtesy similar type of car?