Porsche 981 Cayman vs. Lotus Elise | The Cayman Isn't in the Same Class as Lotus | Back to Back
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
- Porsche 981 Cayman vs. Lotus Elise
The Porsche Cayman and the Lotus Elise are often talked about as being in a similar class, and are often talked about in the same breath when considering 2-seater, mid-engined, purpose built sports cars. I've been curious to know how they really compare for a while now, so my friend Mike and I rented a Porsche 981 Cayman and went out on some twisty roads to see how they really compare in the real world.
The truth is, they are nothing alike. 
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Have you driven both the Porsche Cayman 981 and the Lotus Elise? How would you compare the two? Same class or not?
Only multiple 987 Boxsters and Caymans (a mix of 987.1, 987.2, base, S, PDK, tiptronic, and manual), waiting for better weather to go try 981.
Cayman/Boxster makes a great daily and road trip car, feels extremely luxurious and refined (well, almost anything does when compared to an Elise), but the connected driving experience isn't there since there is less communication through the steering wheel, the car is much bigger and heavier, and all inputs as well as the sensation of speed feel numb compared to the Elise.
Flat 6 sounds great in higher revs, and the gear shifter is worlds better than what stock Elise has to offer. Oh, and I can still use the pedals even wearing bigger shoes (which is rather hard in the Elise).
It's definitely a substantial car whereas the Elise is mostly a toy.
While it’s not a 981, I have driven the 718 Cayman and an Elise 220 Sport. I fully agree with your conclusions. The Cayman would make a great daily, which is kind of what Porsche has always been great at - making cars that are exceptionally capable both on the track as well as for daily driving. However, I am not a fan of the fact that their cars have grown so big and heavy. And as with almost all modern cars, even the Porsches have become more numb. That is why I prefer my aircooled 911 to a moden Porsche - it is small, simple, light and tactile. And that is exactly what the Elise excels in. In fact the Elise Sport 220 is probably the best car to drive that I have had the pleasure of trying. Would love to have one sitting next to the old 911. Maybe one day...
Thanks so much -- which air cooled 911 do you own?
Cheers!
Little Lost Lotus An -84 Carrera Coupé
Good summary - many Porsche and 2 Lotus later they really are much different - Lotus is a real sports car in every sense and handles much better than anything close to class. Porsche is known to be very comfortable for its size. I did notice if you’re in good shape, the Lotus is very comfortable - having a belly or not physically fit can make the Lotus a challenge. I was sick in 2010 and gained 25 lbs and the Lotus was almost painful to drive for those 4 months until I got back into shape.
Loved the twisty ocean side roads, where was this filmed?
Hi Phil - I can't remember off hand but I will get you that information, and I apologies for my late reply!
I own a Porsche 981 and it’s a great car! Yes, I have to admit the base model is lack of power compare to my turbo bmw 4 series. But handling on 981 is like a dream. I wish I had bought the s or gts version. But so what !? It’s a Porsche and it’s fun .
No doubt about it, it's an amazing car! I agree though that having that little bit extra from the S or GTS gives it a bit more spice! I agree the handling is excellent!
In this comparison the Elise is a sports car, the Porsche is a daily GT sports-esque thing! 🤣
Be interested to know how you think an Evora compares to an Elise and a Cayman
Thanks so much for your comment, and I apologize for my late reply! I really want to know what Evoras are like as well - I have some plans in the works!
Little Lost Lotus the chassis in the Evora is something like twice as rigid as the Elise...which is saying something! You have to try one!
Thanks for your videos. They are useful and entertaining. I have an 05 Elise NA and had a 993 4S before that. I pictured myself getting a manual cayman after I'm done with the 111R but I'm not sure now. But I intend to drive this ardent red go cart until I can't get in and out of it anymore. Thx again.
You are very welcome! I strongly suggest renting one from Turo, if possible, and seeing what you think!
I had a 987.1 Cayman S. LOVED that car and I always thought it was a more 'big boy' version of the Elise. It's more comfortable to drive every day. At the end of the day though, it wasn't all that comfortable or practical for a daily in Los Angeles so I moved on.
I definitely need to check out the 987.1 S! No doubt it's a far more comfortable car - but I totally can appreciate it being a bit on the small side as a true daily for most people! Cheers!
@@AutoSugar It's just got a lot more feedback than the 981. The steering is phenomenal. The ride is pretty rough, but it's a big boy Elise in every other way. Very similar in overall feel, but 1,000lbs more. A variation on the formula.
That's a very good point - and I really do want to try one soon, I'd love to have a Cayman S at some point, although, I'd also really like a 911...and I probably can only have one if I wish to stay married!
Found you from a mention on Heidi & Franny's Garage.
Thank you so much! I love their channel! Their 308 and the 356 in particular, as well as their 3.2!
Hey I heard of your chanel in Frany’s garage I like it, im subscribing
Thank you so much, I love their channel!
A little too nice shrubbery....what an awesome comparison. The Lotus is the Holy Grail.
Thank you! Next up: How the Lotus Elise is like two halves of coconuts that we bang together!
“Superior to a manual in every way, except for the fun part” 🤣🤣
Autos take away the visceral connection you can have with the car, of being more involved with the speed...by contrast however, the really fast cars nowadays do need an auto because the power is so great and speeds so fast. At this level, manuals win out but at higher Bhp it’s the auto.
Thanks so much for your comment, and I apologize for my late reply!
The Lotus seats look very cheaply made and oddly formed. The Lotus exterior by now is aged and not pretty in every detail. I am sure the Lotus is the better go-kart, but build quality, timeless design, performance, handling qualities and total package value make the Porsche Cayman the class leading sports car that it is.
The Lotus seats are not at all cheaply made and definitely not oddly formed. I'll have to disagree with you on the looks...have you seen one in person? The Cayman is great, but honestly...they will forever live in the shadow of the 911. The Elise is a far more important car than the Cayman.
Watching this and thinking, what will the next Elise be like? Which of these two cars will it resemble more?
That’s a great question! I think it will be more plush than the current Elise but I certainly hope it feels more like a Lotus than a Porsche...otherwise what’s the point?
a tiny Evora is my guess. we will see. in any case. our Lotus Elise will always be one of a kind.
- Probably a Volvo engine (and/or electric)
- Also eligible for the US, so with at least a back camera (which already makes it more luxurious)
Correct, all of these are factors!
I think it will be close to Alpine A110 which we don't get here sadly.
Need to upgrade my summer daily from my 300zx to first gen cayman s or c6 Vette. Now that we just got my wife a cayenne s I’m thinking more towards the cayman s. It would look nice next to my Elise.
That would be fantastic!
Did you compare the 987 to this?
Not yet but I will work on it!
@@AutoSugar Did you find one yet? I know what you mean. I'm not even used to driving sports cars at all but I am used to cheap cars from the early 90s and early 2000s like Focus and Fiesta. They feel a lot more raw, unrefined and have a lot more steering feel and feedback in comparison to the Porsche. I have driven a TT and BMW 4 series and the Porsche felt way more similar to that than it did to the older cars I'm used to. Luxurious and numb. I think if you tried a convertible that might help get rid of the refinement a bit. Even still it's a very refined convertible that shields you from the outside compared to the MX-5. The MX-5 manual is so much more usable - not a fan of the Porsche clutch or long gearing. I'm wondering whether to get a raw but more modern everyday car experience than the lotus perhaps I should get an MX-5 and supercharge / turbo it and put some coilovers on it and a loud exhaust. I'm looking for something in between a Lotus Elise / Exige and a 981 Boxster S. I might be tempted by a 987 but I just don't want to risk bore scoring, IMS, RMS and all those ridiculously expensive repairs those old Porsche can suffer from.
EVERYTHING feels like a barge, compared to an Elise…It ruins other cars for you forever after you’ve experienced what it can do. But that’s only considering what it does best - pure analog driving . But then there’s what it doesn’t do well at all, to wit, putting hundreds of interstate miles behind you in a comfortable and non fatiguing way ….The Cayman splits the difference… 50/50 raw vs refined ? It seems to be more weighted towards the latter
Totally!
Porsche is a real car, not a toy. Something you can actually use every day. And with the drivers today, driving SUV and trucks, your basically dead in any collision in the lotus.
Thanks so much for your comment, and I apologize for my late reply!
Porsche fanboy detected lol
Nice job. My friend got a 718 GTS and he mostly agrees. The GTS is faster for sure and handles very well but is artificial and a bit numb. That being said, he regularly goes on 3 hour road trips in comfort. Not me in the Elise!
Cheers, and thank you so much!