Overview & Reviews

The two-seat Porsche Cayman sports car shares its midengine platform with the Boxster, but its stiffer structure makes it an even more precise driving tool. Offering ultra-responsive handling, competition-grade brakes and sonorous flat-6 engines that make every road your own personal racetrack, the Cayman is a delightful car to drive. Now that the 911 has moved up in size and luxury, the Cayman perhaps best exemplifies the Porsche tradition of high performance in a compact, lightweight package.

The Cayman can also be surprisingly affordable, at least by Porsche standards. The base Cayman undercuts the entry-level 911 Carrera by tens of thousands when new, and the higher-performance models are still relative bargains if you go easy on the options. Pre-owned specimens, meanwhile, can be real steals thanks to the magic of depreciation, yet they provide thoroughly up-to-date performance. Whether you opt for the current Cayman or its nicely aging predecessor, you'll be getting one of the very best pure sports cars for the money.

Current Porsche Cayman
The current, second-generation Cayman features crisper exterior styling and a considerably richer interior than the original, though its performance is only incrementally better; it's hard to improve on near-perfection. Electric-assist power steering debuts on this Cayman, sacrificing a bit of road feel, yet remaining one of the most gratifying tillers in the industry. The car is slightly longer and lower now, with a stretched wheelbase underneath and wider tracks front and rear. Laudably, Porsche claims a weight reduction of 55 pounds for the Cayman S.

There are three trim levels for the current Cayman: base, S and GTS. The base Cayman comes with a 2.7-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine ("flat-6") that's good for 275 horsepower, crossing the auspicious 100 hp/L threshold. The Cayman S packs a 3.4-liter flat-6 rated at 325 hp, while the GTS's 3.4-liter flat-6 makes 340 hp. A six-speed manual transmission is standard across the lineup, with Porsche's seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual (known as PDK) offered as an option. All models are capable of 30 mpg or more on the highway.

A base Cayman with no options means you're stuck with a lame four-speaker stereo, but other standard features are more appealing, including 18-inch wheels with summer tires, an automatically extending rear spoiler and a 7-inch touchscreen. The Cayman S adds perks like bigger wheels, bi-xenon headlights, a nine-speaker stereo and enhanced infotainment functions. The GTS is distinguished by unique styling elements, a sportier interior, dynamic transmission mounts and some otherwise optional electronic driving aids. It goes without saying that the options list is long, colorful and full of eye-popping price tags.

In reviews of the current Cayman, we've run out of synonyms for "awesome." Handling basically doesn't get any better than this, particularly given how comfortable the Cayman can be on a daily basis. The textbook driving dynamics combined with Porsche's nearly infallible electronic driving aids will make you feel like a Formula One hero every time you take a corner. We also applaud Porsche for taking the interior to the next level, as the Cayman now feels like a premium sports car in its own right rather than a junior 911. Alas, the Cayman remains a junior 911 in the engine room -- keeping the 911 a few horses ahead is a matter of company policy -- but only the pathologically power-hungry will find the sublime 3.4-liter engine lacking, and the 2.7-liter mill is a thrill in its own right.

Used Porsche Cayman Models
The previous, first-generation Cayman was produced for the 2006-'12 model years (there was no Cayman for 2013). Like its successor, it was based on the Boxster of its era, substituting a fixed roof for the Boxster's soft top. For '06, only the Cayman S model was available, powered by a 3.4-liter flat-6 rated at 295 hp and paired with a six-speed manual transmission, or optionally a five-speed automatic with "Tiptronic" manual control. The base Cayman model launched for 2007, featuring a 2.7-liter six-cylinder with 245 hp and a five-speed manual transmission as standard, with the six-speed manual and five-speed automatic also offered.

The Cayman lineup was refreshed for 2009. There were exterior styling tweaks like attractive LED lighting accents, but the real changes were found under the skin. Most notably, the PDK transmission debuted, putting the aging Tiptronic out to pasture. The base Cayman upgraded to a 2.9-liter flat-6 with 265 hp, while the Cayman S added direct injection to its 3.4-liter engine for a healthy 320 hp.  The optional navigation system was modernized with a larger screen and more intuitive controls, and items like ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, an iPod interface and satellite radio were offered for the first time.

For '09 only, all Caymans with PDK came with awkward shift buttons on the steering wheel that tended to get in the way during enthusiastic driving, but a sport steering wheel with proper shift paddles was made available for 2010 (and was backwards-compatible with 2009 PDK models). For the first generation's 2012 grand finale, two special-edition models with 330 hp were introduced: the Black Edition (with a blacked-out color scheme and added luxuries) and the Cayman R (with a lowered suspension, lightweight seats and limited feature availability).

Our reviews of the first-generation Cayman were almost uniformly positive, though in retrospect, the 2009-'12 batch is where it's at for clutch-averse shoppers; PDK is so much better than Tiptronic that it's not even worth discussing. If you don't mind doing your own clutch work, however, any year will do. This Cayman was built to a consistently high standard, and exhilarating performance came standard throughout its run. So if you're shopping first-generation Caymans, go where your price ceiling takes you and look for a well-maintained car with low miles. You're going to have a blast, and the price might make your grin even wider.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 90.00

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  goodbye bmw - 2009 Porsche Cayman
  By ricardo c - September 9 - 5:36 pm

  I recently purchased a cayman S 09 and sold my bmw 3series. This Cayman is simply awesome. Its acceleration and handling is unlike any car I have ever driven. Additionally, the looks are superb. I just never get tired of looking at the car.

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  Best car I have driven - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Susan - September 6 - 10:00 am

  I previously had an SLK and a Z4 convertible. This 2 dr Cayman is so much more fun to drive. I feel like a million dollars whenever I get in it and have owned it for a year and I am not bored with it yet. I bought it used with low miles and would only trade it in if I was buying another Porsche.

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  Just Picked One Up... - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By 767FO - August 17 - 10:43 am

  I just got a new 2007 Cayman S model. I am very happy with it overall. It is great looking, well built, and has a nice interior. Its also very quick. It drives like a sports car, meaning a firm, but not harsh ride. I went with the 19" wheels. Some options should be standard, but thats Porsche. Its gas mileage stinks, but thats to be expected. This car has great German engineering all around, even in the smallest details.

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  Can I see my engine please - 2011 Porsche Cayman
  By wxsusilo - August 12 - 8:58 am

  I just had the car for 3 days and put 200 plus miles on it. Its a fun car to drive, the handling is superb. Mine comes with sport chrono and comfort package, paddle shift steering, sound system upgrade, natural leather(red), 19" wheel, and most of other options (bi xenon, etc). I regret my choice of an optional 19" wheel, it makes the car too stiff and feels heavier then the test drive car. Maybe it would be better combined with optional PASM which I didnt take.

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  Cayman S - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By ntierprez - May 16 - 12:50 am

  This is my daily driver and havent had a single issue with the car (I have over 30k miles). The car is absolutely beautiful and attracts a lot of attention from other drivers. The storage capacity in the car is unbelievable, 2 trunks with over 15 cubic feet of storage capacity. I havent had a situation yet where i couldnt fit everything into my car. I average about 20 MPG which isnt bad for Washington DC traffic. It is an absolute joy to drive and it worth every penny.

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  Base 2014 Cayman - 2014 Porsche Cayman
  By cobrienmx - May 14 - 4:32 am

  I purchased this car from Brumos and had the most positive experience ever buying a car. Delivery took about an hour. The quality of this car is outstanding, it handles like it is glued to the ground, and there is plenty of power to get you out of trouble immediately. Luggage space is impressive and long drives are comfortable. I got 29.2 mpg with the cruise control set to 80. I never thought I would be doing this I have become addicted to performance driving schools and events. Although this car is no dragster (275 hp vs 600+), it is unmatched by most cars in turns and is extremely well balanced. (thank you blue flag) If a driver can smoothly carry momentum they will be tough to hang with.

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  More fun than you can imagine - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By jnscolo - May 2 - 2:13 am

  The balanced nature of this car stuns me every time I drive it. The combination of chassis, steering, transmission and engine are the best I have ever experienced. It is an easy car to drive around town, but one time on a twisty mountain road is all it takes to feel the superlative power and handling. It is also the best-looking car Ive ever owned. The Cayman is surprisingly practical: trunks front and rear mean errands, weekend getaways for two, or even two sets of golf clubs get the green light. The car has been mechanically flawless for 2+ years, although it has two niggling rattles.

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  Phenomenal Car - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By MarkJ - April 19 - 6:56 am

  Without a doubt the Cayman is the best car I have owned, my previous car was an Audi A6 2.7T. This car does it all, its fast, handles great, and turns heads. It has plenty of usable power. It sounds awesome accelerating. Its build quality is first class. Porsche has built a winnner.

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  Downsized on Retirement - 2016 Porsche Cayman
  By Gerald B. B. Keane - February 16 - 8:05 pm

  Upon retiring, I didnt need a boat-of-a-car anymore, so I decided to downsize. The Caymans the perfect choice. I considered a 911, but it may be a two-seater, but it feels and drives like a bloated Buick. Although I come from a Lexus family (5 cars, 48 total ownership years), Im not accustomed to the design and build quality that Cayman gives. It is rock solid and is a pleasure to drive. The gas mileage is much better than my last Lexus, and its performance, as expected, blows it away. I specially ordered a manual transmission and have no regrets. This car doesnt deserve a namby-pamby automatic transmission. Ill admit its not that easy to get in and out of, but thats the sacrifice you have to make to own a car that catches your eye every time youre near it. A friend recently was torn between a Corvette and a Porsche, to which my response was "Why would you consider buying the best hamburger McDonalds makes over a steak at the states best steak house?" A Corvette over a Porsche? No rational person could make that choice. (The friend ended up cancelling his Corvette order and bought the Porsche.) Ive had my Cayman for 9 months now, and I have no reason to change any of my earlier opinions. Its worth every penny of what I paid. Why would anyone buy anything else?

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  Great car - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By pbschroeder - February 7 - 11:30 pm

  We have had this car for about a month. It is much faster than our 06 Boxster. The engine sounds great. We have an automatic, which makes it a bit of a gas hog, but it shifts quickly and rockets away from the line.