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 71 through 80 of 90.00

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  Class Act - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By dieseltaylor - February 1 - 8:13 pm

  Driving the Cayman s brilliant. Even sitting in it you feel 50% better for being alive. Everything is to hand switchgear wise, plenty of seat adjustment, good visibility. The responsiveness of the engine when you are already cruising at 80 reminds you that its really going at half speed. It is so solid on the road that even with side winds doing high speeds. Long bends where previous cars would go light at speed are no problem at all. The only drawback so far are the chips from small stones on the bonnet - well you cant have everything. I bought the plastic trays for the front and rear storage as recommended by the local Porsche Club chairman. Roll on the Panamera : )

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  30K Plus review - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Mark - January 21 - 3:20 pm

  This car is one of the best handling cars Ive ever had. I used to race a fully track prepared EVO VIII and the Cayman S is as close as cars come to that. Very exciting over 5200 RPM, plenty of torque and engine sound is aggressive, yet more refined than some kid with a coffee can import. Better yet, its a great daily driver with plenty of room for groceries, luggage and whatever else you could want (that was the tipping point for me between the Cayman and the 911).

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  Im In Love With My Car - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Bob B - October 28 - 6:13 pm

  I now know what Queen was singing about all those years ago. Fun does not begin to describe the driving experience. Heavy traffic has prevented me from really opening her up yet, but the couple times Ive been able to accelerate hard on to the highway I could not stop smiling from the sheer exhilaration. She sounds incredible, guys look at her with lust in their eyes and, like a previous reviewer, I catch myself looking back at her after I park her at night. I feel like Im dating a supermodel (German, of course).

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  Fantastic Sports Car!! - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By nuckinfuts7 - October 24 - 9:16 am

  I fell in love with this car at the 2006 LA Auto show and ordered it from the factory, specd just like I wanted it. Waited nearly 4 months for it to arrive, but well worth the wait. This car is special in every way. Plenty of power, handles better than anything Ive driven (I own two other sports cars that are very highly rated), and looks great! Im of average size and weight, and strapping into this thing feels like stepping into my favorite pair of jeans. (Might be a bit small for anyone taller than 62".) Handling is its strongest suit - feels like it will never break loose!

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  What more do you need! - 2014 Porsche Cayman
  By casapulla - October 5 - 8:30 pm

  I just bought a 2014 Cayman S. Base price $63,800.00 after options sticker was over $ 84,000.00. The only negative about this car. But no regrets. I cant say how much I love this car. The feeling you get when you get behind the wheel and turn the key and hear that engine behind you is a like a natural high. And when you get it out on the road and hit the pedal in Sports Plus the rush is amazing. This car has all the power you need. Actually you cant really get to enjoy it because there is not many roads that you can really take advantage of what this car can deliver. This is my second Cayman. First was a 2007 Cayman Base. The difference in the 2014 is amazing. A total different car.

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  Cayman Review - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By David Jenkins - September 9 - 9:26 pm

  Have had the 2.7L base Cayman for three months. Almost the performance of the S model for $10K less. Car puts smiles on my face everytime I drive it. Hugs the corners like its glued to the road. Excellent build quality and gorgeous sheet metal - lots of compliments.

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  Fun Car, But Not a Daily Driver - 2009 Porsche Cayman
  By DeeM - July 31 - 2:03 pm

  The 2.9 L Cayman has plenty of power for the public roads with good low-end torque. Cabin space is limited while the rear window provides limited visibility. The exterior design grows on you and it is refreshing since the 911 has not changed much in its history. I had an issue with a missing key which took over 1 hour for the dealer to program. The passenger window does not close properly with automatic feature. I dislike Porsche dealers and salespeople - they think its so special. Its expensive. The interior materials are top quality now with lots of leather, alcantara, and carpeting. Fit is solid with only a minor rattle from passenger side. Ride is very hard, especially with 19"

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  Cayman out of Water - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Timothy Kennedy - May 31 - 5:16 pm

  This car is so fun to drive. I love the automatic transmission (cant drive a stick anymore for medical reasons). I get a lot of looks in this car.

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  My Cayman S - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Pat - May 13 - 4:30 am

  This is a true sports car, and sounds like it. The quality of the vehicle is superb. This car is for those that love to drive, and get there quickly and safely. The brakes are the best of any vehicle I have ever driven. The manual transmission is one of the best I have used. I simply love to drive this car.

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  Better Than My 2003 BMW M3 - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Jordan - May 5 - 3:06 am

  This is easily the best overall perfoming car that I have owned. It feels quicker than my BMW M3, except from 70 mph up. Its handling outshines all (for the money) except the Lotus Elise, but the build quality and sound from behind you more than make up for any performance difference. The ride quality allows for daily driving without punishment. Additionally, the manual transmission is wonderfully weighted and precise.