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 1 through 10 of 90.00

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  Cayman S Review - 2008 Porsche Cayman
  By Eddie Urso - September 25 - 4:40 pm

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  My 08 Cayman S ownership experience - 2008 Porsche Cayman
  By Donovan - August 11 - 4:13 am

  I bought this vehicle on Jan. 2008. I put in about 1600 miles so far. Having owned Bimmer, Mercedes, Lexus & Infiniti in the past, this car by far offers the most fun and exhilaration to drive. The engine puts out unmistakable note that sounds almost like a symphony orchestra. The car averages 19.7 mpg and I couldnt be more happy given it acceleration & performance. Some complaints I have about this car are body integrity, stereo and Tiptronic buttons. Its rear-end produces rattle noises. I have spent 3 trips to the dealer including a replacement of tail-light assembly under factory service bulletin and they still can fix it. The Tiptronic buttons should really be paddle-shifters - cont -

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  My Cayman S experience - 2008 Porsche Cayman
  By dhsieh - April 15 - 1:13 am

  I bought a Cayman S on Jan. 2008 and have put in 1700 miles since. Overall I am happy with the performance and driving experience. In the past, I have owned Bimmer, Mercedes, Lexus & Infiniti in the past. By far, Cayman gives the most exhilaration and fun. Above all, it returns 19.7 mpg in average and this is simply incredible for a pure sports car.

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  2010 Cayman S vs. 2014 Cayman S - 2014 Porsche Cayman
  By witchknows - June 11 - 3:17 pm

  I had a 2010 Cayman S, great vehicle, Edmunds is spot on about the steering, it was better in the old model. But the new 2014 model is much more comfortable and forgiving on last distance runs. The NAV / Bose Sound System / Interior much better than previous model. Handling is exceptional and exterior looks greatly improved. My only issue is that I bought a dealer demo with 750 miles. It was delivered to me W/O inspection. Had problems with power seat & unbalanced tires. One of the tires I found a nail in it and cost me $446 to get a new one. Avoid The Collection in Miami.

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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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  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.

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  Great Car, but Overpriced - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Scott - December 17 - 6:13 am

  I wanted to test drive the new entry level Porsche. The Boxster S is the same price so it is a better deal. I liked the car, but it needs 50 more horses to really be worth the $55,000 price tag. The handling and shifter are the best. Compared to BMWs and the Corvette, which both cost same amount, this Cayman is way more fun to drive and it has better handling. But 245HP is way to weak for a $55,000 car. Porsche also needs to stop jacking people on the options which can easily add $10,000 - $20,00 more to the cars price. Skip the Cayman and get the Cayman S or 911. But that engine sounds sweet!

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  I think I made a mistake... - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Dano - December 18 - 1:56 pm

  I drooled over the Cayman for a month before finally buying the car. I think it is a real stunner in sheet metal, prettiest car on the road. I am starting to find the interior noise and the rough ride wearing on my nerves, especially if the pavement is rough. I came out of a 330ci that was a nice car and almost as peppy, but not as much fun to drive. The dealer suggested I change out the tires to a non performance model but that is a bit costly so I guess Ill just deal with the road noise. I cant imagine going on a long trip in the Cayman without plenty of Motrin. Starting to remind me of my ex - beautiful to look at but hard to take after awhile. Maybe I just miss my BMW.

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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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  Smooth, Refined, Classy - 2010 Porsche Cayman
  By RudyC - December 30 - 9:10 pm

  The 2.9 L Cayman has a smooth revving engine mated to a smooth shifting 6-speed manual gearbox. This car is all about refinement and being able to drive fast on twisty roads. Plenty of cars are faster in a straight-line, but this is about sufficient power for Californias public roads. The vehicle is relatively light (2900lbs.+), so it is still fairly quick The car drives very well, even with 19" sport wheels and Pirelli P-Zero tires. The base model lacks a decent sounding stereo, but that would add weight.