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 21 through 30 of 90.00

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  Fantastic Car! - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By P Young - December 6 - 10:06 am

  In everyday driving the Cayman is civilized, comfortable, and easy to drive. When the traffic thins out and the road opens up, it takes on a whole different personality, gobbling up twists and turns with the engine roaring like a savage beast. After a month I still havent really used the Bose sound system. The sound of the engine is even better music to my ears. Now that the break-in period is over, I can savor the sounds of the upper rpm range... sweeeet!

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  2007/8 Cayman after 10,000 miles - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Barry Lee - November 7 - 3:00 pm

  I am 6 and 220 lbs. Nice head/leg/cargo room. Have 11,000 miles on the car driving locally, and to and from CA from Fl. Comfortable long distance driver. Outstanding looks. Have been stopped several times by compliment givers. Handling is as though one were driving on rails. Acceleration is swift though not overpowering. Actual gas mileage is 23/27 so far. Have 18" wheels. Bose system has too much bass for my taste, and I have to dial the db down to negative numbers to get balanced sound. This is my first Porsche and I love it. . I highly recommend this car for what it is....an exhilarating driving experience every time. J.D. Powers #1 rating influenced my decision to buy. Im glad I did

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  My Cayman - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Dr. DeVore - September 18 - 6:26 am

  I have owned Benz, Z3s, Z4s, Boxsters, RX7s, Talons, and I am ashamed to say 6 Corvettes. The Cayman is one of the most wonderful cars that I have owned. With the rear spoiler up, people actually think I am driving a 911. With the quality and look of the interior, I did not have to go with the 911. The ride is smooth, the handling is superb, and the middle range power and acceleration (60-120) is out of this world! I purchased this one and will own it forever. I retire in 3 years and am looking forward to driving cross country and seeing every sight that I have missed before I pass away. Love my Cayman!

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By michele - July 21 - 8:26 pm

  This is my first Porsche and I absolutely love it! I drove a Jaguar before this one and I definitely prefer the Porsche Cayman. It captures attention every time Im on the road.

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  Weekend Delight - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By firsttimer - June 1 - 9:26 pm

  I purchased the Cayman to replace our 05 SLK350 and drive it primarily on weekends. I test drove most of the competition as well as the Cayman S and 911 Cabriolet. For me, the Cayman has the perfect blend of style, performance, efficiency and value. Sure, there are times when I think I could use the extra hp but those times have been seldom. Although some will tell you that they prefer the more "classic" line of the 911, I think the Cayman is in a style class by itself. Just hand the key to any valet if you need confirmation. If you want a livable, fun to drive two seater, I dont think there is any car on the market that can match the new Cayman.

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  A ride in the theme park - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Taxol - April 5 - 6:53 pm

  I bought a silver 2007 Cayman with Tiptronic in September 2007. I believe its one of the few Caymen with Tiptronics in CA. Engine: Tiptronic still delivers excellent power / acceleration without the Cayman S engine. Best of all, its idiot proof. Inside: the cockpit design is unique. To quote my wife, it feels like getting into a 007 car. However, Tiptronic handle bar does not light up at night. Ride experence: a luxury sedan can get you from point A to point B quietly, without you ever noticing its presence. A Cayman, on the other hand, will turn each driving trip into a Disneyland theme park ride - fun, exciting, but not scary.

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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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  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.