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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  Rock Solid - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Leo Pappas - December 30 - 7:20 am

  This car is better than I dreamed. It is rock solid and feels like it was carved out of a single slab of granite. It is extemely well balanced and the back end just digs in at virtually any speed. It just wants to run fast and is a joy to drive. It is more immpressive in the corners as I find myself seeking tight curving roads. I get looks and compliments all the time. Well worth the purchase.

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  There are cars and then there is a Cayman - 2008 Porsche Cayman
  By DrDebt - October 27 - 3:53 pm

  When shopping there are some cars that you mull over hoping you wont second guess the decision, and then there some where the decision is made within 30 seconds of turning the key and dropping it into gear. This is one of those. With the sharp snarl of lighting up the 6-cylinders that share the mid-chassis location giving perfect balance, you know this is a drivers car. Spartan but comfortable, the interior is well laid out and gadget free. Lots of leg and head room, and excellent views without blind spots. Until youve driven a Porsche, youll not appreciate the torque that makes the 6-speed transmission more than enough to zing to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, and brakes to stop as quick.

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  Absolute blast and practical - 2008 Porsche Cayman
  By hook - October 21 - 3:13 pm

  I bought my Cayman used with 1000 miles on it. The next day my wife and I left on a trip to a wedding and vacation in NYC. We were able to pack for week long trip with formal clothes for rehearsal dinner and formal wedding. All our luggage fit no problem. I then got sick and my wife had to drive to NYC she had not driven a manual in 10 yrs and wanted to practice before leaving the hotel. She shifted twice said this is great and before I knew it we were comfortably cruising at 80 mph. My car in 9 months has been trouble free and a blast to drive. This is my first Porsche and I would gladly buy another.

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

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  My Cayman Rules - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Dr. Philip DeVore - September 8 - 7:26 pm

  I have driven over 40 autos since the age of 16. 6 Corvettes, 3 BMWs, 3 Mazdas, 3 Mercedes, Talons (Junk), Buicks, 442s, and countless others, but this is the best thing since sliced manifolds. The Cayman is far, above, and beyond any other autos out there. Although it has more horsepower than my Boxster, and less torque, it is the quickest thing I have driven since my 427 vette fitted with tripower (69). The mid range power is fun, and truly sends me and passengers into the seats.

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  Love It! - 2008 Porsche Cayman
  By CSDriver - August 16 - 2:53 pm

  Drove my Cayman S for about 6 months before storing it for the winter. I use it as my daily driver. I now look forward to driving to and from work and on date nights with my wife. The performance is great and I many times take the long way home to spend a little more time in it. I recommend the Bose stereo upgrade for more low end punch, but many times I find myself listening to the engine sounds more than the radio/cd. Be careful with your customization as it can be expensive. Choose wisely. I am very happy with the standard leather interior and dash. A little more durable than having the full leather interior. The ride is firm, but this is a sports car after all.

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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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  awesome Ride - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By jay - June 16 - 5:00 pm

  The Porsche Cayman handles like a dream. Its performance is great, the lines look like a 37 Bugatti Atlantic. Porsche did a great job with this car.

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  Fantastic - 2007 Porsche Cayman
  By Jim - May 14 - 7:36 pm

  Beautiful car, fantastic performance. This car is great on the street and on the track. On the track, handling is precise and the brakes are awesome. Enough power to stay with all but the turbos. Wide power band. This engine loves 6200 rpm. On the street, it attracts a lot of attention. Lots of leg and head room. Interior quality is superb.

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  Ultimate Design Sports Car - 2008 Porsche Cayman
  By SM - May 3 - 6:03 am

  So far I have put 300miles on the car. The car turns heads every where I go. The sports exhaust note is incredible. The glossy with matte strips is very flashy and spruce. Aside from the visual appeal, performance is incredible.