As prices of Porsche 911s seem to be running away and value-for-money on used examples gets worse and worse, it only makes sense to maybe check out what the used Cayman market has to offer. I’ve said many times that I’m not a huge fan of the 718 unless it has a flat-six, so that means backing up to the 981 generation – where you can have all the flat-six you desire. Today’s car, a 2016 Cayman S up for sale in Miami, seems to check all the boxes if you want a really optioned 981 without spending crazy money.
Tag: Cayman S
I’m not exactly going out on any limbs and predicting something that others aren’t seeing, but the 981 Porsche Cayman is aging very well. It’s a great size, the tech is more than adequate, but the real star of the show is the MA1 flat-6. It is a wonderfully balanced engine that sounds great, kicks out 325 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, and won’t kill you in service costs. However, I think one of the biggest reasons the 981 is holding strong, is that it isn’t a 718. Hear me out here.
Unless you spring for the GTS 4.0 or GT4, the 718 chassis gets a lot of kickback because of the MA2 turbocharged flat-4. Don’t get me wrong, I want to love the 718. I think it looks great, the interior is extremely nice for the price point, but I just can’t love, or even like, the MA2 engine. Every time I hear one start up, I am having flashbacks to 2005 Subaru WRXs. I am not alone here. Because of this, I’d much rather buy the older car for the engine alone. Today’s car, a 2016 Cayman S, looks to be one of the finer examples I’ve come across of the 981 chassis in the past few years. Why? Well, it has 955 miles on it. That’s it. 955.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2016 Porsche Cayman S on eBay
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One of the more surprising special edition Porsche dropped on us the was the 2008 Cayman S Design Edition 1 … edition. Porsche pitched it as homage to Porsche Design and the 35th anniversary of the Chronograph 1 watch designed by Ferdinand Porsche. Changes includes a triple racing stripe down the middle of the car and on both sides of the doors, Porsche’s Active Suspension Management, 19″ wheels sourced from the 997 Turbo, some special gauge cluster font, and Alcantara on the roof, handbrake lever, and steering wheel. There was no bump in power, but you do get a serialized plaque on the glove box door. Now as we sit some 14 years later, they are merely a blip on the radar in vast sea of watercooled Porsche products. But that won’t stop used dealers from hyping them up and try to charge a super premium on them. Such is life!
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2008 Porsche Cayman S Design Edition 1 on eBay
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The first-generation Porsche Cayman is right in the middle of that no man’s land territory right now. Clearly not new enough to be desired by for those who want the latest and greatest, but not old enough to become a classic. Still, a worthy car given how it dishes out, and most importantly the price they currently command. For the Cayman S, the value becomes even better. The race to 60 mph isn’t mind blowing or even all that impressive with 5.5 seconds needed, but this car is much more than just straight like speed. However, this example up for sale Illinois sure brings the looks, but the price seems to match. Still worth it?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2007 Porsche Cayman S on eBay
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Green and brown is like chocolate and peanut butter to me. Smooth all the way. If I ever went the route of actually spec’ing a car from new, it would be a nice dark green, over some kind of tan of brown leather. I’m sure I’m not alone in this, so when this 2006 Porsche Cayman S popped up for sale, I naturally had to take a closer look. Forest Green Metallic over Special Cocoa Leather. Yes, please. However, once I started taking that closer look, it didn’t seem so lovely anymore. Let me explain.