Used Porsche Cayman (Mk2, 2013-2016): sublime handling and sensible pricing

Verdict

The second-generation Porsche Cayman isn’t as common on the used market as you might expect, so you will probably have to bide your time to find the right car, and you may well have to travel some distance to buy it. But it’s worth putting in the legwork to track down something really good, because the Cayman is the sort of car that you’ll want to keep forever. When we tested a Cayman S against an Audi TT RS Plus and a Lotus Evora S in 2013, the Porsche won on account of its sublime handling, sensible pricing and high-quality cabin. Of this trio, it’s the Porsche that has aged the best, and we can’t see you tiring of it any time soon if you buy a good one.

By definition, so-called landmark cars are very few and far between. They arrive only occasionally, but when they do, we’re forced to recalibrate the way we think about other cars in the same segment.

That’s how it was when Porsche revealed the original Boxster in 1996, and when the Boxster Mk2 sired the original Porsche Cayman in 2005, there was a distinct sense of déjà vu. Here was a car with brilliant dynamics and impressive build quality, which also came with hatchback usability.

So when the Cayman Mk2 arrived in 2012, our expectations were high. Of course, those hopes were easily met, which is why when we first drove it, we proclaimed that it was “one of the performance-car bargains of the year”.

History

Unveiled in November 2012, the Cayman Mk2 (codenamed 981) reached the UK in March 2013. There was a 271bhp Cayman and a 320bhp Cayman S, with 2.7 and 3.4-litre six-cylinder engines respectively. Even the Cayman 2.7 could do 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and had a top speed of 166mph.

The 335bhp Cayman GTS that arrived in spring 2014 was even faster, at 4.6 seconds and 178mph. With its 3.4-litre engine, this was in effect a lighter and more powerful Cayman S. But the Cayman GT4, launched in spring 2015, was even more extreme, with its 380bhp 3.8-litre engine providing a top speed of 183mph. 

For those wanting the ultimate Cayman, Porsche unveiled the GT4 Clubsport in November 2015. This was a lightweight GT4 that was only driveable on a track.

Which one should I buy?

The entry-level 2.7-litre car is the most plentiful, as well as the most affordable Cayman, and it’s every bit as sensational to drive as its more valuable siblings. It’s just a bit slower, but it’s hardly lacking performance. Move up to a Cayman S and it’ll do 0-62mph in less than five seconds and top out at 176mph. 

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The Cayman isn’t luxurious, but entry-level models come with sports seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and air-conditioning. The Cayman S adds bi-xenon headlights and 19-inch alloys, while the Cayman GTS has a bodykit, upgraded seats and interior, plus Porsche’s active suspension (PASM). The GT4 has a number of design touches that reflect its extreme nature, including 20-inch wheels, bucket seats and a fixed rear wing.

Alternatives to the Porsche Cayman

BMW’s Z4 Mk2 is quick and handles well, but it isn’t as polished as the Cayman. Only  offered in coupé-cabriolet form, it brings open-topped thrills with tin-top security and refinement. The Audi TTS and TT RS (which came in coupé or roadster forms) are more understated and have superb cabins, but the driving experience isn’t as rewarding. The Alpine A110 is sensational to drive and priced from £35,000, but there’s no manual-gearbox option. 

The Lotus Evora is also excellent dynamically, but there aren’t many to choose from. It has a 3.5-litre V6 engine and generally comes in manual-gearbox form, with prices starting at £27k. The Jaguar F-Type looks great, is fun to drive and plentiful, or if you want something more left-field, you could check out the Alfa Romeo 4C, which is priced from £40,000.

What to look for

See the light

If the stability-control light stays on, the brake pedal bushes are binding, so the brake lights are always on.

Ask questions

Get a specialist to quiz the ECU. This will show if the engine has ever been over-revved, and if the car has been clocked.

Question of Sport

If you’re a hard driver, the Sport Chrono option is worth having. It adjusts the throttle mapping to great effect.

Extras, extra

The options list was extensive. Those worth having include the adjustable suspension, Bluetooth, parking sensors and cruise control.

Interior

The Cayman’s dashboard feels rather outdated nowadays, in a world of touch-sensitive switchgear and digital displays. But it all works brilliantly, is very user-friendly, and as you’d expect, you can’t fault the quality of the materials used. That includes the interior trim, while the seats offer plenty of support and comfort.

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Being just a two-seater, the Cayman is very practical, with a spacious cabin that packs in plenty of storage space, including a decent glovebox and usefully sized door bins. The car is mid-engined, so there’s a 150-litre boot in the nose and a 162-litre space in the back. If you load this to the roof, you can fit in 275 litres of baggage.

Recalls

Three recalls is a pretty good record. The first was launched in November 2014, because 378 Boxsters and Caymans, along with some 911s, left the factory with faulty bonnet catches. The affected cars were made in May and June 2014; the fix was to replace part of the catch. The second action was in August 2019, because of glitches with the airbag control unit, which required either new software or a replacement control unit. Porsche recalled 1,810 cars of various types, all made in the 12 months from June 2015. 

The last recall came in September 2021 and affected 1,854 Boxsters and Caymans made between September 2012 and February 2013. These vehicles left the factory with sub-standard rear suspension parts, and fitting replacement components was the solution.

Running costs

All Caymans need servicing every two years or 20,000 miles, which is infrequent for a high-performance car, and something that helps to reduce running costs. But when a service is due, an official dealer charges £720 just for an oil and filter change, and you’ll need to pay £697 every four years for fresh spark plugs. A brake-fluid change (£173) is also due every service, while every six years or 60,000 miles, the fluid in the PDK gearbox (if fitted) has to be replaced (£550).

There’s no set schedule to replace the coolant, but it’s checked at each service. The six-cylinder engines are chain-driven, there are no cambelts to replace. 

Driver Power owner satisfaction

Porsche is a niche marque, and its cars don’t appear in our new or used Driver Power surveys, but the firm has been in our Brands survey; in 2012 and 2022 it came first out of 29 car makers. Browse the forums and you’ll soon see that the Cayman gets the thumbs up from owners, who revel in their cars’ practicality, performance, handling, build quality and value, even if the purchase and running costs aren’t so great.

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