Used Porsche Cayman for sale: everything you need to know

The Porsche Cayman is an exciting entry-level Porsche sports car. Used prices are more affordable than many will initially suspect, so the neighbours will be left wondering when you won the lottery.

The Porsche Cayman competes with cars such as the Alpine A110 and racier versions of the Audi TT. A mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive two-seater, the Porsche Cayman both looks and feels like an authentic Porsche, and even the least powerful version has enough sports car performance to show a clean pair of heels to hot hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen Golf R. 

Should you buy a Porsche Cayman? 

There are multiple flavours of Porsche Cayman, and all of them deliver a precise, balanced driving experience that will thrill enthusiasts. Its mid-engined layout means rapid responses, thanks to the centralised masses. Porsche has also dialled out any trace of the snappiness that can afflict less well-honed mid-engined cars. 

The Porsche Cayman, Porsche Cayman T and Porsche Cayman S all use a flat-four turbocharged engine. This downsized motor is easy to drive, thanks to its good pulling power, and the offbeat engine noise is novel. Fuel economy isn’t bad and overall performance remains impressive. 

We particularly like the Porsche Cayman T, which combines the running costs of the smallest 2.0-litre flat-four engine with lots of the enthusiast-focused extras found on more expensive models. It’s a good choice for those seeking an entry-level Porsche that delivers the firm’s famed feedback and dynamism. 

But for some enthusiasts, only a flat-six engine in a Porsche will do. While they were not available at the launch of this generation of Porsche Cayman, Porsche responded with no fewer than three high-end six-cylinder Cayman models. There's the Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0, which has a full-fat 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine that will satisfy most keen drivers. 

Then come the track-focused GT4 and GT4 RS, two bona-fide collectables that deliver a behind-the-wheel experience that’s out of this world. They are incredibly exciting to drive and be driven in, and they absolutely look the part, too – particularly the GT4 RS with all its carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic (CFRP) body panels. 

A strict two seater, the Porsche Cayman doesn’t boast the surprising practicality of a Porsche 911. But it still has two boots, and when you’re not driving flat-out, it serves up an impressive degree of everyday refinement. Add in the brilliant Porsche integrity and the admiring glances you’ll get from others, and the appeal of the affordable Porsche Cayman range is clear.

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What's the best used Porsche Cayman model to buy?

If budget is not really a consideration, then we’d pick the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, as that naturally aspirated (non-turbo) flat-six four-litre engine is an incredible companion to the Cayman’s sensational chassis. It actually looks like a bargain, too, alongside both its own Cayman GT4 relative (which uses the same engine) and many of the 911 line-up. 

Even so, the four-cylinder cars are still special to drive, if lacking some character in the engine department. All are easy to recommend, but the Porsche 718 Cayman T, with the smaller 2.0-litre engine and suspension largely borrowed from the GTS is the sharpest to drive if that matters to you, and at its best with the manual transmission.

If you’re slightly less concerned about the purity of the drive, then either the Porsche 718 Cayman or Porsche 718 Cayman S are good, too, with the PDK automatic making them an easier day-to-day proposition.

Used Porsche Cayman fuel economy and performance

This generation of Porsche 718 Cayman originally offered a choice of two four-cylinder turbo ‘boxer’ engines, either 2.0- or 2.5-litres in capacity. Enthusiasts later demanded the return of the six-cylinder engine and Porsche acquiesced. Choose from either a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

• Porsche Cayman 2.0 petrol: Even the smaller four-cylinder turbo boxer engine produces 300PS. That’s good for 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds, plus surprisingly reasonable fuel consumption of 31.7mpg. CO2 emissions start from 201g/km. 
• Porsche Cayman 2.5 petrol: The 2.5-litre boxer engine pushes power up to 350PS, which cuts half-a-second from the 0-62mph time. It has an autobahn-friendly top speed of 177mph, and averages 29.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 217g/km. 
• Porsche Cayman 4.0 GTS petrol: The big 4.0-litre flat-six engine produces a nice round 400PS in the GTS. That’s good for 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds - or a nice round 4.0 seconds with the optional PDK. Fuel economy dips, but not by much: it averages 28.0mpg and emits 230g/km CO2. 
• Porsche Cayman 4.0 GT4 petrol: The more race-bread GT4 RS pushes power up to 420PS, fractionally cutting the 0-62mph time, while its more downforce-inducing shape sees fuel economy dip to an average of 26.4mpg. 
• Porsche Cayman 4.0 GT4 RS petrol: The exotic GT4 RS boasts a full 500PS from its ferocious 4.0-litre flat-six engine. Zero to 62mph takes a scant 3.4 seconds and it has a 196mph top speed. Fuel economy is 21.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of 299g/km. But if you’re buying a GT4 RS, you probably won’t worry about such things. 

What used Porsche Cayman trim levels are available?

There are no less than six rungs on the Porsche Cayman ladder, with each one growing in performance and intensity. Whichever version you go for, you shouldn’t feel short-changed.

• The Porsche Cayman is the entry-level Porsche Cayman with the smallest 2.0-litre engine. These days, even basic Porsches are pretty well equipped.
• The Porsche Cayman T shares the entry-level engine, but combines it with a racier, more focused appearance and setup. It has the larger alloy wheels of the 911 Carrera S and other driver-pleasing features such as a mechanical limited-slip differential and active drivetrain mounts. 
• The Porsche Cayman S uses the 2.5-litre flat-four engine and has a series of styling features that reflect its higher-performance nature. 
• The Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 is the first of three six-cylinder Porsche Cayman models. Its monster 4.0-litre engine is the highlight, and a full GTS makeover gives it the styling clout to match. 
• The Porsche Cayman GT4 is a more extreme take on the 4.0-litre theme, with a track-focused approach that includes such delights as fully-adjustable suspension and a shortened manual gearlever with auto-blip functionality. 
• The Porsche Cayman GT4 RS is the most radical Porsche Cayman of all. And we mean radical: it’s a track-day special with an exotic engine, plentiful carbon fibre and the most delicious set of ultra-sports seats inside. It even has exotic titanium conrods within the engine, helping deliver a howling rev limit and 500PS output.

Used Porsche Cayman dimensions and boot size

The Porsche Cayman’s exterior dimensions are: 

• Length: 4,379mm (GTS: 4,405mm; GT4 and GT4 RS: 4,456mm)
• Width: 1,801mm (GT4 RS: 1,822mm)
• Height: 1,276mm (S: 1,295mm; GT4: 1,269mm; GT4 RS: 1,267mm)
• Ground clearance: 128mm

The Porsche Cayman’s boot space is:

• Front luggage compartment: 150 litres (GT4 RS: 125 litres)
• Luggage compartment behind front seats: 184 litres, or 272 litres with seats folded (GT4 182/270 litres; GT4 RS 136 litres)

Used Porsche Cayman road tax

For early version of this Porsche Cayman generation, road tax is based on their emissions and this means you'll pay £395 per year for the 2.0- and 2.5-litre models. For thos Cayman registered from 1 April 2017, they all pay road tax at a standard rate of £180.

There is a caveat to this £180 yearly cost, however, as any Porsche Cayman up to five-years old will also have a £390 surcharge added to its annual road tax because the car cost more than £40,000 when new.

How much is it to insure a Porsche Cayman? 

Being a Porsche, the Porsche Cayman will be more expensive to insure than a regular car. The 300PS standard model opens with a group 42 (out of 50) insurance rating, with the Porsche Cayman T moving up to group 43 and the Cayman S in group 44. The charismatic GTS 4.0 has an insurance rating of group 46, while the GT4 is in group 47. 

Read our full Porsche Cayman review