Like the Porsche 718 Boxster, the Porsche 718 Cayman offers an entry point into the Porsche brand, offering excellent sports car qualities at a competitive price point appealing to budget-conscious buyers who are primarily young thrill seekers. Available in a range of trim configurations, the Porsche 718 Cayman guarantees a thrilling driving experience regardless of the specific spec chosen. But if you seek the perfect trim, the Porsche 718 Cayman S strikes the perfect balance between affordability and performance. Power output is rated at 350 horsepower, and with the engine nestled in a chassis lighter than most 911 chassis, the Cayman S promises endless fun. To top it off, Porsche makes a manual transmission as standard, a topic we'll delve into later in this review. First, besides the roof, is there any difference between the Porsche 718 Cayman S and Boxster S? The weight difference between the two is evident but negligible, and besides that, the Cayman has a practical advantage as its fixed roof frees up cargo space. It's also cheaper than the 2024 718 Boxster S, starting at $81,950. Still trying to decide which 718 Cayman to get? Buckle up. This Porsche 718 Cayman S review should ignite your desire to buy one.
The Porsche Cayman roots go as far back as 1996 when Porsche first made the Porsche Boxster, which would then be the base for the Cayman, which was introduced in 2005 for the 2006 model year based on the first variant of second-gen Boxster 987.1. Built as a fastback coupe, the Cayman S 987.1 was the first model introduced, taking inspiration from previous Porsche models such as the 550 Coupe and 904 Carrera GTS Coupe. Behind its cabin sat a 295 horsepower 3.4-liter flat-six engine, which later benefitted from direct fuel injection as the Boxster and Cayman 987.2 entered production in 2009, hence an increase in power to 321 horsepower. Porsche retained the same engine in the following 981 generation, and in the current 982 (718), the Cayman witnessed a shift that disrupted the continuity of the flat-six engine. Debuting at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show and rolling off the production line at Porsche's Stuttgart plant, the Cayman 718 did away with the six-cylinder, replacing it with a turbocharged four-banger, which most purists disapproved, almost denying its identity as a Porsche along with the Porsche Boxster. However, its performance capabilities are undeniably good, as you will soon discover.
A four-cylinder in a Porsche raises concerns for anyone, purist or not, but not the one in the Porsche 718 Cayman S, as it's not your average four-cylinder. It's rated for 350 horsepower and 309 lb.ft, thanks to forced induction, which is decent enough considering the Cayman S weighs 2,987 pounds with the standard manual transmission. The optional 7-speed PDK transmission adds roughly 60 pounds, which is not a bad tradeoff for the driving comfort and precision it offers. Still, it takes away the engagement and fun of the manual transmission. Performance figures are similar to the Porsche Boxster S as the Cayman S with a manual transmission will do 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds and 4.2 seconds with the PDK transmission. Selecting the Chrono Package, which is only available for the PDK transmission, shortens 0-60 time to 4.0 seconds thanks to launch control and a retuned transmission. While switching to four-cylinder engines was controversial, it welcomed fuel efficiency for the Porsche 718 Cayman S and other Cayman and Boxster models. The 718 Cayman S promises a combined 22 mpg with the manual transmission and 23 mpg with the PDK, offering drivers a significant improvement over the previous flat-six engines.
For 2024, the Porsche 718 Cayman S remains unchanged. However, the 2024 Porsche 718 lineup received a revision, adding the Style Edition and replacing the Cayman T. The Style Edition gets 20-inch wheels, a Ruby Star Neo paint color, and Porsche graphics on the doors and hood. In the interior, you get special floor mats with chalk-colored stitching, illuminated door sill plates, and Porsche logos embossed on the seat headrests. Also part of the lineup revision is the discontinuation of the 718 Cayman GT4, which leaves the Cayman GT4 RS as the range-topping model.
Inside, the Porsche 718 Cayman S offers a blend of sportiness and comfort, featuring black leather seats with Race-Tex seat centers as standard. These can be upgraded to Agate Grey for a lighter feel, and the leather on the inlay door handles, steering wheel rim and gear selector is colored to match. Like with other Cayman and Boxster models, extensive use of plastic has been an issue for many buyers. However, unlike the cheap, flimsy plastic you'd find in budget-friendly cars, the cabin plastics in the 718 Cayman S are generally firm. The main concern is that the plastic bits don’t evoke the luxurious feel you expect in a car you pay $80,000 for. Porsche's extensive customization options allow you to transform virtually every element in the cabin, from the seats and steering wheel to the stitching and accents. This takes away that bland cabin ambience, which is more of a blank canvas waiting to be brought to life by your vision.
While the exterior appeals of the Porsche 718 Cayman S and Boxster S share a similar design, the Cayman S' fixed roof allows for a single-piece trunk and engine cover that incorporates the rear windshield, contrasting the Boxster S' retractable top and separate engine compartment and trunk lid. Other exterior aspects adopt the interior's minimalistic look, but Guards Red or Racing Yellow brings out its curvaceous lines more than the standard white or black, which is too familiar. Prefer a color that makes a statement? Skip the metallic color options and choose from Porsche's special colors, among which Ruby Star Neo, Shark Blue and Carmine Red look best. Crayon, Ice Grey Metallic, and Artic Gray do the job if you prefer a more subtle look. 19-inch Boxster S wheels are standard, and while they're good enough for the Porsche 718 Cayman S, the 20-inch Carrera Sport, Carrera S, or 911 Turbo wheels enhance the car's visual appeal. And again, Porsche allows you to change the wheel colors to the provided options on the configurator or personalized paint options if you opt for the Exclusive Manufaktur package.
Although the Porsche 718 Cayman S's list of standard tech features is thin, essential driver assist, comfort, and safety features are seamlessly integrated to ensure an uncompromising driving experience. The 7.0-inch Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment offers seamless connectivity with phone connectivity, navigation and satellite radio, among other essentials as standard. It also provides control to the 6-speaker, 110-watt sound system, which is okay for casual listening, but the optional premium Bose sound system delivers better and more immersive quality audio. Power-adjustable and heated seats come standard, along with heated mirrors, making winter driving a breeze. On the road, the Porsche 718 Cayman S has your back through an all-encompassing array of essential safety and driver assist features, which include a post-collision safety system, stability control, front head and dual-side airbags, traction control, 4-wheel ABS and tire pressure monitoring among others. You can level up your driving experience and safety with Porsche's optional safety features, which include adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and Porsche Stability Management (PSM).
Without options, the 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman S will set you back $81,950 from Porsche, and like the Boxster S, it offers an affordable way to experience Porsche performance. But it isn't just a weekend toy. The Porsche Cayman S can seamlessly transition from carving corners in the canyons to cruising on the highway and not feel like a sports car, making it an excellent all-rounder. Fancy a weekend playing golf or on the track? No problem. You even have more than enough storage space for an extra set of golf clubs and track accessories. Its efficiency also makes it an excellent daily driver, and since it isn't a Cayman GT4 RS or a 911 GT3 RS, it won't stand out in the parking lot. It's a sports car that will adapt to any buyer's needs, and if this article has affirmed your decision to buy one, Exotic Car Trader has you covered. Take your best pick from our Porsche Cayman listings, each an example of the well-curated Porsche listings we offer.
The Porsche 718 Cayman S is excellent for drivers seeking a thrilling and practical sports car without breaking the bank. Its performance, practicality, and customization options make it versatile and exciting, even if the interior materials and standard tech fall short of the ultimate luxury experience in other Porsches outside the 718 model lineup. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! The transition to a four-cylinder engine may have raised eyebrows among purists, but the Cayman S's performance, boasting 350 horsepower and excellent performance figures, proves its capability as a sports car.
Exotic Car Trader is the fastest growing marketplace built specifically for automotive enthusiasts. Click below to learn how you can sell your car with us.
LEARN MORE
