Used Porsche Cayman 2013-2016 review

A lot of people consider the Porsche Cayman to be inferior, in every way, to the iconic Porsche 911. And, a lot of the time, those people haven't experienced a Cayman.

It's a sublime sports car, especially when you consider that used Caymans (of this 2013-2016 generation) are available for less than £30,000 in some cases.

Engines & Performance: Depending on which version you're looking at, ahead of the rear axle you'll find a 271bhp 2.7-litre flat-six petrol engine or an enlarged 3.4-litre one with either 321bhp (Cayman S) or 335bhp (Cayman GTS). The track-focused GT4 got and even bigger still 3.8-litre engine delivering 380bhp. A six-speed manual gearbox was standard, with a seven-speed PDK automatic 'box a popular option.

Even the 'entry-level' 2.7 six-cylinder can rocket the Cayman from 0-60mph in 5.7sec and romp onto 165mph, whereas the 3.4 engine will see it off in 4.7sec and go on to reach 174mph – traffic laws permitting. In most situations, the S variant naturally feels quicker, but the sheer character of that lovely smooth and biddable engine and the joy of piloting this machine will leave very few disappointed if they chose the standard model.

For true speed freaks, Porsche introduced a GTS version using the same engine as the S model but with a bit more power and a few suspension weeks to make it the one that enthusiasts will want. For regular track-day drivers, there is also a GT4 version that's capable of seeing off the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.4sec.

Ride & Handling: The Cayman's handling is a true delight. It feels nimble, stable, secure, fast and fun. Some purists disliked the change to electric power steering on this version, but nevertheless few cars steer with such alacrity, even if some elements of communication are slightly muted.

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) was an option when new and is well worth finding an example with it fitted; it lets the driver choose between normal and sporty settings, further enhancing this car’s wicked potential.

Interior & Practicality: The interior is of modest dimensions, and its suitably sporty, classy fittings remind you that you’re in a Porsche. Right in front of you is a central, oversized rev counter that lives behind a familiar and very tactile steering wheel. There are also plenty of buttons on the centre console – lots of them, in fact. Those coming from an Audi or a BMW might be daunted by the number of buttons and yearn for a rotary controller to bring all the functionality together, but, with familiarity, things become a lot easier.

Surprisingly for a sports car, you get two boots. There’s a 150-litre luggage space up front and a further 275 litres in the rear – enough for a light trip to the shops or a week’s holiday luggage for two.

Trims & Equipment: Porsche cars tend to be quite sparsely equipped as standard and this Cayman is no exception. The standard car has 18in alloys, air-con, a 7.0in touchscreen, automatic headlights and a CD player, while the Cayman S has bigger 19in alloys, bi-xenon headlights and a part-leather interior.

If you want any more luxuries than that, you better hope the first owner was generous with the options list because almost everything was an option – even simple things like a Bluetooth connection for your phone.

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If you don't mind higher mileage (around 90,000), then the entry-level Cayman can be had for around £20,000. Around £25,000 is a better bet, though. There, you'll find cars with around 50,000 miles. You'll start to see S models, too.

For a GTS, have upwards of £37,000 and, for a GT4, raise that to around £60,000.

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MPG: Even buyers of expensive sports cars have to consider fuel economy sometimes and the Cayman is respectable on this front, considering its speed. If you seek out your Cayman with the PDK gearbox, you’ll often find that the official claimed NEDC fuel consumption figure is a couple of miles per gallon better than that of a manual model. With the 2.7, this means an impressive 36.7mpg for the PDK, but 34.4mpg for a self-shifter. The swifter Cayman S with its 3.4 engine is a tad thirstier, at 35.3mpg for the automatic and 32.1mpg for the manual.

CO2 emissions: A PDK equipped 2.7 puts out the least CO2 at 180g/km, while the manual emitting 192g/km. An automatic 3.4 will produce 188g/km and the manual version emits 206g/km. These figures are the NEDC figures prevailing at the time.

Road tax: Road tax for Caymans registered before April 2017 (which covers this generation of the Cayman) is based on CO2 emissions and, with its reasonable claimed figures, the annual charge isn’t excessive for a car of this type, whichever model you choose.

Servicing and insurance costs: Meanwhile, the standard Cayman falls into insurance group 37, while the Cayman S is in group 41 and the Cayman GTS in group 43. The GT4 is in group 45. Expect servicing costs to be high, though, and likewise the price of spare parts.

Engine: For the best possible Cayman driving experience, a purist would recommend trying to find a manual car, but the PDK automatic is nonetheless a truly impressive thing. So equipped, the car is actually a fraction quicker and more economical than the equivalent manual model, and it’s easier to punt around town as well as down a twisty road. Whether you should seek out the 2.7 or 3.4 engine is a matter worth some debate because both are fantastic. The 2.7 will cost a little less to run, perhaps, and for that reason it would get our nod, but we wouldn’t blame you in the slightest if you fell for the charms of the 3.4.

Specification: Porsche is notoriously stingy with standard kit, so look out for a car that was ordered with options like Porsche Communication Management for sat-nav and Bluetooth phone connectivity; Adaptive Cruise Control with Porsche Active Safety for automatic emergency braking, and Porsche Active Suspension Management if you'd like an adaptive suspension system that gives a better ride on broken road surfaces.

Our favourite Porsche Cayman 2.7

The BMW M2 is based on a four-door coupé rather than being built merely as an out-and-out sports coupé like the Cayman is. However, it’s incredibly quick, both in a straight line and round a bend. It sounds wonderful, is better equipped than the Cayman and is more practical.

The Audi TT RS is wonderfully quick, too, and handles superbly. It’s loud, secure and easy to drive quickly, but also practical, usable and classy. It may not have quite the cachet of the Porsche, but it’s an impressive driving tool.

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Interested in buying a used Porsche Cayman? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.