Though the Porsche 911 has been a feather in Porsche’s cap pretty much since its debut in the 60s, Porsche decided to release something a little bit different in 2005 with the Cayman. Though the Cayman is often paired with the two-seater Boxter, both the 911 and the Cayman share the same sleek fastback body profile, which sets the Cayman apart from the Boxter. Instead of the usual 2 + 2 seating arrangement found the 911, the Porsche Cayman has only the front seats. And though it has a smaller mid-engine than the rear-engined 911, the car itself is also smaller and lighter, meaning that you really won’t miss any of that extra horsepower. To round out the positives if we haven’t yet convinced you, it’s good to know that Caymans are cheaper than 911s, at least by a little bit.
Like the 911, the Cayman has gone through a few iterations over the years. While the 911 has had decades of different engines and body types, the Cayman has had only a little over a decade’s worth of models to choose from. Because of this, it is easier to get a grip on which of the three generations of the Porsche Cayman suits you best.
The first generation Porsche Cayman (987) came out at the end of 2005 and was produced until 2012. The initial S version had a 3.4 liter engine that could do 0-60 in a cool 5.1 seconds, and despite sharing some parts with the Boxter of that era, its styling made it look like a completely different car. Cayman’s second generation (981)—complete with a longer wheelbase, a new body and an interior redesigned to match the then current 911 models—was produced from 2012 until 2016. The S version also had a 3.4 liter engine, but it could make the climb from 0-60 in just 4.7 seconds. The third and current Cayman generation (usually referred to 718, but also as a 982) began to be produced in 2016 and is still on the market today. The GTS version of the newest Porsche Cayman generation has a 2.5 liter turbocharged flat-four engine that can roar from 0-60 in just 4.6 seconds.
Time For A Test Drive: Three Porsche Cayman Generations
Though all of these numbers are all well and good, what really matters is how you feel when you get behind the wheel. The good folks over at Everyday Driver took the time to take a spin in three different generations of these cars. They took the time to compare a 987 Cayman R, a 981 Cayman GTS and a 718 Cayman GTS. Though each of these cars was made over the span of less than 20 years, there are definite differences when it comes to the cars’ styling, handling and interiors.
Though both Paul and Todd seem to agree that the original 987 R is their favorite—mostly because it is the most fun—they can’t come to an agreement over whether the 981 or the 718 comes in second. Though they both agree that the 981 may sound the best of the remaining two, their opinions differ when it comes to whether they prefer the more refined saloon car feel of the 981, or the more raw 911-like feel of the 718.
Check out the differences in styling, driving, and engine noise from each different generation, and see which of the smaller, sportier Porches from the Cayman generations would be your pick.
