Why you’d want a Porsche Cayman (987)
Resolutely unconventional, Porsche stuck to the rear-mounted engine for its fastest sports cars, despite experts claiming it was fundamentally unsound for good handling, and consistently outsold the opposition.
When Porsche did launch a mid-engined model in 1969, the 914 was lower-powered than the 911 as was the Cayman, when it arrived 36 years later.
Introduced a year after the facelifted 987 Boxster, initially only in Cayman S form with near-911 power, it was soon joined by an entry-level model with an upgraded Boxster 2.7 engine.
The range positioning gave the Cayman a feeling of being more exotic than the Boxster, while keeping the 911 at the pinnacle.
Owners could claim that their perfectly balanced Cayman was better than a 911 while secretly hankering for the ultimate Porsche, and often making that buying choice later.
It was the user-friendliness and all-day practicality that really stood out, combined with epic handling.
Autocar opined: ‘High-speed stability is superb and noticeably better than the 911’s. On the road, the Cayman’s powertrain borders on perfection. It offers speed, response, flexibility and character.’
A six-speed manual gearbox was standard on the S (five-speed on the 2.7); the five-speed Tiptronic auto was regarded as disappointing by testers who knew Porsche was developing a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, which would arrive in the 2009 facelifted Cayman 987.2 along with new engines, redesigned with direct injection and without an intermediate shaft (IMS).
The final Porsche Cayman R was the most focused and is now the most sought-after variant: lower, lighter and firmer, and without air-con.
The 987.1 S and Cayman R are in punitive tax brackets, currently £735 a year; others are £430.
Options included Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), with a 10mm lower ride height, stiffer springs and adaptive damping, with a Sport mode for track use.
The Sports Chrono pack enhanced performance with such delights as launch control, while Porsche Communication Management (PCM) was a fancy name for the sound and navigation system upgrade.
Sports seats were a good option, while a Porsche luggage set makes best use of the front and rear boots. Carbon-ceramic brake discs were a very costly and rare choice.
Images: James Mann
Porsche Cayman (987): what to look for
Trouble spots
Please see above for what to look for when you check out any Porsche Cayman (987) classic cars for sale.
Engine
Many owners never look under the engine cover, which is well insulated from luggage above.
he mid-mounted flat-six hides under trunking and plastics that, with age, can go hard and brittle: look for coolant leaks and, beneath, oil leaks.
Quality engineering means well-maintained engines go on for ever; look for meticulous service history.
Suspension
The stiff Boxster platform gives superb handling; power-steering pumps can overheat and if 987.1 track-rod ends fail, they can be replaced with 987.2 items.
Radiator
The radiator and air-con coolers in the front air intakes are easily damaged and can clog up.
Check their condition and cleanliness.
Aftermarket grilles help protect them.
Interior
Check for bolster wear on high-mileage cars, and check electric functionality.
Optional Sports buckets are generally preferred, but the R had different seats again.
Electrics
Often the first of the electric functions to fail on Porsche Caymans are the hatch-release buttons – check they work, along with all other electrical equipment, plus the air-con.
Porsche Cayman (987): before you buy
Although much better than earlier iterations of the M97 engine, thanks to a larger bearing fitted from 2006, a few 987.1 Porsche Caymans have suffered intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing failure: be wary of loud engine rattles.
Regular oil changes with fully synthetic 5w40 oil are recommended.
A better seal reduced the rear main oil seal weakness, but it still needs checking for drips and potential contamination of the clutch. Both issues were eradicated on the 987.2.
Look out for a black tailpipe and exhaust smoke: if in doubt, get the spark plugs out to check for oil contamination.
If on all, it’s likely to be the air/oil separator system (a fairly cheap fix), but if only on one or two, use a borescope to check for scored bores.
Short trips and hard driving from cold damage the Lokasil coating, and scored bores are a major expense to fix.
On the S, the Variocam solenoids can get dirty and stick, leading to a rough idle, loss of power and an engine warning light.
Some cooling-system pipes are bonded into the heads and barrels, and over time the bonding deteriorates, leaks start and pipes can blow out.
If the water pump isn’t replaced on schedule, its plastic impeller can break up and clog coolant passages or the thermostat.
The plastic expansion tank can become brittle and crack, and cap seals weaken and fail.
The PDK dual-clutch gearbox was considered much better than the Tiptronic, but its push-pull switch system was counter-intuitive – the later (optional) paddle-shift set-up is better.
Porsche Cayman (987) price guide
High miles/average/show*
- 987.1 S: £7000/11,000/15,000
- 2.7: £7500/12,000/16,000
- 2.9: £9000/15,000/22,000
- 987.2 S: £10,000/16,500/24,000
- R, special editions: £20,000/28,000/40,000
UK only: Europe/USA higher. Manual 10% more than auto
Prices correct at date of original publication
Porsche Cayman (987) history
2005 987.120 Cayman S launched at Frankfurt show: 3386cc, 291bhp
2006 987.110 entry-level Cayman: 2687cc, 242bhp, five-speed manual or Tiptronic
2007 Design Edition 1: all black, active dampers, 19in wheels (777 built)
2008 Cayman S Sport: active dampers, sports seats, 19in wheels (700 built)
2009 987.2 facelift: 266bhp 2.9 or 321bhp 3.4 S; six-speed manual or dual-clutch PDK
2010 Cayman R: lighter weight, aero aids, 20mm lower, 326bhp (1621 built; 220 UK)
2011 Cayman S Black Edition (500 built); production ends, replaced by new 981
The owner’s view
“I think the Cayman is the car Porsche engineers always wanted to buy,” says David Williams.
“It’s incredible to drive – the limit of grip is so high, it will hang on much longer than your bravery.
“I completely rebuilt a 1500 Spitfire to concours standard outside my house years ago, so I’ve always loved sports cars, but it’s the engineering and quality of build that attracts me to Porsches.
“Porsche works on a 7% margin, so you get a lot of engineering for your money and they don’t depreciate.
“I test-drove a 2.7-litre 981, which felt more of an everyday car but not as interesting a driving experience, or engine. The 987 S is all about driving: like having a TVR, but screwed together properly.
“I bought mine three years ago and I’ve just had the suspension rebuilt by SCS because the dampers and springs were corroding.
“I have a 981 Cayman GT4 as well – one of the last alongside this, one of the first!”
Also consider
The BMW Z4 Coupé (left) and TVR T350 are alternative classic buys
BMW Z4 COUPÉ
With a 3.0/3.2-litre ‘six’, the BMW Z4 showed the same thinking as the Porsche: boost sales off the back of a successful roadster. Not as fast as a Cayman, except as an M, and beware Vanos issues.
Sold 2006-’09 • No. built 17,094 • Price now £6-30,000*
TVR T350
With 350bhp Speed Six power, the TVR T350 hit 60mph from rest in 4.3 secs and topped 175mph – faster than a Cayman in a straight line. Engines were better built than before, but still a risky buy.
Sold 2002-’06 • No. built 460 • Price now £22-43,000*
*Prices correct at date of original publication
Porsche Cayman (987): the Classic & Sports Car verdict
A surefire modern classic, the Porsche 987 Cayman’s blend of naturally aspirated flat-six thrust with a perfectly balanced chassis, superb build quality and real usability offers many years of driver satisfaction – provided you buy a good example.
Try all variants to choose which suits your driving style and requirements, then look for one with proof of meticulous ownership history.
Prices are currently heavily influenced by mileage, but maintenance is more important.
FOR
- Top-quality engineering and development
- It is backed up today by excellent manufacturer, club and specialist support that reduces the stresses of ownership
AGAINST
- Problems are rare, but can be very expensive
- Neglected servicing and abuse on track can come back to bite subsequent owners
Porsche Cayman (987) specifications
- Sold/number built 2005-’12/59,413
- Construction steel monocoque
- Engine all-alloy, dohc-per-bank 2687/2893/3387/3436cc flat-six, sequential multi-point injection (direct injection from ’09); VarioCam variable inlet valves on S
- Max power 242bhp @ 6500rpm to 326bhp @ 7400rpm
- Max torque 201lb ft @ 4600rpm to 273lb ft @ 4750rpm
- Transmission five/six-speed manual, five-speed Tiptronic or seven-speed PDK automatic, RWD; optional LSD from ’08
- Suspension MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar f/r; optional active dampers; rear lateral control arms
- Steering power-assisted rack and pinion
- Brakes drilled/vented discs, servo, ABS
- Length 14ft 3in (4343mm)
- Width 5ft 11in (1801mm)
- Height 4ft 2½-3½in (1286-1305mm)
- Wheelbase 7ft 11in (2415mm)
- Weight 2855-3208lb (1295-1455kg)
- 0-60mph 5.8-4.4 secs
- Top speed 162-175mph
- Mpg 16-35
- Price new £39,162-51,728 (2.9-R, 2011)
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