Picture Gallery: 2009 Porsche Cayman | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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The Cayman is arguably the best looking Porsche in company’s line-up, and ever since its introduction, many have wished Porsche would just drop in the flat-six from the 911 or 911 Turbo so this mid-engined machine could pummel the competition. But Porsche wouldn’t want to step on its own toes and ruin the 911’s heritage, so the Cayman still shares engines with the Boxster from which it was derived — although, lately, this isn’t a bad thing.
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Porsche used to be a little low on the power totem, but they have upped the ante over the past few years: the base Cayman is now outputting 265hp from a 2.9-litre flat-six, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at.
My base model tester carries a few options, but nothing crazy: the rare Aqua blue paint is a $970 option because of the metallic flake; BiXenon Headlights for $2,130 is a little steep considering they can be had in some compact cars these days; 18-inch Cayman S wheels for $1,690; colour-matched floor mats for a reasonable $130; another $130 for an iPod interface and $950 for Bluetooth. The big one, though, is the transmission: a whopping $4,660 for the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission.
I had a chance a few months ago to get behind the wheel of a PDK-equipped Cayman S on the track. This week’s tester gives me a chance to live with the PDK for a week on the streets, so I will be sure to let you know how I feel the transmission fares daily use by week’s end.
2009 Porsche Cayman
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $75,745
For more information on Porsche and the Cayman visit Porsche Canada
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Everyone sure loves the looks of the Cayman and I can’t blame them. Darn this thing is sexy-looking on the outside! On the inside it continues, and although some may not like the tan interior of my tester, it goes well with the dark blue exterior and really creates a striking visual as you approach the car in a parking lot.
Nothing to say about the back seats, because there are none, but the engine occupies that space quite nicely. As a bonus, though, you get two trunks; almost three, even. At the back, the Cayman is a hatchback with a large parcel shelf under it. Only flat objects will fit on the shelf but you could place a briefcase there, and there is a net to hold it down.
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Every time you get in, you know you are in a Porsche, as the smell from the leather is unmistakable. The interior fit and finish is exceptional, as one might expect, with lovely soft-touch material nearly everywhere. However, my tester does have some rattles with over 17,000 hard kilometers on the odometer.
The seats are manually-adjustable fore and aft, with manual height adjustment for the driver but power reclining adjustment. Tilt and telescoping steering allow for an optimal driving position. The footwell is a little narrow, though it’s not so much an issue with the PDK transmission, since there is no clutch to use.
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The first reason is that the PDK transmission doesn’t use seventh unless you are being very gentle on the throttle and are over 80km/h, so no biggie, but the biggest reason is the kick-down mode, which is nothing short of outstanding. When you tap the gas pedal (in the Cayman or any Porsche with a PDK transmission) it doesn’t just downshift to the optimal gear — it does it instantly and it skips all gear in between.
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Porsche also uses other factors to determine the gearing required at any moment: brake hard and the downshifts are more urgent; corner quickly and the transmission will hold the gear longer to enable you to power out of the turn; it’s smart engineering that makes for fun on the street and quick lap times on the track.
The 265hp engine is powerful but not insanely so; for some it may feel like the car could use more “ooomph,” but when is enough really enough anyways? For most, especially those using this as their weekend toy or daily driver, 265hp will be plenty. The engine is extremely smooth, though, with no kick in the pants as the power is perfectly linear from the bottom to the top of the rev range.
The steering is near perfect as you would expect from Porsche, and the ride is a little stiff but is as expected and just fine by me. Road noise is a little surprising, though, as I find with the windows up there is a booming sound as you drive that distinctly sounds like most cars do while driving with the windows down. It really sounds like the wind is buffeting; cracking the window eliminates it, and as an added bonus, allows in the sweet sounds of the exhaust.
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And, on top of all this, average 8.0L/100km for the day! Incredible, the Cayman delivered in all respects, although I’d take the S version with a few more ponies behind the seat. Also, road noise can become a little bothersome on rougher roads, but overall, the Cayman proves you can have your cake and eat it too.
I managed 10.1L/100km average fuel consumption over the course of the week, and 8.0L/100km on the weekend on a 300km trip — amazing!
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Porsche Cayman
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $75,745
For more information on Porsche and the Cayman visit Porsche Canada
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August 27, 2009, 10:06:36 am *ewhhh* that monochromatic interior is awful. I love the tan seats and would like tan inserts in the door, but please use a black dash and steering wheel.
August 27, 2009, 10:59:16 am "I would forfeit power seats for auto dim mirrors and rain sensing wipers any day."
It just shows that one man's trash is another man's treasure!!
Personally, I would take power seats any day over auto dimming mirrors (which never dim enough IMO) and over rain sensing wipers (which never seem to sweep when I want them to).
August 27, 2009, 11:01:41 am
Agreed quad...I'm a charter member of the "Any interior colour other than black" club, but Porsche puts way too much of what should be a contrasting colour in the interior.
Guy down the street from me has a Cayman S...sounds pretty nice driving by...by no means an attention getter in black though.
Railton
August 27, 2009, 11:00:22 pm Hey Wing,
What's your opinion on Porsche's choice to put rocker switches on the steering wheel as opposed to paddles on the column? I've read other reviewers say they don't like them.
August 28, 2009, 12:07:07 am
It just shows that one man's trash is another man's treasure!!
Personally, I would take power seats any day over auto dimming mirrors (which never dim enough IMO) and over rain sensing wipers (which never seem to sweep when I want them to).
IMO, power seats are useful only in a shared car, and only if the car has memory seats. Otherwise, they simply add weight and are another thing to go wrong. As the only driver in my car, I cannot remember the last time I adjusted the seat... power seats would be a complete waste. But autodimming mirrors and rain sensing wipers would be downright handy! Actually, I would settle for wipers that turned off when stopped (i.e., at a red light) and wiped when I hit the accelerator...
August 28, 2009, 05:50:28 am I wonder if that transmission software will find its way into the VW DSG. I am sure the PDK controller ( electronics and mechanics) is quite similar to the DSG but from your description the software is superior.
August 28, 2009, 06:42:38 am
My GTi does that. When stopped the wipers go down one level until you take off again plus when you put the car in reverse the rear wiper wipes.
As to power seats, I actually don't like them at all. I had them in my Mazda6 and am very glad they don't come on the GTi. Everytime my partner left the seat forward it would have stand there waiting for the seat to move ever so slowly back to my position. I also love the fact that VW uses a dial for the recline vs a lever.
August 28, 2009, 08:04:56 am I agree that the boxster is quite a car too for the weekend. And it's cheaper yhan the cayman when used. I'm just not fond of convertibles. Too hot when the sun is hitting hard, cold if windy etc... I suppose i live in a place to far in the north (Saguenay's fjord) to really enjoy this type of car. Targa though could be interesting.
August 28, 2009, 02:59:51 pm
The Coxster is the Cayman, i.e. Coupe/Boxster, it's a joke.
You have obviously never driven a Lotus either. So until you come back to this planet...
August 28, 2009, 03:07:25 pm Bob, part of Ashar's text looks suspiciously like a quote from an ad/article about for the BMW M5 that I faintly remember. The names changed to protect the guilty of course.
August 28, 2009, 04:10:19 pm Ha ha, I'm sure he'll be back to answer when his mum lets him use the internet again.
August 28, 2009, 10:15:14 pm
You mean the other way around.
You mean like the US$76,300 versus the CA$94,800 pricing for the 911 Carrera? Just browsing, of course.
I guess our CA$94,800 gives us a flat 6 compared to the US model's flat 4.
August 29, 2009, 11:10:00 pm 75k base price, 265hp and ugly to boot.....no thank you.
August 30, 2009, 09:09:41 am
As to power seats, I actually don't like them at all. I had them in my Mazda6 and am very glad they don't come on the GTi. Everytime my partner left the seat forward it would have stand there waiting for the seat to move ever so slowly back to my position. I also love the fact that VW uses a dial for the recline vs a lever.
My Fit does the wipe-when-shifting-into-reverse, too, which is a very nice touch. Doesn't stop the wipers when not moving, though.
Completely agree on power seats...
August 31, 2009, 06:36:48 am Yeah i suppose it's the other way around hcrv lol Canadian dollar is rarely the basis for anything anyway hehe.
Yeah exactly, our dollar is 0.90$ something so 76 300 should be 84 777$ if i'm right... I suppose rich people in Canada are richer than in the US... oh wait, it's again another way around!!
Well, Porsche has the fame, so they do what they want... But sadly with the same money you can have plenty other cars (didn't say i dont want a Porsche, if there is any people that give one, if that exist... no? too bad) that on our Quebec-destroyed roads could be a better living in a day-to-day basis... Those guys did'nt understood than a price better matched means better sales... Well it's not like they had financial problems but.. oh wait a minute!
my two cents hehe
August 31, 2009, 10:29:08 am This past spring I picked up a one owner, base 2004 Boxster with 2 year Porsche cpo warranty for well under $30k.....about the same as a new civic si. I have not enjoyed driving this much in years. I've put 15000km on it this summer and every one has been great. My plan is to run it for a couple of years, maybe getting a new one then depending on overall experience with the car and Porsche Canada.
August 31, 2009, 12:26:57 pm
Nice, well done! Put some pics in the Show & Shine section.
September 01, 2009, 10:37:55 am On day 4, there is an MSRP listed of $66,000...I think the $75,000 listed on Day 1 is more like it.
That's a lot of cake. I'm with Wing...I figure if you've got that much, get the S...which has been labelled by many of the mags as the best sports car experience out there.
September 04, 2009, 03:12:12 pm The Cayman has been described by many as the Porsche for people who can't afford a 911. I can understand that perspective but I couldn't disagree more. Although I've never driven this car, it just pushes all my buttons. I think the car is sized right, the exterior styling is sexy, I love the simple purposeful elegance of the interior. combined with a flat 6 mounted mid-ship behind the driver and an excellent chassis. This is what a sports car should be.
I remember the first time I got a close look at one at the Auto show... I was just spellbound. One of the Porsche folks must have saw me in my trance (with a little drool coming from the corner of my mouth) and asked if I'd like to sit in the car. Nearly lost control of my bodily functions when I sat in the driver's seat.
I suspect that if I had $70K-80K lying around, one of these puppies would find it's way into my garage. I'd take the Cayman S in Porsche Racing Green Metallic with the Cocoa Leather Interior. I think I'd head for the Cabot Trail or my favorite old low traffic stomping ground in Northern NL (Gros Morne, Great Northern Peninsula) and have some fun.
Unfortunately, I suspect the only way I could ever possibly afford a car like this is pre-owned. Based upon what I read about maintenance costs for used Porsches, I can't see myself ever taking that plunge.
Oh well, we can always dream.
September 04, 2009, 03:17:12 pm Agree with you, Flinter, it is an awesome machine. A neighbor of mine picked up a 2006 Cayman S a few weeks ago, and he is thrilled with it. He promised me a ride, but haven't taken him up on that offer yet. Might start a chain-reaction that I don't want to get into right now.
September 04, 2009, 04:11:07 pm
I like to think I'm a fairly rational person about most things. However, I suspect that if I ever took one of these things for a drive, all rational thought leaving the building in a hurry. Next thing, I'm raiding the RRSP and trying to sell any of my "spare" body parts on the black market.
September 04, 2009, 04:24:18 pm
.....
Well, I'll add some fuel on the fire...I got my new MotorTrendy mag a couple of days ago...and they called their 2009 Best Driver's Car the Cayman S with the wretched auto-box.
September 04, 2009, 04:53:49 pm
.....
Well, I'll add some fuel on the fire...I got my new MotorTrendy mag a couple of days ago...and they called their 2009 Best Driver's Car the Cayman S with the wretched auto-box.
Some of the modern auto trannies are hardly "wretched" any way you cut it....they beat the crap out manuals in all hands except maybe professional racers. Even there, often the auto wins. Course there are those that will go to their graves still shifting gears and the left leg twitching uncontrollably.....
September 05, 2009, 08:23:32 pm
....they beat the crap out manuals in all hands except maybe professional racers.....
Can't argue that...wing in Mini could beat the crap out of me in an R8 for speed around a race course...I just don't care unless I'm actually racing.
In terms of fun to drive, removing a major interface between the driver and the machine cannot improve the driving experience. This isn't like adding leather...or alloy wheels...none of those things remove the driver from the machine significantly.
Course there are those that will go to their graves still shifting gears and the left leg twitching uncontrollably..
Oh...I thought my leg was starting to feel funny...
September 05, 2009, 08:41:47 pm
And the right hand tightly clenched about a knob.