We were keen to get behind the wheel of the 2008 Porsche Cayman S to see how it compared to the Boxster S. We took to the deserted country roads of Andalucia to find out.
Porsche Cayman S launched in 2006
The Cayman S model was launched in 2006 and won the highly coveted World Performance Car award that same year. The Cayman S is a coupe model based on the highly successful Boxster S. We wanted to find out if the Cayman S is just a Boxster S coupe or is it actually a distinctive model in its own right?
The stage is set
Over 10 million people pass through Malaga airport every year. I wonder how many of those people venture into the countryside to discover the 'real' Andalucia. Inland Andalucia still retains the innocence that Marbella and the other coastal areas have sadly lost in recent years. Drive a few kilometres inland and you will experience a real difference in pace, attitude and charm. I stopped off in Gaucin village for a coffee and admired the Cayman S as it sat there in stark contrast to the historic stone walls of the village.
The country roads are pretty much ideal for road testing as they are virtually empty, windy, scenic and a drivers dream apart from the occasional pot hole! For this review I decided to drive up into the white washed village of Casares which is slightly west of Estepona and then onto the sleepy village of Gaucin high up in the hills. The arrival of the metallic black Cayman S turned more than a few heads.
Cayman in the middle
Writing this review would have been a lot easier if we were in 2006. Everything made a lot more sense back then. The Boxster was the entry level Porsche, the 911 was the flagship and the Cayman S fitted in neatly between the two. At the time the Boxster S model had a 3.2L engine which produced 280 horse power. The 911 Carrera 2 (997 model) had a 3.6 liter engine producing 325 hp which it still does and the Cayman S model was launched with a 3.4L engine producing 295 horse power. Price wise the Cayman S was a little more than the Boxster S and considerably lower than the 911 Carrera..
We have a problem Houston
Fast forward to 2008 and we have a problem. The Boxster S now has the same engine and power output as the Cayman S and is approximately 6,000 euros lower in price. With the Boxster S and Cayman S having the same engine and power it makes it a lot more difficult to explain or understand why a person would pay a premium for the coupe over the convertible. Aren't convertibles meant to be more expensive than coupes?
Handling
The true strength of the Cayman S is the road handling. It is quite possibly the best handling two wheel drive Porsche in the range. The rigidity of the fixed roof, the relatively low weight and the mid engine setup has produced a near perfect Porsche. The Cayman S is about 5 KG’s lighter than the Boxster S and the additional rigidity of the chassis has allowed for firmer rear springs, stiffer dampers and a slightly smaller rear sway bar that all contribute towards the phenomenal handling. Whilst road testing the Cayman on the windy country roads I was presented with lovely hairpin bends, steep up hill climbs and sharp corners that gave me a great sense of the Caymans awesome capabilities. The handling can only be described as sublime. It corners effortlessly and is truly confidence inspiring irrespective of your capabilities. The steering is razor sharp and precise. You understand exactly what the car is doing at all times. Considering the Boxster S is already great in the handling department Porsche has achieved something very special with the Cayman S. I would love to take this car onto a track in order to see what it can do under pressure.
Is the Cayman S a challenge to the flagship 911 Carrera?
It could be argued that the Cayman S has potentially superior handling when compared to its big brother the 911. The mid-engine layout and lower weight make this car very nimble. Put a bigger engine into the Cayman S and you could have a 911 beater on your hands. The 911 Carrera is only marginally faster around a track and this is mainly due to the additional power that helps propel it out of bends with extra gusto. Put the same power into the Cayman S and the results would be very interesting.
Interior
The interior is identical to the Boxsters. Surprisingly Porsche hasn’t created a distinctive interior for the Cayman model even though the Cayman is being positioned as a distinct model and not just a Boxster coupe. Our test car had the standard interior which is a mixture of a swede like Alcantara and leatherette. If you are on a budget and prefer not to pay the extra 1,500€ for leather you will be pleasantly surprised by the standard interior . As mentioned in our recent Boxster S road test the interior quality of the new Porsche models is very good indeed. The visibility is better due to the larger rear windscreen and the interior feels a little brighter compared to the Boxster. My only real gripe would be that the audio system can seem a bit fiddly.
Exterior Styling
I wouldn't say that the Cayman S is a pretty car in the traditional sense, it has all the typical Porsche characteristics and is reminiscent of the 550 coupe. The Cayman S looks pretty stunning from certain angles and at its best when looked at directly from behind where you see the lovely flared wheel arches and sloping roof line. The roof line is much nicer on the Cayman when compared to the Boxster with its roof up. This is perhaps one of the reasons a person may choose the Cayman over the Boxster.
Performance and Sound Effects
Just like the Boxster S we reviewed recently the Cayman S sounds very grown up. Anybody that thinks that the Boxster S and Cayman S are not ‘proper’ Porsches needs to have their heads examined. Join the motorway, floor the accelerator and you will be doing 110 km/h in a matter of seconds. The Boxster S and Cayman S are now very close to the standard Carrera 2 in terms of everyday performance. The engine noise itself is very refined and a pleasure to listen to all day long. If you are cruising along the motorway at 100 km/h the fuel consumption is pretty reasonable and the interior is quiet and refined. Hammer the accelerator and the sound track immediately changes. This car is great whatever your mood or length of journey.
On the Road Price
The Cayman S starts at 67,375 Euros compared to 61,230 Euros for the Boxster S and 90,256 Euros for the entry level 911 Carrera. Our test car had a price of approximately 72,000 euros as it had a few options which included the Tiptronic S gearbox, metallic paint and Litronic Xenon lights.
Servicing & Warranty
The Cayman S is surprising affordable to maintain as far as sports cars go. It requires a visit to the dealer every 18,000 kms and the servicing costs are approximately 400€ for the basic service and 700€ for the larger service. These are alternated every 18,000 kms. The car comes with a two year warranty that includes Europe wide road side assistance.
Is the Cayman S the best all round Porsche in the range?
If you can’t quite stretch financially to the cost of a 911 Carrera and a convertible is not that important to you then the Cayman S is the car to go for as it is a massive 22,000 euros lower in price than the 911 Carrera 2. The superb handling and lower price will make you the proud owner of a 911 like sports car at a more affordable price. Additionally there are currently less Cayman’s rolling off the production lines which should help to keep the residuals higher.
The Verdict
I began this review unsure of what my feelings would be towards the Cayman S. After considerable thought and spending a day driving it I have to admit that Porsche has created something quite special and for sure the Cayman S should not be seen as just a Boxster coupe but rather a model in its own right that is biting at the heals of its big brother the 911.
For more information or to arrange a test drive contact Porsche Centre Malaga on 902 530 216
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