The Porsche Cayman is a relatively new model in the Porsche lineup, having only been introduced in 2005. As a hard-top version of the Porsche Boxter, which has been around since 1996, the Cayman has found a lovely little niche for itself in the global market. It offers mid-engined handling dynamics, a sporty appearance and is offered at a reasonable price. It's ideal for those that can afford a Boxter, but don't like the soft-top nature of the Porsche roadster.
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The Cayman came into being when the second generation Boxter was released in 2005. Coded the 987, the first Cayman showed that they were on a winning wicket and the success continued when they released the third-generation Boxter (the second-gen Cayman as there was no initial Cayman for the 986 series). This model, the 981, droves sales even further into the stratosphere and cemented the Cayman as a volume seller.
Models
The first Cayman was released in 2012 and was powered by a 202 kW 2.7-litre flat-six. It was then supplemented the following year by the Cayman S, a model with a 3.4-litre flat-six engine that produced 239 kW, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in only 4.6-seconds when fitted with the PDK gearbox.
A higher-performance version of this engine was used in the Cayman GTS of 2015 where the output was rated at 250 kW. The final incarnation of this model, the GT4 Clubsport, was powered by a 3.8-litre engine and made 283 kW. The sprint time was reduced to 4.2-seconds and was only available with a manual gearbox.
Values
| Model | Price (New) | Market value (2021 avg) | Percentage loss |
| Cayman | R725 000 | R497 000 | -31.4% |
| Cayman S | R838 000 | R695 000 | -17.0% |
| Cayman GTS | R998 000 | No data available | NA |
| Cayman GT4 Clubsport | R1 136 000 | R1 434 000 | +26% |
Verdict
There's no mistaking it. If you bought a new Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport you made a smart investment. The GT4 has appreciated over the last 5-years and is not worth 26% more on average.
The biggest loser is the entry-level Cayman model with the 2.7-litre engine. This model has lost approximately 31% of its value over the last 8-years.
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