2010 Porsche Cayman

Highlights

• Very tidy and original 987 Cayman
• Later 265bhp 2.9-litre model
• Six-speed transmission
• Well-maintained car
• 911 looks on a Boxster budget

Overview

Size, as they say, isn’t everything.

Squint a bit and you’ll see why - the Porsche Cayman 987 is essentially a scale model of a 911 Coupé, and that’s no bad thing whatsoever. Even less so when you factor in it’ll get from a standstill to 60mph in just 5.6 seconds, tops out at 165mph and also has a flat-six engine up its bum. Whisper it, but the Cayman is arguably closer in concept to the original 911 than the 997 generation of 911 that was sold alongside it.

We’ll leave that one for the Porsche purists to slug it out over. Meanwhile, we’ll just celebrate the fact that the 987 is one of the best value performance cars that money can buy at the moment and the fact it looks like a miniature 911 is just a happy serendipity. It drives like one, too… fast and sure-footed yet delicate and agile at the same time. It’s also smart and well-finished inside, as befits a brand that was taking its first tentative steps into the luxury car market at the time of its launch.

This one’s a 2010 Cayman, meaning it has the later 2.9-litre engine and six-speed manual gearbox introduced the previous year. It was bought by its owner three years ago so he could try one out, but with other cars he needs to tick off the bucket list, the Cayman is now ready for a new home having been enjoyed and well-maintained. Finished in classic Porsche Guards Red, it’s a real looker as well.

History and documentation

• UK V5C in the name of the private vendor
• MOT renewed – valid until July 19, 2025
• Original document wallet containing Porsche handbooks and manuals
• Service book
• Services recorded at 21,538 miles (2011, Town Hall Garage, Guiseley), 42,189 miles (2012, EK Auto Ltd, Portsmouth), 58,561 miles (2016, Porsche Portsmouth), 82,304 miles (2019, Brookfield Garage, Northop), 83,249 miles (2021, Mortimers of Billingshurst Porsche Specialists), 87,160 miles (2023, GEM UK Garage, Ferring), 90,404 miles (2024, GEM UK Garage, Ferring)

Interior

• Smart black leather upholstery
• No damage or major wear to seat facings other than slight rubbing to the driver’s side seat bolster
• Original PCIM infotainment interface reported to be in good order
• Carpets and door cards in very good condition
• Climate control
• Leather steering wheel and gear knob
• Alloy pedals
• Charcoal and silver interior highlights

Exterior

• Striking classic Porsche Guards Red
• Light scratches and minor marks commensurate with age and mileage but no dents, damage or notable paint deterioration – it’s a really good looking and very smart example of an original 14-year-old car in good condition
• One small area of exposed surface rust/stone chip damage to leading edge of o/s sill that would benefit from treatment
• Some small chips on the edge of the driver’s door
• Five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels with some very slight kerbing
• Bridgestone front and Continental rear tyres in good, part-worn condition
• Appears sound underneath and has never received any corrosion advisories in MOT inspections
• Generally very well-presented and completely original UK market car

Mechanical

• 2.9-litre water-cooled flat-six
• 265bhp
• 0-60 in 5.6 secs/top speed 165mph
• Six-speed manual gearbox
• Well-maintained car with recent major service
• Drilled and ventilated disc brakes all-round
• Hill Start Assist feature currently not working
• Sounds great with standard exhaust system but no excessive soundproofing
• The vendor reports that the car drives very well indeed and is, to the best of his knowledge in fine working order with no undeclared faults
• During the current ownership the Cayman has only been used as a road car and not for track days or similar events

Summary

There’s something really charming and honest about this Cayman – it’s an entry-level car in a classic Porsche colour, with a decent history. It has clearly been cherished and well cared-for throughout its life and is a sound and original example that’s just the ticket for someone who’s looking for a straight and usable car that’s ready to enjoy.

We also love its purity. No excessive specification or unnecessary bling, just a simple, stylish Porsche that’s focused entirely on driver enjoyment, rather than image or tech. In that context it’s part of a dying breed – one of the last true and pure sports cars that’s completely analogue, and all the better for it.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Sussex.