2011 Porsche Cayman R (987) PDK

Highlights

• Highly collectible ‘R’ model

• 7-speed PDK transmission

• 3.4-litre flat-six developing 325bhp

• Just 20,491 miles on the clock, verified

• Factory option sound system

Overview

Conventional wisdom will tell you that the Porsche 911 is the greatest all-round sports car of all time. And it’s very difficult to argue against that claim, as it’s pretty much true. However, as Yoda said to Obi-Wan, there is another. Just as capable – some would say more so – but less weighed down by history, expectation and an obsession with a layout that shouldn’t really work. 

We are, of course, talking about the Porsche Cayman. Smaller, lighter and (whisper it) a little more practical than a 911, when designing the Cayman Porsche’s engineers were free to abandon the 911’s rear-engined layout and go all in to create a mid-engined marvel. And boy, did they ever nail the brief. Taut, beautifully balanced and offering whip-crack reflexes married to excellent power and a charismatic powertrain, the Cayman is, in many people’s eyes, the best modern sports car money can buy.

And if you want even more performance, tactility and feedback, then the ‘R’ is the one you want. Based on the ‘S’ (the other one you want), the ‘R’ turns the wick up on everything that makes the ‘S’ a modern classic. Even lighter, stiffer, more powerful and certainly more collectible, the ‘R’ can stake a claim as the most complete and satisfying vehicle to ever roll out of the gates at Stuttgart. It’s the distilled essence of everything that makes Porsches so attractive to us as enthusiasts.

Finished in stunning lime green paintwork with contrasting black accents and graphics, this striking example has covered just 20,491 miles and benefits from a fine service record. It also has a factory option you really want – the sound system - that was deleted as standard on the ‘R’ to save weight. They add about 15Kg back in, but make the ‘R’ a far more complete and usable tourer and sports car, one you can enjoy in all conditions, all year round.

Presented in fine condition and with very low mileage, we think this is a future classic, finished in a unique and eye-catching specification. If you’re looking to add a top-notch driver’s car to your collection, then look no further.

History and documentation

• Registered 18 May 2011

• Present owner since 21 May 2013, just 2 previous owners

• Current mileage 20,491 miles, verified by the service and MOT records

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 28 May 2027

• Stamped service book with services as follows: May 2013 @ 9,720 miles; May 2015 @ 14,456 miles; May 2017 @ 16,508 miles; June 2019 @ 17,994 miles; April 2022 @ 18,398 miles; June 2023 @ 19,235 miles

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Black leather upholstery with white contrast stitching

• Lighter sports seats unique to the ‘R’

• The upholstery all looks to be in fine condition, with no sagging, tears or notable wear, just a little creasing to the outer driver’s bolster

• Black carpeting with complementary OEM branded overmats, all of which appears to be in good order with no threading or staining we could identify

• Dark headlining, which looks to be secure and undamaged, with no staining or sagging we could see

• Electrically operated side windows and door mirrors

• Factory option Bose premium sound system

• CD/radio with integrated satellite navigation and Bluetooth phone connectivity

• All of the switchgear, internal trim and instrumentation presents well, with minimal wear consistent with the car’s age and mileage and no noteworthy marks or scuffs

• Parking sensors at rear

• Practical coupe hatch gives easy access to a generous boot space which is neatly trimmed with black carpet and also incorporates an integrated cargo net

• The ‘frunk’ is of a good size too, easily enough for a couple of overnight bags, and also contains an inflation kit as well as a warning triangle

• The vendor tells us that everything in the cabin functions correctly, with no issues or faults reported

Exterior

• The paintwork is lime green, appears to be original and shows well, with a deep shine and no damage or scratches to note

• There are a handful of minor stone chips dotted about the car, mostly on the front bumper and bonnet

• All of the bodywork looks to be in excellent condition, with clean lines, straight panels and even gaps – we only noted a small amount of bubbling to the inner lip of the offside front wheel arch

• Black wing mirror casings, fixed rear wing, black-tipped centre exit exhaust and side graphics all offer a smart contrast to the paintwork and give the car a proper ‘road racer’ look and feel

• The ‘R’ in this spec is about 40Kg lighter than an ‘S’, and features aluminium door skins to keep weight and the centre of gravity down

• The external trim and badging all looks to be complete and in good order

• The front and rear light clusters are clean and clear, with no cracks or chips we could discern

• Underneath the car looks to be straight and clean, with suspension components and inner arches in excellent condition – we only noted a smattering of surface rust on the exhaust system and heat shields

• The car rides on the correct lightweight OEM 19-inch wheels, finished in a smart silver that works well with the body colour; all of the wheels are in fine fettle, with no kerb damage or lacquer peel apparent

• A matched set of Bridgestone tyres is fitted (235/35 front and 265/35 rear), which all look to have good tread levels and appear to have no sidewall damage

Mechanical

• 3,426cc naturally-aspirated flat-six, uprated from the ‘S’ model with an updated exhaust manifold and new ECU program

• Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout

• 7-speed PDK transmission (semi-automatic with paddleshift)

• Traction control, power-assisted steering, ABS

• Factory fitted limited slip differential

• 20mm lower, stiffer suspension than the ‘S’

• Factory performance figures: 325bhp, 273lb-ft, 4.7 seconds 0-62mph, top speed of 175mph

• Excellent service record, low mileage and solid service history

• The vendor assures us that the car drives and performs just as it should, with no known mechanical issues or faults

Summary

We have no idea why the Cayman seems to live in the shadow of the 911. In our opinion, it’s every inch as life-affirming to drive and the lighter, tauter, mid-engined layout actually makes it sharper and more suited to the UK’s small, winding roads. That mellifluously charismatic flat-six is definitely the perfect accompaniment to any weekend drive too – it’s one of the all-time great engines. 

Offering a cracking spec, very low mileage and solid history, we think this stunning, collectible, and highly enjoyable sports car will be a future classic. For now, it’s a performance hero that only real connoisseurs seem to be aware of. We don’t think it will stay that way for long, so probably best to grab this before everyone else catches on to just how good they are…

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in St Neots, Cambridgeshire.