Porsche launches cut-price Cayman
New low-end car shaves £7k off the price
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As widely predicted, Porsche is introducing a new version of the Cayman, the mid-engined Boxster-derived coupé, which slots below the S, which was launched last year. The Cayman, which will cost £36,220, goes on sale in the UK in the summer.
The two-seater is powered by Porsche's traditional six-cylinder boxer engine with just a 2.7 litre capacity against the S's 3.4 litres. As a result, output is of course down, at 245bhp against 295bhp for the S.
Top speed of 160mph (against 166mph for the S), and with manual transmission accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds (5.4 seconds). Torque of 201lb-ft (251lb-ft) is available between 4,600 and 6,000rpm. Where a six-speed transmission is standard in the S, the Cayman gets a five-speed manual 'box although, according to Porsche, a six-speed manual 'box in conjunction with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is available "on request". As with the S, the Tiptronic version gets a five-speed 'box.
The Cayman rides on 17-inch light-alloy wheels of a unique design with five double spokes, fitted with 205/55 tyres on 6.5-inch wide wheel rims at the front; the combination at the rear is 235/50 tyres on eight-inch rims. Porsche's Stability Management (PSM) system is fitted as standard.
The PASM system is available as an optional extra. The chassis ride height is lowered by ten millimetres, and the dampers system automatically adapt to each particular driving situation. The driver can choose between the "normal" and "sport" programs by pressing a button on the centre console.
The Cayman can be identified by its black brake calipers, black front-spoiler lips, a titanium-coloured logo at the rear and also a trapezoidal tailpipe. Standard fittings inside include air-conditioning , a radio/CD player, seat covers in Alcantara leather, black-faced instrument dials and door entry trims with the Cayman logo. The car includes two luggage compartments with a combined volume of 410 litres, just like the Cayman S.
In additional to two full-size airbags, the Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP), which features a chest and head airbag on each side of the vehicle, also provides protection in side impacts.
The Cayman goes on sale in the UK and Ireland on 29 July. The price of £36,220 offers a saving of £7,710 over the £43,930 asked for the S, and includes a Porsche Driving Experience programme.
Given that Porsche doesn't appear to have messed with the formula too much, there seems little doubt that this car will be a great drive, just like its sibling.
Narvanath said:
Why bother? As Jeremy Clarkson has said, "The boxer is for those who wanted a 911 but couldn't afford it." Every time I see one, I think this. Save up. Get a 911.
well, you could look at it another way..... spending and losing lots of money on cars is a mugs game, especially after youve done it a few times already. Buy a car that delivers the driving experience that you want regardless of pricepoint and how big it says your wallet is.
the last 911 worth buying is almost the same price in any case .....
>> Edited by jackal on Wednesday 24th May 12:56
Narvanath said:
Why bother? As Jeremy Clarkson has said, "The boxer is for those who wanted a 911 but couldn't afford it." Every time I see one, I think this. Save up. Get a 911.
Unfortunately I can't easily afford the purchase price or the insurance on a 911, but I am interested in having a great drive and do like the look of a Cayman.
What options am I going to have to fork out for to make a standard Cayman return the most % value at resale?
M
A Cayman S for £5 K less than a cooking UK Cayman, but forget about the saving - I actually think this way makes the purchasing much more pleasurable
cyrus1971 said:
For those who are thrifty you could always : Fly to New York for a weekend, pop in to Manhattan Motorcars (11th Avenue between 27th and 28th St), spec’ yourself a new Cayman S for £32 - £35 K (NB that's £32 K sterling for an S) fly home, get it shipped to the UK with insurance £1,200.00, get it SVA approved, registered & taxed in the UK £800.00 – drive it !
A Cayman S for £5 K less than a cooking UK Cayman, but forget about the saving - I actually think this way makes the purchasing much more pleasurable
Umm. Did I miss something, or does VAT fit into your calculations anywhere?
mattiselvis said:
What options am I going to have to fork out for to make a standard Cayman return the most % value at resale?
absolutely nothing will retain the highest % although it may take longer to sell if you hang on to it for a while
to make it quicker to sell (but you won;t sell it for any/much more) add metallic paint, half leather and a speaker upgrade
Narvanath said:Yeah, unfortunately Clarkson is the biggest douche in the universe. The only 911 you'll get for £32k is one that's been to the moon and back. And when the gearbox ring seal goes (which it will) you'll want to take your own life.
Why bother? As Jeremy Clarkson has said, "The boxer is for those who wanted a 911 but couldn't afford it." Every time I see one, I think this. Save up. Get a 911.
And the "saving up" presmise is, to put it bluntly, balls. Why stop at a 911? You don't want that piece of sh*t! save up and get a Carrera GT! It's only £250k more, save up a bit!
But back to business; 245bhp 2.7 in the Cayman and yet £4k more than a Boxster. And I thought they were taking the p*ss with the Cayman S pricing.
I'd be surprised if they manage to shift four of them.
Narvanath said:
Why bother? As Jeremy Clarkson has said, "The boxer is for those who wanted a 911 but couldn't afford it." Every time I see one, I think this. Save up. Get a 911.
blimey - are people stupid enough to think JC actually makes comments based on a balanced, critical view rather than jut a very good entertainer who happens to talk about cars? If so presumably Narvanath you think like JC anyone who drives Porsches is a cock?
Boxster = 90% of 911 thrills for 60% of cost. 911 is an icon and a wonderful car but you pay a premium for thos e 3 digits that far outwieghs the benefit over a Cayman or Boxster.
Cayman pricing still out of whack though, take a Cayman 2.7 247bhp, add a few options to get it to 987S spec = £39k v £42k (?) for a 3.4L Boxster S with the same spec + big red brakes + 295bhp? hmmmmmm
>> Edited by Adam B on Wednesday 24th May 13:07
loach said:
For those who are thrifty you could always : Fly to New York for a weekend, pop in to Manhattan Motorcars (11th Avenue between 27th and 28th St), spec’ yourself a new Cayman S for £32 - £35 K (NB that's £32 K sterling for an S) fly home, get it shipped to the UK with insurance £1,200.00, get it SVA approved, registered & taxed in the UK £800.00 – drive it !
A Cayman S for £5 K less than a cooking UK Cayman, but forget about the saving - I actually think this way makes the purchasing much more pleasurable
Umm. Did I miss something, or does VAT fit into your calculations anywhere?
errr quite correct - oops please add VAT as the 58K USD sticker price in the US does not include local sales tax. Still a bargain though.
C
Narvanath said:
Why bother? As Jeremy Clarkson has said, "The boxer is for those who wanted a 911 but couldn't afford it." Every time I see one, I think this. Save up. Get a 911.
and everytime I see an A6 I think there is someone who couldn't afford an A8
Frankly if you care what people think you wouldn't be driving a Porsche because everyone will hate you anyway.
Adam B said:
What options am I going to have to fork out for to make a standard Cayman return the most % value at resale?
absolutely nothing will retain the highest % although it may take longer to sell if you hang on to it for a while
to make it quicker to sell (but you won;t sell it for any/much more) add metallic paint, half leather and a speaker upgrade
Fair enough. The fact is that I don't mind the standard spec, ah, and there's an OPC right next to the client's office. How convenient...
I also dont get the 911 comparison thing.
Isn't a boxster/cayman vs a 911 a bit like a 360 spyder/modena vs a 550? I.e. different style cars?
Do Cayenne drivers think the 911 is a poor man's porsche because it has more room in the back and a slightly bigger engine in a different place?
Narvanath said:
Why bother? As Jeremy Clarkson has said, "The boxer is for those who wanted a 911 but couldn't afford it." Every time I see one, I think this. Save up. Get a 911.
If you're talking image you're right on the money. From a pure driving perspective this statement is just utter ignorance. The Cayman offers an incredibly sharp and precise handling - especially in tighter corners - that my 997S has difficulty to match. On Hockenheim ring already the new Boxster S is 0.2 seconds FASTER than a regular 997.
The only real downside of a Cayman S (or Boxster for that matter) is that Porsche does not sell it with an engine unleashing the true potential this car. Some tuners have put in 997S engines and the result is amazing. Nuff said.
>> Edited by Dr S on Wednesday 24th May 13:22
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