2009 Porsche Cayman
- 2008 Porsche Cayman
- Used Porsche Cayman
Based on analysis of 51 Cayman reviews and test drives.
Porsche Cayman - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Porsche Cayman ranks 3 out of 9 Luxury Sports Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 51 published reviews and test drives of the Porsche Cayman, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Porsche Cayman is praised for its combination of power, agility, and comfort wrapped in beautiful look-at-me sheet metal. What's more, its dual cargo holds add a dose of everyday practicality to the mix.
Slightly refreshed for the 2009 model-year, the Cayman is a fixed-roof version of the highly-acclaimed Porsche Boxster. Like its sibling, the Cayman receives accolades for its powerful engine options and superior handling dynamics. Add to that its sleek, head-turning design and comfortable, yet lavish, interior appointments and its easy to see why the Cayman receives as much praise as it does. "Some less-expensive sports cars challenge Cayman on a fun-per-dollar basis, and some like-priced competitors deliver more outright power," writes Consumer Guide. "Few, however, match this Recommended pick's range of strengths: road manners and mechanical sophistication to satisfy the most discriminating driver, a good dose of everyday usability, and the cachet of the Porsche name."
Still, if you're in the market for a high-end two-passenger sports coupe, check out the Chevy Corvette and Lotus Exige. While neither is as luxurious as the Cayman, they're both just as thrilling to drive. The all-new Nissan 370Z also makes a great choice, especially if you're on a budget.
The 2009 Cayman is available in two trims: the base Cayman and more powerful Cayman S.
- "Lithe on the road, fluidly seductive in appearance, and positively alive in your hands: It's now, in my humble opinion, very simply the best sports car in the world." -- Motor Trend
- "Potentially... the Cayman S (named imaginatively for a breed of crocodile, not the remote Caribbean islands) combines the best of the Boxster and 911: the rigidity of a coupe body (like the Carrera's) combined with the superior weight distribution delivered by the Boxster's mid-engine layout." -- Car and Driver
- "Is it worth it? Yes it is, assuming you have $90,000 to fritter away on a two-seat coupe. Once inside the cabin, the Cayman S PDK feels exactly as we remember every previous Cayman S feeling, which is to say fantastic. It still has utterly telepathic steering, a rousing engine note and an achingly beautiful rear end." -- Edmunds
- "This is the sort of car that you wear like a tailored suit. The driver's seat envelops you, the steering wheel, pedals and shifter are placed where you expect to find them, and the car feeds back marvelous tactile sensations that are rare and special in the driving experience." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Cayman Performance - 9.3 (Excellent)
Test drivers report that the Porsche Cayman is powerful, agile, and comfortable enough to drive on a daily basis. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel adds: "Mid-engine Porsches are some of the sweetest handling cars on the planet. Flick the steering wheel to lop an arc from a curve, and the Cayman simply waltzes through." For even greater sports performance, Porsche offers the Cayman S. Read More
Cayman Exterior - 9.2 (Excellent)
Auto writers are pleased with the Cayman's sexy, head-turning exterior design. "The rapidly sloping hatch dives deeply between the rising hip lines of the rear wheel arches in obvious homage to the 550 Spyder of James Dean fame," writes Automobile Magazine. Read More
Cayman Interior - 7.8 (Good)
Critics report that the Cayman's cabin is comfortable and classy. What's more, it features a surprising amount of cargo room. Car and Driver explains, "Cargo capacity is an Accord-like 14 cubic feet, split between the front trunk and the gaping, forward-hinged hatchback." Not all reviewers, however, are satisfied with its cabin controls. Read More
Cayman Safety - NA
The '09 Cayman has yet to be crash tested by the federal government or the insurance industry. However, it features assuring safety equipment - including head and thorax airbags. Read More
Cayman Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)
The 2009 Porsche Cayman reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The '09 Cayman carries a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty. Read More
