Usually, you want to have the most fun possible in a car; it’s a wise decision to keep it cheap. Affordability is the reason why the Mazda MX-5 Miata became the best-selling sports car ever. If you had $40,000 and wanted the best driving experience you could buy, consider the 2016 Porsche Cayman.
The 2016 Porsche Cayman is the last of a dying breed in our desensitized world; a true sports car that prioritizes raw sensation. Few cars ever built drive, feel, and look as good as the 2016 Porsche Cayman. Every moment inside the cabin feels special, and every drive feels rewarding. Yet, what is it about this German sports car that makes it so good? Stick around as we explain why the 2016 Porsche Cayman is the most fun you can have under $40,000.
A Base Model 981 Cayman Is All You Could Ever Need
A common misconception among driving enthusiasts is that spending more means more fun. Yet, that couldn’t be further from the truth. For less than $40,000, a 2016 Porsche Cayman will have you feeling like a million bucks every time you get behind the wheel. Ferraris and Lamborghinis are cool and all that, but is it really worth the price difference you will pay? Certainly not. Sometimes, less is more. Let’s explain why the bare minimum 981 Cayman model will provide all the fun you could ever want from a sports car.
Less Is More With A 981 Cayman
You may think that dropping $40,000 on any car, let alone a Porsche sports car, is still a lot of money, and you’d be right. Yet, let us explain why the cheapest 981 Cayman you can buy will provide you with a sublime automotive experience. The 981 Cayman generation consists of the base model Cayman, the mid-range Cayman S, the high-performance GTS, and the race-ready GT4 models. While there is nothing wrong with any of the more expensive models, they are simply too expensive. Yet, amazingly enough, the standard Cayman provides all the thrill and enjoyment you could extract out of a sports car at this price point. The primary component that provides this indisputable charm is the stunning 2.7-liter flat-six engine that sits squarely in a mid-ship orientation within this German two-seat coupe.
The Glory That Is A Porsche-Designed Naturally-Aspirated Flat-Six
The 2016 Porsche Cayman is powered by a 2.7-liter flat-six engine that produces 275 horsepower at 7,400 RPM and 213 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 RPM. The 981 Porsche Cayman is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed PDK. This flat-six engine powers the Porsche two-seater to a 0-to-60 MPH sprint time of 5.7 seconds when equipped with the manual gearbox and a top speed of 165 MPH. 0-to-60 MPH times for the PDK transmission are slightly quicker at about the 5.5-second range. With 22 MPG (city) and 32 MPG (highway) when equipped with the PDK, the 2016 Porsche Cayman offers impressive fuel efficiency. Yet, it certainly is not the efficiency of this engine that makes you buy this car, but rather its approachable, yet tantalizing demeanor.
For everyday driving, the 2.7-liter flat-six found in the 2016 Porsche Cayman is simply perfect. The responsiveness of the throttle pedal feels analog despite utilizing a drive-by-wire system. Apply partial throttle and listen in as this engine’s smooth character glides effortlessly with plenty of torque in the low-end for comfortable cruising below 3,000 RPM. Get a little more aggressive with the pedal, and you’ll find the mid-range of about 3,000 RPM to 5,000 RPM to feel strong, providing a sensation of pure luxury.
Yet, the magical zone above 5,000 RPM is why you buy this car. Between 5,000 RPM and the lofty 7,400 RPM redline, the aural feedback provided by this 2.7-liter flat-six will have you believing you are piloting nothing less than a Porsche 911 GT3. The only difference is that you won’t have to spend $100,000+ just to feel that experience; the 2016 Porsche Cayman provides the same high for less than half the price.
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The 981 Cayman Is The Perfect Street Sports Car
You still might be thinking, is the 275 horsepower provided by the base model 981 Porsche Cayman even enough to be considered fast? How can this Porsche be that fun if it’s not even actually fast? Well, that’s the thing that makes the base model Cayman so special. Sure, you could opt for the larger 335-horsepower engine found in the GTS model, but we will go out on a limb to say that 275 horsepower for this car is just about the perfect amount.
The 2016 Cayman Will Show You That You Don’t Need More Power
The beauty of having less power is that you can use more of your power band without risking exceeding the speed limit too quickly. High-horsepower cars are fun on the street until you get caught driving at felony-level speeds. Even then, the 2016 Porsche Cayman is by no means slow. It is a proper fast car, but it simply lacks that higher-speed oomph that modern turbocharged sports cars tend to provide. Yet, that is also part of the reason we love it. If you just mash your foot to the floor from a dead stop, there is little drama to be had from the rear end of the car.
The 2016 Porsche Cayman immediately grips, loses no traction in the process, and proceeds to effortlessly comply with your inputs. Within normal driving conditions, this Porsche sports car feels perfectly tame and refined, just like any other German luxury car. Yet, above 5,000 RPM, it has a wild side that easily entertains even the most seasoned drivers from ear to ear. The 2016 Porsche Cayman never feels intimidating, but rather, confidence-inspiring, even when you push its limits.
The 981 Cayman Steering Feel Descended From The Gods
So far, we have primarily been focusing on the experience produced by the Cayman’s enigmatic naturally-aspirated engine, but this is far from its only rewarding quality. Porsche sports cars are known for their steering feel, and the 2016 Porsche Cayman is no exception. With its mid-engine balance resulting in a near-perfect weight distribution, you always feel in control behind the wheel of a 981 Cayman. The steering feels incredibly clean and responsive, even at low speeds, thanks to the electromechanical assistance. This results in every aspect of the 981 Cayman’s steering feel being rewarding, from the on-center responsiveness to the crispness of quarter-turn maneuvers.
Initially, Cayman purists were defiant in relation to the electrically assisted steering rack, as this was the first time the technology had been introduced in the Cayman chassis. Yet, this steering system provides a level of sophistication that the previous generation’s hydraulic system simply did not provide. Simply put, the 981 Cayman’s steering is devilishly precise, to the point that even the smallest steering micro-adjustment provides rewarding visceral feedback. The 981 Cayman feels just as alive and alert as its predecessor, while adding an entirely new level of refinement and quality to that existing package. Hands down, this is among the best steering feel you can find in any modern sports car.
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The 981 Cayman Is Not Cheap, But Worth Every Penny
Paying $40,000 for a used, decade-old sports car is a serious sum, no matter how you split it. At this price point, there is a serious list of legitimate contenders worth considering besides the 2016 Porsche Cayman. However, we can say with absolute certainty that none of those cars offer as high-quality and well-aged an interior as this Porsche two-seater.
The 981 Cayman’s Cabin Quality Will Make You Smile
Of all the things in a used car, nothing shows its age more than the quality and construction of the interior. That’s what makes us so happy about the craftsmanship found in the cabin of the 2016 Porsche Cayman. Despite its age, the interior has aged beautifully, and the fit and finish of the trim and plastics are simply a step above the standards set by other rival luxury brands. Everything from the buttons to the aluminum trim looks and feels so high-quality.
The steering wheel is truly exceptional in design and ergonomics, and the weight and feel of the paddle shifters are so premium compared to an equivalent BMW 3-Series of the same era. On finish quality alone, you would assume this is maybe a car in the $80,000 to $100,000 range. Regarding comfort, the stock seats provide plenty of bolstering without sacrificing any suppleness, and the seating position just feels right inside the cabin of a 981 Porsche Cayman.
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Current Prices And Availability Of The 2016 Porsche Cayman
According to Kelley Blue Book, the Fair Purchase Price for a base model 2016 Porsche Cayman is about $36,000. Interestingly, since the start of the year, the 2016 Porsche Cayman has appreciated by about $2,000 according to their data. However, viewing with a wider lens, prices of the 981 Cayman are already near the bottom, as the car has only lost nine percent of its overall value in the last three years. The majority of used sports cars are depreciating assets in the end, but the 981 Porsche Cayman retains much more value than most of its contemporaries.
When searching for available inventory nationwide, we were able to find several 981 Cayman models within our price range. One of the cheapest models we could find was a 2015 Cayman with 138,068 miles for $21,999. Another notable example we found was a 2015 Boxster (same idea as the Cayman without a roof) with only 28,359 miles for $34,891. At the max of our allotted price limit, the cleanest, lowest mileage example we could find was a 2014 Porsche Boxster with 25,165 miles for $39,332. As you can see, finding a 981 Cayman or Boxster in this price range is no issue, but there is still quite a spread of prices depending on mileage and condition. Thus, next time you catch yourself dreaming about owning a Porsche 911, forget about it. The 981 Porsche Cayman will make you much happier for a lot less money, and that’s what we like to hear.
Sources: Porsche, BMW, Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com, The EPA