Used 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman

With respect to Costco’s house brand, the 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman is not a Kirkland sports car. Far from it. Even though it’s the least expensive brand-new Porsche 2-seater performance machine, it still has the same kind of dynamic talents and depth of engineering as the venerated Porsche 911.

Some enthusiasts might actually argue that the 718 Cayman and its soft-top 718 Boxster stablemate — with whom its shares a mid-engine platform — is actually the ideal Porsche because it doesn’t have its engine in the trunk, and is therefore better balanced. Now that there are two new versions with power to match a 911, this argument is stronger than ever. Either way, a 718 Cayman is as comfortable on a track as it is on the open road.

On the subject of expense, the 2020 718 Cayman range starts at just under $60,000. And the options can quickly make that figure a fond memory. But drive the car and it soon becomes apparent that this is money well spent.

If anyone who drives a Porsche 718 Cayman (no matter which version) came upon a magic lamp and was granted three wishes, the first wish would be that there were no straight roads. The 718 Cayman doesn’t so much attack corners as consign them to oblivion within fractions of a second, provide kinetic thrills in the process, then rush toward the next one. It’s exhilarating, stirring and satisfying.

The 718 Cayman is remarkably stable and balanced as well as quick and agile, responding immediately to even the slightest driver input. The electro-mechanical steering system is taken from the 911 Turbo; Porsche is one of the few companies that can make electric power steering feel good.

Drivers looking to push their 718 Cayman to its limits will want the Sport Chrono package, Porsche Torque Vectoring with a mechanical locking differential, and the multi-mode Porsche Active Suspension Management system that offers a low-riding Sport mode. You’re welcome. Have fun. Be safe.

As a low-slung 2-seater coupe, the Porsche 718 Cayman still manages to accommodate occupants over six feet tall, although getting in and out may require a little more flexibility than with a standard car.

The cabin itself is classy yet far from ornate. The instrument cluster emphasizes the importance of the rev counter, which really is more meaningful with the high-spinning naturally aspirated engines brought in this year. Materials are premium quality, while fit and finish are also suitably top-notch. Porsche offers plenty of scope for color schemes, comfier seats and finer leathers.

Storage space is pretty good, but split into two sections because of the mid-engine design. Under the hood up front is 5.3 cubic feet of cargo area; at the rear is 9.7 cubic feet.

Look at the 2020 718 Cayman from the side and it sports a classic Porsche coupe profile of a long, low nose and rounded-off cabin sloping down to a short tail. All the lines and proportions work together. Sharp edges, bold lighting elements and prominent side air intakes — the better to feed and cool turbocharged engines — add a certain intensity.

The 718 Cayman T version has decals running along the bottom of the doors, reminiscent of the old 911 2.7 Carrera. Depending on which variant, the 718 Cayman runs on wheels ranging in size from 18 to 20 inches. And the higher the price, the lower the suspension.

PDK 7-SPEED TRANSMISSION
The days of enthusiasts only wanting manual transmissions are gone. The optional PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) dual-clutch automated transmission is really the ideal setup. It will shift gears faster than any driver, even a pro racer, improve acceleration times, add to the experience with shift paddles mounted beneath the steering wheel, make life easier in traffic, and even deliver better fuel economy.

PORSCHE TORQUE VECTORING (PTV)
Think of a line of ice skaters moving in a circle, like a clock hand, with the person at one end moving at one speed while the person at the other end moves much faster. Now imagine power delivered to wheels on the same axle, only the outside wheel is made to move faster than the inside wheel, bringing the car through a corner with greater efficiency. That’s torque vectoring. And this system is available in the 2020 718 Cayman.

There isn’t a great amount of standard equipment in the 2020 718 Cayman, considering it’s a high-priced premium coupe. But it has all the right ingredients to deliver on its sports-car promise. Such as supportive sport seats, slick-shifting manual transmission, eager engine and a sublime suspension.

Because we cannot spend every driving moment on empty, curving roads, Porsche also supplies an automatic climate control, 6-speaker audio with CD player and HD/satellite radio, Porsche Communications Management system, and front/rear parking sensors.

As well as eight airbags and electronic stability aids, the 718 Cayman comes with a tire-sealing compound and an air compressor instead of a spare tire (saving weight), and complimentary roadside assistance for the duration of the limited warranty (four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first).

Rather than buy the base 2020 718 Cayman and add some performance hardware, it could be smarter to consider the new 718 Cayman T to access 20-inch alloy wheels, active suspension, mechanical locking differential with torque vectoring, and the Sport Chrono Package.

The 718 Cayman range offers versions with greater power, and the PDK transmission is a popular option. If there are track days on the horizon, definitely look into the ceramic-composite brakes.

We usually recommend driver aids, but a Porsche sports-car owner is probably one of the sharper minds on the road. Lane Change Assist (see our Safety Features section) is still a good call, though. There’s also the choice of adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, 18-way power-adjustable seats, various cabin colors, and a 12-speaker/821-watt Burmester surround-sound system. Annoyingly, Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity is extra.

Just behind the seats are the mid-mounted engines that propel the 2020 718 Cayman variants. The regular 718 Cayman and new-for-2020 718 Cayman T have a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-4 generating 300 horsepower, along with 280 lb-ft of torque coming in at 1,950 rpm for plenty of punch from low speeds.

The 718 Cayman S has a 2.5-liter unit developing 350 horsepower, while the GT4 takes that figure to 414 horsepower. The 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, however, brings a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-6 (for which Porsche must be congratulated) and 394 horsepower.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard throughout, as is rear-wheel drive. There’s not even the option for all-wheel drive in the 718 Cayman. The automatic transmission option is the excellent PDK unit.

2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4 (718 Cayman, 718 Cayman T)
300 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
280 lb-ft of torque @ 1,950-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/28 mpg (manual), 22/29 mpg (automatic)

2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4 (718 Cayman S)
350 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
309 lb-ft of torque @ 1,900-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg (manual), 21/28 mpg (automatic)

4.0-liter flat-6 (718 Cayman GTS 4.0)
394 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
309 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000-6,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

4.0-liter flat-6 (718 Cayman GT4)
414 horsepower @ 7,600 rpm
309 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000-6,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A