2008 Porsche Cayman Consumer Reviews

I have owned three 987.1 Cayman's and I have loved each one! These are some of the most exhilarating cars to drive I have ever owned. I have had Corvette's, a first gen 1994 Dodge Viper, BMW Z3 roadster etc etc. This is the one car that when I decide to sell, I end up missing and buying another, hence the reason for being in my third one. The handling/cornering is superb, the seats are comfortable and the car is surprisingly easy to get in and out of being nearly 6'2" tall. Took my 2007 base 5 speed Cayman on a road trip and obtained exactly 30MPG which is fantastic. My first Cayman was a 2008 "S" 6 speed and I had doubts about purchasing my second one with the base 2.7L 5 speed but it was such a good deal I couldn't pass it up. The 2.7 puts the SAME huge grin on my face just as the S model did. The 2.7 pulls hard and is no less fun to drive than the S model so if you're holding out for an S with 50 more HP, go drive a 2.7 and you'll be surprised how much dang fun they are even with the smaller motor. Can't get a better sports car!

Has aged well, with sustained mileage and performance, and a durable interior. Fun to drive, responsive, and capable of high speeds in comfort. For sports car enthusiasts.

This car is a thrill to drive on a mountain road. After 6 years and 55k miles it’s as thrilling as the first day I drove it. 6 speed is spectacular. Not a single squeak or rattle. The rakes will haul this car down from 100 mph to zero in a hurry. Hydraulic steering is superior to the ubiquitous electric in newer models. This is a world class sports car by any measure and a fantastic bargain.

This is my second Cayman. I owned a 2008 Cayman S 6 speed and now this 2008 Cayman base 5 speed. I sold my last Cayman S due to concerns with bore scoring which could happen on the 3.4L motor. From what I've read this issue did not effect the 2.7L motor. When I located my base Cayman I was a little worried I would not be as happy with it coming out of an S model with the 295HP 3.4L as compared to the 245HP 2.7L. I must say I am not one bit dissatisfied with this 2.7 base model! It is just as fun as my S model was when running it up through the RPM's. These flat 6's love the higher RPM range and sing a sound of beauty when you get them above 4K RPM. They are meant to be driven and you can feel how happy they are when you push them. A true drivers car! The handling is superb and I just can't think of a better value for the money out there today. You can't go wrong with a base 2.7 with the manual transmission. No bore score issues and the 2008 model years also come with the double row IMS bearing which is pretty solid and the failure rates are extremely low as compared to the older 987 engines with the single row bearing. If you're considering getting into a Porsche at a decent price, this car is anything but a "poor man's Porsche." It is a spectacular car that is an absolute blast to drive! In my opinion, the 2.7 is the best bang for the buck. You won't be disappointed.

Initially I was looking at the Boxster but I started reading up on the cayman and it was as close to a 911 as I think you will get. Actually in some instances it is better than the 911. The mid engine configuration is just awesome. The car handles like dream. Im 55 and overweight so its a real drag getting in the car and my knee kind rubs up against the center console. You cant wear any boots when driving this car because there is very little room in the footwell. Other than that this car is a wild raiser and I highly advised installing a nice exhaust system. I had an exhaust with the dumb tubes installed. When I open the valves and run straight pipe.. Oh it sounds so good and you can hear the engine because its right in the cabin with you. So when you down shift you hear everything and it sounds and handle just like a race car. At 4000 RPM it is music to your ears and you can take corners like its nothing. The car has a sexy look and it definitely draws stares wherever you go.

I absolutely love everything about this car, from the sound of the roaring flat 6 behind my head to the interior comfort of a luxury coupe. However, the cost of maintaining this car is outrageous, worth it, but outrageous. Things about this car youll love: This car is a drivers car, it corners like a dream, the sports chrono package is a must it unleashes the beast within the car. Things you wont like: The cup holders wont hold anything top heavy, the radio doesnt come with a bluetooth or aux and it cost a fortune to get them installed. When the passenger window is down there is a noticeable wind whistle from the passenger mirror gap. There is no backseat so if you wanted to take a nap in this car you are out of luck the driver seat wont recline enough.

Excellent driving dynamics, perhaps the best all-around sports car that Porsche has ever made. Power is nothing to write home about, but in terms of pure driving experience, it is unparalleled. I have a few concerns regarding quality/reliability: upon start-up the engine releases a puff of smoke. Apparently this is a known issue with these engines. Secondly, the headliner has sagged down. One would have thought Porsche would have figured out the correct adhesives to prevent this.

This is an update on previous review from November 2012. What can I say - sometimes when I'm driving, I think how can a car still be this fun to drive and own after almost 6 years. It really is the spoiler for other cars, and surprisingly, somewhat practical - you wouldn't believe the stuff I've stowed in it. Other than a problem with tire sensors and clutch switch, only had to do recommended Porsche service in the last almost 3 years. Parts can be expensive, but I have it serviced at the same independent garage since purchased, and they've taken great of us both - and sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised how little it costs. Anyway, if you want something cheaper to operate you can find it, but I don't think you could spend more money and find anything more of a joy to drive.