- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
3.4i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
239kW, 370Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2013 Porsche Cayman S – Quick drive review
Price: From $139,900 plus on-road and dealer costs
Vitals: 3.4-litre six-cylinder, 239kW, 370Nm, 7-spd dual-clutch auto, RWD, 8.0 litres per 100km.
What is it?
It’s a baby 911. Cheaper, smaller, but almost as much fun.
What does it say about me?
You know your cars, you’re cashed up and you don’t mind paying more than you should for the pinnacle of German automotive engineering.
Who else is buying it?
Well-heeled men who know how to do a mid-life crisis properly, weekend warriors who like to do track days, entrepreneurs (both shady and above board), successful real estate agents.
What colours does it come in?
For the extroverts there’s a racy looking red and a bright yellow. The other dozen or so colours are more restrained, with metallic blues, reds, browns and silvers. You can get some pretty wild colour combinations for the interior, though, including leather trim in red or orange.
If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
If the 911 is Usain Bolt, then the Cayman is Yohan Blake. Not as quick in a straight line but arguably as fast through the bends.
Why would I buy it?
Because you can. And you love driving, and dream of one day tackling a targa or hill climb in it. If you’re buying it merely for show, you’re on the wrong track.
Why wouldn’t I buy it?
Because you can get one in the United States for less than half the price. Or if money’s no object, only a 911 will do. Or your back’s a bit dodgy and you can’t bear the thought of climbing in and out of that low-slung cockpit every morning.
Will it let me down?
Unlikely. Porsches are pretty bulletproof; they’ll put up with a huge amount of punishment and still come back for more. As for the driving experience, if you’re not impressed, you never will be.
Does it cost too much?
It may be called a Cayman but it’s no tax haven. The luxury car tax alone makes up roughly $30,000 of the sticker price, even before GST and on-road costs. But there is some good news. Porsche recently dropped its prices across the range, and the Cayman is now roughly $10,000 cheaper than the previous model.
Will I get a deal?
You might get a good price on a low-kilometre demonstrator, but other than that you likely to be looking at full price and a waiting list if you want one built to order.
Is it safe?
Inherently so. With brake discs the size of dinner plates, razor-sharp steering and a finely tuned stability control system, the only weak link is the one behind the wheel. Be silly and it can bite, though.
Will it get me noticed?
It could get you more than just noticed.
Any gadgets I can brag about?
Not only does it have some whiz-bang engineering, but the gadgets come with impressive German sounding names like Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or dual-clutch gearbox. Our test car also had Porsche’s active suspension management, which adjusts the suspension to suit the road surface and driving style, and Porsche Torque Vectoring, which adjusts the torque delivery to give you better drive out of corners.
Will I get carjacked in it?
Keep the windows wound up and the doors locked.
How’s the cabin ambience?
Simple but elegant. It doesn’t scream luxury or sportiness, but it’s both. The race car dials in the instrument panel, the thin leather steering wheel and the slim, grippy seats all combine to create a real cockpit feel, but it’s not over the top
What’s the stereo like?
Our test car had a cracking Bose surround sound unit, with plenty of bottom end and impressive clarity, but it cost an extra $1495.
Does it go?
Silly question. While it doesn’t shove you back in your seat like a V8, it builds speed rapidly and will outrun an SS Commodore in the 0-100km/h sprint. And the flat-six might not growl like a V8, but at full noise it’s one of the sweetest sounds in motoring.
Does it like corners?
It was built for them. As impressive as the Cayman is off the mark, it’s in the twisty stuff where it truly excels. It stops as quickly as it goes, the steering is pin-point accurate and the grip is something else.
What about bumps?
It’s surprisingly comfortable over the bumps. If the road is really rough it will get a bit jiggly, and the ride is firm, but for the most part it does a good job of cushioning you from road imperfections.
What about service stations?
It may accelerate like a V8, but the official fuel label says it uses less than a Mazda3 Neo automatic. That’s impressive in any language.
Would you buy one?
It’s good enough to make you consider selling your children for scientific experiments.
What else should I consider?
The new Jaguar F-Type is a worthy contender, or you could also look at a BMW Z4. Or if you’ve only got half as much dough, a Nissan 370Z is a good poor man’s Porsche.
The Spin
‘‘There are some laws that we simply cannot avoid. The laws of physics, for example. That’s not to say that we have to accept them.’’
The Translation
This thing comes pretty close to defying the laws of physics – and modesty isn’t a Porsche strong suit.