2010 Porsche Cayman Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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It would’ve been easy to slap a C moniker on a hardtop version of the Boxster and call it a day, but Porsche knew better. Given the non-conventional design history of the Cayman – it started as a convertible and added a hardtop, instead of the other way around – the base for this Boxster coupe creates a naming nightmare. After all, “Boxster” is a portmanteau of roadster and boxer, for the flat-six boxer engine that can be found smack in the middle of the layout. So while the Cayman is really little more than a coupe version of the Boxster, it gets its own name.
But far be it from Porsche to leave it at that – something needs to distinguish this model from its soft-top siblings, after all. Thankfully for us, that distinction comes in the form of power. While the Cayman utilizes the same 2.9- and 3.4-liter flat-six “boxer” engines as the Boxster, here they both make 10 hp more for a total of 265 in the Cayman Base and 320 in the Cayman S. More importantly, they peak later in the rev range – 800 rpm later, in fact, finding their sweet spot at 7,200 rpm. Torque is increased as well in these direct-injected engines, with 221 and 273 lb-ft of torque showing up at 4,400 and 4,750 rpm, respectively.
It’s that torque that really defines the driving characteristics of the Cayman, with its low center of gravity and fully neutral steering and handling. It’s meaty and pleasantly present throughout the middle, just where all the best driving happens. You’re not going to rip the asphalt from the road beneath you as you blast away from a light – although a Cayman S is still capable of a 4.9-second sprint to 60 – but ample, usable, almost calming power is available where most of your driving will occur. Because of these qualities, the Cayman really speaks to the traditional purpose of a European sports car. Speed through subtlety rather than brutality offers a different outlook than an American muscle car with mounds of vicious torque daring you to go faster, faster – all the while taunting you for being a sissy. The Cayman instead gently suggests you go a little faster, push it a little harder, because it knows you can handle it and you’ll have fun doing it. It’s the kind of tender reinforcement and refined character that make you want to propose rather than buy her a shot.
Sure, there are lots of electronic enhancements and driver aids, but these are extensions of the inherent philosophy of the car, rather than Johnny-Come-Lately add-ons, and they do add so much. Porsche Stability Management is standard, and optional Porsche Active Suspension Management only complements the ride. The big choice is between the smooth and precise six-speed manual transmission and the even smoother and more precise PDK double-clutch seven-speed automated manual. There is something to be said for dropping the left foot and grabbing a handful of gear, but the PDK offers quicker shifts and better economy. Personally, I’d prefer the more traditional six-speed, but the PDK is fun in a whole other way. I can’t say I’d be disappointed with either option. You’ll get 19/27 mpg with the six-speed in the Cayman Base, and 19/26 in the Cayman S, but choosing the PDK will bump both those figures up to 20/29 – an advantage that will certainly change a few minds.
Because of the Cayman’s mid-engine layout, it offers trunks front and back. The rear hatch and window open up to offer an impressive 9.2 cubic feet of space, while the front adds 4.9 itself. Try finding that in a comparable sports car, not to mention in its big brother, the 911.
Truly, the Boxster and Cayman have both caught a lot of negative press for being entry-level segments in the Porsche roster, for being “Porsche Light.” This is simply unfair. The Cayman is Porsche, down to its very center, where that wonderful flat-six engine lies. It’s more fun to drive than a 911, more balanced, and even more useful in real-world applications. Perhaps people aren’t pleased with their Porsche unless it more closely skirts the $100,000 mark, but for me I’ll take the Cayman.
Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins
User reviews for 2010 Porsche Cayman
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by George B
Jul 28, 2021
Great car val my bank valued it at 30900 so I wont be buying this one but with the market the way it is itgoing to take the banks awhile to get at the right valueJul 28, 2021
by Anonymous
Jul 18, 2010
unexpectedly powerful, considering it had a flat 6.
the quality is top notch, nothing needs repairs because of quality, however i recommend carbon ceramic brakes.
the car is really fun to drive at speed, but slightly lazy at slow speeds.Jul 18, 2010
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2010 Porsche Cayman Pricing
Original MSRP
$51,400 to $61,500Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · CD changer: 6 · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Remote CD changer location: in trunk · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 50 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.5 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: wood · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Cargo cover: hard · Center console: second row · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Storage: cargo net · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Active driver support: active bolstering · Manual adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 2
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear · Locking differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Grille color: metallic · Mirror color: aluminum · Paint: special factory paint · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled
Header
Option Delete: Generic
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Xenon · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 2
Safety
Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: alcantara · Ventilated: front
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Run flat tires: puncture sealing compound with electric compressor · Wheels: painted steel
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · CD changer: 6 · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Remote CD changer location: in trunk · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 235 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.5 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: carbon · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Parking brake trim: leather and alloy · Shift knob trim: alloy and leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo cover: hard · Center console: second row · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Storage: storage organizer · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Active driver support: active bolstering · Manual adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear · Locking differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Grille color: metallic · Mirror color: aluminum · Paint: special factory paint · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled
Header
Option Delete: Generic
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 2
Safety
Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: alcantara · Ventilated: front
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Run flat tires: puncture sealing compound with electric compressor · Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing