2006 Porsche Cayman S Test Drive

Boxster balance meets Carrera beauty

The Cayman is the latest must-have sports/trophy car from Zuffenhausen. Not only is it a spectacular performer but it draws admiring – sometimes lustful – glances from both car enthusiasts and from just plain folks who appreciate a beautiful object. Positioned between the Boxster S and the 911 Carrera in both price and performance, the Cayman is proof positive Porsche has not abandoned high performance sports cars for high margin SUVs. Price range: $58,900 to $105,000+.

First Glance: Prettiest Porsche in decades

This cobalt blue Porsche Cayman S has attracted perhaps the most attention of any car I have ever driven. Which is not totally unexpected, I guess, considering this paint color is a $3,000 option. Don't like it? No problem. For $4,300 Porsche will paint the Caymen at the factory to match any paint sample supplied by the customer. If you’re looking to pass under the radar, then, this is definitely not the Porsche for you.

From the belt line down the Cayman looks a lot like the Boxster. Which is not all that surprising since it is, of course, based on the Boxster, and shares itswell balanced mid-engine rear-drive layout. But with the fastback roof, the Cayman may just be the prettiest Porsche in decades. Photos simply don’t do it justice. The key is the fastback roof line that slopes sharply from just behind the front door to about 10 inches above the rear bumper. Exotic car cognoscenti tell me it reminds them a lot of the roofline of the Ferrari Dino from years past.

I have some aesthetic reservations about the bi-plane spoiler. Porsche inexplicably decided it shouldn’t retract completely at low speeds and this, I think, detracts from the impact of the fastback lines.

Continued below...

In the Driver's Seat: Lots of gadgets plus room for your stuff

This Cayman has a huge cargo capacity. OK, “huge” is a relative term. Let’s just say it’s huge compared with the 911 and the Boxster. I picked the Cayman up at the airport in Vancouver after a two-week business trip to Alberta, which meant I was toting clothes for business, clothes for leisure and clothes suited to the ice-cold temperatures common this time of year on the Canadian prairies. My large suitcase fit in the slot under the rear hatch and my laptop and carry-on bag fit in the front cargo bay under the hood. Both had room to spare.

My Cayman was loaded with luxury accessories like the optional Bose sound system as well as a cornucopia of performance enhancing extras: Variocam valve timing, PASM active suspension management, and the Sport Chrono Pack. With the latter you just push a button and the shocks stiffen, the throttle response quickens and the stability management system relaxes a bit, allowing the car to slide more in hard corners. The difference is absolutely stunning. One caveat: In the “Sport” position, the suspension will shake your fillings loose. Even with the adjustable shocks at their “normal” or softest setting, the Cayman S is no Coupe de Ville. You’ll feel every bump.

On the Road: From racing on Nurburgring to rush hour in Vancouver

Car Magazine, a British publication, took the Cayman romping 'round Nurburgring, one of the world's most challenging racetracks. At just over 8 minutes to cover the 13 mile course, the Cayman, was only a few seconds behind the $91,000+ Carrera S.

I, on the other hand, spent most of my precious week with the Cayman running errands in Vancouver’s mostly stop and go traffic. Nevertheless, I immensely enjoyed the few brief bursts of full throttle acceleration when I had a bit of clear road ahead of me.

As with many sports cars, the engine's specs (6 cylinders, 3.4 liters, 295 hp) don't tell the whole story. Torque comes on with a rush just south of 4000 RPM when the Variocam technology does its thing. The effect is explosive. Actually the Cayman S delivers a double-dose of butt-kicking: First comes when taking off from a standstill and again as the RPMs pass four grand. The exhaust note changes to a raucous growl. Philip Powell, Porsche enthusiast and engine-sound connoisseur, described it as “simply beautiful”.

The 6-speed gearbox is notable for its very close ratios, with barely 200 RPM between any two gears. Smooth though it is, you might consider the optional Tipronic S if a lot of your driving in heavy traffic.

Journey's End: Should you skip the Cayman and buy a Carrera?

I love Porsches because they’re so easy to write about. Reviewing a car that is just a good appliance - functional and reliable but devoid of personality, quirks or foibles - can be a real chore. But after driving a Porsche, I sit down at the computer and my fingers fly over the keys the way the Cayman S flies over the road.

If the Cayman comes up short in any one area I would say it’s the standard or base interior finishing. I appreciate that the person targeted to buy a Cayman does not place a priority on bling, but the base interior is almost Spartan in its functionality. If I were ponying up this kind of coin, I think I’d seriously consider going the extra few bucks (actually, more like 3000) for the stunning double stitched cocoa interior. One can demand a little pampering for 60 grand.

Generally, though, I’d tread very cautiously through the options list. You can easily push the Cayman's price to over $100,000, putting you well into 911 Carrera territory. And at that level, the Carrera offers more bang for the mega-bucks.