2014 Porsche Cayman S

Description

The Porsche Boxster was the first all-new Porsche in decades, with a mid-engine design, it was also arguably the best-handling car Porsche ever made. All the 911's vices were excised, the price appealed to the masses, and the handsome roadster body was clearly a tribute to great Porsches of the past. However, not all of us love roadsters, and our patience was finally awarded in 2005 with the introduction of a hardtop/coupe version of the Boxster: the Cayman. After several years of tweaks, upgrades, and varying iterations, the 3rd generation Boxster/Cayman model (aka the 981) turned out the best version of the sportscar to date. For the first time ever, an "economical" Porsche seemed to outpace the 911 across the board, to the point that even die-hard 911 buyers had to take notice. Combining design language from the 991 and the 918 supercar, the mid-engine Cayman not only looked amazing, but handled better than any other Porsche at any price thanks to its mid-engine layout and world-class driving dynamics. Cars like this 2014 Porsche Cayman S equipped with the naturally aspirated 3.4L Flat 6 engine and 7-speed PDK transmission were the fastest offerings, producing 325 horsepower and a top speed of 174MPH. And with only 63K miles on the clock, low-ownership, and recent maintenance, this Cayman S is ready to continue its life in the fast lane.

Despite being marketed as the Porsche sport car we all could afford, this Cayman S still stickered at $77K+ when new, and you'd better believe that at that price point it was beautifully finished. Buyers at that price level don't put up with the niggles that plague lesser cars and the Germans seem to excel at creating paint that's so smooth and glossy that it looks wet enough to smear. Porsche calls this finish Rhodium Silver Metallic – an optional color that is still the lightest shade of silver ever offered by the brand, punctuated by a slight hue of blue mixed inside. With 63190 miles on the clock, it's no longer in showroom-new condition, although it still looks amazing in our pictures and in person, pretty much like you'd expect a well-cared for Porsche that has always been treated like a member of the family. It's acquired a few very minor imperfections through the years, mostly in the lower front end where road debris always finds a way to make contact, but again, the miles-deep, extremely lustrous Porsche paint materials are still king here, and this sportscar looks like a gorgeous silver bullet when it's bombing down the road. The design alone is insanely impressive, where the all-new 3rd generation body featured a longer wheelbase, a wider front track, sculpted front clip inspired by the 918, recessed side scoops that channel air into the engine, and a sharp spoiler out back that rises at speed to keep the plump rear end planted.

Finding a Cayman with a clean leather interior is not easy, as many of these cars were ridden hard and put up wet, so to speak. Thankfully things are still in great order inside, with only minor signs of wear-and-tear and no major issues to report other than the usual light evidence of use in the higher-traffic areas. In the usual German fashion, the stitchwork is exquisite and the leather hides are almost sinfully soft, but everything still feels incredibly durable, supportive, and downright tough inside – a combination not found in many other marquee brands. Plush carpets, flashy trim, and a comprehensively organized control layout are all plusses for the Cayman, and the seats and center console are ergonomically designed so it really feels like a true cockpit inside. Big, simple gauges are easy to read and offer both digital and analog screens that monitor all the car's functions, most of which are managed through both the center console and steering wheel controls. This 981 was ordered with the optional Convenience Package and Infotainment Package with Bose Surround Sound, so in addition to having pretty much everything a luxury automaker offered in 2014, it also featured a top-class stereo. And because this is a rare mid-engine Porsche, it also includes a good-sized front and rear hatch area for extra storage.

Powering this upmarket Cayman S is a naturally aspirated 3.4L Flat 6 from the previous generation, albeit revised/retuned to pump out extra horsepower, better performance, and reportedly 15% better fuel efficiency. Unlike the new generation 911s, the Cayman loaded with the 3.4L I6 refused to dial-out driver-involvement for the sake of progress and technological advancement, making this one of the last "pure" Porsches money can buy. In many ways, it's more 911 than the actual 911 (in particular the 991.1 and 991.2), making it the quintessential Porsche sportscar for drivers that recall the freedom, control, and dynamic handling of the brand's earlier offerings. Upgraded with the highly desirable Sport Chrono Package that added selectable driving modes, throttle mapping, shock stiffening capabilities, and dynamic launch control, this Cayman hits 0-60 in a blistering 4.2 seconds, and blasts through the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds at 106MPH. Performance like that puts it just 0.1 seconds behind the 997 GT3 and Ferrari 458, and for an absolute fraction of the price. The PDK 7-speed automatic helps with performance and plants power to the back wheels instantly – controlled via paddle-shifters at the steering wheel – while giant Porsche brakes take a scant 106 feet to stop from 60MPH. Center-mounted exhaust tips sounds amazing, and the optional 20-inch Carrera S wheels wrapped in 235/35/20 front and 265/35/20 rear Goodyear Eagle F1s are the perfect finishing touch.

Beautifully maintained, exceptional to look at, and a joy to drive, this is a great opportunity to own an A-list sportscar for a fraction of the price of a new one. Why do it any other way? Call today!