Porsche's cheapest sports car is the 718 Cayman, starting at just $61,850 for a base-spec model. It's sometimes been given the label of a 'poor man's Porsche', but in reality anyone who says that has clearly never driven one. The truth is, the Cayman is one of the best value sports cars on the market, both when it's new and as a used car. It might be less popular than its famous older brother, the 911, but more often than not it's just as good to drive.

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There have been several great Porsche models over the years that have been killed off by the evergreen popularity of the 911, so it's good to see that the Cayman and its twin the convertible Boxster have managed to find a place in Porsche's lineup where they can thrive without losing too much of the limelight to the 911. But, just as some enthusiasts would argue that the 911 is overrated, there's a good argument to be made that actually, the Cayman is severely underrated.

8 A Mid-Engined, RWD Platform

Green 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 Sports Car Front View
Via: Porsche

The basic setup for the Cayman is a traditional one that sports car manufacturers all over the world are fond of. It's mid-engined and RWD, which allows for better weight distribution and less understeer than other layouts.

The rear of the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0
Via Porsche

In comparison to the rear-engined 911, it's a naturally better layout, which means in theory that Porsche's engineers should be able to make the Cayman faster than their flagship car. It's an awkward situation to be in, and it's one of the reasons why ultra-high-performance versions of the Cayman haven't been released, as the company is presumably worried that a lightning-fast version would eat into 911 sales.

7 Top Tier Handling

The front of the 718 Cayman on the move
Via Porsche

Ever since it first debuted in 2005, the Cayman has been known for its sharp handling that manages to feel both precise and fun in equal measure. The latest 2022 model dials the chassis in even further, easily surpassing the capabilities of most of its competition.

Porsche 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S
Via Porsche

In fact, its only real rival is the Alpine A110, a car that's not available in America anyway. So, it's safe to say that for the best handling, a Cayman will comfortably beat anything in its price bracket that's sold in the US.

6 Faster Than Its Official Figures

Porsche 718 Cayman
Via Porsche

Another side effect of having the 911 as a big brother is that the Cayman is often officially rated with less power than it actually has. For example, a Cayman GT4 has an official top speed of 189 mph, but there are videos out there of it cruising at that speed on the autobahn and not getting near the limiter.

The front of the Cayman GTS 4.0 on the move
Via Porsche

The actual top speed of the GT4 is unknown, but it's likely been officially underrated to ensure that the 911 always has the best performance figures of any car in the main Porsche range.

5 Manual Transmission Is Still Available

Manual Porsche shifter
Via Porsche

While it's not exactly true to say that the manual transmission is dying altogether, it's certainly not as common in performance cars as it once was. The Cayman, though, still has a manual available across most of its trims, which is good to see.

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The front of the Cayman GTS 4.0 on the move
Via Porsche

The car's auto PDK gearbox is good too, but for a proper back-to-basics driving experience it's difficult to beat rowing through the gears of a manual 'box. Especially paired with the flat-six engine in the GTS trim, it's also the best way to make the exhaust note really sing.

4 The Crazy GT4 RS

The front of the Cayman GT4 RS on the move
Porsche

Revealed in late 2021, the GT4 RS is the highest performance variant of the Cayman yet, with a serious motorsport pedigree. It comes with 493 hp and is good for a 0-60 time of just 3.4 seconds. It takes everything that's great about the Cayman and dials it up to 11, with predictably brilliant results.

Rear 3/4 view of the Cayman GT4 RS on the move
Via Porsche

Its price is probably the least appealing part about it, as, at $143,050, it enters similar territory to the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. But, it's faster around a track than either of them. The hefty price tag means it'll only appeal to a very niche market, but for those who want the ultimate track day warrior, it's hard to think of a better option.

3 Perfect For Upgrading

Pandem Cayman
Via Forgestar

If spending the same amount of money as a house costs in some states on a track car sounds a little crazy, then buying a cheap Cayman and upgrading it is also a great option. There are several ways to go about modding a Cayman, either focusing on performance or looks, but either is a worthwhile endeavor.

Pandem Cayman
Via Forgestar

Widebody kits and beefy tires like the car pictured here will always grab attention. But, stripping the car out and upgrading the engine over time is a more affordable way to get close to GT4 levels of performance, but without the GT4 price tag.

2 Surprisingly Affordable When New

The front of the 718 Cayman GT4
Via Porsche

A base-spec Cayman starts at just $61,850 for a 2022 model, which might sound like a lot but in sports car terms is a great deal. Rivals like the Audi TT RS cost at least $74,245, and even a BMW M4 will cost more at $71,800.

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The rear of the 718 Cayman GT4
Via Porsche

Neither of those cars offer quite the same level of handling as the Porsche does, and of course, there's also the prestige of owning a Porsche badge that comes with a Cayman. Considering a base-level 911 will cost at least $101,500, the Cayman seems like a relative steal.

1 Used Cars Are Even Better Value

Porsche 718 Cayman
Via Carnexions Motor Co

As relatively good value as a new Cayman is, it's still way more money than the average track day enthusiast will be able to spend. Luckily though, used prices for the Caymans are even better value. A quick search on a leading auction site shows cars available for less than $20k, which given the current state of the used car market is a great deal.

Porsche 718 Cayman
Via Carnexions Motor Co

Caymans have proven to be reliable over time too, with examples frequently passing the 150,000-mile mark without too much trouble. Maintenance costs are fairly reasonable for the segment and there's plenty of used stock on the market. So, the real question is, why aren't more people buying Caymans already? Perhaps it's just because they're not aware of how much of a great deal they're missing out on.