2006 Porsche Cayman S Base 2dr Coupe Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Porsche Cayman S:

Porsche designed the Cayman S to take a more hard-core approach to performance. The Cayman's engine is more powerful, its suspension tuning is stiffer and it offers more sport-oriented options than the Boxster.

-- Edmunds.com

...go immediately to the Porsche 550 Coupe developed for racing in the mid-1950s. Note the similarity of the rising front fenders. See how the rear fenders bulge so high that the sloping rear deck hatch disappears behind them (uncommon for Porsche).

-- Cars.com

The 6-speed manual (a 5-speed Tiptronic is available) is also from the Boxster, yet its two lower gears are eaten up more quickly, getting you up to speed (0-60 in 5.1 seconds) about a half-second more rapidly than would a Boxster S.

-- Cars.com

...precise steering feel, firm and reassuring brake pedal, swoopy bodywork, useful cargo capacity, sound-of-music flat-six.

-- Car and Driver

All in all, the Cayman S is a wonderful sports car. Fast, nicely balanced and a pleasure to drive.

-- Road & Track

What reviewers liked least about the Porsche Cayman S:

Be aware, though, that the Cayman S's price can ratchet upward quickly - tick off enough option boxes on the order form, and it can approach $100,000.

-- Cars.com

Costs almost as much as a 911, the sting of paying a premium for a hardtop Boxster, no auto climate control or full-power seats for $69,000.

-- Car and Driver

Unlike the 911, the Cayman S doesn't even hint at a rear seat - it's strictly a two-passenger car.

-- Cars.com

In profile, the Cayman S is less flattering because of the unusually high roofline that almost turns the greenhouse into a bubble in the middle of the car.

-- Road & Track

Porsche Cayman S Comparisons:

...it feels worth the extra cash over the M coupe, because you get a sports car that has two personalities - mild-mannered daily driver and ready-to-fly, track-day-friendly racer.

-- Car and Driver

While the Cayman S is slower than the 911 Carrera in acceleration, it shines in the handling department. Imagine combining the fluidity of the Boxster S and the sharpness of the 911's turn-in, and what you have is an agile and responsive sports car. Helping to make this possible is a chassis reinforced by the closed top and an additional crossmember behind the cockpit.

-- Road & Track

Best one-liner about the Porsche Cayman S:

More than just a Boxster S with a lid, the Cayman S embodies the soul and heart of history's best Porsches.

-- Edmunds.com

...the 2006 Porsche Cayman S is the Swiss Army Knife of high-performance sports cars.

-- Cars.com

A pricey track star that proves willing to please everyday and is worth the extra cash.

-- Car and Driver

Will it become the new star of the family?

-- Road & Track