What is the 718 Cayman?
The 718 Cayman is Porsche in its purest, no-nonsense form. This fixed-roof cousin of the 718 Boxster convertible has only two seats and limited cargo space, but its mid-engine configuration means it has more predictable handling characteristics than even the vaunted 911. But be careful with your spec, however — choosing the wrong configuration means that this supremely capable sports car could provide a merely OK driving experience.
The key to the right 718 is the powertrain. The turbocharged four-cylinder in the Cayman and Cayman S isn't particularly engaging, but at least in the latter, it's pretty potent. Just don't spec the sport exhaust — the engine note is uninspiring at best and grating at worst. If you have wiggle room in your budget, the naturally aspirated flat-six in the Cayman GTS 4.0 and upper trims is the winner of the bunch. Not only is it far more sonorous, it adds quite a bit of power, too. It's also the powertrain to get if you want to wipe the smile off the faces of 911 owners on a racetrack.
It costs a pretty penny to get that 4.0-liter motor, but it single-handedly justifies the 718 Cayman. And you'll want to act sooner rather than later, as the next-gen Cayman (due any year now) is rumored to go electric-only. Grab your six-cylinder Cayman now while you still can.