2006 Porsche Cayman S Review
Price Estimate: $7,715 - $11,592





+58
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Supreme handling characteristics, pinpoint steering, strong brakes, generous luggage capacity.
Cons
- Options are costly, audio and climate controls are a little busy, straight-line performance can be equaled by that of many less expensive performance cars.
What’s new
The Cayman S is an all-new coupe based on the successful Boxster platform.
Edmunds says
More than just a Boxster S with a lid, the Cayman S embodies the soul and heart of history's best Porsches.
For sale near Mountain View, CA
26 listings
- $29,999fair price$531 below market
- 56,477 miles
- 1 accident, 3 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl manual
- Auto City (318 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Trip Computer
- Stability Control
Close
Located in Alhambra, CA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (18 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WP0AB29826U780734
Stock: 10384
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-23-2025 - $19,998fair price$33 below market
- 114,876 miles
- 1 accident, 3 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 6cyl manual
- Bridge City Auto Sales (553 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Trip Computer
- Stability Control
Close
Located in Portland, OR
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (18 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WP0AB29886U780415
Stock: BC1119
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-09-2025
Vehicle overview
Although the 911 has been the staple of Porsche's lineup for over three decades, the debut of the Boxster in 1997 ushered in a new era of the more affordable Porsche convertible. With its compact, midengine layout and formidable handling prowess, the flat-six-powered Boxster quickly became one of the best-selling cars in the luxury roadster segment. Seeing the need to bridge the gap between the Boxster and the 911, Porsche created the Cayman S. In short, it's a hardtop version of the Boxster. The two cars share the same basic design, which means a midengine layout, rear-drive, two seats and a curb weight of about 3,000 pounds. But leaving it just at that would be a disservice. 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.
The Cayman S also boasts better versatility thanks to its hatchback design. Under that rear hatch, there's 9.1 cubic feet of storage -- twice that of a Boxster. And under that storage space, ahead of the rear axle, is the Cayman S's 24-valve four-cam 3.4-liter flat-six engine bolted to a six-speed manual transmission. A Tiptronic automatic is optional. Based on the Boxster S's 3.2 six, the Cayman S's 295-hp six draws its inspiration from a variable intake manifold, cylinder heads imported from the 911 Carrera S, and the 911's VarioCam Plus variable valve timing and lift. The engine snaps the Cayman S to attention just off idle, and lays down a flat field of peak torque -- 251 lb-ft -- between 4,400 and 6,000 rpm.
Adding a roof to any structure is a sure way to add stiffness, and Porsche tuned this law of physics to the Cayman's advantage. The car's newfound structural unity -- it's twice as resistant to flex as the Boxster -- allowed Porsche to play with spring, strut and antiroll bar settings to have the car engage corners much more aggressively, but still maintain ride quality. There are other sports cars that are faster than the Cayman S. There are even many performance cars in the $35,000 range that can post similar acceleration times. But very few cars approach performance the way the Cayman S does. In a way, one could argue that the Cayman S is a return to what the 911 used to be: a focused driver's car. If your idea of fun is just heading out to mountain roads on the weekend for no other reason than to just drive, you're going to love this car.
Performance & mpg
The Cayman S is powered by a 3.4-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. It produces 295 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard. An automatic, Porsche's five-speed Tiptronic automanual, is also available.
Safety
Torso- and head-protecting side airbags, traction control and four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard. Electronic stability control, dubbed PSM, is also standard. The Cayman S has not yet been crash tested.
Driving
The Cayman S, although midengined and rear-drive, is set up to understeer when overcooked into tight corners. Optional PASM, or Porsche Active Suspension Management, allows the driver to choose between a sporty but comfy mode and a full-on race-worthy setup at the touch of a button on the dash. PASM's Normal mode is quite livable, sucking up bad road with ease. Meanwhile, the Sport mode takes body roll out of the equation and rattles the cockpit more, letting you do amazing things as long as the road stays fairly racetrack smooth. The Cayman S's variable-assist rack and pinion steering is classic Porsche, with spot-on feel and direct action. Likewise, the brakes -- four-piston calipers clamping down on only moderately sized discs -- respond quickly and have excellent feel under foot.
Interior
The seats are firm and supportive, and headroom is especially generous. Like other Porsches, the Cayman's cabin is good-looking but a little confusing at first glance. The gauge cluster is well laid out, but the climate and radio controls can be hard to decipher. With two cargo areas (one up front and one in back), there is ample cargo space available.
2006 Porsche Cayman S models
This midengine, two-seat hatchback comes in one flavor, the Cayman S. The standard equipment list includes such features as a trip computer; a leather-covered steering wheel, gearshift knob, armrests and handbrake handle and a CD stereo with nine speakers. Optional equipment includes items like full leather power seating; adaptive sport seating; wood, carbon or aluminum trim; rear parking assist; heated seats; and a navigation system. Also optional are PCCB ceramic brake discs and PASM, or Porsche Active Suspension Management, which allows the driver to choose between a sporty but comfortable mode and a full-on race-worthy suspension setup at the touch of a button on the dash.
Compare 2006 Porsche Cayman S trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

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Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in California
$289/mo for Cayman S Base
Cayman S Base
vs
$223/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Porsche Cayman S Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Simply Amazing and Still strong at 95k miles
4.88 out of 5 starsvitoaf, 08/18/2012
2006 Porsche Cayman S 2dr Coupe (3.4L 6cyl 6M)
This car is the best daily driver true sports car you will ever own (unless you want to fit more than 2 ppl).
I've driven Lambo, Ferrari, etc... truly amazing cars, but not daily drivers.
In this car you can fully utilize it's power and agility on the road while having the reliability of a Honda or Toyota.
I'm near the 100k mark and have had no major issues.
You want a safe car? This is … it. You have all the tools you need to be an offensive driver and when those tools fail, you are surrounded by airbags to soften the blow. This car will follow your line of sight and place you exactly where you tell it to.
It's an extension of the driver. This could easily be the only car I ever own.
2007 Porsche Cayman S
5 out of 5 starskent, 10/09/2006
2006 Porsche Cayman S 2dr Coupe (3.4L 6cyl 6M)
What an outstanding car! My last two cars were 'vettes. This car is superior in performance, handling, quality and more fun to drive. I get compliments everywhere I go. Definitely get the PASM and spend the extra money on the leather interior - you will be glad you did. The quality and worksmanship of the full leather is unbelievable. Only get the chrono package if you are going to … track the car. I wish I had chosen the sport shifter, but the stock six-speed shifter is still the best I've driven. The Carrera 19" wheels painted in the exterior body color is awesome.
Cayman S Overview
5 out of 5 starsron lewis, 01/31/2007
2006 Porsche Cayman S 2dr Coupe (3.4L 6cyl 6M)
So far my Cayman S has averaged 25-28 mpg. You must use premium fuel in it. It has very firm seats. You must be careful of moving the passenger seat all the way back. It will activate airbag warning system. The dark tinted rear window makes it difficult to see out back. The buttons on the key activate the trunk and engine lids too easily. You must be very careful of potholes in the … road, the rims are easily damaged due to their low profile. They are expensive to replace or repair. This car is really fun to drive. It delivers exhilarating performance above 4,000 rpm, It has a low ground clearance, so you must be aware of debris on roads and in driveways. It is easy to strike the undercarriage.
Possibly My Last Car
4.75 out of 5 starsesaam ismail, 07/25/2006
2006 Porsche Cayman S 2dr Coupe (3.4L 6cyl 6M)
Since 1992 I've owned the following cars: two twin turbo Toyota Supras, three Acura NSXs, a Honda S2000, and four BMW M3s. I've driven all these cars on the Sebring race track and I was completely blown away by the Cayman S. The handling, power (especially in low gears), the clutch/gearbox, and brakes are phenominal. I was convinced that I was getting the new Z4 M Coupe, but I was … lucky enough to have a dealership that had both cars to drive. I drove them 30 minutes apart and the Cayman S was beyond better in every area (except cup holder). I found the car with the options I wanted and had it home one week later.
2006 Cayman S Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $58,900 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $289/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Cayman S include:
- Stability Control
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