2006 Porsche Cayman

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Porsche Cayman

Porsche’s Cayman isn’t just another coupe on offer for South Africans craving something with pedigree and poise, but it’s priced so far north that you expect exclusivity, and that’s exactly what you get. Forget hunting for variety — you’ll find exactly one Cayman listed at the moment, a 2017 718 S, tagged at R1,199,999. That’s not outlandish if you check what these fetch overseas, and with barely 27,900 km, you’re looking at a car that’s probably lived a pampered, low-mile life, maybe pulled out for the odd Franschhoek run or Sunday blast. You’re limited to two engines in this generation: the 2.0-litre turbo flat-four or the punchier 2.5 S. No diesels, no hybrids, and transmissions are either the crisp PDK or an old-school six-speed manual, if you’re lucky. That single listing tells you everything about local demand and, frankly, why the Cayman has a cult-like following here. It’s not about who can out-drag a Golf R at the robot; it’s about the steering and the balance that only a mid-engined layout brings. The M2 will smoke it in a straight line — no arguments — but the Cayman is what the segment should have been from the start, focused on feel and feedback over spec sheet numbers. Availability? Basically non-existent. You’re not cross-shopping; you’re on a mission. If you want a Cayman in SA, you’d better have patience — and a solid budget. Because that matters.