The Cayman shares its steel base structure with the Boxster and, like the open top model, uses aluminium for the bonnet and doors to save weight. Much of the Cayman's bodywork is shared with the Boxster, such as the lights, doors, bonnet and front wings, which helps with the cost of repairs and insurance.
Rear tailgates can rattle; an easy fix
The rear tailgate of some Caymans can rattle, either due to misaligned hinges or worn seals. Neither is a cause for concern, but check the car has not been in an accident and poorly repaired. Any signs of rust of on a Cayman should send alarm bells ringing about crash damage.
Check behind the front air intakes for signs of damage or corrosion to the radiators positioned here. They are susceptible to stone chip damage and becoming clogged with debris and leaves. A common upgrade is for owners to fit grilles to the intakes to prevent muck collecting on the radiators, so look for these as the sign of a careful owner. Porsche charges £556 for a single radiator unit plus fitting, but specialists can source replacements more cheaply.
The headlights are also vulnerable to stone chips and cracks. Light scratches can be polished out, but a new light lens will set you back £414 from Porsche. Also on the electrical side, the Cayman is best kept on a trickle charger if being left for more than a few days. Owners don't rate the original Porsche trickle charger, so an aftermarket one is a good investment and saves the £112 for a new battery from a Porsche dealer.
Check radiators for blockages and damage
Other than the obvious checks for parking knocks and scratches, the Cayman is a remarkably safe bet in this area, partly thanks to all models still being relatively new and partly because most owners tend to be fastidious. Also, the Cayman has not fallen into a price bracket where owners struggle to maintain the correct servicing and repairs.
With the second-gen R version of the Cayman, it's easily identified by its fixed rear wing and Porsche decals. However, the R went further and saved 55kg in weight by using lighter aluminium doors and 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as stripping the interior of its air conditioning, door handles, stereo and storage cubbies.
PHer's view:
"The hatch rattle was a common problem with the early cars. Basically, the hatch didn't seal properly against the rubber. This created a peculiar booming sensation in the car when travelling at speed. The dealers attempted to cure this by adjusting the bump stops to lower the hatch against the seal, but this was a temporary solution. Despite my criticisms, it is the only car I have ever missed, it was a truly great car to drive."
Matt Taub
