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July 7, 2009
Porsche’s chassis and suspension tuning expertise means this car would be a natural on a track, but it’s plenty of fun on public roads too; it feels infallible at seven-tenths along your favourite back road or even highway on- and off ramps. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system – a $2,720 option on my test car – firms up the ride; PASM-equipped cars ride 10 mm lower, too. It makes a noticeable difference in the car’s handling, though I had to be pushing it pretty hard to feel it.
Better to leave PASM turned off for regular driving, though, particularly on roads as poor as Ottawa’s, as it has a marked impact on ride quality. With PASM deactivated, the Cayman’s ride is rarely harsh. In fact, the suspension is surprisingly absorbent and takes the edge off even the worst road surfaces.
     2009 Porsche Cayman S. Click image to enlarge |
The steering transmits plenty of road feel to the driver’s hands, and is perfectly weighted whether you’re carving corners or plying parking lots. Watch for bump steer, though: the Cayman’s front wheels like to follow ruts in the road.
The brakes are firm, but not grabby, and they haul the car down to a stop with authority, and without drama.
Inside, comfort is key, as it should be in any car, never mind one as powerful as this. My tester’s leather sport seats seemed, somehow, to be a perfect fit no matter their passenger’s size or shape. Visibility is good to the front, despite the low seating position, but the view out back is mediocre. While the rear window is plenty large, there are sizable blind spots to the sides that make lane changes and reversing in busy parking lots nerve-wracking exercises. You won’t miss the nonexistent rear wiper until it rains and you have no way to clear the view rearward.
The Cayman and Boxster get a new centre stack for 2009, which includes a larger, much-improved display for the radio. As always, the tachometer, located centrally in the instrument cluster, incorporates a digital speed readout, for quick reference.
Also, as always, cargo space is surprisingly good, split as it is between front and rear “trunks.” The one up front is particularly useful, large enough for a full-size suitcase standing up. The space under the rear hatch is better suited to smaller items like grocery bags.
The Cayman S starts at an MSRP of $75,800. Add to that my tester’s options – $1,090 for black leather sport seats; bi-xenon headlights with dynamic cornering for $2,130; the PDK transmission at $4,660; 19-inch Carrera S II wheels added $2,120; PASM, $2,720; and colour matched floor mats and a universal audio interface, at $130 each – and the total ballooned to just shy of $90,000, including $1,085 for freight.
That kid was right: ninety grand is a lot of money, but I could think of far, far worse things to spend it on.
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Pricing: 2009 Porsche Cayman S PDK
Click here for options, dealer invoice prices and factory incentives
Specifications
Competitors
Crash test results
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