Test driving a Porsche 981 Cayman S: Is it the Ultimate MR2?

Everyone knows the Porsche brand is synonymous with sports cars and driving pleasure. I've certainly wanted to drive one for a long, long time. At long last, I had the opportunity to drive one for a day and see for myself if the hype was real. Is the Porsche Cayman really something special, or is it an overpriced MR2?
NOTE: I rented this Porsche Cayman S locally on Turo and received no compensation or sponsorship from either Turo or the car's owner. I paid for the rental and all accompanying fees and costs on my own dime. So the review and my thoughts are all my own opinion, not influenced by anyone else.
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[@JamesDThomas1981]

I have a white Cayman S. It's almost perfect. There only thing I recommend is to change the exhaust to a valved soul performance exhaust. I get so many pops. I mostly drive in Sport. The sport plus only changes gears at redline.

[@verde629]

Definitely a timeless design. The 981 is beautiful

[@magicleo5188]

Great video and super informative. Full of insights. Really love it and keep it up!

[@reviewforthetube6485]

Porsche just sound so good lol they have that perfect tone the depth in the growl/girggle.

[@86drive86]

They do, don't they? They've just nailed the whole driving experience.

[@williamjackson5357]

I heard the PSE just enhances the sound, I ordered one and waiting the arrival, can’t wait 🏎

[@williamjackson5357]

This is a wonderful car, I purchased a 2014 base 4 years ago, the best I have owned. I have ordered the PSE. You are right, the 981 has the best look of all of the 3 generations. Now that you mentioned it, it does have a Ferrari vibe🏎

[@williamjackson5357]

@1MJ981 ok, will post once the PSE arrives and is installed. Believe it or not, my Cayman was mistaken for a Ferrari more than once, just a great looking car🏎

[@BobC59]

Yessiree! Do you still have and love yours? I bought a 2014 Cayman S in March, and I think of it as a “mini Ferrari” - only better. It is more than I ever hoped for in a car, and with a 325hp mid-mounted engine in a superb, light chassis, fantastic looks, outstanding driving/handling experience, solid build… and better yet, local people (Porsche dealers) can work on it - oh, and I can drive it without hearing a cash register bell dinging after every mile. What’s not to love!

[@williamjackson5357]

I still have my 2014 Cayman. My PSE was never made by the factory. My money was refunded. I have installed headers and 200 cell cats. Considering having a Soul Performance Exhaust installed. I took it out around 7 am this morning and it still thrills after being 10 years old. Best car I ever had 🏎

[@verde629]

Base cayman is the way to go. Still had a flat six and can find a well option one with low miles for around 50k or less

[@MrRoyck10]

None of these cars are comparable to the craftsmanship and heritage of the Porsche Cayman, The brz has a flat four but that where it ends, to compare the base Cayman with these cars to very optimistic. Nice video

[@86drive86]

Thanks! No one will deny the Porsche has more heritage. But as I said in my conclusion, if you're looking for a fun, reliable, and affordable sports car, I feel like you can get about 80% of the Porsche driving experience from the BRZ or MR2, while paying less than 50% of the expense. For those of us who aren't at the Porsche-buying level of wealth just yet, that is still a great choice.

[@LordLoMR2]

Nah my MR2 was faster than a Porsche Cayman at a recent track event. Maybe if you have a winning blood line of horses you’ve been breeding for centuries heritage might matter, but cars are mechanical. There are modified Miata’s that are insanely fast. 😂

[@MrRoyck10]

⁠@@LordLoMR2speed has nothing to do with it, your MR2 can be faster than a Bugatti Veyron but speed does not define a sports car.

[@cayman9815]

I confirm the Cayman is a wonderful car. Owned the GT86 for 4 years and now have the 981Cayman 2.7 since 2017 Enjoy it every day as my daily and it's a great car on the track (see my channel) In fact, feels like I have 2 cars: a daily & one to enjoy on track Regards from Belgium

[@86drive86]

that's fantastic to hear, thank you for sharing!

[@koreanstallion]

Great video! I agree, 981 Cayman S is an awesome looking car! I have a white one with pdk and chrono with sports exhaust. and 20" wheels. No navi but I use my phone. Compared to my Lexus IS 350, It's loud and raw. I fell in love with the engine noise though.

[@86drive86]

nice, I also have an IS350 as my daily driver! Is your 981 the weekend car, or do you daily drive it as well?

[@koreanstallion]

My 981 is a daily right now. I git it about a month ago so I am still breaking(?)in. It's 2014 with 27000 miles on it but looks brand new! @@86drive86

[@ryshask]

The one issue I have with all these new cars... Is the stupid 18-20" wheels.. Even on my rx8.. It is way too harsh of a ride albeit being an awesome handling car... I've been contemplating selling my 94 2gr(v6) mr2 to 'upgrade' to a cayman or emira... But the one thing I can't get over is how easily these cars wash out over rough back roads. It makes the suspension work WAY too hard... Bushings/bearings and even tires need to be replaced way too often... 15"-16" wheels are perfect in my opinion ( most of my driving is santa cruz mountains ) *edit* just got the 2gr mr2 out of storage... yeah.. sticking with this vehicle... going to upgrade the valve springs so I can up the rev limit to 7800 rpm ).

[@Aiken47]

Have a couple of shots before you narrate in the beginning, you sound a little nervous but the story you told is great especially once you are driving . Pretend you’re reading to a class of kids.

[@86drive86]

Appreciate the advice! I definitely use these videos as an opportunity to improve my speaking and presentation skills.

[@neilchirico]

You lost me when you said automatic transmission. It's technically an automated-manual gearbox. Good grief man!

[@DiablitoSpeedz]

Dope stuff man !

[@khoimavlogs5161]

You should drive 987.2 . More classic look than 981 and 718

[@86drive86]

I did watch the Everyday Drivers video where they compared the 3 and found the 987 to be their favorite Cayman! And it's the more affordable one too...

[@williamjackson5357]

Disagree, the 981 looks better, imo

[@bilaltasc6769]

@@williamjackson5357 Especially the rear end and tail lights...

[@k2t210]

Get the 2.7 base model if you are ok with a little lesd bottom end torque. It revs and sounds better than 3.4

[@86drive86]

interesting! does it rev to a higher redline?

[@k2t210]

@@86drive86 The revline is the same but it makes most of the power at top end and feels racier

[@mentezari]

Amazing commentary. Thank you so much. You made it easier to defrentiate between the Cayman and BRZ.

[@williamjackson5357]

If you can afford the Cayman, by all means GET IT !🏎

[@gregalanbell]

Me 2...in love with the way it looks, better than the 718. Gr8 color combo!

[@randystevens6302]

I used to run my 981 Cayman S at Lime Rock and fly around the track. The handling, balance and feedback of the car is near perfect.

[@86drive86]

That sounds wonderful!