← Carsroadster coupe · germany · RWD · coupe

Porsche Boxster / Cayman 981

Boxster / Cayman (981)2013–2016

Porsche's mid-engine two-seater — from the 986 that saved the company to the last flat-six GTS.

24 reviewers · 45 videos · 9 hours watched · 13 press articles

Generations
9861997–2004986 S2000–20049872005–2012987 S2005–20129812013–2016981 S2013–2016981 GTS2015–20169822017–2025982 S2017–2025982 GTS2018–2025
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on value.

across 24 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Value
17 say · liveable

"probably the best handling $30,000 car that's still new"

Cars & Bids · ▶ 17:57
1 say · critical

"the GTS isn't really worth it. I'd be better off getting a normal Cayman or Boxster S"

Auto Express · ▶ 11:46
// the categories
// 01

Performance

4.5/524 of 24 reviewersstrong consensus

“it isn't fast fast it just doesn't have the power to be fast fast and that's a little bit disappointing”

mixed · Cars & Bids · ▶ 12:41

“this boxer s will go around the norch life at the same time as the old 996 911 GT3 model I mean that that is just incredible”

positive · Auto Express · ▶ 2:25

“3.4 l Flat 6 engine in the GTS has a touch more power and torque than before”

positive · Autocar · ▶ 0:38
// 02

Handling

5.0/523 of 24 reviewersstrong consensus

“In my opinion, it's easily one of the best handling mid-enine sports cars money can buy.”

positive · Carite LTD · ▶ 15:06

“the chassis is incredibly composed and quite predictable... it handles phenomenally”

positive · Cars & Bids · ▶ 13:46

“it's such a a well balanced thing there's so much grip and on these twisty Wells roads it's a superb car to drive”

positive · Auto Express · ▶ 0:48
// 03

Fun to drive

4.5/524 of 24 reviewersconsensus

“It's a very purist drive. It is to be honest. And you don't lose too much feel from a PDK.”

positive · Carite LTD · ▶ 15:38

“5 minutes in this little car and I'm already having more fun than I have in my M4”

positive · Nick Murray · ▶ 1:58

“I just love cars where you can get in and feel really comfortable uh driving quickly like this car”

positive · Porsche Club America · ▶ 13:49
// 04

Daily drivability

4.5/524 of 24 reviewersstrong consensus

“you could do this every day you could do this with no complaints”

positive · Cars & Bids · ▶ 17:00

“really nice car to drive as I said friendly and approachable which is what you want for the daily drive”

positive · Porsche Club America · ▶ 11:43

“it's plush... this is why I love it you can just drive it all day”

positive · volkswizard · ▶ 23:37
// 05

Value

4.0/523 of 24 reviewerssplit

“probably the best handling $30,000 car that's still new”

positive · Cars & Bids · ▶ 17:57

“Just to give you an idea, there's not a drip or drop of depreciation on this car.”

positive · Carite LTD · ▶ 20:21

“when you're talking about cars that might be in the value range of $30,000 to $40,000 right now, I mean, that's just from an aesthetic standpoint, something you can't really touch for the money.”

positive · ElevenAfterNine · ▶ 7:00

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

GoDrive
Posted Aug 16, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
ElevenAfterNine
Posted Mar 23, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Car and Driving - Car Reviews
Posted Jun 17, 2022Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
More Porsche Boxster / Cayman reviews
Upgrading From a ND MX5 Miata / 981 Porsche Cayman ReviewGoDrive
Porsche Boxster 2012 - FULL REVIEWCar and Driving - Car Reviews
2014 Porsche 981 Cayman Review - Better than the 987 Cayman S?Zygrene
Porsche Cayman (981) buying adviceAutoblog
Porsche 981 Boxster 2016 model review and driveNick Murray
Video: Porsche Boxster GTS drivenAutocar
Porsche Cayman GTS review: motoring nirvana for £55kAutocar
The 2012 Porsche Boxster S - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARSThe Drive
Why I Would Not Buy a Base 986 BoxsterElevenAfterNine
Which Cayman Generation Should You Buy? Hint.. They're All Great!Sam Pappas
Should I Replace My GR86 With a Honda AP1 S2000?Jubbal & Cars
718 Porsche Spyder Review - The Almost Perfect Sports CarDriven Productions
Porsche Cayman S 981 In-Depth Review & Buying AdviceJames Nutt cars
2018 Porsche 718 Cayman S Review & Road TestSupercar Advocates
Is the Porsche 718 Cayman S the PERFECT sports car?!Tuned Into Cars!
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S reviewDriveMag
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S Review | Drive.com.auDrive.com.au
BMW M4 coupe 2014 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer
2014 Porsche 911 Carrera S Review - TEST/DRIVEThe Drive
Porsche Cayman, why you should buy one. Test drive and review. Carite LTD
It sounds amazing! 981 Cayman with factory Porsche sport exhaust | One-Mile ReviewPorsche Club America
Why the Porsche 981 Boxster / Cayman is the Ultimate Porsche!Track Tested Motorsports
Porsche Cayman 981 | FIRST DRIVEJake Fleming
Porsche Cayman GTS car reviewAutotrader
2012 Porsche Boxster S review - Auto ExpressAuto Express
The 100k Mile 911 Gamble: Why I Bought a High-Mile 997.1ElevenAfterNine
The BEST Porsche For $55k? | 2015 Cayman S Review!EddieX
Nissan 370Z coupe expert car reviewAutotrader
Porsche Cayman 2013 review - CarBuyerCarbuyer
Head to head
From the press · 13 articles
Power275 hp
TX6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK
Curb2,910 lb
Manual✓ available