DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS CAYMAN

There are certain cars we never tire of selling, and the Porsche Cayman 981 has always been one of them. Our Sapphire Blue Metallic 2.7 PDK is a car we know particularly well, having originally supplied it in September 2021. When the opportunity arose to buy it back from the same owner, we didn't hesitate. Five years later, it remains every bit as appealing as we remember, and with 57,258 miles, a comprehensive Porsche main dealer and specialist service history, and a particularly desirable factory specification, there is a great deal to like about this one.

First, the colour. Sapphire Blue Metallic is absolutely gorgeous on the 981, particularly against the 19-inch Cayman S alloys. It gives the car an almost exotic appearance, and photographs genuinely struggle to capture just how striking it is in person. It's the sort of Porsche you find yourself looking back at after parking, and we think that matters when buying a sports car.

What makes the 981 so special, though, is underneath that beautiful bodywork. The naturally aspirated 2.7-litre flat-six sits directly behind the occupants, giving the Cayman its wonderfully balanced mid-engined layout. Unlike the turbocharged four-cylinder engines introduced in the later 718, this is a proper six-cylinder Porsche, with a progressive power delivery, unmistakable soundtrack and an engine that rewards being revved. With approximately 271 bhp, it isn't about chasing enormous horsepower figures. The magic is in the chassis, the steering precision and how naturally the whole car responds to its driver. You don't need extraordinary speeds to appreciate what Porsche achieved here.

Our car also benefits from some genuinely worthwhile factory options. The seven-speed PDK transmission is complemented by the Sport Chrono Package, bringing Sport Plus functionality, more aggressive gearbox programming and sharper throttle response. The SportDesign steering wheel and upgraded Sport Seats Plus add to the driving experience, while heated seats, BOSE Surround Sound, Porsche Communication Management with navigation, two-zone climate control, cruise control and front and rear ParkAssist make this an exceptionally appealing specification for regular use. Porsche crests embossed into the headrests are another lovely finishing touch.

The ownership and maintenance history are equally important to us. The first three recorded services were carried out by Porsche main dealers in 2016, 2018 and 2020. Since then, Porsche Specialist Devon has maintained the car, including a major service with spark plugs in June 2022, further maintenance in July 2023 and an intermediate service in July 2025 at 56,114 miles. We have also carried out an oil service, inspection, pollen filter and brake fluid service in November 2026. Seven recorded maintenance visits, with a consistent history of Porsche main dealer and specialist attention.

Having supplied this exact car previously, we have the additional reassurance of knowing how it has been treated during its most recent ownership. Its tyres and brakes show none of the obvious tell-tale signs we associate with particularly hard use, and it's pleasing to see how familiar the car still feels to us after all these years.

We've always considered the Cayman one of the finest sports cars Porsche has produced. You sacrifice the rear seats of a 911, but gain an extraordinary mid-engined driving experience that is arguably the whole point of owning a sports car in the first place. The 2.7 makes a particularly compelling case for itself, offering that wonderful naturally aspirated flat-six character without needing the extra performance of the S.

At £360 annual road tax, this is also a relatively reasonable proposition for a six-cylinder Porsche of this generation. But ultimately, our enthusiasm for this particular Cayman comes down to something much simpler: its colour, specification, history and the fact that we know the car. It's one we were genuinely pleased to have back.