<\/span><\/h4>\nMy admiration for Porsche goes back to elementary school. My dad, who was a real car enthusiast (“otokichi” – old slang), took me many times to the newly completed Fuji Speedway.<\/strong> This was back when the 30-degree banked curve still existed.<\/p>\nIt was a brutal era with no established safety measures, and fatalities occurred every race (I even remember the real-time coverage of the legendary “Kazuto”)<\/span>. Among that, the speed, stability, stunning style, and sound of the 910 driven by Toru Ikuzawa<\/strong> were overwhelming stimuli for a kid.<\/p>\nLater, the classic film “Le Mans” and Steve McQueen further fueled my passion. I still sometimes watch it at full volume. The 917 remains, forever in my mind, the best racing car<\/strong>.<\/p>\nBefore I reached the age where I might confuse the brake and accelerator, I dreamed of owning a Porsche \u2014 a pure sports car, and one without unnecessary electronic gadgets, a “gasoline-only” Porsche.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/span>Searching for a Used Porsche<\/span><\/h4>\nTo be honest, a new one was far beyond my budget. As a side note, I\u2019ve owned a glider (an actual aircraft, not a hang glider or paraglider)<\/span> for over 30 years, so my car budget is limited. I try to stay within my means.<\/p>\nI searched daily for used Porsches, and for a 10-year-old 987, I found models priced similarly to domestic cars.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_6868.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>Why I Chose My Current Car<\/span><\/h4>\nThe biggest deciding factor was, of course, the flat-six engine.<\/strong> I wouldn\u2019t compromise on the horizontally opposed six-cylinder.<\/p>\nAlso, it had to be a PDK.<\/strong> While manual is the traditional choice for sports cars, I was captivated by the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in the VW Scirocco (called DSG by VW). The era is DCT, and even in sporty driving, it makes me feel like Schumacher.<\/p>\nNaturally, with Porsche, I chose PDK.<\/p>\n
Next, no unnecessary options beyond driving essentials.<\/strong> The Cayman S comes with Sport Chrono, PASM, and paddle shifters as standard. But no cruise control, no rear wiper, and a simple black vinyl leather interior. Perfect for my taste.<\/p>\nThe body color is Midnight Blue Metallic \u2014 a mature color I like.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/DSC_5569-1280x720.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>2) Options \/ Specifications<\/span><\/h3>\nSince it\u2019s used, the above options and specs apply. No modifications after purchase.<\/p>\n
<\/span>3) Delivery Process<\/span><\/h3>\nThis may be a convenient interpretation, but the shop was less than 10 minutes from my home. It\u2019s a German car tuning shop I\u2019d been curious about but hesitant to enter because it\u2019s very niche.<\/p>\n
I never imagined my “fateful car” would be there…<\/strong> I really felt it was destiny.<\/p>\nThey replaced the battery with a new one and fitted four new Pilot Sport tires.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/DSC_5660-2-1280x720.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>4) Porsche Performance Impressions<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/span>\u2460 Engine \/ Engine Sound<\/span><\/h4>\nThe flat-six NA engine sound is crisp and clear at startup.<\/strong> My previous VW Scirocco R, even stock, had a deep low-frequency startup sound that required care at night. The 987 is quiet.<\/p>\nThe 3,436 cc flat-six spins gently at low to mid speeds. You barely notice its presence behind you, but once the tach passes “12 o\u2019clock,” it transforms dramatically. It\u2019s engaging at low speeds and never boring across all speed ranges.<\/p>\n
<\/span>\u2461 PDK Evaluation<\/span><\/h4>\nOpinions on PDK vary. Having driven two VW DCT cars, I have no discomfort, but it still feels jerky at low speeds and can\u2019t beat a torque converter.<\/strong><\/p>\nI recently test-drove the latest Carrera 4S PDK, and it\u2019s clearly evolved.<\/strong> The smoothness at takeoff is excellent. However, I didn\u2019t notice a significant difference in shift up\/down feel, which reassured me.<\/p>\n<\/span>\u2462 Ride Comfort and Feel<\/span><\/h4>\nWith standard dampers, it\u2019s slightly firmer than the average German car. The Scirocco R was more Spartan, but in Sport and Sport+ modes, the firmness is drastically reduced \u2014 it feels like a race car.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/DSC_0779-3-1280x720.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>\u2463 Handling \/ Brakes<\/span><\/h4>\nThe power steering is quite heavy and solid,<\/strong> but once moving, it\u2019s perfectly on rails. Just turning at an intersection makes you feel the MR layout. It\u2019s fast but challenging on mountain roads. Unlike the Scirocco R, it doesn\u2019t understeer easily, and the freedom in line choice means I can\u2019t go back to FF cars.<\/p>\nHowever, especially on uphill mountain roads, you must be aware of front tire load and rear slip; with stock tires, spins happen easily.<\/strong> I\u2019ve had some close calls at high speeds.<\/p>\nThe brakes are perfect,<\/strong> just as rumored. They\u2019re controllable at will. I used to think a “silk-like” brake feel was best, but my thinking has completely changed.<\/p>\nHowever, brake squeal persisted even after replacing calipers and discs, so I gave up.<\/strong> In traffic jams, I enjoy trying to decelerate and stop without squealing. Also, brake dust.<\/strong> It\u2019s uncontrollable, so I don\u2019t clean it often. I guess it\u2019s proof of effective brakes.<\/p>\n<\/span>\u2464 Fuel Economy \/ Maintenance<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/span>Fuel Economy<\/span><\/h5>\nI\u2019m surprised by the fuel economy. In the city, it\u2019s about 6 km\/L, but on tours with polite driving, I got 12 km\/L, which amazed me. The worst was 3.3 km\/L \u2014 I won\u2019t say if that was on public roads.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Maintenance<\/span><\/h5>\nI replaced the front brakes and pads (which were below 5 mm). Oil changes are every 5,000 km, using the shop\u2019s recommended “Moty\u2019s 5W40.” The dry sump requires 8 liters, which is costly.<\/p>\n
Other than that, I\u2019ve driven 12,000 km since purchase with no troubles.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_6870.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>6) Family and Social Reactions<\/span><\/h3>\nI told my wife after the fact. She was surprised, of course. Porsche is a presence beyond Mercedes or BMW. But after explaining the price, she understood. We still have the FIT Hybrid, so daily life isn\u2019t inconvenient.<\/p>\n
I lost a few friends. They say, “That guy\u2019s driving a Porsche!<\/strong>” and distance themselves. Well, it\u2019s a small sacrifice.<\/p>\n<\/span>7) Favorite Points<\/span><\/h3>\nEverything.<\/p>\n
Even though it\u2019s a Porsche, it\u2019s a practical German car,<\/strong> so I use it for everyday errands, like going to the supermarket with green onions on the passenger seat. It\u2019s nimble and easy to handle with an 1800 mm width. The front and rear luggage spaces are ample. Aside from being a two-seater, I have no complaints.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/DSC_5661-2-1280x720.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>5) Must-Have Options for Future Porsche Purchases<\/span><\/h3>\nSport Chrono, PASM, and PDK are absolute musts. That\u2019s all you need.<\/p>\n
<\/span>6) Concerns<\/span><\/h3>\nNo “blemishes” at all, nor do I feel any.<\/p>\n
<\/span>7) Overall Impression<\/span><\/h3>\nThe 981 got the “uncool” idle stop feature. Personally, I think the tightened hatchback rear view is the best.<\/strong> The 981 looks a bit bulky, in my opinion.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_6867.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Therefore, I proudly say the 987\u2019s style is the best.<\/p>\n
\u3018Blog Manager\u2019s Thoughts\u3019
\nI\u2019ve never driven a 987 Cayman, but it seems to retain the charm of the air-cooled Porsche era… After reading kazu\u2019s report, I really want to try one. Every Porsche era has its own appeal. Porsche is truly amazing. Thank you, kazu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"“The Porsche Owners File” is a project born from readers’ requests to share the genuine voices of various Porsche owners. The 21st installment features a purchase, options, and driving review of the Cayman S from “kazu.” \u3018Owner Information\u3019 \u30fbFeatured car: 2009 Cayman S PDK with 37,000 km \u30fbPen name: kazu (kazu’s blog: PORSCHE 987 Cayman S PDK from age 60) \u30fbResidence: Kanto region \u30fbFamily: Wife, two sons, two daughters \u30fbPast cars: Under my name: VW...","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":17015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=17010"},"categories":[60,56],"tags":[186,200,234,244],"yoast_head":"
[Porsche Owners File #21] Cayman S (987) Purchase, Options & Driving Review - \u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f - \u30aa\u30fc\u30ca\u30fc\u30ba\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An article summarizing a real owner's insights on the Porsche Cayman S (987), covering driving impressions, engine, brakes, ride comfort, and options.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/porsche-owners-file21-cayman\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"[Porsche Owners File #21] Cayman S (987) Purchase, Options & Driving Review - \u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f - \u30aa\u30fc\u30ca\u30fc\u30ba\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"An article summarizing a real owner's insights on the Porsche Cayman S (987), covering driving impressions, engine, brakes, ride comfort, and options.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/porsche-owners-file21-cayman\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f - 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