Porsche Boxster / Cayman (987)
2004–2012 (Cayman R 2011–2012) · Porsche Boxster / Cayman (987) — Sports Car, Flat-6, designed by Grant Larson.
The Story
The 987 took the Boxster formula and perfected it — and then added the car that would haunt Porsche’s own 911: the Cayman. Launched in 2005 (Cayman coupe from 2006), the second-generation car got sharper styling, a better interior, more power, and — in the fixed-roof Cayman — a stiffer structure that made it, by many reviewers’ accounts, the best-handling car Porsche built. The mid-engine layout gives it a balance the rear-engine 911 can’t match, which is exactly why Porsche was always careful not to let the Cayman make too much power. The hardcore Cayman R and Boxster Spyder are the enthusiast’s picks, and the later 987.2 (with the new, IMS-free 9A1 engine) is the one to seek out.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Sports Car class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Grant Larson
A Montana-born ArtCenter graduate, Larson joined Porsche in 1989 and authored the 1993 Boxster concept that reset the brand’s fortunes. Over a 36-year career he shaped halo and heritage cars in Porsche’s Special Projects design.
Studio Motors POV
The mid-engine Porsche that out-handles the 911 — and Porsche knew it. A 987.2 (IMS-free), ideally a Cayman R, S or Boxster Spyder, is one of the great-value driver’s cars.
The Engine
9A1 / 9A2 flat-six (DI)
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Boxster / Cayman (987)
Worth Knowing About the Boxster / Cayman (987)
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) The Cayman is so well-balanced that Porsche deliberately limited its power to stop it embarrassing the more expensive 911. 2) The facelift 987.2 (2009) switched to the new direct-injection 9A1 engine — which finally banished the IMS-bearing worry of the earlier M96/M97. 3) The lightweight Cayman R and Boxster Spyder (2011) are the driver's specials — and now the most collectible 987s.
5 Fast Facts
- • 2005–2012 (Cayman coupe from 2006). • Mid-engine flat-six; 987.1 (M97) then IMS-free 987.2 (9A1, 2009). • The Cayman: arguably the best-handling Porsche of its day. • The Cayman R / Boxster Spyder are the hardcore picks. • The 987.2 is the IMS-worry-free generation to seek.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
FLAG: no documented/citable celebrity owner verified here. (Excluded rather than guessed.)
Studio Buyer’s Brief
Seek the 987.2 (2009-on, 9A1 engine) to avoid the earlier IMS concern; the S, the Cayman R and the Boxster Spyder are the performance picks. Manual cars are the enthusiast’s choice. Otherwise a sound, documented 987 is a superbly balanced, usable and still-affordable mid-engine Porsche — among the best-driving cars the company has made.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Porsche Boxster / Cayman (987)
- Class
- Sports Car
- Production years
- 2004–2012 (Cayman R 2011–2012)
- Units built
- 1,621 (Cayman R worldwide)
- Variants
- Boxster, Cayman, S, Boxster Spyder (2010), Cayman R (2011)
- Engine layout
- Mid
- Engine
- Flat-6
- Engine family
- 9A1 / 9A2 flat-six (DI)
- Displacement
- 3.4L / 3436 cc
- Power
- 330 hp
- Torque
- 273 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 4.7 s
- Top speed
- 175 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 255 hp/tonne · 8.7 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed manual / 7-speed PDK
- Drivetrain
- RWD (mid-engine) · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 2855 lb
Questions
Boxster / Cayman (987) FAQ
What is the Porsche 987 Cayman R engine specification?
The 987 Cayman R (2011-2012) uses a naturally aspirated 3.4-litre 9A1 flat-six producing 330 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK. Manual cars are quoted at 0-60 in approximately 4.9-5.0 seconds; the PDK/Sport Chrono figure is 4.7 seconds.
Does the 987 Boxster and Cayman have the IMS bearing problem?
The 987 Boxster and Cayman have mixed IMS exposure: 987.1 models (2005-2008) used M96/M97-family engines and retain the same intermediate-shaft bearing risk as the 986 and 996; 987.2 models (2009-2012) switched to the direct-drive 9A1 engine and eliminated the IMS bearing issue entirely. Buyers of a 987.1 should verify service records, and many owners preemptively upgrade the IMS bearing.
What is a Porsche 987 Cayman R worth today?
The 987 Cayman R trades in the $45,000-$70,000-plus range, with low-mileage manual examples at the top of the band. Its combination of limited production, driver-focused setup, and IMS-free engine has made it one of the strongest-appreciating 987 variants. Hagerty tracks the Cayman R with dedicated valuations.
How does the Cayman R compare to the Boxster Spyder (987)?
Both the Cayman R and the 987 Boxster Spyder (2010-2012) are lightweight, stripped-out enthusiast variants of the 987 family. The Cayman R (330 hp, hard-top) offers a more closed, focused driving experience; the Boxster Spyder (320 hp, soft manual roof) is slightly less powerful but lighter. Both are considered the definitive driver’s 987s and command premiums over standard cars.
Can I buy or finance a Porsche 987 Cayman R through Studio Motors?
Yes. Specialist lenders can structure financing on these appreciating driver’s Porsches.
The Porsche Lineup
Explore every Porsche
911 (Original) ’64904 Carrera GTS ’64914 ’69
911 Carrera RS 2.7 ’72911 (G-Series) ’74911 Carrera RS 3.0 ’74911 Turbo (930) ’75924 ’76928 ’77
911 Turbo (964) ’90911 Carrera RS (964) ’91968 ’92911 (993) ’94911 Carrera RS (993) ’95911 Turbo (993) ’95911 GT2 (993) ’95Boxster (986) ’96911 (996) ’97911 GT3 (996) ’99
911 Turbo (996) ’00911 GT2 (996) ’01Cayenne (955) ’02911 (997) ’04Boxster / Cayman (987) ’04Carrera GT ’04911 Turbo (997) ’06911 GT3 (997) ’06911 GT3 RS (997) ’06911 GT2 (997) ’07911 Sport Classic (997) ’09Panamera (970) ’09
911 GT2 RS (997) ’10911 Speedster (997) ’10Cayenne (958) ’10911 (991.1) ’11Boxster / Cayman (981) ’12911 Turbo (991) ’13911 GT3 (991) ’13918 Spyder ’13Macan (95B) ’14911 GT3 RS (991) ’15Cayman GT4 / Boxster Spyder (981) ’15911 (991.2) ’16911 R (991) ’16718 Cayman / Boxster (982) ’16911 GT2 RS (991) ’17Panamera (971) ’17Cayenne (9Y0) ’17911 Speedster (991) ’19911 (992.1) ’19718 Cayman GT4 / Spyder (982) ’19Taycan ’19
911 Turbo (992) ’20911 GT3 (992) ’21Cayenne Turbo GT (9Y0) ’21911 Dakar (992) ’22911 GT3 RS (992) ’22911 Sport Classic (992) ’22718 Cayman GT4 RS / Spyder RS (982) ’22911 S/T (992) ’23911 (992.2) ’24911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid (992.2) ’24Panamera (972) ’24Macan Electric ’24
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