Complete Buyer’s Reference
Porsche Boxster & Cayman: All Generations, Specs & Buyer’s Guide
Mid-engine roadster and coupe perfection — from the 1996 986 Boxster that rescued Porsche to the 493 hp 718 Spyder RS with a GT3-derived flat-six.
The Boxster arrived in 1996 as Porsche’s financial lifeline — and stayed to define the mid-engine roadster benchmark. The Cayman joined in 2006, adding a fixed roof to the same platform for greater torsional rigidity and sharper handling. Together they represent some of the most rewarding sports cars available at any price point. This guide covers every generation, every engine variant, and what to watch for when buying.
Boxster Generations
1st Gen Boxster — 1997–2004
The model that saved Porsche. Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, water-cooled flat-six. Shared some front-end components with the 996-generation 911.
Engine Options
| Model | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxster | 2.5L flat-six | 201 hp | 181 lb-ft | ~6.7 s | 1997–1999 |
| Boxster | 2.7L flat-six | 217–225 hp | 192–203 lb-ft | ~6.1 s | 2000–2004 |
| Boxster S | 3.2L flat-six | 250–264 hp | 225–236 lb-ft | 5.2 s | 2000–2004 |
| Boxster 550 Spyder | 3.2L flat-six | 264 hp | 236 lb-ft | ~5.0 s | 2004 |
Transmission
5-speed manual standard (base); 6-speed manual on S. 5-speed Tiptronic optional on both. No PDK — that arrives with the 987.2.
Curb Weight
~2,800 lbs — impressively light for a convertible. Combined with mid-engine balance, handling is excellent even by modern standards.
6,700 rpm Redline
The S model’s 3.2L screams to 7,200 rpm. The base 2.5L was replaced in 2000 by the 2.7L for more usable midrange torque.
Known Issues — 986
- IMS bearing — the single most important item to check. Intermediate shaft bearing can fail catastrophically in early models (1997–2005). A replacement bearing or LN Engineering IMS solution is strongly recommended before purchase
- Rear main seal (RMS) leak — common; repair requires significant engine access
- Coolant system — inspect thermostat housing, water pump, and coolant expansion tank
- Convertible top hydraulic leaks on high-mileage cars
- Front nose panel shared with 996 911 — a polarising design element
2nd Gen Boxster & 1st Gen Cayman — 2005–2012
Distinctive design break from the 986. The Cayman coupe joined in 2006 with 150% more torsional rigidity than the Boxster, creating the sharper-handling sibling.
Boxster 987 Engine Options
| Model | Engine | Power | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxster | 2.7L flat-six | 237–245 hp | 2005–2008 | 987.1; port fuel injection |
| Boxster S | 3.2L flat-six | 280 hp | 2005–2006 | |
| Boxster S | 3.4L flat-six | 295 hp | 2007–2008 | VarioCam Plus added |
| Boxster | 2.9L flat-six DFI | 255 hp | 2009–2012 | 987.2; direct injection |
| Boxster S | 3.4L flat-six DFI | 310 hp | 2009–2012 | PDK dual-clutch available |
| Boxster GTS | 3.4L flat-six DFI | 330 hp | 2011–2012 | Sport exhaust; PASM standard |
| Boxster Spyder | 3.4L flat-six DFI | 320 hp | 2011–2012 | 2,811 lbs; 1″ lower suspension |
Cayman 987 Engine Options
| Model | Engine | Power | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayman | 2.7L flat-six | 245–265 hp | 2006–2012 | 0.29 Cd drag coefficient |
| Cayman S | 3.4L flat-six | 295–320 hp | 2006–2012 | 7,200 rpm redline on S |
| Cayman R | 3.4L flat-six | 330 hp | 2011–2012 | Weight-reduced; 2-litre stripped |
987.2 Updates (2009)
Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) introduced. 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission added. New engine covers and revised styling front and rear.
Cayman Advantage
The fixed roof made the Cayman 150% more torsionally rigid than the Boxster, allowing more precise suspension tuning. Many drivers consider it the sharper handler — even at equal power outputs.
IMS Improvement
2006 models received a larger IMS ball bearing, improving reliability. The needle-bearing design in pre-2006 cars is the problematic unit. Post-2006 cars are notably safer.
Known Issues — 987 / Cayman 987
- IMS bearing still a concern on 987.1 (pre-2009) — same recommendation as 986: replace proactively or verify replacement history
- Bore scoring (M97 engine): cylinder wall scoring reported on some units; inspect compression before purchase
- PDK (987.2): excellent transmission but requires regular fluid service — neglected units develop rough low-speed behaviour
- Rear main seal leak — common in all 987 generations
3rd Gen Boxster & 2nd Gen Cayman — 2012–2016
Longer wheelbase, wider tracks, 17% lighter body through aluminium construction. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of the naturally aspirated Boxster/Cayman lineage.
Engine Options
| Model | Engine | Power | 0–60 | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boxster / Cayman | 2.7L flat-six | 265–275 hp | ~5.7 s | 2013–2016 |
| Boxster S / Cayman S | 3.4L flat-six | 315–325 hp | ~4.7 s | 2013–2016 |
| Boxster GTS / Cayman GTS | 3.4L flat-six | 330–340 hp | ~4.5 s | 2014–2016 |
| Boxster Spyder | 3.8L flat-six | 375–385 hp | ~4.0 s | 2015–2016 |
| Cayman GT4 | 3.8L flat-six (911 CS unit) | 385 hp | ~4.2 s | 2015–2016 |
Construction
44% aluminium by weight in the Cayman. Body shell 40% more torsionally rigid than 987. 17% weight reduction through advanced materials. Wheelbase extended 60mm.
Cayman GT4
The 981 GT4 is considered by many the greatest Porsche road car of its era. 3.8L from the 911 Carrera S, 7,400 rpm redline, Porsche Torque Vectoring, and a chassis tuned to perfection. Manual only.
Electric Steering
The 981 switched to electrically assisted power steering — criticised by some, but the rack is actually well-weighted and the weight saving benefits handling significantly.
Known Issues — 981
- Engine bore scoring — reported on some early MA1 units; compression check essential before purchase
- PDK fluid service — same as 987; don’t skip it
- Hydraulic clutch actuation on manual models — check for smooth engagement
- GT4: check for signs of track use; inspect tyres, brakes, and wheel alignment carefully
4th Gen 718 Boxster & Cayman — 2017–Present
Named after Porsche’s legendary 1950s–60s race car. Launched with turbocharged flat-four engines; naturally aspirated flat-sixes returned from 2020 in GTS 4.0, Spyder, and GT4 variants.
Engine Options
| Model | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 718 Boxster / Cayman | 2.0L turbo flat-four | 300 hp | 280 lb-ft | ~4.9 s | 2017–present |
| 718 Boxster S / Cayman S | 2.5L VTG turbo flat-four | 350 hp | 309 lb-ft | ~4.2 s | 2017–present |
| 718 Boxster T / Cayman T | 2.0L turbo flat-four | 300 hp | 280 lb-ft | ~4.9 s | 2020–2024 |
| 718 Boxster GTS / Cayman GTS | 2.5L VTG turbo flat-four | 365 hp | 309 lb-ft | ~4.2 s | 2018–2020 |
| 718 GTS 4.0 | 4.0L NA flat-six | 394 hp | 309 lb-ft | ~3.7 s (PDK) | 2020–present |
| 718 Boxster Spyder / Cayman GT4 | 4.0L NA flat-six | 414 hp | 309 lb-ft | ~3.7 s | 2019–2024 |
| Cayman GT4 RS | 4.0L NA flat-six (GT3-derived) | 493 hp | 331 lb-ft | sub 3.7 s | 2022–present |
| 718 Spyder RS | 4.0L NA flat-six (GT3-derived) | 493 hp | 331 lb-ft | sub 3.7 s | 2024–present |
Turbo vs. NA: The Real Story
The flat-four turbos are more powerful and more efficient but drew criticism for losing some flat-six character. The 2020 return of the 4.0L NA engine in GTS 4.0 and Spyder addressed this convincingly — most buyers who want driver engagement now opt for a 4.0L variant.
GT4 RS / Spyder RS
The GT4 RS uses the same 4.0L engine as the 911 GT3, with a 9,000 rpm redline. This makes it arguably the most focused road-legal Porsche available outside the 911 GT3 RS itself. PDK only on GT4 RS.
End of Production
Gasoline-powered 718 production ended October 2025. An electric replacement is planned for 2027+ on the PPE platform. Limited stock of 2025/2026 models may still be available at dealers.
Known Issues — 718
- Early 2017 turbocharged models: wastegate rattle and occasional turbo fault codes — check for resolved software/hardware updates
- GT4 RS: very high-strung engine prefers frequent oil changes; track use cars need thorough inspection
- PDK: requires regular fluid service; critical on GT4 RS given high power output
- Convertible top: 718 Boxster top mechanism generally reliable but inspect seals on older examples