One of the more intriguing myths about the Cayman is that during its development, Porsche engineers realized that the Cayman was actually going to be faster than the 911. As the story goes, upon hearing this, the top brass in Stuttgart ordered their engineers to make the car slower so that it wouldn’t dilute the 911 brand.
This myth fascinated me when I first heard it spoken in hushed tones on a crisp fall morning at cars and coffee. I decided to go research it, and to my disappointment, there really weren’t any facts to support the story.
What I did begin to discover is that there are quite a few myths about the Porsche Cayman out there that just aren’t true. However, through the little bits of research I did on these myths, I actually learned a good deal of other interesting – and true – information about the history of the Cayman. Fortunately in most circumstances, the truth is better than the myth.
Top 10 Porsche Cayman Myths
1. The Porsche Cayman is just a Boxster with a roof.
2. The Porsche Cayman was actually going to be faster than the 911, but Porsche re-engineered it to be slower to preserve the 911 brand.
3. The Porsche Cayman is an expensive car.
4. The Porsche Cayman is a cheap car.
5. The Porsche Cayman is slow.
6. You can’t drive a Cayman in the snow.
7. The Porsche Cayman is a gas guzzler.
8. The Porsche Cayman IMS bearing will blow up your engine.
9. The Porsche Cayman will help you attract women.
10. The Cayman is a popular car.
What other myths did I miss? Let us know in the comments below.
View Comments (7)
The Caymans have all had M97 engines with an upgraded IMS bearing and even Jake Raby says HE has never seen an M97 engine blow an IMS bearing so Noahs statement that pre-2009 Caymans run that risk is bunk. It just doesn't happen, period, on the M97 engine.
The M96 is the engine that had the old style IMS bearing and I suffered that while on the way to have the LN Engineering IMS fix applied to my 2005 Boxster which, unfortunately, had the M96 engine and the previous owner had not taken adavantage of Porsches agreement to fix them. By the time I got it, that time was past that Porsche would do it. I knew the risk, just didn't get it done in time.
Also, the vast majority of M96 engines that crapped out were very low mileage, as mine was. I have seen several 996s and 986s with the M96 that have never blown out the IMS 70-80-90k on them. It was like 8 percent that blew.
I have a 2007 Boxster S which is a 996 with 26k miles should I be concerned?
Re: #10 - It's a myth that the Cayman is popular? Explain, please.
You forgot to mention that if you drove your Cayman, as a daily driver, it would regrow hair on your bald head...
You are right Graig, it is the Boxster that will make you go bald first.
Decent video....and glad you pronounced Porsche correctly.
You didn't debunk Myth #11: You can't do your own maintenance on your Cayman.
Oh wait, that is not a myth, it's TRUE!
In fact for almost every maintenance item (sparkplugs) you have to drop the engine! What a pain!