2006 Porsche Boxster and Cayman Full Review

Porsche expands its line of two-seat midengine sports cars for 2006, adding a hatchback coupe version to the carryover convertible. The coupe is called the Cayman. It's based on the less expensive Boxster, which has a power-folding fabric top with heated glass rear window. They share underskin architecture and wheelbase, as well as the midship positioning of a horizontally opposed 6-cyl engine. Both models have front and rear cargo compartments.

Boxster comes in base form with 240 hp and as the S model with 280 hp. The base Cayman has 245 hp, the Cayman S 295. All variants offer a choice of 6-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic; base models are also available with a 5-speed manual. The automatic has manual-shift capability via floorshifter or steering wheel buttons. Both cars have ABS, traction/antiskid control, and side airbags. Leather upholstery is standard on all. Other options include a navigation system and Porsche's Sport Chrono Package, which includes a dashboard stopwatch and controls that modify throttle, traction, and suspension systems to suit racetrack-type driving. Also optional is Porsche's Active Suspension Management with normal and sport settings.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Offering more power and style than typical Sporty/Performance vehicles, Premium Sporty/Performance Cars usually cost much more and have more comfort and convenience equipment. Two-passenger convertibles and 4-seat coupes rule the roost in this class.

Our Best Buy is Chevrolet Corvette. Our Recommended picks include BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz CLK.

News

As expected, a base Cayman arrived early this summer as an early-2007 debut. The $49,400 U.S. starting price represents a $9500 saving over the introductory Cayman S, but buyers must settle for 245 hp vs. 295, plus fewer standard features. Porsche intends Cayman to offer a bit more power, performance and plush than equivalent Boxsters, but not so much as to upstage the mainstay 911 line. No big changes loom near-term for Boxster or Cayman, as this basic design was essentially redone for 2005.

2006 Porsche Boxster and Cayman Road Test

Pros	Cons

Steering/handling	Ride, w/19-inch tires

Acceleration	Entry/exit

Braking	Cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
8	8	8	8	8.2

Smooth, ready power. Boxster S and Cayman S particularly strong as rpm climbs. Responsive automatic a better substitute for manual than most, but still not the sports-car ideal.

Fuel Economy

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
6	5	5	5	4.2

No opportunity to measure with Boxster. Test Cayman S models averaged 20.5-22.8 mpg. All these Porsches require premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
3	2	2	3	4.3

Firm control, with tire choice a big factor in comfort. No models with 17-inch tires made available for test. Boxster and Cayman S with 18s traverse, bumps, cracks, patchy pavement with little undue harshness. Boxster S with 19s uncomfortably choppy on all but smooth roads. Uneven surfaces induce more structural shimmy in Boxster than in BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Honda rivals, but body flex never compromising.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
10	10	10	10	8.5

Invigorating. Steering natural, communicative, responsive. Rock-steady on straightaways; an agile, balanced ally in corners. Tenacious grip in turns. Antiskid/traction system an unobtrusive safety net. Brake feel, strength inspire confidence.

Quietness

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
3	3	3	4	4.1

Engine's location behind seats means more mechanical ruckus than in front-engine designs, but race-car-engine note delights. Road noise well-managed, considering wide, low-profile tires. Wind rush unobjectionable in Cayman, somewhat more prominent in Boxster with top up. Plenty of noise in Boxster with top down, but none annoy.

Controls

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
7	7	7	6	6.3

Racy design puts tachometer appropriately dead-ahead. It houses digital road-speed readout to supplement analog speedometer. Control layout orderly, logical, but audio, climate systems governed by too many undersized, look-alike buttons. Navigation system has small fussy buttons, absorbs and complicates audio control. Rich-feeling, carefully assembled cabin materials enhance sophisticated ambience.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	5.7

Low-slung cockpit roomy enough for six-footers. Seats exceptionally supportive in aggressive cornering. Boxster top-up rear visibility severely limited to corners and aft, only marginally better in Cayman. Entry/exit demands some flexibility.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
0	0	0	0	.7

(No rear seating.)

Cargo Room

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
2	2	2	3	2

Careful packing takes good advantage of cargo bays front and rear for more luggage-carrying possibilities than in many two-seaters. And no volume is lost when roof is down. Note that Boxster and Cayman do without a spare tire, supplying instead an emergency inflation kit. Little in-cabin storage space.

Value within Class

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
7	6	5	4	4.5

Some less expensive sports cars challenge Boxster and Cayman on a fun-per-dollar basis, and some like-priced competitors deliver more outright power. Few, however, match their range of strengths: road manners, mechanical sophistication, and a good dose of everyday usability, not to mention the cachet of the Porsche name.

Total Score

Boxster w/18-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., man.	Boxster S w/19-in. whls., auto.	Cayman S w/nav. sys., man.	Class Average
50	47	46	47	48.5

Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		48
High Score		58

2006 Porsche Boxster and Cayman Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/13/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Boxster Base 2-door convertible	$45,000	$39,222	$795

Boxster S 2-door convertible	$54,700	$47,715	$795

Cayman S 2-door hatchback	$58,900	$51,392	$795

Price note: Base Cayman prices and equipment not available at time of publication.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Boxster Base

Powertrain

2.7-liter 6-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system, roll bars.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, partial leather upholstery, front bucket seats w/power recliners, center console, cupholders, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power convertible top, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, illuminated visor mirrors, universal garage door opener, rear defogger, heated washer nozzles.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler, fog lights, 205/55ZR17 front tires, 235/50ZR17 rear tires, alloy wheels.

Boxster S adds to Boxster Base:

Powertrain

3.2-liter 6-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Upgraded sound system, variable-intermittent wipers.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

235/40ZR18 front tires, 265/40ZR18 rear tires.

Cayman S adds to Boxster S:

Powertrain

3.4-liter 6-cylinder engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Aluminum interior trim.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: roll bars, power convertible top.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Preferred Pkg.
Base	$1,990	$
S	$2,190	$
Heated seats, upgraded sound system (Base), rain-sensing wipers, automatic day/night outside and rearview mirrors, floormats, wheel caps.

Preferred Plus Pkg.
S manual	$4,995	$
S automatic	$4,785	$
Preferred Pkg. plus power seats, CD changer, bi-xenon headlights.

Sport Pkg.
Base	$2,680	$
6-speed manual transmission, Porsche Active Suspension Management.

Sport Chrono Pkg.
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$920	$
Analog/digital chronometer; controls for modification of throttle, suspension, traction control, and antiskid system. Requires Porsche Active Suspension Management.

Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$3,210	$


Sport shifter
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$765	$
NA w/automatic transmission.

Safety
Ceramic composite brakes
S	$8,150	$


Tire-pressure monitor
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$590	$


Rear-obstacle-detection system
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$530	$


Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation System
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$2,970	$


Extended navigation system
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$3,175	$


Automatic climate control
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$550	$


6-disc CD changer
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$650	$


Bose sound system
Base	$1,665	$
S	$950	$


Power Seat Pkg.
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$1,550	$
Power seats w/driver-seat memory, lumbar adjustment.

Adaptive sport seats
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$3,055	$
ordered w/full leather upholstery	$2,695	$
Power adjustment, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), driver-seat lumbar adjustment, adjustable side bolsters.

Heated seats
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$480	$


Full leather upholstery
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$2,095	$


Automatic day/night rearview and driver-side mirrors
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$690	$
Includes rain-sensing wipers.

Rear wiper
Cayman	$360	$


Windblocker
Boxster	$375	$


Floormats
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$115	$


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Removable hardtop
Boxster	$2,345	$


Bi-xenon headlights
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$1,090	$
Includes headlight washers.

Porsche Active Suspension Management
Boxster Base, Boxster S, Cayman S	$1,990	$


18-inch alloy wheels
Base	$1,235	$
235/40ZR18 front tires, 265/40ZR18 rear tires

19-inch alloy wheels
Base	$2,785	$
S	$1,550	$
Includes 235/35YR19 front tires, 265/35YR19 rear tires.

2006 Porsche Boxster and Cayman Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Porsche Boxster 2-door convertible	Porsche Cayman 2-door hatchback

Wheelbase, in.	95.1	95.1

Overall Length, in.	171.6	172.1

Overall Width, in.	70.9	70.9

Overall Height, in.	51.0	51.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	2855	2954

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	9.5	14.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.9	19.6

Seating Capacity	2	2

Front Head Room, in.	38.4	--

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.6	--

Rear Head Room, in.	--	--

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	--	--

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc H6	dohc H6	dohc H6

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.7 /164	3.2 /194	3.4 /207

Horsepower @ rpm.	240 @ 6400	280 @ 6200	295 @ 6250

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	199 @ 4700	236 @ 4700	251 @ 4400

Availability	Standard	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	20/29	--/--	--/--

6-speed manual	20/28	19/27	20/28

5-speed automatic	18/26	18/27	20/27

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Porsche Boxster 2-door convertible

Porsche Cayman 2-door hatchback

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	10/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Germany, Finland

Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive

< 2006 Porsche Boxster and Cayman Photos

Also in the 2006 Porsche Boxster and Cayman Review:

Porsche Boxster and Cayman

Porsche Boxster and Cayman Road Test

Porsche Boxster and Cayman Prices & Equipment

Porsche Boxster and Cayman Specs & Safety

Porsche Boxster and Cayman Photos

Porsche Boxster and Cayman Full Review

All Porsche Boxster and Caymans

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