Truth be told, driving enthusiasts can get a pretty satisfying new ride for less than $40,000 these days, but if you really want to take your experience to the next level, then you need to dig deeper into your pocket.
Just how high you go depends, but there’s one car in particular that stands out in the $57k-$100k range: the Porsche 718 Cayman. It’s an adrenaline shot on wheels that was recently set loose at the Estoril track in Portugal, in the 718 GTS 4.0 trim, with a Porsche factory driver at the helm and Henry Catchpole from Carfection riding shotgun.
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Mind you, this was not a timed lap in an attempt to set an unofficial record, but one that proves that the German sports car is a true weapon in the hands of a skilled driver, even in the wet, as you’re about to see. As for the numbers, you’re looking at 394 HP (399 PS / 294 kW) and 308 lb-ft (418 Nm) of torque produced by the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine. It has the ability to cover the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 4.4 seconds and will top out at 182 mph (293 km/h).
Right now, you cannot buy the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 in the States, as it won’t be available for order before summer with detailed pricing and arrival timing at U.S. dealers to be announced at that time. Instead, you will have to settle for the regular 300 HP Cayman, or 350 HP Cayman S, which start at $57,500 and $69,900 respectively. You could also order the 718 Cayman GT4, which boasts 414 HP and a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) of just 4.2 seconds, for an MSRP of $99,200 if you have that kind of cash.
In Germany, the GTS 4.0 starts at €81,926 (equal to $89,008) and the GT4 at €96,206 ($104,523).