True Cost to Own a Porsche 718 Cayman: $115,830 Over 5 Years
The last of the gas-powered Caymans listed at $72,800 for 2025, and then Porsche killed the ICE 718 entirely. A new one runs about $115,830 over five years — roughly $1,930 a month. Here is what the badge really costs to live with.
Costs by generation
Issues, prices, and insurance vary by generation — select yours. Insurance also varies by driver, location, and record.
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Porsche 718 Cayman 5-Year Cost Breakdown: New vs. Used
| Cost category | New | Used |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $72,800 | $62,000 |
| 5-year depreciation | $18,200 | $15,500 |
| Insurance (5-year range) | $7,500–$18,000 | $7,500–$18,000 |
| Fuel (5-year) | $9,818 | $9,818 |
| Maintenance & repairs (5-year) | $8,500 | $10,625 |
| 5-year true cost total | $115,830 | $105,380 |
| True monthly cost | $1,930 | $1,756 |
Assumes 10% down, 60-month loan at 7% APR, 12,000 miles/year, $3.60/gal premium, 8% tax/fees, 5 years. Used maintenance is 1.25× the new-car annual figure to account for extra wear.
Porsche 718 Cayman trim levels & MSRP
Final model-year (2025) pricing — this model is discontinued. Excludes destination charge.
| Trim | MSRP | Power | Drive | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayman | $75,400 | 300 hp | RWD | Calculate → |
| Cayman S | $87,900 | 350 hp | RWD | Calculate → |
| Cayman GTS 4.0 | $103,300 | 394 hp | RWD | Calculate → |
The cost breakdown above uses the base-trim MSRP researched in September 2026. Options, packages, and dealer markup can move these numbers — a loaded trim can sticker well above base. Tap Calculate to load any trim’s price into the calculator.
Can you afford the Porsche 718 Cayman?
Enter your gross annual salary and we’ll compare this car’s true monthly cost — not just the loan payment — against the 15% guideline.
Based on the true monthly costs in the table above (5-year averages). A common guideline is to spend no more than 15% of gross income on total car costs — a rule of thumb, not financial advice.
Porsche 718 Cayman Insurance Costs
Expect $1,500 to $3,600 a year for full coverage, a wide range because insurers price the Cayman anywhere from sensible sports coupe to mid-engine Porsche. Quotes cluster higher for younger drivers and big-city ZIP codes. It is cheaper to insure than a 911, but parts prices and the Porsche badge keep it well above a Miata or a hot hatch.
Porsche 718 Cayman Maintenance & Repair Costs
Budget around $1,700 a year averaged out — some years are just an oil change, then a 40,000-mile service or brake job lands like a piano. Porsche dealers charge steep labor, and even independents are pricier than Japanese-brand shops. Oil services run $200 to $350, and a PDK fluid service can top $1,000. This is the number that surprises new Porsche owners most.
Porsche 718 Cayman Fuel Economy & Fuel Costs
The 2.0-liter turbo is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined, respectable for the performance, but it demands premium and the mid-engine layout means you will drive it harder than you plan to. Fuel is a mid-size line item here — meaningful, but dwarfed by maintenance and depreciation.
Porsche 718 Cayman Depreciation
Porsches hold value better than almost anything with an engine, losing roughly 25% over five years — about $18,200 on a base car — leaving a five-year-old Cayman worth around $54,600. The end of ICE 718 production may support values further, since there will never be another new gas Cayman. Depreciation is still your biggest single cost, just a smaller one than on most rivals.
Common Porsche 718 Cayman (982) Problems & Repair Costs
The 982 generation is one of the more reliable modern Porsches, but mid-engine packaging makes every repair a labor story. These are the issues owners actually report.
- Variable water pump failure — The vacuum-sealed variable water pump fails early on some cars (sometimes before 30k miles); coolant warnings or sweet smells mean replacement. $800–$1,500.
- Ignition coil cracking / misfires — Early turbo-4 cars crack ignition coils, causing misfires under load and check-engine lights; straightforward fix if caught early. $500–$1,200.
- Carbon buildup (direct injection) — DI-only engines cake carbon on intake valves by ~60k–75k miles, causing rough idle and power loss; walnut blasting is the cure. $800–$1,500 walnut blast.
- PDK fluid & filter service — Due on schedule (~40k miles); PDK cars demand strict adherence or shift quality and longevity suffer. $600–$1,000.
- High-pressure fuel pump faults — Delayed starting, hesitation and stutter under hard load can trace to the HPFP; more common on earlier cars, sometimes covered by campaigns. $1,000–$2,500.
Popular Porsche 718 Cayman Mods & What They Really Cost
The 718 aftermarket is mature but priced like the badge: everything costs more than the equivalent Miata part. Below are the most popular upgrades with parts-plus-install estimates. The 2.0T responds well to a tune, and an exhaust fixes the main complaint about the car — the sound.
- Valved sport exhaust system — approx. $2,900–$5,300 installed. 3–5 hours labor; valved systems need wiring to the cabin switch. Fixes the 718's main complaint — the muted turbo-four sound — and saves weight.
Reliability impact: Quality systems are trouble-free; cheap ones drone and throw codes. - ECU tune (flash) — approx. $1,350–$1,700 installed. Handheld flash at home or 1 hour at a tuner; dyno time extra. Unlocks 40–60 hp on the 2.0T; the best power-per-dollar mod available.
Reliability impact: Raises stress on the turbo and PDK; can void powertrain warranty if detected. - Lowering springs — approx. $1,100–$1,600 installed. 4–5 hours labor plus alignment; PASM cars need compatible springs. Drops ride height about an inch for looks and flatter cornering.
Reliability impact: Accelerates damper wear; alignment is critical to avoid tire wear. - Forged wheel set — approx. $3,900–$7,000 installed. Mount and balance; TPMS transfer adds a small charge. Cuts unsprung weight for sharper response; also the priciest cosmetic upgrade.
Reliability impact: No mechanical risk; ultra-light wheels can bend easier on bad roads.
Costs vary by shop and region, and dealer labor in expensive cities can add 30 percent or more. Mods can affect your factory warranty and your insurance — check with both before buying parts.
Verdict: Should You Buy a Porsche 718 Cayman New or Used?
New (final ICE year): $72,800 in, about $115,830 out over five years. You get a warranty, your choice of spec, and a car that may appreciate in enthusiast circles as the last of its kind — but you pay $18,200 in depreciation for the privilege.
Used: a 2022–2023 base around $62,000 cuts five-year ownership to roughly $105,380 and skips the steepest depreciation years. Given how well these hold value and how reliable the 2.0T has proven, a certified or well-documented used 982 is the rational buy. Buy new only if you must have the final-year car or a specific build.
Porsche 718 Cayman Ownership Cost FAQ
What salary do you need to afford a Porsche 718 Cayman?
A common guideline is to keep total car costs at or under 15% of your gross income. A new Porsche 718 Cayman costs about $1,930/month all-in, which works out to a gross salary of about $154,000/year. A used Porsche 718 Cayman at $1,756/month needs about $140,000/year. Type your salary into the affordability checker above for a personalized verdict.
What does a Porsche 718 Cayman really cost per month?
A new base Cayman averages roughly $1,930 a month over five years all-in. A used 2022–2023 example drops that to about $1,756 a month.
Is a used 718 Cayman worth it?
Yes — the 982 is reliable, values are stable, and a 2022–2023 example around $62,000 is barely broken in. Get a pre-purchase inspection from a Porsche specialist regardless.
How much is annual maintenance on a 718 Cayman?
About $1,700 a year averaged, per a blend of RepairPal data and Edmunds True Cost to Own figures. Routine years are modest; major-service years and brakes are where it bites.
Is the 718 Cayman reliable?
Good for a sports car. The 2.0T has no IMS-style bogeyman; the watch items are water pumps, coolant leaks, and the cost of PDK servicing. RepairPal ranks the Porsche brand below average overall, mostly on cost rather than frequency.
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MSRP from Edmunds and Porsche dealer data; insurance from The Zebra and Edmunds True Cost to Own; maintenance from RepairPal, Edmunds True Cost to Own, and Porsche scheduled-maintenance pricing; used prices from TrueCar and Edmunds; reliability from RepairPal and owner forums.