Chapter 1 · Cayman · by HBi Auto
Buying a 981 Cayman (2013–2016)
The 981 was a new chassis with electric steering, a longer wheelbase and 2.7 / 3.4-litre flat-six engines.
The 981 was a new chassis with electric steering, a longer wheelbase and 2.7 / 3.4-litre flat-six engines. The GTS added power and the sport options, and the 2016 Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder used the 3.8 from the 911 Carrera S with a manual only.
Many owners consider the 981 the best all-round Boxster and Cayman, and the GT4 started the modern mid-engine GT line.
- Engines
- 2.7 / 3.4 flat-six; GT4 and Spyder 3.8
- Gearboxes
- 6-speed manual, 7-speed PDK
- Body styles
- Boxster roadster, Cayman coupe
- Buy for
- The last naturally aspirated six in the base cars
- Cars on 911 Tracker
- 343
- Sales on record
- 312
Every 981 Cayman model
Pick a model for its market analytics, what to check and how to buy it.
981 Cayman GT42016median $101,000120 salesOpen ›
981 Cayman GTS2015–2016median $62,80045 salesOpen ›
981 Cayman S2014–2016median $52,400104 salesOpen ›
981 Cayman2014–2016median $37,60043 salesOpen ›What they sell for
Median sale price for each model over the last 24 months; models with 5 or more sales. Hover a bar for the number of sales.
981 Cayman sales per year
VIN-checked US sales recorded on 911 Tracker per year, as of Oct 30, 2026. Hover a bar for the median price that year (shown with 5 or more sales). 2026 is the year to date.
Show as a table
| Year | Sales | Median sale |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | $87,500 |
| 2018 | 5 | $84,800 |
| 2019 | 12 | $49,200 |
| 2020 | 14 | $56,800 |
| 2021 | 18 | $76,700 |
| 2022 | 52 | $78,700 |
| 2023 | 38 | $56,200 |
| 2024 | 57 | $67,400 |
| 2025 | 65 | $57,000 |
| 2026 | 45 | $59,000 |
911 Tracker, VIN-checked US sales, as of Oct 30, 2026.
What to look for
Track use
GT4s are often tracked; check brakes, tires, alignment and the over-rev history.
Coolant
Check the radiators and front of the car for debris.
Maintenance schedule
Maintenance planner
Pick the car, enter its miles and model year: the planner shows what is due now, the next services and the full schedule, whichever comes first, miles or years.
| What is done | 10k | 20k | 30k | 40k | 50k | 60k | 70k | 80k | 90k | 100k | 110k | 120k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filterEvery 10,000 mi, 1 yr · Single source · The US interval for every 2009-on Porsche; not seen on a 981 sheet | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Brake fluidEvery 2 yr · Porsche US |
Boxster & Cayman (981), 2013–2016: what is done, version by version
Not verified yet: Plugs, filters, belt and transmission intervals for the 981.
Confidence: Low. Sources: 1.
Intervals are whichever comes first, miles or years. "Porsche factory (converted from km)" means Porsche's own figure for another market, turned into miles with the same km-to-mile pairing Porsche uses in the US. Your car's own maintenance booklet is the final word. HBi Auto's recommendations for cars that are tracked, driven hard or stored are being added by our service team.
The 111-point checklist: 981 Cayman
HBi Auto's full 111-point inspection, the same list our technicians sign on every car we certify. Tick as you go; your ticks stay on this device. Print it, or download the blank form (PDF) and take it to your inspection.
0 checked
Dealers we trust
Independent Porsche specialists we know and buy from.
Written by the 911 Buyers and HBi Auto team in Mocksville, NC. Market numbers come from 911 Tracker's VIN-checked US sales and say what they are based on; maintenance intervals say where each one comes from. This course is general information, not an inspection, an appraisal or legal or tax advice.