Porsche Cayman S

Our verdict

Put aside any thoughts about this being a substitute 911. The Porsche Cayman is an entirely different, and entirely brilliant bit of kit. One of the finest handling cars on sale today, this is a car that will flatter the novice and satisfy the expert.

Comfort

 Like both Boxster and 911 before it, the Cayman brings a pretty astonishing blend of the firm and the supple to the party. A car that handles this well and still rides with such composure and comfort is a triumph of engineering.

Performance

 Although the more maniacal of buyers might feel a little underwhelmed by the lack of power in the 2.7-litre car, both that and the 3.4-litre S model are quick in a straight line by most standards and will leave anything for dead across country.

Cool

The 911 purists may choose to disagree, but we think the Cayman is cool for the very fact that it is such a highly accomplished car. Superbly engineered, brilliantly packaged and subtle in its final execution, it's a far more tempting ownership proposition than a 911.

Quality

The Cayman is very much a modern Porsche, in so much as that it's beautifully built, but with the very occasional touch point such as interior door releases or steering wheel spokes that seem a bit plasticky.

Handling

 Rumour has it that the reason there's no limited slip differential on the Cayman is because if there was, it'd be faster point to point than a 911. And Porsche can't afford to have the upstart out-handling its flagship car can it?

Practicality

Running costs

Depreciation should be minimal on a car so desirable and at the moment still so rare, but don't expect anything else of a financial bent to take it so easy on you. Insurance and fuel costs will be epic.