Porsche Cayman Base vs. S
It has a flat 6, 245 horsepower, 201 pounds-feet torque between 4,600 and 6,000 rpm; 0 to 60 in 6 seconds, and a 5-speed Volkswagen transmission

[Insert long, low whistle here.] You can’t help but wish this looker of a car could slip into a little, black dress. The Cayman is the new, somewhat basic (um, yeah—it’s all relative) version of the Cayman S, which was released a year earlier as a coupe version of the Boxster convertible.

This debutante Cayman costs about $10,000 less than the Cayman S, plus its engine is smaller (2.7 liters/2687 cc as opposed to 3.4 liters/3387 cc) and its components are of lighter weight. That factor combined with a higher compression ratio means better torque, less noise and emissions, and improved fuel economy. Smaller front brakes further decrease the car’s weight but not its stopping ability.

Her power comes from a flat 6 that delivers 245 horsepower and 201 pounds-feet of torque between 4,600 and 6,000 rpm; 0 to 60 takes 6 seconds with a top track speed of 160 mph. The base transmission is a 5-speed built by Volkswagen with an emphasis on quietness, but a 6-speed Tiptronic S automatic (with manual-shifting capability via steering wheel-mounted rocker switches) is an option. This tranny also features an incline sensor for enhanced power and control on hills and automatic upshifting for improved traction on slick surfaces.

It has surprised no one that the German geniuses have delivered another worship-worthy machine with stellar handling, ensured by the car’s rigid build and mid-engined design. It’s pure joy to operate, and it’s safe at that. Porsche Stability Management system, a standard feature, integrates anti-lock brakes, auto brake differential, anti-spin control, and engine drag-force control, but the motoring purist can bypass its functions with a finger’s touch (although it’ll automatically employ again during emergency braking). The Cayman’s suspension is softer than that of its predecessor, but the ride is more pleasant to many comers (most likely the non-purists).

Another standard system is the Porsche Side Impact Protection System, which fills out the airbag quotient with separate chest and side-head units for driver and passenger. As for options, the Porsche Active Suspension Management system is an intriguing one. It lowers the chassis 2.5 inches (10 mm) on demand for sport driving and adjusts the shock system situationally.

If you want a Porsche (did we say if?) but have to ask “How much?”, then this hot little hardtop might be the one for you. At $10K less than the Cayman S, the base Cayman is a sensible choice for those who don’t feel that bells and whistles will only weight them down. But if price isn’t your top concern, drive them both and see if the increased power and performance of the S merits a debit 20% larger. Minus a stripe here and a fancy exhaust tip there, the lower-cost Cayman is just as gorgeous and attention-grabbing as the one that came before it.

GET IT: If you want a Porsche with coupe-style rigidity that handles a hair better than the less-costly Boxster but still won’t break the bank.

DON’T GET IT: If you want a hardtop that’s priced $3500 more than its convertible sister with the same engine? Say what?