Detail 1
side intake and wheel detail
Model Focus
Porsche 981 Cayman GT4
Mid-engine GT car with the manual-first purity buyers wanted from the Cayman line.
The 981 Cayman GT4 is the first Cayman that fully crossed into GT-car territory in the eyes of buyers. It carries manual-only credibility, real chassis seriousness, and a market that treats good specs as long-term keeper material.
Visual details
2 shots
Why enthusiasts love it
- Manual-only GT Cayman with real chassis credibility.
- Mid-engine balance and high-buyer-intent market positioning.
- Cleaner, simpler GT product than later larger/faster cars.
Common issues
- Track-use wear and consumables masked by dealer presentation.
- Spec premium disconnected from actual condition.
- Overemphasis on low mileage without service depth.
5 key facts
The fast way to understand the car
buyer context first
Engine
3.8L naturally aspirated flat-six
Power
385 hp
Transmission
6-speed manual
Layout
Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Live listings
22
Color guide
Palette, interior trims, and original brochure context
The dedicated guide is where the brochure-style palette work lives: exterior colors, interior trims, notable combinations, and the original factory brochure when we have it.
That matters because buyers rarely compare cars as blank used inventory. They compare them against the factory identity they already have in their head.
Signature details
Small visual details that define the car
3 details
Detail 2
front brake-cooling and splitter detail
Detail 3
rear wing and diffuser detail
Model History
Why Porsche 981 Cayman GT4 matters
The 981 GT4 proved the Cayman could be a true GT product and not just a stepping stone.
It remains one of the most important modern Porsche enthusiast cars.
Technical Specs
Key numbers and layout
Engine
3.8L naturally aspirated flat-six
Power
385 hp
Transmission
6-speed manual
Layout
Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Production context
Production context for real buyers
The 981 GT4 has enough volume to shop nationally, but not enough to flatten the market. VINthusiast should frame it around spec quality, track evidence, and whether the car still feels uncorrupted.
Transmission
6-speed manual only
Layout
Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Position
First GT Cayman halo
Buyer Checklist
What to verify before buying
1
Review track-use history, brakes, tires, and suspension wear.
2
Confirm factory aero, buckets, and original major equipment.
3
Treat specialist inspection as mandatory on dealer cars.
Service Cadence
What well-serviced looks like
Annual service with heavy consumable review on driven cars.
Brake, tire, alignment, and suspension condition are central to the buy.
Documentation Signals
Strong file vs caution file
Strong signals
Specialist care and consumables history.
Transparent track-use or driver-use narrative.
PPI confirming aero, chassis, and brake correctness.
Caution signals
Dealer-marketed rarity language without records.
Wheel, brake, or suspension changes with no OEM return path.
Overheated low-mileage pricing on average-condition cars.
CARFAX / service-file lens
A clean history report is helpful, but it is not enough on its own. The buyers who pay strong money for this model want service cadence, specialist invoices, and proof that the expensive known items were addressed at believable mileage intervals.
Current Listings
Active inventory for Porsche 981 Cayman GT4
22 cars
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman
Somerset, NJ
MANUAL • 51,539 mi • Black
$39,999
CAR GURUS
2015 • 981
2015 Porsche Cayman Base
Annapolis, MD
AUTOMATIC • 55,854 mi • White
$40,296
CAR GURUS
2015 • 981
2015 Porsche Cayman Base
New Albany, IN
MANUAL • 55,090 mi • Yellow
$44,650
HEMMINGS
2015 • 981
One-Owner 2015 Porsche Cayman S With 6,000 Miles
Dallas, Texas 75230
MANUAL • 6,000 mi
$45,500
CAR GURUS
2015 • 981
2015 Porsche Cayman Base
Marietta, GA
MANUAL • 23,973 mi • Rhodium Silver Metallic
$47,442
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman
Meridian, ID
AUTOMATIC • 52,442 mi • Silver
$47,897
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GTS
Lilburn, GA
AUTOMATIC • 77,645 mi • Black
$61,607
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman S
Morristown, NJ
AUTOMATIC • 17,004 mi • Sapphire Blue Metallic
$72,995
CAR GURUS
2015 • 981
2015 Porsche Cayman GTS
Mocksville, NC
MANUAL • 35,153 mi • GT Silver Metallic
$74,328
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GTS
Fairfield, CT
AUTOMATIC • 7,301 mi • Carmine Red
$93,890
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
MANUAL • 39,226 mi • White
$99,999
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
Pompano Beach, FL
MANUAL • 20,567 mi • [0Q] White
$108,900
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
Carrollton, TX
MANUAL • 29,959 mi • [0Q] White
$111,231
CARS COM
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
cockeysville, MD
MANUAL • 11,333 mi
$114,900
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
Cockeysville, MD
MANUAL • 11,333 mi
$115,079
CARS COM
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
Dallas, TX
MANUAL • 13,017 mi
$118,900
CARS COM
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman COUPE
cockeysville, MD
MANUAL • 17,572 mi
$119,900
CARS COM
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
Federal Way, WA
MANUAL • 18,821 mi
$123,900
CARS COM
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
Sewickley, PA
MANUAL • 7,678 mi
$129,999
CARS COM
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
Sewickley, PA
MANUAL • 7,678 mi
$130,561
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
New Albany, IN
MANUAL • 9,216 mi • Yellow
$135,650
CAR GURUS
2016 • 981
2016 Porsche Cayman GT4
Joliet, IL
MANUAL • 5,936 mi • Racing Yellow
$136,467