The Porsche Sports Car That Costs Less Than A New Luxury SUV
Luxury SUVs aren’t just popular—they’re quickly becoming financial heavyweights in the new car market. Dropping $70,000 or more on a BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, or Lexus GX is no longer the exception; it’s the rule, especially once you factor in options and destination fees. The relentless climb in sticker prices begs the question: Is this really the best way to spend your hard-earned money?
That price surge has sparked a fascinating alternative for enthusiasts. Forget practicality for a moment—why settle for another plush family hauler when you could have a purebred sports car? For those who crave visceral performance, head-turning style, and an iconic badge, the used sports-car market offers something the SUV world can’t match: emotion. And perhaps most compelling, you can get behind the wheel of what many consider one of Porsche’s all-time greatest driver’s cars—for less than the cost of a new luxury SUV.
What Else Could You Buy For The Price Of A Luxury SUV?
Performance Doesn’t Always Cost More
The 2025 BMW X5 starts at $68,300, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 starts at $62,250. The redesigned Lexus GX 550 Premium isn’t far behind at $65,285 before destination charges and optional extras. Add a few popular packages, and it’s easy for any of them to climb beyond $75,000, with some trims approaching $90,000.
For many buyers, that’s simply the price of owning a premium family SUV, but the used-car market tells a very different story. Unlike luxury SUVs, performance cars often experience much steeper depreciation during their first decade, creating opportunities to buy cars that once seemed financially out of reach.
That’s where the numbers become interesting. Instead of spending $65,000 to $75,000 on a new luxury SUV, buyers can own everything from a Chevrolet Corvette C7 to a BMW M2 for similar money—or less. These are drivers’ cars that continue to set the benchmark for performance long after they’ve left the showroom floor.
One sports car, however, stands out from the rest. It harbors a naturally aspirated flat-six, a beautifully balanced mid-engine chassis, and the kind of driving experience enthusiasts still rave about today. Better yet, clean examples can now be found for between $45,000 and $60,000, putting it well within reach of buyers shopping for a new luxury SUV.
The Porsche 981 Cayman S Is That Car
A Mid-Engine Sports Car That Has Aged Beautifully
Introduced for the 2014 model year, the Porsche 981 Cayman S marked a step forward for Porsche’s mid-engine sports car. Power comes from a 3.4-liter naturally aspirated flat-six producing 325 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. Equipped with the PDK and Sport Chrono Package, it could sprint from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 175 mph. The figures only tell part of the story. Unlike many modern sports cars, Porsche achieved those figures without turbocharging, relying instead on a naturally aspirated flat-six that delivers power progressively all the way to its 7,800-rpm redline.
With the engine mounted just behind the seats, weight is distributed more evenly across both axles, giving the Cayman S balance and predictable handling that continues to earn praise from road testers. After evaluating the car on both road and track, MotorTrend’s Ian Kuah described it as “one of the best handling road cars we’ve ever driven,” highlighting its stiffer chassis, progressive balance, and the confidence it inspires at the limit.
In a separate review, MotorTrend’s Jonny Lieberman noted that the Cayman “has never been about brute force,” calling it “a back-road surgeon, one of the very best-handling cars for sale, period.” These expert impressions are credited to the 981’s balanced mid-engine layout, naturally aspirated 3.4-liter flat-six, and precise steering—elements that continue to make it one of the most engaging sports cars of its era.
The 981 Cayman S Is Still Widely Praised For Its Interior Design
It features a low, driver-focused seating position, Porsche’s signature five-dial instrument cluster, and a high center console that places essential controls within easy reach. Unlike many modern performance cars, the 981 relies on physical buttons rather than touchscreen menus, making it intuitive to operate.
It also offers a surprising degree of practicality, with a 5.3-cubic-foot front trunk and a 9.7-cubic-foot rear cargo area—more storage than many expect from a mid-engine sports car. This mix of usability, analogue character, and its status as one of the last Cayman S models powered by a naturally aspirated flat-six continues to attract enthusiasts.
The 981 Cayman S Offers The Driving Experience Buyers Expect From Porsche
Balance Beats Brute Force
The 981 Cayman S skips the horsepower arms race and sticks to what Porsche does best: lightweight engineering and sharp handling. At 2,888 pounds, it’s about 650 pounds lighter than the latest Corvette Stingray and more than 900 pounds lighter than the BMW M2. Porsche’s philosophy has long centered on reducing mass rather than continually increasing power, allowing the chassis to work harder rather than the engine.
Then there’s the 2025 Toyota GR Supra 3.0, starting at $58,300. It weighs around 3,400 pounds and develops 382 horsepower from BMW’s B58 turbocharged inline-six. I drove the Supra in late 2024 and was impressed by its sharp chassis and performance. The 981 Cayman S takes a different route. Weighing just 2,888 pounds, it’s more than 500 pounds lighter, and that lightweight formula is what continues to set it apart.
It Costs Less Than Many New Luxury SUVs
Used Prices Make It An Incredible Value
One of the biggest reasons the 981 Cayman S has become a compelling buy is depreciation. While its original MSRP was around $64,100 before options, well-maintained examples now typically trade between $45,000 and $60,000, depending on mileage, condition, and specification. That range is reflected in the recent Bring a Trailer auctions, where a 19,000-mile 2014 Cayman S sold for $45,000, a 26,000-mile example brought $46,500, while a highly optioned 36,000-mile six-speed manual achieved $60,000. This beats the previously-mentioned high-end SUVs by thousands.
However, the 981 Cayman S isn’t without its compromises. While it’s regarded as one of the more dependable modern Porsches, ownership costs are still higher than those of a typical sports car. According to RepairPal, the Porsche Cayman has an average annual repair and maintenance cost of $1,135, compared with $801 for the average luxury compact car. RepairPal also gives the Cayman a 2.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, noting that while owners average just 0.66 unscheduled repair visits per year, 19 percent of those repairs are considered severe, meaning they can be costly when they do arise. That makes a comprehensive service history and a pre-purchase inspection essential before buying any used 981 Cayman S.
It Might Be The Sweet Spot Of Modern Porsche Ownership
Performance, Value, And A Naturally Aspirated Flat-Six
In essence, the 981 Cayman S isn’t remarkable for being the fastest, most practical, or most high-tech Porsche of its era. Its real draw is simplicity—something modern performance cars rarely offer. While it may lack the latest tech or a sprawling touchscreen, the 981 Cayman S stands out for its rewarding driving experience. Perhaps the biggest surprise is value. In a market where luxury SUVs continue to become more expensive every year, the 981 Cayman S proves that one of the most rewarding sports cars you can buy doesn’t have to be the most expensive.
Sources: Porsche, Bring a Trailer, Edmunds
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