987.2 Cayman S & Boxster S Buyer's Guide

01Model years

The 987.2 is the second-generation 987: Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman and Cayman S for model years 2009–12.^[2][3][5] You'll also see it listed as 987/2 or 987x2. Same car.

One trap: the Cayman S Sport wears a 2009 date, but Porsche lists it on the 987.1 3.4.^[1] Check the engine, not just the year.

02The 3.4 DFI engine

This is why you buy an S. For 2009 Porsche fitted a new engine family with direct fuel injection on the 3.4 and no intermediate shaft, so no IMS bearing.^[5][11]

• Boxster S: 310 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 266 lb-ft^[2]
• Cayman S: 320 hp @ 7,200 rpm, 273 lb-ft^[3]

Bore scoring isn't gone, but LN Engineering says these engines see it at "significantly lower rates" than the 987.1 3.4.^[12] Borescope it anyway.

03The base 2.9

The base cars got a 2.9: 255 hp in the Boxster, 265 hp in the Cayman.^[2][3] It's port-injected, not DFI. Porsche's 2009 service-training manual lists it as MPI.^[5] It has no IMS bearing either. LN's Charles Navarro named the base 987.2 Cayman his number-one pick.^[10]

04Manual vs PDK

• 6-speed manual: standard on every 987.2.^[5][6] It's what we sell, and what holds value.
• 7-speed PDK: dual-clutch, replacing Tiptronic. Porsche quotes it 0.1 sec quicker to 62 mph than the manual. Early cars shift with thumb toggles on the wheel spokes, not paddles.^[6]
• Sport Chrono Plus adds Launch Control on PDK cars.^[6]
• The money: Hagerty knocks about 10% off for PDK.^[10]

Want the full analog experience? Pick the manual, and look for the optional mechanical LSD (offered with 18- or 19-inch wheels, 22% lock under power, 27% on overrun).^[6]

05What changed from the 987.1

Sources: Porsche specifications, 2009 service-training manual and 2009 press release.^[2][3][5][6] Full breakdown in our 987.1 vs 987.2 guide.

06What to check on a 987.2

• PIWIS or equivalent scan, including the DME over-rev ranges. For the 987 3.4, the PCA ranges run from Range 1 (7,200–7,500 rpm, usually just the limiter) to Range 6 (above 9,500). Ranges 4–6 point to a missed shift.^[14] Compare the last event's engine hours with current hours.
• Borescope all six cylinders. Lower risk than a 987.1, not zero.^[12][13]
• Oil filter: cut it open and look for metal.
• Air-oil separator: test crankcase vacuum, don't guess.
• Water pump: Navarro recommends a genuine or OE-quality pump at least every four years.^[10]
• Power-steering reservoir, oil and coolant leaks.^[10]
• Boxster top: run it through several cycles.
• PDK cars: shift behavior and service records.
• Records. Lots of them. They're worth more than a fresh detail.

Buying from out of state? See how our PPIs work, or read about our DME over-rev report.

07What they're worth

CLASSIC.COM's market benchmark for manual cars, averaged across every condition it tracks (Nov 2026):^[15]

Hagerty's price guide puts a 987.2 Cayman S in #2 (excellent) condition at $48,800 (Sept 2025).^[10] Benchmarks average in tired and project cars, so clean, documented, low-mile manuals often trade above them. Use them as the floor, not the ceiling.

08Special 987.2 models

• Boxster Spyder (2011–12): 320 hp, manual-folding top, LSD standard.^[4]
• Cayman R (2011–12): 330 hp, 55 kg lighter than a Cayman S, LSD standard.^[7]
• Black Editions: Boxster S (987 cars, 320 hp) and Cayman S (500 cars, 330 hp).^[8][9]

09Which to buy

• Best all-rounder: a 987.2 S with the 6-speed manual. DFI power, no IMS.
• Coupe or roadster? The Cayman S has more power; the Boxster S costs less on the benchmarks above.
• Lowest worry: the base 2.9.
• Budget tight? A good 987.1 is still a strong buy. See our 987.1 vs 987.2 guide, or step up with our 981 vs 987 guide.