2008 Porsche Cayman

In 2006, Porsche decided to give the popular two-seat Boxster convertible a hard-top brother, giving birth to the Cayman as well as the most affordable Porsche coupe on the market.

Usually auto makers create the coupe first and then slice off the roof for a convertible. But the Cayman has been very well received by both automotive critics and the general public.

The styling is, of course, reminiscent of the Boxster, sharing many of its parts, however, comparisons can also be drawn to the iconic 911 with its sloping fastback-style rear and flaring rear fenders.

Engines are carried over from the Boxster line, including the 2.7-liter flat-six that powers the base Cayman. Made of lightweight aluminum and featuring VarioCam Plus variable-valve technology, it's good for 245 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 201 pound-feet of torque from 4,600 to 6,000 rpm.

A standard five-speed manual or optional five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission channels power to the 17-inch rear wheels.

Like the Boxster, the Cayman has dual trunks: one in the back and one in the front. The back is accessed via a hatch that includes the rear window, allowing it to swallow 9.2 cubic feet of stuff, which is impressive for a sports car. This is bigger than the Boxster because the Cayman doesn't have a folding roof to store. The front trunk accommodates a further 4.9 cubic feet.

In addition, unlike the Boxster, a roof transport system is available to tote even more stuff.

The Cayman features a biplane spoiler in its rear that automatically extends to ensure down force at high speeds. Its svelte drag coefficient is equivalent to that of the Boxster, at 0.29.

Options include Porsche Active Suspension Management, a Sport Chrono Package, bi-xenon headlamps, parking-assist sensors and Bose surround-sound audio system.