Buying a used Cayman S -- Thoughts on these options?

[CJFusco]

Hey all -- I recently (last night!) sold my 86 944 Turbo, partially for the purpose of shopping for a used Cayman S (I will also likely trade in my MINI). There are a few different cars that I'm looking at, and I wanted to know what you thought of my options:

2006 Cayman S with 58,000 miles for $27,900. Black paint, with the cool silver trim along the front lip.

2007 Cayman S with 31,000 miles for $33,900. Black paint, no silver trim.

Both cars are six-speed, and both are similarly optioned (there are no major differences).

I suppose my question is whether the year-newer car with just under 30K fewer miles would justify an extra $6000 -- basically the price of a running 944 Turbo!

I've been doing research on maintenance issues and haven't found anything conclusive. Do these cars tend to take a nose-dive in terms of reliability at a certain mileage level? Should I expect major costs on a 58K mile car over the next 5-6 years that would justify a $6000 premium for the 30K mile car? What would you do if faced with the same options?

Adding to the complexity: I am likely trading in my MINI, and should get around $9K-10K for it, and will also be using the 944 Turbo sale money as a down-payment; I also have a very low APR. That means that no matter what, my payments will be lower than what I'm currently paying on my MINI; the difference between the cheaper car and the more expensive one, though, is nearly $100 per month. I am also planning on buying a "beater" for the messy-weather months, but that will be several months from now.

Thoughts? As always, I appreciate the Pelican brain-trust's feedback.

[Gogar]

Buy the one you want!

In one year the 2007 will depreciate about $4-5K, and you need to determine if it's worth it to you. If it is worth it to you, that's totally acceptable.

[onewhippedpuppy]

60k is a major maintenance, so many sell around that point to save money. If you DIY it's all super easy, but most stealerships are around $1500.

[HardDrive]

I had the major done on my 997 for $1100 at a dealership. It seemed like many of the items were easily DIY. Which is sad testament to my laziness.

I'd go with the 2007. 26k miles is not a minor difference IMHO.

[onewhippedpuppy]

It's about $200 in parts and a few hours of easy work. Great negotiating point though.

[David]

I don't think there's much difference between '06 and '07 and the '06 is still under 8K miles per year so it's not high mileage. I don't see any issue with getting the '06.

[Nostril Cheese]

You will need the PIWIS or Durametric for a few things (oil service lights, etc..) but for the most part, they are pretty DIY friendly. Certainly better built and more reliable than your MINI.

Find out how the car was driven. They shouldnt be babied. They need to run hard. 60K service is a must.

These things eat CV boots and coil packs. Water pumps go around 80-100K.

Id go with the 2006 for the price, however you can use the dealer price ($1200-2000) as a negotiating tool for the 60K

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I would get the 06 just to have extra $ to "fix" the exhaust. A Cayman owner and I talked the other day in a parking lot, great car, he loved it, but he drove away and it sounded like a Civic. It was odd.

[Steve Carlton]

I see a $5,000 difference in wholesale blue book between the two cars without adjusting for options. If you lower the miles on the 2006 to 31,000 miles, the book goes up $3K. Like mentioned above, you're facing a 60K service on the 2006. All things being equal, you'll have 26,000 more miles to go before things happen on the 2007 vs the 2006. I'd say look them both over carefully, including service history, tires and brakes, and drive them. Financing an extra $6K or so isn't going to be significant. If you're thinking of putting an extended warranty on it, the price could be a lot higher on the 2006 for the same coverage.

[Leland Pate]

Good luck with the purchase, CJ!

I too am thinking of a Cayman S... Only problem is I can't find room for a baby seat!

[kaisen]

If you're going to keep the car forever, and drive it many miles per year, buy the 2006 with higher miles

Otherwise look at how much you think you'll drive it each year and how many years you honestly think you'll keep it and see what mileage each would have at the end of its time with you. Then figure out how that might affect resale value. No one wants to buy a 105K mile Porsche, even though we all know they'll go 200K as easily as a Civic.

[Steve Carlton]

Are you willing to share the links to the cars, if available?

[VaSteve]

What is the 60K service?

[Cajundaddy]

Both prices look a little high to me for an east coast car. If you can get the 07 for 30k, buy it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

What is the 60K service?

On the 986/996 it is air filter, serpentine belt, spark plugs, pollen filter, and brake fluid. 996.1 also had a replaceable fuel filter until it was moved to the tank. I'm 95% sure that the 997/987 are the same items.

[Vipergrün]

Don't these have the IMS/RMS issues that the 996/997/986/987 have? I thought MY09 was the year they fixed things....

IMHO, low mileage is not a positive with these cars and I would not pay a premium....

Those prices seem high, then again, we have tons of cars out here.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

On the 986/996 it is air filter, serpentine belt, spark plugs, pollen filter, and brake fluid. 996.1 also had a replaceable fuel filter until it was moved to the tank. I'm 95% sure that the 997/987 are the same items.

That doesn't sound like $1500 worth of work.

I change brake fluid like I change my underwear....twice a track season.

[Brando]

I would suggest the 2007. My 2006 has some first-model-year quirks that were resolved by 2007.

[Deschodt]

Neither for me... I'd either buy an 06S at rock bottom price and do all the IMS preemptive fixes I could afford. Or, I'd buy an 09+ with no IMS at all. Yes, yes, it's probably an exaggerated reaction to the unknown % of IMS issues, but having owned a few of those things, it was always on my mind...
It might also be on yours.

Also, replace the water pump and coolant cap (under the engine cover) preemptively. Good insurance. Also check the carpet on the bottom of the door pockets after riving in a puddle... It's often a source of water ingress. Other than that, great great cars. I miss mine !

[CJFusco]

This is all great info -- thanks for the help. A few follow-up questions:

What are these IMS issues of what you speak? Could you walk me through what this means? Is this the infamous engine issue common to the water-cooled cars from the 996 on?

Do you think it's reasonable to suggest the dealership perform the major maintenance prior to the sale, if I decide on the 50+k car? After all, most dealerships would do an oil change and air filter on a car they're selling...