Would like to hear more on this. The main reason I consider the 2009 Cayman is because of the engine. Not seeing much on known issues....

The 9A1 has some issues with carbon build up, similar to many DI engines.

Really they are both awesome cars, you need to drive them and decide. They have a very different feel that is unique, it's really about preference.

I have a 996tt and a 987 Boxster base, and I find the 987 more fun to drive. It is more fun to drive a slow car fast, than to drive a fast car slow.

You don't specify what the 2005 is, 996 or 997... (could be a C4S 996 still made in 2005 guise). If a 997, lucky break as very few of those have a replaceable IMS, only the very first. Either way if it's a 997 make sure it's been done with paperwork, not just the seller's word. Having owned 3x IMS cars and seen 2 of my friend's go Kablamo, I certainly would not risk that again... Then again with a new IMS, it's a lot more car than a base 2009 Cayman...if it was an S I'd get the cayman... Otherwise I'd buy a GTI (more torque and more practicality).

997.2 (no IMS) are a lot more $, when I tried to buy one last year the premium on them was so insane I ended up with a comparatively cheaper 991 !

The 9A1 motor is a very stout piece, much better engineering and fewer pieces. They are proving very reliable. Carbon build up? Nothing like we have seen on other DI motors, but that to me falls under maintenance and is not the sort of thing that will set you back 50-70% of the value of the car...

The M96/97 we see scored cylinders, timing chains, lifters etc. Now, to be fair, most 9A1 motors don't have the milage on them that most M97 motors do, so maybe we will see lifter issues and timing chain issues in the future too...

Don't blindly trust a replacement IMSB. Just saw our first failed IMSB last week. Car has approx 35000 kms on it. It had a bearing replacement by a reputable shop 10,000kms ago.... Now we don't know why it failed yet, but it did...

As a longtime LONGHOOD driver (73.5T), when considering a change to a "modern" Porsche sports car, I have been eyeing the 997 and Cayman as well. Having owned and loved 911's over the past four decades the 1988-89 911 Carrera with a G50 is always appealing and comparable in price to the 997 and Cayman for an excellent low mileage example. Something to consider and better in resale overall.

However, for the sake of staying on message here both cars are outstanding (997 and Cayman), I just want to avoid anything IMS! For my money.......................the Cayman would be my choice. Gotta love those hips!

Jeff, I briefly recall chatting with you last year when my 2006 Cayman S started sounding like it chunked a valve or timing was off. This makes more sense now.

To paraphrase the old Top Gear:

If you pull up to a stop light in a Cockster and the guy next to you pulls up in a 911, you will know deep down that you could have had that car and the perfect balance and great power to weight ratio of the Cockster will mean nothing. You will look longingly at the 911 as it drives away knowing it could have been you.

When I test drove the Cayman, it briefly felt like the 914-6 on initial turn-in.

How do you go about cleaning carbon deposits off of the 9A1 injectors, valves, etc?

Do you just change them? I'd probably do that if the have to come out for that.

..and if your cockster is a 2009+ (S model please, otherwise don't bother) you could always put a sticker on the side window that says "no IMS, no kablamo" and point to it as the pre2009 911 owner glances your way contemptfully ;-)

Seriously though, the CS is a great fun car - of all the modern ones I've had (incl. 911s and 987s) that's the one I miss the most for the way it looked and felt. Sure it has a little less traction and power but it was a real pleasure to toss around. The most reminiscent of a classic porsche, IMO... Choose what works for you in your budget, personally I would not put my hard earned $ into a toy car that has an IMS engine - I don't see why you'd do that yo yourself unless you live a charmed life... IMS free 997 is the 997.2 which is severely overpriced vs. 997.1, in fact it's in 991 territory at times...
981s are also getting lower in price, lovely things...

I would go for the Carrera

Funny, I owned a 2006 "Cockster S" for a few years and never felt what you described for a 911. I guess having owned a late-80s Carrera, owning an '82 SC, and driven the newer 996/997 I didn't feel the "Cockster" was missing anything. Mid-engine, better balance (911 is ass-heavy), great acceleration - even though it was .2L less in displacement; nearly identical interior trim options... Out of the box (stock vs stock) the "Cockster" can definitely hold its own with the 996/997.

Good buddy let me drive his Cayman R in the canyons.

PDK is pretty damn awesome.

I heard it was something similar to extrude honing to clean them. I'd be curious to know this as well. Happening on a lot of BMWs and Minis.

I've owned multiple 986s, 987s, 996s, and 997s. My current daily driver is a 986S that shares the garage with a 911SC. I totally reject the "911 envy" philosophy, they both have their pros and cons and are equally deserving of consideration.

I do love the Top Gear/Grand Tour guys, and that statement for some may be completely true but for others it's not even remotely true.
I had a stock '88 targa at factory US height (OK, it had Bilstein Sport inserts). Now I have an '08 Coxster S (I think that name is Hilarious, BTW!) [and it's a special edition, woo woo!]. Yeah, I checked out some 996s including a 2001 996tt. I bought the Boxster (would have been just as happy or maybe more with a Cayman, but got the best car that I found - CPO and great options - in my price range) because it was the closest to my old 911 in driving experience and the one that I enjoyed driving the most. If I pulled up at a light in my '08 Boxster S next to a 930 or a really cherry old 3.2L 911 or maybe a 964 RSA or killer 993, I might have a twinge of "damn, wish that was mine." If I pull up at a light next to a GT3, GT2, GT3 RS, etc..., yeah, I might be a bit green (not that I can afford any of those). If I pull up at a light next to a regular old 997 or 991, I'll think, "man, what a great car," but will very happily toodle on down the road in my Coxster S with PASM, sport seats, sport exhaust, sport chrono, sport design wheels and front spoilers and optional, removable hard top. I upgraded the stock stereo. If I had a bunch of spare money laying around, I'd have a torque biasing diff installed. If I had a little spare money laying around, I might buy someone's take-off 18" boxster wheels and put the 19's in storage (maybe, not sure on that one, would depend upon the wheels). The only thing that my Coxster doesn't have in spades is the traction that my old targa had, but that's probably got more to do with the fact that my Coxster's got 303 hp vs the 217 that my targa had which is not an inconsiderable upgrade even if it's another 200 or so pounds heavier.

Cayman is the new 911 the new 911 is the new 928

I just put the TG comment up for consideration. I think it is something to work through in your mind before buying. Buyer's remorse sucks.

The folks that say stuff like 'oh, you have the cheap Porsche' or similar probably drive around in a Pontiac G6. You still have a Porsche and those poop heads have likely never even driven one let alone owned one.

Get what makes you happy. The new TG (well Chris Harris) loves the last Cayman before the new 4 pot turbo. Those look incredible and the performance is outstanding.

Crazy.

The M2 is the new M3.

The best GTI isn't even a GTI, it's called a Golf R.

The next gen Corvette is going to be mid engined.

It's like the f ing automotive twilight zone. :confused::D:confused::D


As an aside...having tracked a short wheelbase mid-engined car extensively (Lotus), that snap oversteer is the real deal, and it sucks. Wonder how it is on the Cayman.

.

Strange times agreed. Some how the camaro is a fantastic handling sports car now (1LE at least). weird.

I am no Mario Andretti, but I have spent several to many afternoons traveling in an approximate circle, at speed, not going anywhere, in an elise and an exige. I didn't find either to be extremely twitchy. I don't think an elise will ever be an easy car to "save" if the tail is way out. The LSS elise really benefited from a large front sway in this regard however. Actually I think we have had this chat already.