very new member

[KawasakiTriple]

Have just started looking at 911's. Reading voraciously about various models and years. For the amount of money I'm willing to spend at this time,it seems that I'm relegated to look at the 996 and 977.1 models.
I just started looking at Caymens, for whatever reason, and upon looking, said to myself, "what a nice looking car" Can anyone shed some light for me, as to years to look out for and some that are recommended . I know absolutely nothing about the Cayman model, except it looks sharp!!!! Any info would be appreciated. Thanks Robert Cookeville, TN

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Hello and welcome to the forum! I'm attaching a link to a Jalopnik article on the various differences. Other members will likely chime in as well. I would suggest doing a forum search for Caymans, there is a ton of info that members have posted that you'll likely find very useful. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

https://jalopnik.com/how-much-better-is-the-new-porsche-cayman-than-the-old-1566718109

[tonythetarga]

Welcome to all things Porsche. If you say your budget has you in 996 or 997.1 territory, then the Cayman you’re looking at is a 987.1 or gen 1 motor. It has the non-serviceable IMS bearing as does the ‘05-08 997.1. The 996 and 986 Boxsters have the ability to replace the IMS with the upgraded aftermarket LNE bearing.
The purchase can also be dependent on your use intention for the car. Daily driver, occasional use, track toy or combination of aforementioned.
You might want to start there and talk about that. Hopefully you know about the IMS issues and solutions. If not, you’ve got some homework to do.
The best thing you can do is learn, drive a variety of cars and, when you’re ready, have a PPI done to know what you’re getting. Buying from another Pelican might get you a car that has been sorted and have a records history of maintenance. The 996 generation cars are over 20 years old now, so you want records. Don’t rush, you’ll be better off for it.

[KawasakiTriple]

Tony, Thanks so much for the post. It's much appreciated. I am familiar with the IMS issue and years. Correct me if I'm wrong. 99 was a double row bearing, better but, still should be replaced, 2000-2004, single row bearing, definitely needs replaced 2005 up in the air; 2006-2008 larger bearing, better quality, but to replace, engine must be removed to do so, as opposed to earlier, just tranny???? are the Cayman models sporting similar engines???Thanks so much. I was initially and still may be considering 99-2004 yrs where bearing can be replaced with LN engineering bearing or the Direct oil feed one????

[tonythetarga]

Yes, you have it. The LN is the gold standard. The last gen non-serviceable bearing has an option to oil feed. Some will suggest to just remove the seal that’s visible when you open the trap door to see the bearing.

[husker boxster]

The other thing is to be able to recognize options. Porsches didn't offer many option bundles, so cars come optioned very differently from heavily optioned to barely any based on the tastes of the purchaser when he/she ordered. It's hard to know what you don't know, but it would be good to make a list of 'must have' and 'nice to have' options and then learn how to identify them from pics. Dealers will sometimes say a Cayman has certain options when they really don't, so you need to be able to verify options yourself.

Options include Sport Chrono, PASM (not to be confused with PSM), heated seats, ventilated seats (2012 & newer models), memory seats, sport seats, sport steering wheel, full leather, bi-xenon headlights, rain sensing wipers, self-dimming mirrors, rear window wiper (very rare), the various sized wheels (17", 18", 19") and various types of wheels (Sport Design, Lobster Claw, Carrera Lite, Boxster S, Cayman S, etc), nav, auto climate control. I'm sure I've forgotten some, but this gives you an idea.

To help ID options, run the VIN thru this website for a list of them:
vinanalytics.com
Remember the 3rd digit is a zero, not the letter O. Not all cars will be accessible with this website, but most are.

[KawasakiTriple]

Thanks for all the information. Do I have it correct, that the same engines in the 911 years, for example (1999-2008 ) are the same for the Porsche Cayman? Therefore the IMS bearing issue would be consistent?

[tonythetarga]

Yes. Cayman first year of production was ‘06 however and the 3rd gen IMS. In ‘09, the IMS issue went away.