Cayman Purchase Questions

[MarshallG]

I'd love to buy a Cayman! I would love all advice and suggestions. I hope this thread ends with photos of my new car.
I'm 53 and I've never owned a sports car. The closest I had was a 1996 BMW 328i. Now I have a Prius Plug-in, which is fantastic in San Francisco area traffic, but it is so slow and I am dying for a fun car!

I have a pretty well-stocked garage and I do my own vehicle maintenance and repairs. I definitely don't want to pull a Porsche engine and rebuild it, but my Prius is perfectly maintained, well beyond factory recommendations. Doing brake jobs, fixing check engine codes, fluid changes, valve gaskets, I do all that stuff myself, mostly because I want it done correctly, but also to save money and because I enjoy it.

I have a two-car garage and the Prius will be my son's car when he turns 16 next February, so if I buy a Cayman it will be my daily driver, not a garage queen. However, I have plenty of time. So here are my initial questions:

1) Is there a checklist for inspection which I can perform myself, or is there a top-rated shop in the Berkeley-Oakland area you can recommend?

2) A lightly used, 2-3 year-old Cayman is about $45-$50K. Older Caymans are less. I don't mind a 30,000 mile car, as long as the owner cared for it and didn't abuse it. What's the oldest I should get? I'd rather keep the cost down to $30 ~ $35K, but if that's being "pound foolish," I'll spend the $45K.

3) What are things to look for which are very desirable and which I should avoid?

Thank you, thank you, I hope I FINALLY join your ranks soon! I've wanted this a very, very long time.

[mikefocke]

Called bablers at Boxster / Cayman - Porsche Babblers so for local recomendations I'd go there.

[Cajundaddy]

My recommendation is to look for a 2009 or later due to the much improved mechanicals with 987.2 models. A well cared-for car with all service receipts and no undercarriage damage indicating off-racetrack abuse should be on the short list. A base 2.9L can be had starting around 30K for a sweetie and it's a lotta sports car. Get a PPI at a local Porsche indy shop for peace of mind.

[Rockfish]

Welcome aboard. I'm not a Cayman owner but wanted to wish you luck in your search. Porsche ownership is a blast. Try your best to enjoy the purchase process and remember that there is aways another car out there if issues are found with a car you begin to fall in love with. I'll be watching for pics of your Cayman.

[svandamme]

Don't just buy one, drive at least 10 of them before you even decide on which model you want to buy for what kind of a budget.
Then test drive as much of the model you picked as you can.

Especially if you have never owned a sports car. They are not like a BMW 328.
They sound different, feel different... engine noises and whines are not as muffled as you would get in a front engined rear drive luxury saloon.

With a 30-45K budget you have a lot of options. Don't get suckered into buying the first one drive when you like it and have no other Porsche experience to compare with. And 30000 miles is nothing for these cars.

[MarshallG]

Thanks so much for all of the great advice so far!!!! I really appreciate!!!

[tonythetarga]

If the plan is to have the car to drive and enjoy, but not take to the track, then any Cayman from '06 on that's in your price range and condition desired is a good buy in my opinion. The '06-'08 Cayman and Cayman S have the non-serviceable IMS bearing, but they have the lowest rate of failure also. Change the oil frequently (2500-3500 miles) and at least every year if driven less than 2500 mi. My '06 just hit 100k and is still going strong. I'd take it anywhere.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Bruce A said buy the newest one you can afford.
I think that advice probably is the best .
(albeit he was referring to the 911 i think it still holds true )

If the newest one you can afford is a 2017 cayman, i'de say get a slightly older one with 6 cyllinders... 60 grand for a subaru engine is where i draw the line

[mikefocke]

is to first get acquainted with the mechanic who will pre-purchase inspect (PPI) the car. Often they know of someone who, due to circumstances, is wanting to sell a car that they have a history with. The best Cayman you can buy is one that is well cared for and is inspected when considering a purchase.

A PPI is paid for by the buyer with a price pre-negotiated and firm unless something significant is revealed by the PPI. The mechanic's findings are revealed to both the seller and the buyer. A PPI should take 2-3 hours and result in both a written report and a in-person walk through. It will tell you what the mechanic sees as work needing to be done in the near future. Thus giving the buyer a glimpse at future costs.

Sure things can happen that no one anticipates. But knowing the obvious always helps.

My PPI revealed about $2500 in anticipated expenses to bring a 10 year old car up to my standards. That was fectored into the purchase price with some give and take on both sides. But at least we had the same facts before us. After that, it was remarkably trouble free for the 6 years I owned it.

All prices you see are the seller's desires. Nothing is final until you agree. Negotiate. Look at many, pick the one that is right for you, negotiate a price and get the PPI. Then enjoy every day in these wonderful cars.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

I thought they now made an option for 4 cyl ? The 6 is standard?
If the 4cyl is all that is available that will not fly for long.
Are they trying to ensure sales numbers for the Big Brother (911)

4 is standard on the 714, there is "supposed" to be a 6 banger in the GT4 version...
But the Base model and the S are a 4 banger

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

That sucks

I think it blows more then it sucks, being a turbo and all that

[svandamme]

I meant " it blows" in a negative way

[recycled sixtie]

Even though the S is only a 4 cylinder being blown it does 0 to 60 in 4 seconds. That is not too shabby.

[yelcab1]

My opinion is if you are buying a Porsche, go 911. A 997 is an excellent car for the price. But if you are set on a Cayman, go to it.

[Emo993]

Mercedes sedans/SUV's 4 cylinder turbo's, BMW SUV's 4 cylinder turbo's....all new cars are are going to smaller engine's.....more power, better milage, lower emissions. Drive one and see. Best, Mark

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Emo993

Mercedes sedans/SUV's 4 cylinder turbo's, BMW SUV's 4 cylinder turbo's....all new cars are are going to smaller engine's.....more power, better milage, lower emissions. Drive one and see. Best, Mark

I used to have a 4 banger Bmw 1 series diesel
in the last version they made the same one a 3 banger

Sounded pretty good, but it drove with noticably weaker throttle response and it did not pull... it really was no fun.

The fact remains , Going from 6 NA to 4 Turbo = **** sound
And yes they produce more power, but if you go from 2.7L to 2.0L
And you raise the power, then you automatically raise the thermal and other load on the components.

They are going from 100. something hp/liter to 150 hp/L
First owner won't care, he's got Porsche warranty.

But how well do you think , will these cars hold their value compared to the older 6 bangers?

[Emo993]

Last spring I spent a week in Seatle Wa. driving a new Mercedes SUV. Four people plus luggage, had great power (thought it was a big 8). Then went a checked the mileage, 29mpg, could not be leave it. Checked with the local dealer when I got home......four cylinder turbo.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Offenhauser could produce 3 HP per cube NA ! in a 4cylinder engine
Some of their stuff in the indy 500 race was over 1000 Hp with boost.
Quite the feat truly for a 1930 or 40 design.
So power for a 4 banger i would say is reasonable ........LOL
But the TBO might be a little short. LOL

Obviously they can put more boost and load on engines for racing.
They rebuild them often enough. Not really a fair comparison is it

[svandamme]

no idea what tbo means

[svandamme]

Aaaaaah an OH...