Cayman S Sport 987 vs 997 Carrera

[omnivore]

Need some expert advice on my next car. Looking for a DD 987 S vs 997 Carrera (I don’t want electric steering).
Found this Cayman S Sport in an interesting color and spec. M97 has been rebuilt and upgraded as follows:

Just over 2,000 miles ago, this car received a RND Engine and has just completed its full break-in. The RND Engine replacement for the M97 features Nickies cylinder sleeves by LN engineering (aluminum NSC-plated sleeves), intermediate shaft bearing upgraded with IMS retrofit and was rebuilt with high quality OEM and genuine replacement parts. Included with the car are the records for the replacement including the maintenance schedule guide for this engine, the technical data, and the break-in information.

Anyone have experience with RND engines and these LN pieces or the Cayman S Sport?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cayman-S-Sport/113077876279?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144

[roblav]

IMHO, a 911 is a GT car whereas the Cayman is a Sports Car. I much prefer the Cayman handling and feel over the 996/997.

[Matt Monson]

I'm not following the whole question. What's the mileage on each car? The Carrera is a non-S? What's the asking price on each? Lots of unknown variables here (your ebay link doesn't work either).

[Driven97]

For that kind of money I would sit and wait for a clean 987.2S that had the colors / options you want.

I think I leave the 987.1S game when the price goes over $30k. Aftermarket motor devalues the car in my opinion, but that's just me.

[omnivore]

Thanks gents. I fixed the above link. My question was more generic 987 S vs 997 base given a similar $40k price point. The Cayman S seen above is a ltd edition “Sport” variant which may have some upside in addition to sitting between the S and R models, which should make it fairly enjoyable yet usable as a semi-DD. Reasonably interesting little car. The RND reman motors are well regarded in my initial research, provided they’re installed and broken in properly.

[littleoldman]

Upside. Ahhh no. I wouldn’t be buying a Cayman thinking it will have upside.
Limiting your downside, maybe, but that may not happen. These cars aren’t collectible or rare. Thanks

[Matt Monson]

I’ve seen people start talking about these “sport” model caymans as collectible. That’s just silly. It’s a dozen year old car. You planning to hold it for 20 years? And it’s a tiptronic. Do you actually want an automatic transmission?

If the answer to the last question is yes, you want a Pdk, not an old tip. You can find 987.2 pdks all day long for under $40k.

I really think you need to visit a dealer and test drive both cars. Same basic engine and they are different than an M96 engine. I just had my 987.1 rebuilt. I didn’t do any of the LN upgrades. Thy aren’t required, imo. I got a new crank, valve springs and then all the usual seals etc. reringed the pistons and off we go. 175k on my engine. No ims upgrade, just a new bearing. No sleeves. Just rings.

If the engine concerns you go .2 and 09 or newer. He DFI engines are just tits. Once we finish the little R&D project we are doing I will sell my .1 and likely look for a .2 Boxster.