£20k - M3 or Cayman S?
Discussion
Are you really going to be able to find a decent E92 M3 for £20k? I would say perhaps not.
However, you're in Gen 1 Cayman S territory for that type of money (the 3.4 295bhp version).
I've been looking at Cayman S's recently too but wondered if it would be worth stretching the budget (to say £30k) for a 3 year old Gen 2 (320bhp) on low miles from Porsche AUC. The Gen 1's worry me slightly with the stories of bore scoring etc so it'd have to be approved used for the 2 year warranty for me.
Good luck in your search, let us know how you get on!
However, you're in Gen 1 Cayman S territory for that type of money (the 3.4 295bhp version).
I've been looking at Cayman S's recently too but wondered if it would be worth stretching the budget (to say £30k) for a 3 year old Gen 2 (320bhp) on low miles from Porsche AUC. The Gen 1's worry me slightly with the stories of bore scoring etc so it'd have to be approved used for the 2 year warranty for me.
Good luck in your search, let us know how you get on!
Nezquick said:
Are you really going to be able to find a decent E92 M3 for £20k? I would say perhaps not.
I reckon if you are patient and and look around, you could get an early 07/08 one with the right toys (EDC, Heated seats, parking etc) FSH and less than 60k for £20-22... there will be a fair few dogs and chancers though..Edited by Fidgits on Monday 18th August 09:43
Thanks for all the answers so far guys.
Interesting to hear the differing opinions. I am going to test a Cayman ASAP. I can't quite stretch the budget to £25k so I think it would need to be a gen 1 Cayman.
I think either at that price will be private purchases rather than a garage. I have never spent 20k on a private car and I guess I have always wanted someone to go back to on other cars if there are any immediate problems that I discover. I guess the answer is to research any common problems and find a good mechanic with me.
Interesting to hear the differing opinions. I am going to test a Cayman ASAP. I can't quite stretch the budget to £25k so I think it would need to be a gen 1 Cayman.
I think either at that price will be private purchases rather than a garage. I have never spent 20k on a private car and I guess I have always wanted someone to go back to on other cars if there are any immediate problems that I discover. I guess the answer is to research any common problems and find a good mechanic with me.
kambites said:
Welshbeef said:
You can buy a 997 C2S for this money - surely a superior car to the Cayman?
Why would a 997 be superior to a Cayman? It's heavier, has a poorer weight distribution, a higher polar moment of inertia,... More power
More torque
2 rear seats
More boot space
Its a 911 top of the model range from Porsche with al its racing pedigree
The fact that Clarkson called it the Gayman and some people will always refer to it as such
Its cheaper than the 911
Lower top speed
Slower 0-100mph
Did I mention looks? The 997 911C2S is stunning
My views totally biased
Hmm, I guess if those are your criteria.
For me, the Cayman is a vastly better drivers' car and I couldn't care less what other people call my cars and I don't particularly care about performance numbers. I'd take the lighter, better handling car every time (if I didn't need the rear seats, obviously). Personally, I find both cars rather ugly.
For me, the Cayman is a vastly better drivers' car and I couldn't care less what other people call my cars and I don't particularly care about performance numbers. I'd take the lighter, better handling car every time (if I didn't need the rear seats, obviously). Personally, I find both cars rather ugly.
Edited by kambites on Monday 18th August 10:08
My E92 M3 was under £20k (60k miles).
The major compromise was no DCT - if you can afford that then you should.
If not then make sure you get EDC since that really makes a difference.
22mpg daily driver on twisty A-roads.
I love it.
Can be utterly civilised in 6th 30-XXXmph. Very very relaxing GT-type driving.
However, with the m button pressed and over say 5,000rpm that V8 is a total animal.
This car has two very different sides - more than anything else I have driven.
When I bought, a 997 C2S was out of reach for anything with reasonable miles - this may very well be my next car - I have only ever managed to make do with a couple of Boxster S's in the past so I am aspiring to move up the chain!
Never driven a Cayman but I absolutely loved the 987 Boxster S.
I needed the back seats so I had to change.
However, you should really consider an Exige S - tough to do as a daily driver but I coped, just about.
In fact I just checked and you can buy my old car!
Just ask them to fit a regular seat belt for the driver - that alone made me nearly sell it...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
(Zero depreciation really helps with the man maths on this one.)
In summary - buy them all - change every 6 months!
The major compromise was no DCT - if you can afford that then you should.
If not then make sure you get EDC since that really makes a difference.
22mpg daily driver on twisty A-roads.
I love it.
Can be utterly civilised in 6th 30-XXXmph. Very very relaxing GT-type driving.
However, with the m button pressed and over say 5,000rpm that V8 is a total animal.
This car has two very different sides - more than anything else I have driven.
When I bought, a 997 C2S was out of reach for anything with reasonable miles - this may very well be my next car - I have only ever managed to make do with a couple of Boxster S's in the past so I am aspiring to move up the chain!
Never driven a Cayman but I absolutely loved the 987 Boxster S.
I needed the back seats so I had to change.
However, you should really consider an Exige S - tough to do as a daily driver but I coped, just about.
In fact I just checked and you can buy my old car!
Just ask them to fit a regular seat belt for the driver - that alone made me nearly sell it...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
(Zero depreciation really helps with the man maths on this one.)
In summary - buy them all - change every 6 months!
Welshbeef said:
Tuvra said:
Stats would have it at 1/2 & 1.2 seconds down against the M3 to 60 & 100mph.
Easily and reasonably cheapily tinkered with for more power. Knocks spots of both looks wise.
I'd definitley have a drive in one if I was the OP, along with a Z4M Coupe and SLK55.
Personally I'd go for the Porsche, but for a Boxster S instead of a Cayman S as I like convertibles more.
At £20K I'm not too sure how good a 997 you'll be getting. There are however a lot of Cayman's out there that look quite nice for the money. They're not about out and out power (although 295bhp is very reasonable), but about the balance and the drive. Having driven a Boxster and Cayman, I really enjoyed both experiences and would love one myself (but I'm biased too)
Unable to post a picture, but this looks like a nice example
At £20K I'm not too sure how good a 997 you'll be getting. There are however a lot of Cayman's out there that look quite nice for the money. They're not about out and out power (although 295bhp is very reasonable), but about the balance and the drive. Having driven a Boxster and Cayman, I really enjoyed both experiences and would love one myself (but I'm biased too
)Unable to post a picture, but this looks like a nice example
Dalto123 said:
Personally I'd go for the Porsche, but for a Boxster S instead of a Cayman S as I like convertibles more.
At £20K I'm not too sure how good a 997 you'll be getting. There are however a lot of Cayman's out there that look quite nice for the money. They're not about out and out power (although 295bhp is very reasonable), but about the balance and the drive. Having driven a Boxster and Cayman, I really enjoyed both experiences and would love one myself (but I'm biased too)
Unable to post a picture, but this looks like a nice example
That looks like a very nice example. At £20K I'm not too sure how good a 997 you'll be getting. There are however a lot of Cayman's out there that look quite nice for the money. They're not about out and out power (although 295bhp is very reasonable), but about the balance and the drive. Having driven a Boxster and Cayman, I really enjoyed both experiences and would love one myself (but I'm biased too
)Unable to post a picture, but this looks like a nice example
walm said:
Can be utterly civilised in 6th 30-XXXmph. Very very relaxing GT-type driving.
However, with the m button pressed and over say 5,000rpm that V8 is a total animal.
This car has two very different sides - more than anything else I have driven!
This. However, with the m button pressed and over say 5,000rpm that V8 is a total animal.
This car has two very different sides - more than anything else I have driven!
I know it's cliched but every journey could be memorable, for all the right reasons, if you wanted it to be.
I'm biased though, but good luck whatever your final decision.
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