Thinking of Buying a Cayman S
Discussion
Hello everyone
1st post on here.
I am currently a Lotus owner but have been mulling over purchasing a new Cayman S and just wanted some feedback from Porsche owners and specifically Caymen S owners
Is the sat nav a must have for resale?
I really like it in Red - Is this colour ok for resale as I have seen lots of comments about buying the right colour.
I have personalised it to £50k - What residual will the dealer give me back after 3 yrs - The article the dealer gave me said 70% - Is that feasible?
Are there any must have's for resale?
Finally having not test driven one yet what is the driving experience like. I drove the Boxster S before I bought my Elise 111r and was not impressed with the Boxster as a drive. Build quality and materials were in a different league but just didn't feel the same sensations through the wheel.
1st post on here.
I am currently a Lotus owner but have been mulling over purchasing a new Cayman S and just wanted some feedback from Porsche owners and specifically Caymen S owners
Is the sat nav a must have for resale?
I really like it in Red - Is this colour ok for resale as I have seen lots of comments about buying the right colour.
I have personalised it to £50k - What residual will the dealer give me back after 3 yrs - The article the dealer gave me said 70% - Is that feasible?
Are there any must have's for resale?
Finally having not test driven one yet what is the driving experience like. I drove the Boxster S before I bought my Elise 111r and was not impressed with the Boxster as a drive. Build quality and materials were in a different league but just didn't feel the same sensations through the wheel.
elise111r said:
Hello everyone
1st post on here.
I am currently a Lotus owner but have been mulling over purchasing a new Cayman S and just wanted some feedback from Porsche owners and specifically Caymen S owners
Is the sat nav a must have for resale?
I really like it in Red - Is this colour ok for resale as I have seen lots of comments about buying the right colour.
I have personalised it to £50k - What residual will the dealer give me back after 3 yrs - The article the dealer gave me said 70% - Is that feasible?
Are there any must have's for resale?
Finally having not test driven one yet what is the driving experience like. I drove the Boxster S before I bought my Elise 111r and was not impressed with the Boxster as a drive. Build quality and materials were in a different league but just didn't feel the same sensations through the wheel.
1st post on here.
I am currently a Lotus owner but have been mulling over purchasing a new Cayman S and just wanted some feedback from Porsche owners and specifically Caymen S owners
Is the sat nav a must have for resale?
I really like it in Red - Is this colour ok for resale as I have seen lots of comments about buying the right colour.
I have personalised it to £50k - What residual will the dealer give me back after 3 yrs - The article the dealer gave me said 70% - Is that feasible?
Are there any must have's for resale?
Finally having not test driven one yet what is the driving experience like. I drove the Boxster S before I bought my Elise 111r and was not impressed with the Boxster as a drive. Build quality and materials were in a different league but just didn't feel the same sensations through the wheel.
Elise 111r
A 911 driver but have driven a couple of Cayman S cars (Although for 50k I'd get a 996). Just one comment for you - every one of your questions relates to resale..!! Porsche are fantastic cars and everyone is unique. If you want one, get one that is right for you and bollox to thinking about resale. Somebody will always buy it from you..
Buy it love it drive it..!!
I've had mine since December last year and it is a superb car. Do a search in this forum for Cayman 'S' and you'll lots of opinions on the car which may help your decision.
I suggest you go and drive one and make your own mind up. If you like the car buy one and enjoy it, if you don't like it try a used 911 for same money and see if you like them. Try to get back to back drives in cars with and without PASM and Sports Chrono as the suspensions and handling are markedly different.
As for resale options I wouldn't bother too much on those as the car will sell in later years. I kept mine in "sports" mode: Sports seats, PASM, Sports Chrono, HID lights, but left off Sat Nav as it was crap. Basically test one, spec one and buy one. Shame you're not near me as I'd gladly give you a demo of the car.
yex
I suggest you go and drive one and make your own mind up. If you like the car buy one and enjoy it, if you don't like it try a used 911 for same money and see if you like them. Try to get back to back drives in cars with and without PASM and Sports Chrono as the suspensions and handling are markedly different.
As for resale options I wouldn't bother too much on those as the car will sell in later years. I kept mine in "sports" mode: Sports seats, PASM, Sports Chrono, HID lights, but left off Sat Nav as it was crap. Basically test one, spec one and buy one. Shame you're not near me as I'd gladly give you a demo of the car.
yex
Will a Cayman S really retain 70% of it's value after 3 years? Seems highly unlikely to me. Will the dealer guarantee to buy it back from you for 35K after 3 years? As they become more common on the second-hand market and the non-S version is released a price nearer 28K seems more realistic.
Edited by fittster on Friday 1st September 14:30
Thanks for that. I have never really been a porsche enthusiast till I spent some time in a Boxster and couldn't get over how well it was put together and the quality of it. I have also spent some time in a 911 4s and again was totallt taken. My problem has been that I am not totaaly in love with either car to look at and where I live there are an awful lot of silver Boxsters and 911's .
However the Cayman in my eyes is a lovely looking car and I have to say has become a must have.
Thanks for all your comments
However the Cayman in my eyes is a lovely looking car and I have to say has become a must have.
Thanks for all your comments
Another view . . .
Last year I was lucky enough to be able to buy an 04 996 - after many years of happy BMW M ownership - on the test drive it was the soliditity and build quality that really impressed me - so instead of a brand new M3 I bought the 911.
After 8 months and 22,000 miles - I sold the 911 and went back to an M!!
In conclusion - the 911 was a fab car - fast, well put together etc etc - but it lacked one thing for me . . .
FIZZ
BMW are about ok when it comes to build quality (not the best), sure there are loads around - but where they score WELL ABOVE the 911 is in the fizz department - that straight 6 has NO competition IMHO - gets me going everytime I sit in it - which the 911 never ever did!
If you want excitment - dont go for the Porsche - if you want QDos - go for the Porsche.
IMHO blah blah blah!!!
Khushy
Last year I was lucky enough to be able to buy an 04 996 - after many years of happy BMW M ownership - on the test drive it was the soliditity and build quality that really impressed me - so instead of a brand new M3 I bought the 911.
After 8 months and 22,000 miles - I sold the 911 and went back to an M!!
In conclusion - the 911 was a fab car - fast, well put together etc etc - but it lacked one thing for me . . .
FIZZ
BMW are about ok when it comes to build quality (not the best), sure there are loads around - but where they score WELL ABOVE the 911 is in the fizz department - that straight 6 has NO competition IMHO - gets me going everytime I sit in it - which the 911 never ever did!
If you want excitment - dont go for the Porsche - if you want QDos - go for the Porsche.
IMHO blah blah blah!!!
Khushy
Edited by khushy on Friday 1st September 16:14
Interseting view as I have contenplated staying with Lotus and purchasing the Exige s as I did drive the exige before I bought my Elise and felt it needed more power. The performance of the Exige S is sub 10 secs to 100 so its in the supercar performance league. Could have that and pocket the £13k difference to the Cayman
Same boat as you ref to what to spec, see my thread ref:Cayman S a few pages back. I loved the look of the car, but having just recently test driven one, I totally loved it and am moving forward to getting one in the new year. As for the PCM (satnav) I have decided against it, 2 reasons really, it is dreadfully expensive and not worth the £1800 IMHO, plus the Cayman isn't a tourer of sorts so isn't really a car that desires the feature.
Anyhow, go get out in one and see for yourself.
G
Anyhow, go get out in one and see for yourself.
G
I do not drive and haven't been in a CaymanS. I've seen specs etc though, and I'll just give you opinion. First of all, it sounds truly awesome, one of the best sounding cars out at the moment. Second, less are going to be made than 911s, so (percentage wise) residuals should be better. For all out thrills, the Exige would probably be better.
Well I can say that I very much like mine. Previous recent-years cars include B5 model Audi S4 and RS4 and a Porsche 993C4S.
I got mine used from the local OPC - 4000 miles, *lots* of options - leather, PCM, phone etc.
I think it's great and sounds wonderful but to be honest if you weren't impressed with the Boxster's drive then it's probably not for you given the Cayman's similarities. The Boxster is almost universally praised by the press and for you not to like it suggests that what it offers is perhaps at odds with your tastes?
My feeling is that 70% after three years sounds optimistic if you're thinking 70% with-options price. Forget the options hike and 70% of the £43K list price sounds more likely (c.30K) albeit hopefully the low side of likely! Whether £20K depreciation for three years motoring is acceptable is for you to decide!
Good luck whatever you do...
I got mine used from the local OPC - 4000 miles, *lots* of options - leather, PCM, phone etc.
I think it's great and sounds wonderful but to be honest if you weren't impressed with the Boxster's drive then it's probably not for you given the Cayman's similarities. The Boxster is almost universally praised by the press and for you not to like it suggests that what it offers is perhaps at odds with your tastes?
My feeling is that 70% after three years sounds optimistic if you're thinking 70% with-options price. Forget the options hike and 70% of the £43K list price sounds more likely (c.30K) albeit hopefully the low side of likely! Whether £20K depreciation for three years motoring is acceptable is for you to decide!
Good luck whatever you do...
Edited by sundiver on Saturday 2nd September 23:47
Thank you for all your comments. Have to say its nice to have advice without the hassle. I am a member of a Lotus site to and some people on there criticise every other car but Lotus. So really appreciate the positive comments.
I need to balance the drive against the overall product. the Porsche is streets ahead of my Lotus in terms of everything but performance and drive. I am going to test drive the Exige S as it sounds fantastic but I have to say think my heart is set on Cayman.
I know this sounds a silly question but how come all the second hand Porsches are so expensive if your set to lose £20k over 3 years. When I sold my last Lotus I got 56% of its value back after 3 yrs and the dealer marked it up by £2k. When I have looked at second hand values of Boxster they seem really high even after 4 yrs. Are the dealers making a huge margin here?
Have to say if I buy the Caymen it will be for the long term anyway. Think I will change the sat nav for other goodies as no one recommends it.
I need to balance the drive against the overall product. the Porsche is streets ahead of my Lotus in terms of everything but performance and drive. I am going to test drive the Exige S as it sounds fantastic but I have to say think my heart is set on Cayman.
I know this sounds a silly question but how come all the second hand Porsches are so expensive if your set to lose £20k over 3 years. When I sold my last Lotus I got 56% of its value back after 3 yrs and the dealer marked it up by £2k. When I have looked at second hand values of Boxster they seem really high even after 4 yrs. Are the dealers making a huge margin here?
Have to say if I buy the Caymen it will be for the long term anyway. Think I will change the sat nav for other goodies as no one recommends it.
I'm in the process of tying up a purchase of a 03 996TT soon for not much more than £55k, to me it's a bargain. I have owned a S2 111S three years ago and considered an Exige as a replacement. However, I couldn't justify spending upwards of £33k for one as l felt it was short on power even though it was a blinder to drive, so jumped into a new M3 instead. The Exige S does sound very tempting, so give it a try and then decide between the Lotus and CaymanS.
Having considered a CaymanS myself, £50k is a lot of dough and is probably a little optimistic expecting it to return 70% after 3 years. If used is an option, you can get a lot of car for £50k: MK1 GT3? Best of both worlds if you crave a Porsche + involvement + value.
Having considered a CaymanS myself, £50k is a lot of dough and is probably a little optimistic expecting it to return 70% after 3 years. If used is an option, you can get a lot of car for £50k: MK1 GT3? Best of both worlds if you crave a Porsche + involvement + value.
If you didn't like the boxster, don't get the cayman. You have an elise for a reason, you won't get the feedback you currently enjoy.
I'm currently driving a Boxster S (with the upgraded Cayman engine). The interior in my opinion is cheap looking, even compared to my car! It sounds glorious but drives like a beemer. I drove the same speed (3 figures) on the same road yesterday, in the morning in my 911 it was thrilling, enjoyable, glorious... in the boxster an hour later, it was clinical,surefooted, safe!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love the Boxster, brilliant car, better than a Z4, but not what I want. If I was in your shoes, I'd be thinking exige or sagaris.................. mmmm noble.
I'm currently driving a Boxster S (with the upgraded Cayman engine). The interior in my opinion is cheap looking, even compared to my car! It sounds glorious but drives like a beemer. I drove the same speed (3 figures) on the same road yesterday, in the morning in my 911 it was thrilling, enjoyable, glorious... in the boxster an hour later, it was clinical,surefooted, safe!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love the Boxster, brilliant car, better than a Z4, but not what I want. If I was in your shoes, I'd be thinking exige or sagaris.................. mmmm noble.
I love the look of the Sagaris and have considered one but worry about build quality and the price of servicing is horrendous. Dealer told me they require service every 6000 miles and cost will be at least £800 each time.
The Noble is amazingly quick but i personally don't like the look of it.
Sounds like it may be worth me considering a second hand GT version of 911
The Noble is amazingly quick but i personally don't like the look of it.
Sounds like it may be worth me considering a second hand GT version of 911
Just been looking at some of the other posts and there is one about a guy looking for a 996TT .
Someone has put a link on an advert for a 2000 W reg one at £49k. This car is 6 yrs old and retailed at circa £90k so how come its still got over 50% of value after 6 yrs.
No one on the post seems to think that the car is overpriced either.
Sundiver if u don't mind me asking how much did you pay for yours as all the second hand Caymans on the porsche sight are all £40k plus and quite a lot are over £50k.
Someone has put a link on an advert for a 2000 W reg one at £49k. This car is 6 yrs old and retailed at circa £90k so how come its still got over 50% of value after 6 yrs.
No one on the post seems to think that the car is overpriced either.
Sundiver if u don't mind me asking how much did you pay for yours as all the second hand Caymans on the porsche sight are all £40k plus and quite a lot are over £50k.
A 6 yr old turbo for 50k? must have delivery mileage!!!!!
50k should buy you an 02-03 (mileage dependent) TT privately.
If you like the look of the GT3, just get that, you won't need to worry too much about depreciation either (will hold it's value compared to others on your list), my dream 911 would be a GT3 that looks like a GT2!
The Sagaris........ don't worry about servicing costs, just look at it DAMMIT, it should retail at 100k, so you've saved £50,000 already! Have you seen the prices in the classifieds? 40k is all you need......... erm, who am I trying to convince?
50k should buy you an 02-03 (mileage dependent) TT privately.
If you like the look of the GT3, just get that, you won't need to worry too much about depreciation either (will hold it's value compared to others on your list), my dream 911 would be a GT3 that looks like a GT2!
The Sagaris........ don't worry about servicing costs, just look at it DAMMIT, it should retail at 100k, so you've saved £50,000 already! Have you seen the prices in the classifieds? 40k is all you need......... erm, who am I trying to convince?
What car Sept 2006 has retained value of Cayman and Boxster as 70% after 3 yrs. Definition of this value is the value a dealer would offer you against the same car. I guess if this is 70% of base value then £30k is about right, though my dealer told me I would get some money back on my options.
Depreciation of elise is said to be 58% and I did get 56% back on my first one so these figures seem to have some accuracy.
I am looking to buy for the long term but my circumstances may change so i need to bear my losses in mind.
Think I am going to test drive caymen S, Exige s, Sagaris and 911 and then take a view.
Depreciation of elise is said to be 58% and I did get 56% back on my first one so these figures seem to have some accuracy.
I am looking to buy for the long term but my circumstances may change so i need to bear my losses in mind.
Think I am going to test drive caymen S, Exige s, Sagaris and 911 and then take a view.
elise111r said:
-Is the sat nav a must have for resale?
-I really like it in Red - Is this colour ok for resale as I have seen lots of comments about buying the right colour.
-I have personalised it to £50k - What residual will the dealer give me back after 3 yrs - -The article the dealer gave me said 70% - Is that feasible?
-Are there any must have's for resale?
-Finally having not test driven one yet what is the driving experience like. I drove the Boxster S before I bought my Elise 111r and was not impressed with the Boxster as a drive.
Sorry for popping along late, but I've been away... actually hooning my Cayman S 3,000 miles round Europe - and do like talking about it
- SatNav... no. It's functionally rubbish and hideously overpriced.
- Red... don't they look nice in all colours? I like red, but preferred Atlas Grey.
- Residual... £50k seems about the right amount to spec them at. Mine is specced to that and I have budgeted on £25k after 3 years. However, I may be changing at 18 months and I haven't got a budget for that! I certainly wouldn't hedge £35 in 3 years... possibly what a dealer would sell them for, but not buy them for.
- must have's for resale... just a good spec. A £44k one is going to be very difficult to shift! My spec is here
- To drive... I like mine lots. It's like a luxury grand tourer when you want and a great fun sports car when you push it. For example, on Thursday I drove it for 6 hours up through Germany, then around the Nurburgring for a few hours, then another hour to the hotel. Absolutely superb and no hint of a problem! Oh and that was after some days before driving through empty, twisty mountain roads all day. It's both a tourer and fun!
It's very very very good, but if a Boxster didn't grab you, I think this might not. You could also look at an S2000. I came from one of those and it was a more exciting, but completely different animal. This is more civilised, grown-up and capable of more!
Sagaris.... what a look - I would love one. But with my previous TVRs needing a service at 5k (even though the book said 6k), and the bills averaging £1k for a service with nothing wrong, I like the 18,000 mile / 2 year service interval on the Cayman.
elise111r said:
What car Sept 2006 has retained value of Cayman and Boxster as 70% after 3 yrs. Definition of this value is the value a dealer would offer you against the same car. I guess if this is 70% of base value then £30k is about right, though my dealer told me I would get some money back on my options.
cloudcuckooland, my BoxsterS went for 25k after 3 years when list was 38 but it was speced to 43-44 like most are. So 65% on zero spec cost but if my car was zero spec there is no way I would have got 25k, 23 if I was very lucky and it would have taken bloody ages to sell. So to work on base spec is misleading. Work on 50-60% of full cost assuming you have added £5k of sensible options.
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