Tuesday 24th September 2013

Porsche Cayman S: You Know You Want To

Nope, the price isn't a mistake, but then the mileage isn't either...

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Any PHer who drove a Porsche Cayman for the first time and didn't instantly crave another hit is on the wrong website. Unsurprisingly, I was rather enamoured by the Cayman recently, even if it is a far better car than I am driver.

Looks good from a distance...

Ever since I've been pensively coursing the PH Classifieds, deliberating on wheel size, S v non-S, colour and options for when I can afford a Cayman. Which will probably be when the fuel has run out.

Or maybe not if I take a punt on something really risky, like this 2006 S. Any Cayman at less than £15K sounds off the warning buzzers, usually as there's a 'Cat D' sneaked into the description somewhere. But this one is straight, and for sale at £11,950.

It shouldn't take much to deduce that it's the miles on YJ06OOG that have dropped it to three grand less than any other Cayman. It's recorded 149,000 of them since 2006, an average of just over 21,000 a year. Usually working out a mean mileage makes the total more palatable, but that odo reading is very hefty either way.

New 'plate and who'll know it's done 149K?

Having said that, there's plenty positive to discuss. This one-owner Cayman S had only ever been serviced at OPCs (seven Porsche services must have racked up the bills) with the most recent one 3,000 miles ago and there's an MOT until July.

The spec is even decent. The wheels are standard 18s and look in respectable nick, plus the interior hasn't suffered unduly either.

The numberplate also looks a bit ropey, and everything will of course be rather more worn than any comparable car. How much so will only be revealed on a test drive, but that gigantic price saving creates a healthy kitty for replacement parts or upgrades.

An S on 18s is even a good spec!

A glance through our Cayman buying guide may give you the willies over intermediary shaft, rear main seal and bore scoring issues. But with this car, the required work must have been undertaken by now. And if the tell-tale signs are evident, walk away.

With a Cayman as unique as this, you're really rather on your own though, as with the 182,000-mile 350Z. Maintenance will never be cheap with a Porsche, but our optimistic side sees some huge potential. Nothing ventured, nothing gained after all...

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PORSCHE CAYMAN S
Price: £11,950
Why you should: It really is a Porsche for Fiesta money, and one you might want too
Why you shouldn't: Fiesta money might well be the reality with the service bills

See the original ad here.

 

[80quattro]

Surely that will end up as a track day car at that price?

[SuperVM]

Nice title!

[matrignano]

Is the thread title intentional?

[kambites]

[anonymous-user]

Good to see a higher mileage Porsche for once!

[monthefish]

SuperVM said:

Nice title!

Macklemore will not be amused.

[scubadude]

The garage opposite my factory gets regular quarterly visits from a local Boxster with more than 250K on the clock, owner must really drive arse off it- tyres and brakes every other time!

[sturney]

I get the feeling those bores may be on their way out....

[exceed]

That is the most hilarious thread title I've ever read.

Good work, 350Z is a tempting proposition (with a TT kit???) alongside this.

[burwoodman]

My call...the title is unintentional

[proruffy]

The dealer is near me, reguarly have cheap, very high mileage or scruffy cars, I think theyve even got a 350k mile S Class there! But ive never been to them so can't really say what they're like to buy from.

[Superhoop]

[GranCab]

£2k more will buy you one with less than half the mileage ...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/porsche/caym...

[k-ink]

Porsche are churning these out so expect prices to drop to old mx5 levels at some point.

[DJWuk]

One of the best handling cars out there IMHO.

[Tib]

k-ink said:

Porsche are churning these out so expect prices to drop to old mx5 levels at some point.

lol.

[only1ian]

Brave pills think id save up alittle longer and get one I could use and still sell on!

[Mermaid]

Top marks to the owner for using the car so extensively - lovely car, compact package. The new one looks a bit grown up.

[Ug_lee]

I'm not averse to high mileage on expensive to run cars, but I'd pay the 2k extra for the car with half the miles.
Below £10k and it might make sense?

[jazzyjeff]

"The numberplate also looks a bit ropey,"

Yeah...best reject the car on those grounds alone then!