Cayman as an everyday practical car? Or a hot hatch?

[zed4]

What do you think? There are two of us, just my girlfriend and I. We work together and use her Honda Civic as the daily runaround and the TVR as our weekend fun. But my girlfriend is frustrated that she doesn’t have anything fun to drive. (Mannings won’t insure her on the TVR). She wants an SLK but I still want to be able to use the daily car for taking camping and carrying kayaks and bikes.

So, I’m thinking of the Cayman and trying to win her round to the idea! I see they have the option for a roof rack, so ideal for kayaks and bikes – are they particularly narrow or are they the same as most other cars? It would need to carry 2x bikes or 2x kayaks (on their side). So not a huge load, 50kg max for the two kayaks and bars.

The idea would be it would be a fun car for both of us to use, everyday, whatever the weather, and also be practical, keeping the TVR for nice sunny weekends. What are running costs like? Tempted to go for the 2.7 as I don’t think we really need the 3.4, but does either engine have any major flaws?

Any other suggestions appreciated. Practical sports car, 2 or 4 seats, fairly quick (quicker than a 1.6 Civic anyway!) that can take a roof rack. We are of course looking at hot hatches, but I can’t get away from the Porsche! We’re looking at the lower end of the market, so around £12,000 but preferably (much) less!

Thanks,

Dan

[Zoon]

I don't think you'll get a nice Cayman for under 12k. Maybe a scruffy one with high miles and no history.

[Bullett]

I had a Cayman as my daily for about 3 years. Didn't use it for kayaks or bikes though.
Very practical with 2 boots, I used to play in a band and could shift all my gear without much issue (not my big amp though). A weekend away was no problem with just myself and the Mrs. It had to go when kids came along.

OK running costs but it's still a Porsche so servicing adds up. I had no problems with mine during my ownership.

[chrispmartha]

Cant advise you for the bike/kayack situation but I can tell you the Cayman is surprisingly practical as long as you only need the 2 seats.

The boot space is really good for a 2 seater sports car in fact I think its got as much luggage space as a normal fatback if not a little more?

Plus they are sublime to drive, clutch is a little heavier than your normal car but nothing too bad. Even though I have an S I would possibly suggest a non S version as I think you can use the power better in the real world.

[chrispmartha]

Soorry didn't read properly, if your Budget is 12k you won't get a decent Cayman if one at all.

[Healey73]

A friend of mine has a cayman and regularly carries 2 bikes on its roof rack. I seem to remember he said he's had 4 on it at one point but I can't be sure.

I have no idea on pricing though.

[zed4]

Hmm, yeah, I've just reread the advert for the car I had been looking at and it was a Cat D. We're in no rush to change, so could be looking for next winter, may still be time for some depreciation.

To be fair, this isn't far away on price after some negotiation and stretching of our budget: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[nickfrog]

Agreed but you will get a decent 2.7 987 (ie the convertible version of the Cayman) for that money. Won't work well with bikes/kayaks though, not that it would have been very practical with a Cayman either...

[Davey S2]

Bullett said:

OK running costs but it's still a Porsche so servicing adds up. I had no problems with mine during my ownership.

I did resulting in a £8K engine rebuild.

Unless you have a healthy reserve fund I wouldn't touch a Cayman without a full OPC warranty.

[zed4]

Davey S2 said:

Bullett said:

OK running costs but it's still a Porsche so servicing adds up. I had no problems with mine during my ownership.

I did resulting in a £8K engine rebuild.

Unless you have a healthy reserve fund I wouldn't touch a Cayman without a full OPC warranty.

I'm used to spending a lot of money on my TVR!

[zed4]

Sensible head is saying buy a cheaper hot hatch, Civic Type R or a Golf GTI...

[shoestring7]

Golf Gti or BMW 130i?

SS7

[chrispmartha]

Davey S2 said:

I did resulting in a £8K engine rebuild.

Unless you have a healthy reserve fund I wouldn't touch a Cayman without a full OPC warranty.

What were the problems, the 2.7 Caymans are said to be reliable and free of the IMS and bore scoring issues.

Also How much s a OPC warranty £2,000 a year? Ive risked a Cayman S with no warranty, of course it could all go tits up but my first year has been totally trouble free apart from getting a nail in the front tyre.

But considering the OPs budget Id say a Cayman is totally out Id go for a Boxster with his budget.

[TIGA84]

Surely an M3 easily covers most of what you're after?

[zed4]

shoestring7 said:

Golf Gti or BMW 130i?

SS7

Yep, we are also considering something like this, which might be more sensible.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[loafer123]

nickfrog said:

Agreed but you will get a decent 2.7 987 (ie the convertible version of the Cayman) for that money. Won't work well with bikes/kayaks though, not that it would have been very practical with a Cayman either...

He's talking Cayman, not Boxter...

[LukeVX]

Seasucker do bike/kayak racks that will fit onto all kinds of cars without the ability to run roof bars so worth bearing in mind that that doesn't have to be a limiting factor.

[nickfrog]

loafer123 said:

He's talking Cayman, not Boxter...

I know thanks. I suspect he stands a chance to get a better car for his money by getting the soft top version, whatever it's called.

[zed4]

LukeVX said:

Seasucker do bike/kayak racks that will fit onto all kinds of cars without the ability to run roof bars so worth bearing in mind that that doesn't have to be a limiting factor.

Wonder if one would fit the TVR! Not sure I'd trust the fibreglass!

[zed4]

TIGA84 said:

Surely an M3 easily covers most of what you're after?

Good suggestion, but no. I've had the Z4M, very high running costs and not really an easy car for my girlfriend to drive. Plus it's not really very girly!