Looking at Caymans, sanity check.

[Tesco]

Basically, am I out of my tiny little mind?

I've hankered after a Cayman for years. I've owned a 944 and a couple of 928's, both of which I used as daily motors, but that was back in my armed forces days so didn't do what you would call a "commute".

Ideally I'm after a gen 2 981 and for me and my needs / desires, I want a PDK equipped vehicle. Ideally with the sports Chrono package as well.

Looking about these can be found for anything between 17 and 25k depending on mileage. Which is in the realms of what I can afford / am willing to pay out.

When I do commute (which hasn't been for some time, and who knows when my office will actually re-open!) I cover about 30 miles a day, so nothing too excessive. 4 months of the year I work away (month at a time roughly) so at worst I'd be using for 8 months a year as a daily.

What I'm asking the knowledgeable collective is, am I mad to be considering a 60k+ miles 10 year old car for this? I accept that no Porsche ownership is what one would call cheap in terms of motoring. Some examples I have seen in the lower price range are up around 100k miles. Would this be a properly silly choice? Reading about there doesn't seem to be any glaring issues with these gen 2 models compared with the bore scoring, IMS, RMS possible problems on older engined models (Although I'm sure there are plenty of good examples out there, you only ever hear of horror stories on the internet. Folks with a good one are probably too busy enjoying it to bother commenting)

I never had what most would term "normal" vehicles, for example I used to commute almost 100 miles a day in a Smart Roadster Coupe. Before anyone suggests banger for work and having this for a weekend car, well I already have a weekend car (Chesil Speedster) and for the past few years I've been driving a rather tired old Volvo, mainly as I was doing up a property. That thing has served it's purpose, but a little bit of me dies each time I have to drive it and the house is now finished. I don't need a "practical" car any more for daily purposes. And I want to annoy the neighbours...

Any cold shower water or general slap advise greatly received.

[Scrump]

I use a 996 for commuting with twice the miles and twice the age of the caymans you are looking at.
Puts a smile on my face even though I don’t get to open it up properly on the commute.

I have been looking at a speedster for the weekend, good choice

[LennyM1984]

Just for clarity, do you mean a 987 gen 2 Cayman? The 981 is newer and the "Gen 2" would be a 718

[Tesco]

Sorry, didn't make that clear. 987 gen 2s, 2.9 and 3.4 s models.

[leef44]

I don't know too much about these nor have I owned a Porsche but I thought all the reliability issues ended with the 987 gen 1 so that a gen 2 is a safe bet?

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will come in and help soon.

[DJMC]

I tried a couple of 987 IIs but wasn't comfortable and the tech was a tad too old. So I went for a 981 base five years ago, at 54k miles now, and still love it.

Try 987 and 981 and see which you prefer?

But no, you're not mad. 2yr servicing, 37mpg average (from 981 2.7 engine), tyres go 25/40k miles. TWO boots even!
I mainly commute. PDK best, plus cruise.

Get one.

[julian987R]

Tesco said:

Basically, am I out of my tiny little mind?

I've hankered after a Cayman for years. I've owned a 944 and a couple of 928's, both of which I used as daily motors, but that was back in my armed forces days so didn't do what you would call a "commute".

I recently traded in my 944 Turbo against a Cayman R. You'd love the R that you are coming from a 944 background.

[Andyoz]

Caymans definitely a potential daily.

Mines a Weekender so the S was obvious choice but I drove a mates 2.9 base recently and that could be a smart choice for daily ..

Cayman 987 was fast when it was released but hot hatches now will keep up/pass on the straights so it's now about the chassis really and a 2.9 will still demolish a B road in the right hands.

Caymans carry more shopping, luggage etc than you'd think too. I used mine for shopping runs during Lockdown for a family of 5 (any excuse to get a run in it)

Edited by Andyoz on Saturday 19th September 23:58

[AJB88]

Up your budget, get a 981 (2012-2016) and have done with it. I ended up doubling my budget for the right car 2 years ago.

[AndrewGP]

I’d say do it.

I bought an 09 plate 2.9 Cayman 987.2 a week ago for my daily and it’s a great place to be on my commute. Mine’s a bit shorter than yours at 15 miles but it’s A and B roads so great fun when traffic allows. Equally it’s quite happy to potter along at 50mph and I find it a nice place to sit, even with some aggressive suspension and exhaust mods. It’s not too noisy, the standard seats are comfy and it’s returning 30ish MPG.

My only real issue with it so far is the lack of a decent infotainment system. Coming from a 2017 BMW with nav, bluetooth and DAB means it’s a bit of a come down so I’ll be upgrading the system to a touch screen double din DAB head unit with Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth very soon. A bit of research shows it’s quite easy to do and looks very OEM when done. Mine also didn’t come with rear speakers but that can be done at a later date as apparently it’s a bit of a ballache to do.

[Fnumber1user]

Not mad at all, that's barely a commute! Test drive, test drive, test drive - and enjoy chasing down the car that suits.

[EGTE]

I think it's a great plan. You're a long time dead and you should enjoy as much of your time as possible.

I would go for the 2.9 myself; thicker walls on the block and better MPG.

[Tesco]

Thanks for all the positive replies!

Budget wise, I'm gonna have to stick to my guns there. I've a couple of other hobbies that are superb at eating money and I don't want to have any impact on the lifestyle I currently enjoy.

Interesting point in the possible dated tech and infotainment system. To be honest, this is such a low priority for me I hadn't even considered it!

I steadfastly refuse to connect my phone to any vehicle, that's my space and time not anyone elses.

Sat nav, couldn't care less. Never use the wretched things anyway. Give me a good old fashioned map and a "post it note" 😃.

It's not that I'm a technophobe, far from it. I work with cutting edge technology in offshore surveying, but for me a car is special because of the way it drives and feels. The mobile "Dixon's" side of it has no interest.

Speed wise, again, not really a priority. Sure a modern tuned hot hatch might well wipe the floor with a 10 year old 2.9, but then it's just tarted up family hatch on some generic shared platform. Not special in my view. Probably why I love my little Smart Roadster so much. No, it's by no means quick, but it makes journeys into an event with it's very low slung ride and agile handling. Speed is far from everything. My old 944 couldn't keep up with anything modern, but plant it in 3rd / 4th and there was a nice rort from the exhaust as it wound up past 3k and the whole thing just felt a little special. Guess that's what I'm really after in anything newer.

[leef44]

Tesco said:

Thanks for all the positive replies!

Budget wise, I'm gonna have to stick to my guns there. I've a couple of other hobbies that are superb at eating money and I don't want to have any impact on the lifestyle I currently enjoy.

Interesting point in the possible dated tech and infotainment system. To be honest, this is such a low priority for me I hadn't even considered it!

I steadfastly refuse to connect my phone to any vehicle, that's my space and time not anyone elses.

Sat nav, couldn't care less. Never use the wretched things anyway. Give me a good old fashioned map and a "post it note" ??.

It's not that I'm a technophobe, far from it. I work with cutting edge technology in offshore surveying, but for me a car is special because of the way it drives and feels. The mobile "Dixon's" side of it has no interest.

Speed wise, again, not really a priority. Sure a modern tuned hot hatch might well wipe the floor with a 10 year old 2.9, but then it's just tarted up family hatch on some generic shared platform. Not special in my view. Probably why I love my little Smart Roadster so much. No, it's by no means quick, but it makes journeys into an event with it's very low slung ride and agile handling. Speed is far from everything. My old 944 couldn't keep up with anything modern, but plant it in 3rd / 4th and there was a nice rort from the exhaust as it wound up past 3k and the whole thing just felt a little special. Guess that's what I'm really after in anything newer.

I'm like you. My SLK has blue tooth, Harmon Kardon speakers etc. but I don't even have the stereo on - too busy listening to the engine.

In which case, I don't think you will miss the tech and the older model car will be more analogue. The flat six sings beautifully at full chat.

[Ultrafunkula]

I just replaced a 987.2 Cayman S with a new Focus ST, the Cayman had a lot of reliability issues over the two years I had it (sold at 47k miles) which were quite costly to fix so scrutinise potential purchases. The Cayman was faster than the Focus but less flexible/punchy, not comfortable for a long commute but would work for a short one.

[leef44]

Ultrafunkula said:

I just replaced a 987.2 Cayman S with a new Focus ST, the Cayman had a lot of reliability issues over the two years I had it (sold at 47k miles) which were quite costly to fix so scrutinise potential purchases. The Cayman was faster than the Focus but less flexible/punchy, not comfortable for a long commute but would work for a short one.

and there I was thinking this would be quite a reliable Porsche.

Were they mechanical or electrical issues you encountered, or just age related?

[NNH]

leef44 said:

Ultrafunkula said:

I just replaced a 987.2 Cayman S with a new Focus ST, the Cayman had a lot of reliability issues over the two years I had it (sold at 47k miles) which were quite costly to fix so scrutinise potential purchases. The Cayman was faster than the Focus but less flexible/punchy, not comfortable for a long commute but would work for a short one.

and there I was thinking this would be quite a reliable Porsche.

Were they mechanical or electrical issues you encountered, or just age related?

My 987.1 started to get very expensive around 60k miles. Up till then it was a commuter, occasional track car, and comfortable long-distance holiday car. I happen to know that you can get 52 bottles of wine in both boots if you're passing through Calais...

[Andyoz]

leef44 said:

Ultrafunkula said:

I just replaced a 987.2 Cayman S with a new Focus ST, the Cayman had a lot of reliability issues over the two years I had it (sold at 47k miles) which were quite costly to fix so scrutinise potential purchases. The Cayman was faster than the Focus but less flexible/punchy, not comfortable for a long commute but would work for a short one.

and there I was thinking this would be quite a reliable Porsche.

Were they mechanical or electrical issues you encountered, or just age related?

Don't confuse reliability with preventative maintenance.

Porsches rarely leave you stranded at side of road like some other sports cars. They are well engineered machines but are mid engined performance cars at the end of the day so harder to work on. They can throw a chunky bill your way and that's just the way it is. There's a handful of things really (coolant pipes, rads, water pump, clutch, brakes, etc) so just read up on them so you can spot a car that's had the key things done

If I was the OP, I'd find the most sorted 2.9 he can and leave the money saved as a war chest. A mates got one with full leather (including dash), color coded centre console and sports seats and it's a nice place to sit. Sounds great too. A lovely engine that'll be well regarded as time goes on.

I wouldn't go into Porsche ownership spending every last Pound at the front end. You wanna be able to enjoy her and not be worried about money from day one so you need a bigger war chest that typical cars.

Edited by Andyoz on Sunday 20th September 23:03

[LunarOne]

Well I bought a 3.4 981 Boxster in 2017, and another one in Summer 2018 to use as a daily. I was commuting 70 miles per day a few days a week back then although I no longer commute. As long as you don't need to be able to carry more than 1 passenger it's an amazing car. I don't find it particularly expensive to run - fuel, tyres and servicing is similar to any premium/luxury car, but unlike those it makes every journey enjoyable. The only thing I'd like is more power which is why I'm considering a GTS 4.0, and for that reason I wouldn't look at the 2.9. I prefer a manual gearbox, but I've driven a Cayman R, a 718 S and various 911s with PDK and they are all excellent. In fact the Cayman is more practical than the Boxster as it's quieter and has a more useful hatchback boot. But I can still get my golf clubs in the back of my Boxster and it was perfectly fine for a two-up 3000-mile European tour last summer.

Pros
- enjoyable to drive
- great handling
- fantastic flat six sound
- feels solid
- very practical
- plenty of specialists for cost effective servicing
- holds value well

Cons
- not the cheapest to run
- only two seats
- could use more power
- long gearing means you're in points territory even in second gear (although this is not as much of an issue with PDK)
- more expensive to purchase than equivalents from other makers.

Sanity check passed.

[Ultrafunkula]

leef44 said:

Ultrafunkula said:

I just replaced a 987.2 Cayman S with a new Focus ST, the Cayman had a lot of reliability issues over the two years I had it (sold at 47k miles) which were quite costly to fix so scrutinise potential purchases. The Cayman was faster than the Focus but less flexible/punchy, not comfortable for a long commute but would work for a short one.

and there I was thinking this would be quite a reliable Porsche.

Were they mechanical or electrical issues you encountered, or just age related?

All mechanical issues including failed high pressure fuel pump, snapped transmission cables, snapped coffin arm, blown exhaust gaskets and correcting rattles/clunks. Mine had lived a hard life I suspect but it was inconvenient as my nearest specialist was a fair distance.