987 Cayman 2.7 vs 2.9

[Drekly]

Could be in the market for one of these and weighing up whether the 987.2 is worth the extra cash.
Obviously the 2.9 is the more robust power plant, but is the extra 20bhp and 20lb/ft noticeable? Or, if not, then is the older 2.7 robust enough (compared to the 987.1 3.4 at least) that it is a relatively risk free option.

I'd narrow it to cars with around 45-70k miles, and like for like there seems to be about £5-6k difference in price (perhaps £12-13k vs 18-19k for a 2.7 vs 2.9).
Also any advice on what cars are actually selling for vs advertised prices would be handy. Are some of these private sale car sellers being optimistic?
For instance if you can bag a good 2.7 for not much more than 10 or 11k then that might tip the balance.

I haven't entirely ruled out an S, but the 987.2 still seems to be comfortably over £20k for a decent one, and I want to minimize getting an earlier bore scory one. Which limits things to cars that already have a rebuilt engine, and preferably pre-April 2006 ones at that.

It won't be a daily drive, will be weekend use only and probably only cover about 3-4k miles a year.

Thanks.

[CDR]

Hi Drekly,

My much cherished 2008 987.1 Cayman 2.7, which seems to fit your desired criteria in terms of mileage etc, is currently for sale in a live auction on the Collecting Cars Auction website https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2008-porsche-9...

Thanks CDR

[Essential]

2.9 Is a superb engine / car - the 987.2 is such a good allround car.

[deeb0]

Drekly said:

.... is the older 2.7 robust enough (compared to the 987.1 3.4 at least) that it is a relatively risk free option.

Yes, in terms of engine risks. The 2.7 isn't known to be a bore-score risk and it's oft-reported that all caymans got the later, final design IMS bearing and therein also isnt a particular risk.

[Drekly]

CDR said:

Hi Drekly,

My much cherished 2008 987.1 Cayman 2.7, which seems to fit your desired criteria in terms of mileage etc, is currently for sale in a live auction on the Collecting Cars Auction website https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2008-porsche-9...

Thanks CDR

That is an absolute cracker. And in Guards with sports exhaust. It will probably go for over my budget but will keep an eye on it.

[Drekly]

With excellent timing JayEmm has just released a new vid on the 2.7:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bfAZVea6nE

Pretty favourable review, looks to be just what I'm after.

[Andyoz]

Drekly said:

With excellent timing JayEmm has just released a new vid on the 2.7:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bfAZVea6nE

Pretty favourable review, looks to be just what I'm after.

Definitley the most obvious entry point into Porsche ownership.

Gives you a reference point to see where you might go later or just own it for years and enjoy.

240hp isn't 'weak' by any means....I'd have chewed someones arm off to get that in a NA engine 25 years ago.

I would personally go that extra for a 2.9 as I really think nice examples of those will fare well as the years go by. Prices on them have strengthened though in the last year andn they are very close to 3.4S money so the 2.7 maybe better value if that's the main thing.

Edited by Andyoz on Thursday 29th October 12:39

[deebs]

Drekly said:

With excellent timing JayEmm has just released a new vid on the 2.7:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bfAZVea6nE

Pretty favourable review, looks to be just what I'm after.

Quite a good review although he was quite positive on the gearbox which I think it's a bit meh, decent enough but not amazing. His claim that they are "cheap to run" is a bit questionable, it shares 3/4ters with the 997 911 and can happily chuck up a £1500 bill at a specialist , plus most people I've read say ignore the 2 year service schedule and have the oil changed every year.

However I agree with him on alot, like the handling and it having plenty enough of "go" on the right road, but you're never going to be blown away by the performance.

Subjective, but I think the dimentions of it make it lovely to look at. I'd say go for one, very unlikely to regret it.

(current owner of a 2008 2.7 for 3 years).

[tozerman]

Agree with the above.
A 987/1 2.7 is all the fun car you'll ever need. Not fast but plenty fast enough and a simply brilliant chassis....

[Maxym]

Better-looking dash in the .2 I'd say. That said the PCM is rather dated now.

[AndrewGP]

Maxym said:

Better-looking dash in the .2 I'd say. That said the PCM is rather dated now.

True, but easy enough to swap out for a minimalist looking DAB unit, I did mine a few weeks go and it's a huge improvement both aesthetically and functionally.

[deebs]

AndrewGP said:

Maxym said:

Better-looking dash in the .2 I'd say. That said the PCM is rather dated now.

True, but easy enough to swap out for a minimalist looking DAB unit, I did mine a few weeks go and it's a huge improvement both aesthetically and functionally.

I think that's a good point, the interior of the 987.1 is.....not great. Still you dont buy the car to sit looking at the dash . I've got the original CDR24 unit (single CD slot radio) which i think actually looks better than theupgrade sat-nav of its era.

If I used the car daily I'd probably be looking at something like this: https://dynavindirect.co.uk/select-your-car/dynavi...

But since I only use it a few k a year and I've a carnwahl exhaust upgrade I generally just drive along listening to the engine and exhaust!

[Drekly]

deebs said:

I think that's a good point, the interior of the 987.1 is.....not great. Still you dont buy the car to sit looking at the dash . I've got the original CDR24 unit (single CD slot radio) which i think actually looks better than theupgrade sat-nav of its era.

If I used the car daily I'd probably be looking at something like this: https://dynavindirect.co.uk/select-your-car/dynavi...

But since I only use it a few k a year and I've a carnwahl exhaust upgrade I generally just drive along listening to the engine and exhaust!

Like you, I'm in the minimalist camp. I don't care about satnav or infotainment systems. General spec can be as basic/poverty as they come. And no problem with 17 inch wheels if they ride better.

I think I would like the sports exhaust though, or a decent aftermarket one.

[Slippydiff]

deebs said:

AndrewGP said:

Maxym said:

Better-looking dash in the .2 I'd say. That said the PCM is rather dated now.

True, but easy enough to swap out for a minimalist looking DAB unit, I did mine a few weeks go and it's a huge improvement both aesthetically and functionally.

I think that's a good point, the interior of the 987.1 is.....not great. Still you dont buy the car to sit looking at the dash . I've got the original CDR24 unit (single CD slot radio) which i think actually looks better than theupgrade sat-nav of its era.

If I used the car daily I'd probably be looking at something like this: https://dynavindirect.co.uk/select-your-car/dynavi...

But since I only use it a few k a year and I've a carnwahl exhaust upgrade I generally just drive along listening to the engine and exhaust!

Or you can go for the minimalist (and lighter) "RennSport" look/ethos, and rely solely on your smart phone

[deebs]

Slippydiff said:

Or you can go for the minimalist (and lighter) "RennSport" look/ethos, and rely solely on your smart phone

Haha love that!

[Slippydiff]

deebs said:

Slippydiff said:

Or you can go for the minimalist (and lighter) "RennSport" look/ethos, and rely solely on your smart phone

Haha love that!

It's the best dash de-cluttering mod you can do !!

[P5BNij]

Drekly said:

deebs said:

I think that's a good point, the interior of the 987.1 is.....not great. Still you dont buy the car to sit looking at the dash . I've got the original CDR24 unit (single CD slot radio) which i think actually looks better than theupgrade sat-nav of its era.

If I used the car daily I'd probably be looking at something like this: https://dynavindirect.co.uk/select-your-car/dynavi...

But since I only use it a few k a year and I've a carnwahl exhaust upgrade I generally just drive along listening to the engine and exhaust!

Like you, I'm in the minimalist camp. I don't care about satnav or infotainment systems. General spec can be as basic/poverty as they come. And no problem with 17 inch wheels if they ride better.

I think I would like the sports exhaust though, or a decent aftermarket one.

Are there any aftermarket 17s that are suitable for the 987 Cayman...?

[Drekly]

P5BNij said:

Are there any aftermarket 17s that are suitable for the 987 Cayman...?

I'd actually like to see one on some Fuchs-a-likes.

[shalmaneser]

The earlier 2.7 is supposed to be more robust than the later one. 2.9 obviously largely problem free (or so we currently think!)

I've got a 3.4 996 and my fiancee has a 2.7 987 Boxster and while the Boxster is a really great car I do think it is missing a bit of thrust. The car as a whole is wonderful though and makes me rethink whether a 911 is really all that over an 'S'.

Why not a good condition early 987 3.2 Boxster?

[P5BNij]

Drekly said:

P5BNij said:

Are there any aftermarket 17s that are suitable for the 987 Cayman...?

I'd actually like to see one on some Fuchs-a-likes.

Just found these 987 pics....





And on a 981....



Boxter pics from the same search....







Answered my own question! I think they look pretty good.