Advice Needed On Cayman Purchase

[Anneke2013]

I am hoping all you "pistonheads" can give me some advice.

I am actively looking to buy a Cayman in the £16,000 range - so it will be an 06/07 plate. My big question is how reliable are they. I am scared that it will cost more to run than I can afford.

Also is it worth looking into getting a porsche warranty on the vehicle or are there other companies who offer good warranties.

Any help will be MUCH appreciated!

[ChipsAndCheese]

Generally, their reliability is fine. Horror stories about the engines are exaggerated as you only read about the few bad ones and not the many thousands that are fine. But it helps to be aware. Wear and tear items can be expensive to fix/replace.

Have a look at the My Garage bit in my profile to see my maintenance log. I have a Porsche warranty on mine, so servicing has always been kept in the Porsche network (though I have used independents for some jobs). If you were to use independents for everything you would be able to get some of those costs down a bit.

Edited by ChipsAndCheese on Monday 5th August 12:18

[cooldude00]

bought a 06 cayman s back with 11k miles in 2011 within OPC network, 14k miles since

bits replaced/fixed under warranty
- temp gauge replaced
- passenger wing mirror motor
- front springs

not under warranty
- 60k service
- front brake discs/pads
- 2 sets of rears, 1 set of fronts (PS2 N rated)
- rear hatch rattling
- 110 pt check for additional 2 yr extended warranty

alloys have started to bubble but assume it won't be under warranty

happy to keep everything within OPC network for piece of mind - price of running a porsche imho

had a z4 for 7 yrs before moving to this - no regrets.. everytime i get in, it's a great feeling, the drive, the feedback from this is unlike my other cars...

[Oi U]

You might want to have a look at:

http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/motas/porker12.html

[mrdemon]

you have to think of it as running a 50k sports car not a 15k car.

then rethink the costs.

this always stops me buying 2nd hand Ferrari's :-)

[jcelee]

I think its fair to say that the 2.7, especially in manual guise appear to suffer fewer problems than 3.4 S and possibly tiptronic variants. Although as others say the internet may give an exagerated view of potential issues.

Well worth getting any prospective purchase inspected at this price point, probably also not so cost effective to try to run it within the OPC network or with official warranty. The reason I say that is that nit-picky remedial work as part of the 111 point check is likely to make it more cost effective to have bought a newer/OPC serviced/ under warranty car in the first place.

[Jakub]

Last 18 months of my ownership:

PPI – a must
Service incl. brake fluid replacement – had to be done obviously
4 new Michelin Pilot N rated tyres - 2 were needed but all 4 replaced because I did not like Continentals
Rusty wheel bolts replaced with chrome ones – again not really something that I had to do
New disks and pads all round - that was needed
Front control arms - was needed
Full geo setup – see above
TECHART daytime running light system – because I like the look of them
Carnewal GT exhaust – it is a must
Centre console storage compartment lid replaced - the only thing that was really broken

[dry664]

Find a 2.7 privately, have it inspected and look for a good indie to look after it. Keep up the servicing schedule but have the oil changed every year. With the indie labour rate you will save yourself a packet.

As an example, an OPC Byfleet quoted me £694 for front discs and pads. I got them done for £295 by a local indie (Porsche parts). As a comparison Ford will charge you £230 for the same on a Mondeo.

The 2.7 engine seems to be very reliable. Just get one and enjoy it.

[Gabby123]

I run a 05 plate Boxster 2.7. Done 53k. Bought 2 years ago from Paul French. Have a look at his website paulfrench.co.uk. I use him for servicing as well. Very reasonable servicing costs. You are looking at £400 plus VAT for a service. Tyres I replaced were bought from etyres. Again good value.
So it's not a lot of cost compared to ordinary saloons.

[Anneke2013]

Thanx for some great advice but I think at this stage maybe a Porsche is still slightly above my reach. I can afford to buy one but am not sure I will be able to keep running one.

I think I'll look for a different entry level sports car. Hope to be back looking in the next 2-3 years

[pete.g]

That's a pity - test drive a Cayman and then buy something that is a better drive for 15k.

You'll not be able to find anything.

If you can get an 07 car it will have been serviced in 2009, 2011 and 2013 so you won't need a service until 2015. (Provided it has covered 10k miles a year or fewer)

Make sure the tyres, pads and discs are recent and it could be a year or more before you have to spend anything on it bar fuel. I did my own brakes all round for less than OPC's charge for one axle.

My only fault in 7 years of Cayman ownership has been a coolant temperature sensor. I have replaced the battery and a set of track rods, but these are wear and tear items. Aside from that, it's just been tyres and fuel.

Best thing I've ever done car-wise was to buy a Cayman S new in 2006. Go for it!

[RudeDog]

This is what 3-years cost me in one...

http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHist...

Still the best car I've ever owned to drive but also the most expensive to run by a country mile.

[FisiP1]

Hartech has said that from their data, the 2.7 engine is far more reliable concerning the really ruinous bill, the IMS failure, than the 3.4. I believe they said the haven not seen a 2.7 IMS failure on the Cayman (it being the updated M97 engine rather than the earlier M96 fitted to earlier Boxsters).

Parts like discs and (depending if you have the optional 'S' wheels) tyres are also much cheaper with the 2.7.

Had nothing at all go wrong in a year of ownership of my 2.7. Great car.

[hashlove]

Back in 07, i bought a new cayman, ran it for 3 years without any issues. Undoubtedly one of the best cars you can buy. Pull the trigger on the right car, and you wont regret it.

[juansolo]

Oi U said:

You might want to have a look at:

http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/motas/porker12.html

Probably wants P13 for the buyers guide.

Had mine for 4 years (2007 car) and have had no issues beyond the usual.

One of the track rod ends has a tiny bit of play in it and I'll have both swapped at the next service with the later, more robust ones. My RMS is weeping very, very slightly. There's no dripping and as such I'll just keep an eye and have it swapped if I need to have the clutch done at some point. My car doesn't use any oil. Yep you get the puff of smoke at start up some times, but they all do that and it clears quickly.

I use indies or haggling and paid £500 for my last major service inc MOT at an OPC and £220 inc MOT again at an indie for a minor. Remember this is every other year also. Servicing is not really much more than any 'normal' car when you take that into account.

As I don't have a warranty I didn't have to bend over and give Porsche £150 for the POS battery they fit and instead spent £80 on a superior, and lighter, Bosch Silver.

I've yet to pay very much on tyres at all. I sold my 18's for £700 and bought a set of 17's with 3 month old tyres on for £600... I actually made money on that one. I then kept my eye on ebay for the next couple of years and snagged another set of 17's, again with barely used tyres, for another £600. Tyres alone are £800 a set...

Insurance for me with full no claims and no convictions, aged 41 and kept on the drive is £400 with Adrian Flux currently. I preferred the policy I had with Henderson Taylor to be fair as it was better tailored to a sports car user. But they got expensive and are seeking new underwriters. I'd go back if they can get close on price.

Brakes are a lot cheaper on the 2.7 than an S. I've got a set of pads to change on mine at some point. Looks like a piss easy job, so I'll do that myself.

Essentially, if you treat it like a normal performance car rather than some sort of delicate unexploded bomb, the experience and running costs don't need to be excessive. Indeed the Cayman has worked out at around half what my old Impreza cost to run, just by being sensible about it.

You need not to pussy foot around in them. Don't labour the engines, they don't like it and you'll do more harm than good. Also use the brakes unless you want to spend extra prematurely swapping discs.

They are brilliant cars. Treat them right and they will reward you plenty.

Edited by juansolo on Tuesday 6th August 08:49

[Actus Reus]

Never a truer word said - treat 'em with respect and they'll only be a bit more than, say, a Z4 cost wise, yet they're twice the car. A well looked-after 2.7, with recent work done should be a solid enough buy.