RE: The £10k Porsche Cayman | Spotted

RE: The £10k Porsche Cayman | Spotted

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BevR

676 posts

142 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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joropug said:
I did one of those track experience days in an Audi R8, the warm up laps were in a Cayman.

Not sure on engine size, but it was the most boring 'sports car' I have ever driven. I would absolutely buy an Audi TT or something over that, it would be no less fun, faster, cheaper to maintain and arguably looks better.
I did the exact same thing 7 or 8 years ago (Thruxton?) but I had the opposite experience. I had never driven a car that reacted as immediately and intuitively as the Cayman. I currently drive an S2000 and recently went back to Thruxton where they are still running those original Caymans, they felt a little worn but were still a fantastically communicative car (would love to know what kind of maintenance they have required, there cant be many cars that put up with that kind of use for so long).

I have considered replacing my S2000 with a 981 but they are a little expensive for a toy that wouldn't do more than a few thousand miles a year.

pauly porsche

21 posts

135 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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joropug said:
I did one of those track experience days in an Audi R8, the warm up laps were in a Cayman.

Not sure on engine size, but it was the most boring 'sports car' I have ever driven. I would absolutely buy an Audi TT or something over that, it would be no less fun, faster, cheaper to maintain and arguably looks better.
you obviously didn't drive it quickly that's when they come into their own

V8fan

6,244 posts

267 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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deebs said:
Strange that this is on a 06 plate when the 2.7 wasnt launched til 07.
??? The 2.7 was available from July 2006.

jase_llan

148 posts

56 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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BFleming said:
Interesting indeed - I've done a couple of track days in my 986 2.7 and there's always a decent mix of cars there. I find the Boxster is much quicker in the corners than the hot hatches, better brakes and faster entry/exit speed thanks to the lower centre of gravity. The Boxster has the edge on the straights, and can brake much later.
Regarding the long gearing comment... at least it's not automatic, unlike most cheap Caymans, 996s, 997s, Boxsters, etc.
Thanks to you all for your considered responses.

I would be very interested to compare my current track car to your 2.7, it's not a fair comparison at all but a Cayman/Boxster would be a great car to benchmark against! It's a MK6 Fiesta shell with the MK7 ST engine swapped in and remapped to 235bhp, stripped out interior with roll cage/bucket/harness, 300mm Mondeo front brake and 280mm Focus ST rear brake conversions on semi slicks... But still currently with standard Fiesta dampers on lowering springs!

just passing by

46 posts

76 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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pauly porsche said:
joropug said:
I did one of those track experience days in an Audi R8, the warm up laps were in a Cayman.

Not sure on engine size, but it was the most boring 'sports car' I have ever driven. I would absolutely buy an Audi TT or something over that, it would be no less fun, faster, cheaper to maintain and arguably looks better.
you obviously didn't drive it quickly that's when they come into their own
yes, agree. I did that track day too - 06 Cayman then an 08 R8. much preferred the Cayman, as you could take it closer to its limit at Thruxton and enjoy the engine howl to a much greater extent. The R8 was just too smooth and capable; far harder to wring its neck and enjoy testing the traction.

Byker28i

58,831 posts

216 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Whats the mpg on these on a typical run. Could be an interesting choice for a fun commute vehicle

Drekly

749 posts

57 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Filibuster said:
Interesting to see indeed!

Cayman 2.7 manual: 245PS@6'500rpm; 273NM@4'600-6'000rpm; 1'375kg; 6.1s 0-62; 258 km/h

Fiesta ST 1.5 manual: 200PS@6'000rpm; 290NM@1'600-4'000rpm; 1'188kg; 6.5s 0-62; 232 km/h

Polo GTI 2.0 DSG: 200PS@ 4'400-6'000rpm; 320NM@1'500-4'350rpm; 1'355kg; 6.7s 0-62; 238 km/h

In the real world, I'd say the Polo will be the fastest on the road with average drivers in both.
I have a F56 Mini Cooper S (automatic!) and a manual 997.1 C2 and it always astonishes me how fast the Mini is.
Unless you really concentrate and are really on your toes, the Mini is faster in real day traffic.

Of course the Porsche (Cayman and/or 997) is the faster a) on the Autobahn b) on the track c) in the hands of a good driver on the right road.
In short always when silly speeds are involved.

The pickup of speed from 5-40 mph on these turbo'd small cars is incredible. Just look at the torque curve.
Also these electronic front differentials those FWD hot hatches have these days, are really incredible.
Coupled together to a modern auto or better DSG/PDK, you have so easily accessible performance.
Interesting thread. The 10k Cayman, it is tempting. Considering a 987.1 Cayman for next car and one of the big question marks is "will a 2.7 feel too slow"? The bore score stories have put me off the Gen 1 3.4 as it seems to be a case of not if but when from all I have read.
The 2.7 seems like a safe bet on the bore score front, the IMS still being a possible problem (vs safer Gen 2) but low risk compared to earlier cars like the 987 Boxsters from the mid 2000s. The jump in price to the Gen 2 seems a fair bit, certainly for the 3.4s.

For reference to the cars you mention above I have similar sort of thing, a remapped R56 Cooper S, 213bhp & 220lb/ft so 0-60 probably in the low 6 second bracket and decent midrange acceleration from anywhere in the rev range.
I'm sure, I'm certainly hoping, the Cayman will be much better and more interesting to drive, and I could tolerate it being not much faster, as long as it doesn't feel slower - which would be a little embarrasing compared to a mini. I think it will be a case of wringing it out further up the rev range. No hardship with a flat 6 though smile

I guess a test drive will be the only way to tell for sure. I've driven a 718 (brilliant car bar the noise) but never a 987. Usage will be typically weekend B road blasts rather than on track.

boxsey

3,574 posts

209 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Byker28i said:
Whats the mpg on these on a typical run. Could be an interesting choice for a fun commute vehicle
About 28 mpg on a commute of about 20 miles (mixed A roads and urban). Will do 35 mpg on motorway runs. About 12 mpg on trackdays.

Dunk130TC

328 posts

189 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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I've run a 06 987 2.7 Boxster as a daily, doing c.16k pa. I normally change my car every 2 years, this has been a total exception and I've now approaching 5 years with it. As an exciting daily it's brilliant, servicing every 20k, great spares availability and independents. I average 31mpg and with a carnewal GT it sounds good too. I bought it from Sytner Select for £13k with 30k miles, it's prob still worth £6k-£7k 5 years later. Yes, other cars give you more mpg and power but a few mpg doesn't buy much depreciation. The reliability of the 2.7 allows you to sleep and night too. For cost and enjoyment they're exceptional value. Other than having my head turned to a Gen 2 2.9 Cayman, I can't see what else I'd go for.
If it were to be an occasional toy, for me the 2.7 is not special or quick enough but for every day fun , practical daily with a Carplay head unit, it's brilliant.
(Just need to watch the specs as there's some basic cars about.)

Carl_Manchester

12,103 posts

261 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Mark_Blanchard said:
My Wife has a 987 Boxster.....
PH Gold smile

BFleming

3,589 posts

142 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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jase_llan said:
I would be very interested to compare my current track car to your 2.7, it's not a fair comparison at all but a Cayman/Boxster would be a great car to benchmark against! It's a MK6 Fiesta shell with the MK7 ST engine swapped in and remapped to 235bhp, stripped out interior with roll cage/bucket/harness, 300mm Mondeo front brake and 280mm Focus ST rear brake conversions on semi slicks... But still currently with standard Fiesta dampers on lowering springs!
My Boxster was £3.2k and has no mods. I would confidently say your Fiesta would show it a clean pair of heels! But the lads who show up in near standard hot hatches wouldn't (and haven't).

Mobrown

10 posts

170 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Ive always fancied one of these, is there much in it in real world driving between a 2.7 and 3.2S ?

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

190 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Byker28i said:
Whats the mpg on these on a typical run. Could be an interesting choice for a fun commute vehicle
I reckon you could get about 35mpg on the motorway, but the minute you get stuck in traffic it plummits. I'd bank on low to mid 20s as an average.

323ti

128 posts

120 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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987.2 Cayman 2.9 would be my choice. Doesn't have the power of the S model but it's the only Porsche engine that is not direct fuel injection AND without any of the IMS or bore scoring issues.
Interior much nicer in the Mk2 as well, still hydraulic power steering, not fast but just sweet, especially on 17 inch rims.
When I went from 18 to 17s on my S the total weight loss including tires was 35lbs, all unsprung.
The gearing was annoying though, and the lack of torque on non-S engines would show it up even more.

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Filibuster said:
jase_llan said:
It'd be interesting to see how these fare against modern small hot hatches - 245bhp and 1.3-1.4 tonnes means there could not be a lot in it between one of these and say, a MK7/8 Fiesta ST or Polo GTI?

Obviously this is going to be more of an 'experience' to drive and own, but nonetheless it'd be an interesting comparison.
Interesting to see indeed!

Cayman 2.7 manual: 245PS@6'500rpm; 273NM@4'600-6'000rpm; 1'375kg; 6.1s 0-62; 258 km/h

Fiesta ST 1.5 manual: 200PS@6'000rpm; 290NM@1'600-4'000rpm; 1'188kg; 6.5s 0-62; 232 km/h

Polo GTI 2.0 DSG: 200PS@ 4'400-6'000rpm; 320NM@1'500-4'350rpm; 1'355kg; 6.7s 0-62; 238 km/h

In the real world, I'd say the Polo will be the fastest on the road with average drivers in both.
I have a F56 Mini Cooper S (automatic!) and a manual 997.1 C2 and it always astonishes me how fast the Mini is.
Unless you really concentrate and are really on your toes, the Mini is faster in real day traffic.

Of course the Porsche (Cayman and/or 997) is the faster a) on the Autobahn b) on the track c) in the hands of a good driver on the right road.
In short always when silly speeds are involved.

The pickup of speed from 5-40 mph on these turbo'd small cars is incredible. Just look at the torque curve.
Also these electronic front differentials those FWD hot hatches have these days, are really incredible.
Coupled together to a modern auto or better DSG/PDK, you have so easily accessible performance.
I can relate to this as well and I have a F56 Mini Cooper S(189bhp but turbo/0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds/1160kg) and a 370Z(330bhp and NA/0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds/1550ish kg). The weight obviously is the 370Z's achilles heel but in almost every situation the Mini feels as quick if not quicker than the 370.

I've never really got on with the looks of the Cayman but this seems like an affordable way into Porsche ownership. I'd love a drive in one for sure.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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The equivalent Boxster seems to be about a third cheaper, any reason to go for the Cayman over the Boxster?

Dusty964

6,919 posts

189 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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I've had mine a year.
122000km
06 S tiptronic.
Fantastic thing.
I paid 7k Stirling.
Selling now as I fancy a change, but it's been faultless, depreciation free motoring for a year.
I really can't see the replacement being a hot hatch.

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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Joey Deacon said:
The equivalent Boxster seems to be about a third cheaper, any reason to go for the Cayman over the Boxster?
Good question. I guess it just depends if you prefer a Coupe or a Roadster...the Boxster always gets good reviews for the way it drives/handles and so does the Cayman. Once upon a time the Cayman would be the one for me, but now I'm getting older I'd find it a very tough decision to make between the two.

lotuslover69

269 posts

142 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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I had a Cayman S and the fear of IMS really does start to get to you after a while. A very costly repair that isn't worth the worry of ownership. Also bore scoring is very common on these and if it smokes on startup chances are there is some degree of scoring which is pretty much all of them. Sold mine a few years ago and checking database the car isn't road registered anymore so i hope the previous owner simply changed the plates and didn't write it off or suffer IMS.

lotuslover69

269 posts

142 months

Thursday 27th February 2020
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I had a Cayman S and the fear of IMS really does start to get to you after a while. A very costly repair that isn't worth the worry of ownership. Also bore scoring is very common on these and if it smokes on startup chances are there is some degree of scoring which is pretty much all of them. Sold mine a few years ago and checking database the car isn't road registered anymore so i hope the new owner simply changed the plates and didn't write it off or suffer IMS.