Thinking about getting a 987 Cayman..
Discussion
Hi all,
As per title, thinking about getting a Cayman early next year. I think it needs to be a 3.4 manual.
Initially I was attracted by the seemingly low prices of Gen 1s at 13/14k although I will admit I've not gone to look at any yet. Having read the gen 1 scare stories though i'm starting to think gen 2 would be the way forward although that is a lot more than I intended to spend and they seem a lot fewer around - why?
So a couple of basic Qs as i have read the buyers guide.
What do you guys think Gen2 S prices are going to do? It seems like there aren't any available for under 23k?.
Insurance and tax would be about the same as my old Leon cupra but does anyone have figures for running costs per year providing nothing out of the ordinary goes wrong? I would probably only do 5-7k a year.
Spec wise I wouldn't want big wheels but PASM sounds desirable, my background is older stuff so i'm used to not having many toys!
If anyone has any other words of wisdom i'm all ears, I've only started browsing through posts on here tonight but it looks a good source of info!
Cheers Steve
As per title, thinking about getting a Cayman early next year. I think it needs to be a 3.4 manual.
Initially I was attracted by the seemingly low prices of Gen 1s at 13/14k although I will admit I've not gone to look at any yet. Having read the gen 1 scare stories though i'm starting to think gen 2 would be the way forward although that is a lot more than I intended to spend and they seem a lot fewer around - why?
So a couple of basic Qs as i have read the buyers guide.
What do you guys think Gen2 S prices are going to do? It seems like there aren't any available for under 23k?.
Insurance and tax would be about the same as my old Leon cupra but does anyone have figures for running costs per year providing nothing out of the ordinary goes wrong? I would probably only do 5-7k a year.
Spec wise I wouldn't want big wheels but PASM sounds desirable, my background is older stuff so i'm used to not having many toys!
If anyone has any other words of wisdom i'm all ears, I've only started browsing through posts on here tonight but it looks a good source of info!
Cheers Steve
Hi Steve yes a gen2 is the way to go but I don't think you will find one a 3.4 that is for less than £25k but you will not loose any money on one as the 987.2 is a great car hence why so few to buy.Have you considered a late build 2.9 ? which would be in budget and imo a better buy than the Gen1 3.4. Personally if I was looking I would go for a car with 18" wheels and no PASM for the purer driving experience the more basic the better so no PCM either which is rubbish anyway.
Good luck happy hunting .
Good luck happy hunting .
I'd go for any of the facelifts. The 2.9 is still a sweet engine if it helps you stay closer to budget.
You don't need PASM. And you definitly don't want PCM.
Short shift is a nice addition but that can be added later.
Porsche sports exhaust is a great if you plan to keep it standard for warranty, if not then an aftermarket system is cheaper and just as good if not better.
Running costs should be not that more than your SEAT. The DFI engine is reasonably good on fuel considering it's a sports car. I can easily get over 30mpg in my 3.4 on a motorway run. Which drops to around the low 20s on a spirited blast. Apart from fuel, insurance etc then you're only really looking at consumables. Tyres and brakes could be slightly higher than your used to with the SEAT, but then you can also save a lot if you avoid the main dealer and don't care about keeping within warranty.
You don't need PASM. And you definitly don't want PCM.
Short shift is a nice addition but that can be added later.
Porsche sports exhaust is a great if you plan to keep it standard for warranty, if not then an aftermarket system is cheaper and just as good if not better.
Running costs should be not that more than your SEAT. The DFI engine is reasonably good on fuel considering it's a sports car. I can easily get over 30mpg in my 3.4 on a motorway run. Which drops to around the low 20s on a spirited blast. Apart from fuel, insurance etc then you're only really looking at consumables. Tyres and brakes could be slightly higher than your used to with the SEAT, but then you can also save a lot if you avoid the main dealer and don't care about keeping within warranty.
The reason there are not so many Gen.2 cars around are simply they sold in far fewer numbers then Gen 1. I assume it was partly due to being launched after 2008 financial crisis.
I was in a similar position to you, I paid approx £23k for a manual 2009 Gen 2 S with 58,000 miles in December 16 from a specialist, it also had a new clutch and 3 months warranty. I am not convinced they have gone up since then, I always try to buy my cars at this time of year as there are deals to be had. I have modded mine so it is not a true reflection on running costs but no parts that I have to replace so far have shocked me.
Spec is subjective, I have no issue with PCM, I kind of wish I had waited for a car with Sports Chrono which mine does not have. No experience of PASM, the standard suspension drives nice but sits a bit high. A fruitier exhaust is nice but can be had for approx £500. Out of the box they are excellent road cars, if you intend to track day it at all there is quite a bit of scope for upgrades too.
They do need a good Geo and budget for replacing a few worn suspension components too if not already been done.
I was in a similar position to you, I paid approx £23k for a manual 2009 Gen 2 S with 58,000 miles in December 16 from a specialist, it also had a new clutch and 3 months warranty. I am not convinced they have gone up since then, I always try to buy my cars at this time of year as there are deals to be had. I have modded mine so it is not a true reflection on running costs but no parts that I have to replace so far have shocked me.
Spec is subjective, I have no issue with PCM, I kind of wish I had waited for a car with Sports Chrono which mine does not have. No experience of PASM, the standard suspension drives nice but sits a bit high. A fruitier exhaust is nice but can be had for approx £500. Out of the box they are excellent road cars, if you intend to track day it at all there is quite a bit of scope for upgrades too.
They do need a good Geo and budget for replacing a few worn suspension components too if not already been done.
Hi all,
Thank you very much for your comments, - really helpful. I do prefer the subtle updates of the gen 2 interior and exterior and it seems they offer more peace of mind. I have driven a gen1 2.7 and a gen2 3.4s which is quite a different but I will look at the 2.9 option because that may well be enough for me!
I've seen quite a few posts about changing exhausts - do they improve performance at all or just sound?
I suspect I won't be getting anything newer than 2010 so presume warranty is unlikely to apply. The Cayman might have to be my daily even though I don't have a big commute as I have a TR6 in the garage which is my main pride and joy.
Running costs don't sound too bad and depreciation wise I don't think the gen 2 will drop any time soon. Being the original cayman they will no doubt hit classic status in time.
cheers
Thank you very much for your comments, - really helpful. I do prefer the subtle updates of the gen 2 interior and exterior and it seems they offer more peace of mind. I have driven a gen1 2.7 and a gen2 3.4s which is quite a different but I will look at the 2.9 option because that may well be enough for me!
I've seen quite a few posts about changing exhausts - do they improve performance at all or just sound?
I suspect I won't be getting anything newer than 2010 so presume warranty is unlikely to apply. The Cayman might have to be my daily even though I don't have a big commute as I have a TR6 in the garage which is my main pride and joy.
Running costs don't sound too bad and depreciation wise I don't think the gen 2 will drop any time soon. Being the original cayman they will no doubt hit classic status in time.
cheers
If the car is standard you can extend the warranty with Porsche (at a cost) until the car is 15 years old. If that's important to you, you will need a completely standard car - no non-Porsche parts whatsoever, including brake discs and pads and battery, and you will need 'N' rated tyres. It's quite limiting but you do get a good warranty.
I think for £25k or less will get you a late low miles 2.9. How about this for starters.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I went from a 2.9 Cayman to a Gen 2 Cayman S and in some aspects I liked the 2.9 engine more as with a lot less torque it encouraged me to rev it out. I notice with the 3.4 I don't need to rev it up as it has a lot more grunt lower down and unless I make a deliberate effort to rev it out I don't nearly as I did with the 2.9. The 3.4 is noticeably faster but in the real world I've not found that to make a lot of difference.
As cmoose says though, 2.9s tend to be lowly specced so things like PSE (which my S has and I really like, but there are cheaper alternatives like Carnewal), PASM (agree again, it rides softer than the standard suspension in standard mode but if you want to modify not worth it and the standard suspension, even on 19s, wasn't too harsh for me), PCM (better than I was expecting when you've had the maps updated by Porsche) and the leather dash are very rare indeed. I think I may have bad taste though as I'm defending the smaller engine and I actually prefer the non-leather dash on a Cayman, so take what I say with a pinch of salt! (But do prefer leather on the 997.2). I've not tried 17" wheels but I do prefer the ride of 18s (which I have winter tyres on) than 19s.
As cmoose says though, 2.9s tend to be lowly specced so things like PSE (which my S has and I really like, but there are cheaper alternatives like Carnewal), PASM (agree again, it rides softer than the standard suspension in standard mode but if you want to modify not worth it and the standard suspension, even on 19s, wasn't too harsh for me), PCM (better than I was expecting when you've had the maps updated by Porsche) and the leather dash are very rare indeed. I think I may have bad taste though as I'm defending the smaller engine and I actually prefer the non-leather dash on a Cayman, so take what I say with a pinch of salt! (But do prefer leather on the 997.2). I've not tried 17" wheels but I do prefer the ride of 18s (which I have winter tyres on) than 19s.
Just remember to factor in the time-based maintenance required on these vehicles outside of the major/minor maintenance.
That includes things like spark plugs, brake fluid, oil change, PDK oil change which are time-based. A lot of owners get those things done with the service either for ease or because they have hit the time interval (as opposed to mileage) between services. When you look at the quoted major/minor maintenance prices Porsche give it won't include these things.
That includes things like spark plugs, brake fluid, oil change, PDK oil change which are time-based. A lot of owners get those things done with the service either for ease or because they have hit the time interval (as opposed to mileage) between services. When you look at the quoted major/minor maintenance prices Porsche give it won't include these things.
spitty71 said:
Going to start looking at 2.9 cars, has anyone experience of the Remap’s available? Seen one website advertising a 25bhp increase..
I’d take any power claims for a nat asp engine with a pinch of salt, especially on something like a Porsche. To get more power you need to either get more air to introduce more fuel with or start trimming safety margins on ignition timing that compensate for poor fuel.The 2.9 in standard tune requires 98RON, suggesting fairly aggressive ignition timing from the factory, and the remap will not introduce anymore air to make use of anymore fuel.
GT4P said:
I think for £25k or less will get you a late low miles 2.9. How about this for starters.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I just bought this one today.... a new toy out of the proceeds of selling my 964WTL cabrio... I'm not sure yet if I'll also keep this one 19 years... after 30 years of owning 911's this will make a change. Cheers!https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I really enjoyed my 2.9 Cayman. Mine had the sports seats and extended leather, I would say the sports seats are essential but leather just a nice to have. I swapped from 19" to 17" wheels which was a big improvement in ride. Carnewal exhaust was an excellent and relatively cheap upgrade.
It is a quick car which requires some involvement to keep it quick, and very useable performance on our roads. I now have a BMW m240i which offers Gen 2 S pace but is less usable, and in many ways prefer revving out the less powerful 2.9 Cayman, despite it being a slower car.
It is a quick car which requires some involvement to keep it quick, and very useable performance on our roads. I now have a BMW m240i which offers Gen 2 S pace but is less usable, and in many ways prefer revving out the less powerful 2.9 Cayman, despite it being a slower car.
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