Cayman… or something I can live with?
Discussion
Hey everyone – long time lurker here, hoping for some advice/perspective… All I can think about is Caymans!
I’m in a position to purchase a Cayman – I’m primarily looking at a 987 S Gen.1, however, I’m starting to doubt my passion the closer I get to a potential purchase.
My dilemma is that as I’m looking at spending ~£20k on an 8-10 year old car, might my money be better placed elsewhere on something newer?
It seems there are a lot of newer, similarly powered/similarly thrilling drivers cars out there on a similar budget; Megane RS, Golf R, Scirocco R, GT86, M135i... and some equally attractive cheaper packages like the Fiesta ST.
The most powerful car I’ve owned up to this point is a Scirocco 2.0TSI, which I loved, so I’m wondering whether I might be better putting my hard-earned into something I’d be less paranoid about expensive bills with, or even letting out of my sight!
I suppose what I'm asking is for someone to either talk me into a Cayman or talk me into something else, with justification! What would you do??
As a guide, practicality and economy aren’t really an issue although I’d like to be looking at something reliable that isn’t too common.
Thanks in advance!
I’m in a position to purchase a Cayman – I’m primarily looking at a 987 S Gen.1, however, I’m starting to doubt my passion the closer I get to a potential purchase.
My dilemma is that as I’m looking at spending ~£20k on an 8-10 year old car, might my money be better placed elsewhere on something newer?
It seems there are a lot of newer, similarly powered/similarly thrilling drivers cars out there on a similar budget; Megane RS, Golf R, Scirocco R, GT86, M135i... and some equally attractive cheaper packages like the Fiesta ST.
The most powerful car I’ve owned up to this point is a Scirocco 2.0TSI, which I loved, so I’m wondering whether I might be better putting my hard-earned into something I’d be less paranoid about expensive bills with, or even letting out of my sight!
I suppose what I'm asking is for someone to either talk me into a Cayman or talk me into something else, with justification! What would you do??
As a guide, practicality and economy aren’t really an issue although I’d like to be looking at something reliable that isn’t too common.
Thanks in advance!
OP, sounds less about a Cayman and more about the amount of money you tipping in and the potential exposure to further cost?
That's a personal thing I guess. In the past I've put in more money than I was comfortable with and as a result didn't really enjoy the car much - worried about every little mark, where I parked it, how I drove it etc.
Personally I now like my cars to be a 'low risk' thing and generally drive stuff that if it blew up this morning I could afford to replace it with something similar in the afternoon. Not saying that it wouldn't piss me off - just that it wouldn't be a life changing event.
Maybe halve the budget and shop around - there's a lot of decent stuff out there for £10k which leaves you sitting on a war chest you either expect to use or will be pleasantly up on the deal if you don't.
Just my ramblings though - if you really want a Cayman get one bought
That's a personal thing I guess. In the past I've put in more money than I was comfortable with and as a result didn't really enjoy the car much - worried about every little mark, where I parked it, how I drove it etc.
Personally I now like my cars to be a 'low risk' thing and generally drive stuff that if it blew up this morning I could afford to replace it with something similar in the afternoon. Not saying that it wouldn't piss me off - just that it wouldn't be a life changing event.
Maybe halve the budget and shop around - there's a lot of decent stuff out there for £10k which leaves you sitting on a war chest you either expect to use or will be pleasantly up on the deal if you don't.
Just my ramblings though - if you really want a Cayman get one bought
I'm in a similar position, looking at Caymans but Gen 2 examples to buy next year. For the money I could get a nearly new Leon Cupra 280 or Focus ST with all the bells and whistles etc. The thing that stops me is depreciation, the Cayman (and Focus RS) for around £20k would lose significantly less over 3 years than a 2015 hot hatch.
Added to that the reason for the Caymans slower depreciating = a better ownership prospect. If you do low miles and don't need the practicality of a hatch, I'd go for the Porsche.
Added to that the reason for the Caymans slower depreciating = a better ownership prospect. If you do low miles and don't need the practicality of a hatch, I'd go for the Porsche.
Have a read of these 2 threads... full of very good advice. Some of it could scare you off mind.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
tyred said:
All I can think about is Caymans!
There's your answer. The car you want is a Cayman, so buy a Cayman. It will present you with a bill at some point, as will any car. Just buy it, enjoy it and keep a bit aside for maintenance. It'll be a lot cheaper than buying a car you don't want in the long run
tyred said:
As a guide, practicality and economy aren’t really an issue although I’d like to be looking at something reliable that isn’t too common.
Might be worth considering a Toyota engined Elise? Similar price to buy but with no common engine reliability issues (although they have their niggles in other areas). Rarer than a Cayman too, and (IMO) more fun to drive. But if you want a Cayman, get a Cayman. Yes there are known engine issues but as with all of these things, people only post on the internet when things have gone wrong so the problems look much more common than they are. If reliability concerns you, you could always get a warranty which will cover IMS/bore scoring issues.
Matt UK said:
OP, sounds less about a Cayman and more about the amount of money you tipping in and the potential exposure to further cost?
Matt UK, you've summed up my thoughts nicely! I'm battling head and heart. Heart says go all-in on a Cayman and live with any financial ramifications, but the head says be sensible, leave some money in the pot and probably have 90% of the kicks!Ultrafunkula said:
Caymans slower depreciating = a better ownership prospect.
A good point - potentially lose less in the long-run, assuming she doesn't go pop!afrochicken said:
tyred said:
All I can think about is Caymans!
There's your answer. The car you want is a Cayman, so buy a Cayman. It will present you with a bill at some point, as will any car. Just buy it, enjoy it and keep a bit aside for maintenance. It'll be a lot cheaper than buying a car you don't want in the long run
kambites said:
Might be worth considering a Toyota engined Elise? ... But if you want a Cayman, get a Cayman.
Cheers... I hadn't considered a Lotus. Food for thought!Cheers for the links HighwayStar! - Ideal reading for someone in my shoes, me thinks!
Thanks for the input guys - it's nice to know others understand my dilemma, since the wife certainly can't!
I think I'll sleep on it... for a while! Perhaps have a look into Lotus a little more as well!
I'd say an Elise is far more of a 'weekend' car than a Cayman if it's going to be your daily, fantastic though they are.
The other options you give are all hot hatches (with the exception of the GT86) from mainstream manufacturers versus a mid engine coupe produced by one of the worlds best sports car manufacturers. Do you honestly believe they will be anywhere near as thrilling to drive or own (unless straight line speed is the only measuring stick)?
Do your research, get an inspection and decent warranty and enjoy yourself. I guarantee if you buy anything else on your list you'll only end up regretting what might have been and kicking yourself when you come to move it on and realize the additional depreciation would have paid for any issues that might have come up on the Cayman anyway.
The other options you give are all hot hatches (with the exception of the GT86) from mainstream manufacturers versus a mid engine coupe produced by one of the worlds best sports car manufacturers. Do you honestly believe they will be anywhere near as thrilling to drive or own (unless straight line speed is the only measuring stick)?
Do your research, get an inspection and decent warranty and enjoy yourself. I guarantee if you buy anything else on your list you'll only end up regretting what might have been and kicking yourself when you come to move it on and realize the additional depreciation would have paid for any issues that might have come up on the Cayman anyway.
If you like that specific car, then look into it and if you still like it after you've driven it then buy it
I can see the dilemma with opting for an older car that compares price wise to something more modern. Although a very different type of car, I was looking at the V10 M5/M6s and CLS55/63's last year. I settled on a CLS63 for which I paid a similar price to one of the modern hot hatches and I'm so glad I did. Ok, so I'd have got something new or nearly new but there's a reason why the car was X amount brand new and it shows in how it drives, looks, feels and is built.
I would imagine the same applies to the Caymen, if it was say £50k new, a well cared for one I can imagine would still feel every bit of that price to drive.
Also, you're likely to see more of your money back when it comes to selling as well.
I can see the dilemma with opting for an older car that compares price wise to something more modern. Although a very different type of car, I was looking at the V10 M5/M6s and CLS55/63's last year. I settled on a CLS63 for which I paid a similar price to one of the modern hot hatches and I'm so glad I did. Ok, so I'd have got something new or nearly new but there's a reason why the car was X amount brand new and it shows in how it drives, looks, feels and is built.
I would imagine the same applies to the Caymen, if it was say £50k new, a well cared for one I can imagine would still feel every bit of that price to drive.
Also, you're likely to see more of your money back when it comes to selling as well.
How about a 987.1 2.7 Cayman? Less prone to engine issues, easier to rag on the road if that's your thing.
Plus they are a bit cheaper. Should see around £5k change from your £20k.
I went for a Z4M recently which I like, but I do hanker after a Cayman as well so if you get one then put some pictures up
Plus they are a bit cheaper. Should see around £5k change from your £20k.
I went for a Z4M recently which I like, but I do hanker after a Cayman as well so if you get one then put some pictures up
Look into maintenance schemes before buying.
When I had my Boxster a few years back I was lucky enough to have owned it from new so had a reasonably good idea there shouldn't be any issues other than total utter bad luck.
Once it was out of warranty it didn't stop me wondering if every little rattle was about to turn into a £3-4k rebuild bill or a £6-7k new engine
I appreciate that may sound like I'm trying to scare you, and I'm not, it's just that any car that's £40-50k new is likely to cost a lot if it breaks and it's something you have to factor in, otherwise we'd all be driving 10 year old Mercedes S500's or something crazy.
When I had my Boxster a few years back I was lucky enough to have owned it from new so had a reasonably good idea there shouldn't be any issues other than total utter bad luck.
Once it was out of warranty it didn't stop me wondering if every little rattle was about to turn into a £3-4k rebuild bill or a £6-7k new engine
I appreciate that may sound like I'm trying to scare you, and I'm not, it's just that any car that's £40-50k new is likely to cost a lot if it breaks and it's something you have to factor in, otherwise we'd all be driving 10 year old Mercedes S500's or something crazy.
One thought - could you get a GOOD warranty for the Cayman still?
If so, take that out (if sensible cost), then offset it against the reduced depreciation the Cayman will suffer vs the newer, more mundane/mainstream options.
Alternatively, put a little fund aside against repair bills.
My 2p is go for the car you really want - life's too short not to, and when you've the wife, 2.4 kids and half a labrador you'll have to have something (semi-)sensible.
(I've been where you are - I drove an older DC2 Integra as a daily driver for 6 years from 7/8 y.o. upwards, because that was the car I REALLY wanted, even though it had a lot-less midrange than the alternatives, was older, less practical and less well equipped. It was absolutely fine until the final 6 months when I knew I had to change cars because of impending baby - in that time it had clutch, rear hubs, RTA bushes and half an exhaust!
)
If so, take that out (if sensible cost), then offset it against the reduced depreciation the Cayman will suffer vs the newer, more mundane/mainstream options.
Alternatively, put a little fund aside against repair bills.
My 2p is go for the car you really want - life's too short not to, and when you've the wife, 2.4 kids and half a labrador you'll have to have something (semi-)sensible.
(I've been where you are - I drove an older DC2 Integra as a daily driver for 6 years from 7/8 y.o. upwards, because that was the car I REALLY wanted, even though it had a lot-less midrange than the alternatives, was older, less practical and less well equipped. It was absolutely fine until the final 6 months when I knew I had to change cars because of impending baby - in that time it had clutch, rear hubs, RTA bushes and half an exhaust!
)Alex_225 said:
Ok, so I'd have got something new or nearly new but there's a reason why the car was X amount brand new and it shows in how it drives, looks, feels and is built.
It also shows in the cost to run the car. I know 2 people that have had a gen 1 Cayman S, both ended up with engine re-builds that cost the best part of 10k due to bore scoring. I personally wouldn't take that risk.
Escy said:
It also shows in the cost to run the car.
I know 2 people that have had a gen 1 Cayman S, both ended up with engine re-builds that cost the best part of 10k due to bore scoring. I personally wouldn't take that risk.
A very good point, I guess with any car that has lost a lot of money in the first 5 or so years, it still maintains the running costs of an expensive car. I know 2 people that have had a gen 1 Cayman S, both ended up with engine re-builds that cost the best part of 10k due to bore scoring. I personally wouldn't take that risk.
Thing is if you can afford to factor that in and it's a car that you love enough to justify those costs it gets my vote.
This thread is eerily similar to my situation apart from perhaps a lowered budget of £16k. Also a long time lurker and also obsessed at the moment about all things Cayman. Service prices aren't too bad even at a OPC in my opinion. Something I can afford. But my biggest worry is what will Porsche cover with a warranty ? If the engine goes kaput will they cover it.
kambites said:
tyred said:
As a guide, practicality and economy aren’t really an issue although I’d like to be looking at something reliable that isn’t too common.
Might be worth considering a Toyota engined Elise? Similar price to buy but with no common engine reliability issues (although they have their niggles in other areas). Rarer than a Cayman too, and (IMO) more fun to drive. But if you want a Cayman, get a Cayman. Yes there are known engine issues but as with all of these things, people only post on the internet when things have gone wrong so the problems look much more common than they are. If reliability concerns you, you could always get a warranty which will cover IMS/bore scoring issues.
Either.
Hold out for one, that's had the failure and been fixed by a decent specialist within budget, knowing that residuals will be higher.
Work out the cost of an engine fix, and put 50% of that away in the bank, using the remainder of that to buy the best car you find. If the engine does go, it's only half the cost.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-BOXSTER-986-987-...
Edited by Hol on Friday 2nd September 06:53
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