Buying a Gen 1 Cayman with engine rebuild - good or bad idea

[londonninja]

I'm looking to make my first step into Porsche ownership by buying a used Cayman. I've seen this one advertised...

https://www.randwmotorcompany.co.uk/vehicle/porsch...

It seems to be well maintained and having had new IMS, clutch, exhaust, coils, etc. fitted along with regular servicing it would appear to have many of the expensive maintenance parts dealt with. It has also had an engine rebuild which could have been due to the bore scoring issue on the 3.4.

I will give the dealer a call this week to find out a bit more and to find out who did the engine rebuild but I was wondering if considering a car with an engine rebuild is a good idea or not. My thinking is that if the rebuild was done somewhere reputable then this would provide peace of mind for the years ahead, is this a rational thought?

Comments appreciated.

[Adam B]

Yes that is rational esp if Hartech who are the recognised experts

[Heaveho]

Yeah, in principal it's rational if you must have that model. Hartech are the best known of the re-builders, and well respected. However, I couldn't get away from the possibility that should you choose to keep the car for more than the 12 months warranty period, you could be faced with the same problems it's already had, and at your own cost.

I'd be looking at a Gen 2 Boxster at that money, they're out there, and neither engine variant seem to suffer with miles the way the earlier car can.

Best of luck, whatever you choose.

[ooid]

Heaveho said:

I'd be looking at a Gen 2 Boxster at that money, they're out there, and neither engine variant seem to suffer with miles the way the earlier car can.

Indeed..

I would ask for one year warranty period from the dealer, in paper, signed and sorted. They are great fun cars but suffer from engine issues, so not worth to risk without a warranty imho.

Gen 2 boxsters out there, 2.9 engine, similar price. They might still give some expensive bills, but engine should not be a worry.

[Bullet-Proof_Biscuit]

If it's a rebuild with factory parts you'd get another 50k miles out of it before cylinders 5&6 are scored.

I jest, worth finding out more about the rebuild though..

[Monkeylegend]

In just 53k miles, despite being serviced seven times it has needed a new clutch, new water pump, new coil springs, new exhaust and a full engine rebuild costing £7.8k.

That has been one expensive Porsche