Gen 1 or Gen 2 which do I buy?
Discussion
Looking for advice on which 987 Cayman to buy. Do I buy a 987.1 or 987.2
I was originally not shopping for a Porsche, in fact I will be very honest I am not Porsche fan, but then over the weekend and today I test drove a Lotus Exige S2, a two 370z (both auto and manual) and two Cayman's (a Gen 1 2.7 manual and a Gen 2 3.4 Auto).
My original buying thread is here, and in that thread many people like @deebs pointed out the challenges with the Gen 1 engines.
To give some context my daily driver is Skoda Superb 280 Sportline Estate, you can read more about that in said previous mentioned thread and the reasons I want a sports car.
The car will only get 2-3k miles on it a year will be garaged. I have seen some very nice affordable Gen 1s. For example this one at £17.5k, but issue is my risk appetite is very low and I am concerned about the issues with Gen 1's.
I can get a Gen 2 like this for only £2k more, yes I know it has a LOT more miles on it, and less kit.
So in short my questions are, do the Gen 1's really have chocolate engines? Are the Gen 2's bullet proof (as much as they can be) are the issues really fixed on the Gen 2?
If I bought a Gen 1 and it went wrong what would be the cost to put it right? In other words if a Gen 1 with all the kit compared to a Gen 2 with all the kit is £5k difference, can I buy the Gen 1 and tuck the savings away incase I need them to repair my Gen1. What does a Gen 1 engine rebuild cost?
I am really swaying towards a Gen 2 as risk appetite is super low, but at the same time I love the look of that white Gen 1 and feel happier spending up to £20k and not going as high as £25k for what is a essentially a second/weekend car.
Advice and help needed!
I was originally not shopping for a Porsche, in fact I will be very honest I am not Porsche fan, but then over the weekend and today I test drove a Lotus Exige S2, a two 370z (both auto and manual) and two Cayman's (a Gen 1 2.7 manual and a Gen 2 3.4 Auto).
My original buying thread is here, and in that thread many people like @deebs pointed out the challenges with the Gen 1 engines.
To give some context my daily driver is Skoda Superb 280 Sportline Estate, you can read more about that in said previous mentioned thread and the reasons I want a sports car.
The car will only get 2-3k miles on it a year will be garaged. I have seen some very nice affordable Gen 1s. For example this one at £17.5k, but issue is my risk appetite is very low and I am concerned about the issues with Gen 1's.
I can get a Gen 2 like this for only £2k more, yes I know it has a LOT more miles on it, and less kit.
So in short my questions are, do the Gen 1's really have chocolate engines? Are the Gen 2's bullet proof (as much as they can be) are the issues really fixed on the Gen 2?
If I bought a Gen 1 and it went wrong what would be the cost to put it right? In other words if a Gen 1 with all the kit compared to a Gen 2 with all the kit is £5k difference, can I buy the Gen 1 and tuck the savings away incase I need them to repair my Gen1. What does a Gen 1 engine rebuild cost?
I am really swaying towards a Gen 2 as risk appetite is super low, but at the same time I love the look of that white Gen 1 and feel happier spending up to £20k and not going as high as £25k for what is a essentially a second/weekend car.
Advice and help needed!
Edited by hpoom on Monday 3rd June 18:31
My first foray into Porsche ownership was a gen1 S with 55k miles. I ran it for 17k miles and had to replace water pump and coil springs. I was constantly nervous about the well publicised but, I suspect, slightly overstated reliability issues.
I then ran a gen 2 Spyder for a year and 10k miles, and despite a few things going awry it was a much more relaxing time. The engine was also notably freer revving and more ‘interesting’.
So now I would definitely get another gen 2, and definitely an S. I would not expect it to be trouble free at higher miles (springs, condensers maybe, bushes?) but all of those are relatively affordable whereas an IMS issue is definitely going to be painful. Just not having that worry in my mind would be enough to sway me, but the engine being a step on in its delivery and excitement would seal the deal.
I then ran a gen 2 Spyder for a year and 10k miles, and despite a few things going awry it was a much more relaxing time. The engine was also notably freer revving and more ‘interesting’.
So now I would definitely get another gen 2, and definitely an S. I would not expect it to be trouble free at higher miles (springs, condensers maybe, bushes?) but all of those are relatively affordable whereas an IMS issue is definitely going to be painful. Just not having that worry in my mind would be enough to sway me, but the engine being a step on in its delivery and excitement would seal the deal.
Gen 1 3.4 potential bork factor is huge. If (when) it bore scores, and proper rebuild by Hartech is going to be about half the value of the car.
If you can, but a Gen 2 car and relax.
Other factors mentioned here (springs, air con components etc) will be the same on both cars - the differentiator is the potential breakage of the gen 1 engine.
If you can, but a Gen 2 car and relax.
Other factors mentioned here (springs, air con components etc) will be the same on both cars - the differentiator is the potential breakage of the gen 1 engine.
I own a 2.5 986 Boxster and love it. If I was in your situation I'd pay the little bit extra and go for the 987.2. Hopefully without contradicting myself.... I know alot of guys who run gen 1's and have never had a problem (maybe a few RMS leaks) and I think the engine issues are exagerrated when you read about these online but......I think not having those niggles or concerns in the back of your head each time you go out will make the whole experiance so much more enjoyable. Each time you drive a car you don't want to be worrying yourself with what was that noise, is it smoking etc etc. Find a Gen2 that's had some love and not been neglected, they do go through suspension parts so either make sure they're good or budget to have them replaced. Keep us updated, they are great cars and a joy to drive and own. HTH
I’ll spare you a repeat of the same points I made in your original thread 
, other than to say the ideal 987 is a gen 2 or a 2.7 gen 1. Given you’ve driven the 2.7 and have decided it’s not for you then I’d stretch for the right gen 2 personally (I say that as a 2.7 gen 1 owner).
If you want more material though then take a look at hartech’s site, they list rebuild prices there: https://www.hartech.org/rebuild-prices . You’ll see from this it very much depends on the level of rebuild the car needs or the level of rebuild you want. If you are interested in understanding the scoring issue then US-based Flat6 innovations have a good mini video series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzDerJOdcfI.
Hope it helps.
, other than to say the ideal 987 is a gen 2 or a 2.7 gen 1. Given you’ve driven the 2.7 and have decided it’s not for you then I’d stretch for the right gen 2 personally (I say that as a 2.7 gen 1 owner). If you want more material though then take a look at hartech’s site, they list rebuild prices there: https://www.hartech.org/rebuild-prices . You’ll see from this it very much depends on the level of rebuild the car needs or the level of rebuild you want. If you are interested in understanding the scoring issue then US-based Flat6 innovations have a good mini video series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzDerJOdcfI.
Hope it helps.
Gen 2 no question is where I would go, infact I did go in a boxster 3.4s. Its my third Gen 2 engine 997 GTS, 981 spyder before it and no engines issues with any of them.
If you have the cash to go gen 2 then it makes no sense to take the gen 1 risk as you get the cash back when you sell anyway. The Gen 1 repair depending what happens will be around 10k and money you never see again.
If you have the cash to go gen 2 then it makes no sense to take the gen 1 risk as you get the cash back when you sell anyway. The Gen 1 repair depending what happens will be around 10k and money you never see again.
Thanks all for the feedback. Mind made up, spend a little more and get a Gen 2. Thanks all.
Only issue now is working out what kit I want, what colour I want, and then sourcing a car.
Regards:
Also I do buy a car and want to get a PPI or get lots of work done on it in the first year, who would recommend in Kent (or surrounding counties) as an excellent independent Porsche place to get the work done?
Only issue now is working out what kit I want, what colour I want, and then sourcing a car.
Regards:
PhilTUK said:
I they do go through suspension parts so either make sure they're good or budget to have them replaced.
What would a total suspension replacement cost on a 987, ballpark? Might be I buy a higher mileage Gen 2, but have a £1k or £1.5k budget for doing work on it in the first year.Also I do buy a car and want to get a PPI or get lots of work done on it in the first year, who would recommend in Kent (or surrounding counties) as an excellent independent Porsche place to get the work done?
hpoom said:
What would a total suspension replacement cost on a 987, ballpark? Might be I buy a higher mileage Gen 2, but have a £1k or £1.5k budget for doing work on it in the first year.
Also I do buy a car and want to get a PPI or get lots of work done on it in the first year, who would recommend in Kent (or surrounding counties) as an excellent independent Porsche place to get the work done?
I looked at a 987S that had been to La Rose Porsche in Kent recently and had the entire front end rebuilt plus coolant pipes etc, £3500 all in. It was on 115,000 miles and drove like new Also I do buy a car and want to get a PPI or get lots of work done on it in the first year, who would recommend in Kent (or surrounding counties) as an excellent independent Porsche place to get the work done?
jmcc500 said:
On the headlight topic... Non-xenons on my Gen 1 were terrible, xenons + PDLS on my Spyder were superb. If you’re not driving at night / through winter then not an issue, but if you are then it’s definitely worth getting A car with Xenons if you can.
I fitted a hid kit for about £50 to my 987. I wouldn’t Normally recommend it due to beam pattern but as the 987 has projectors it wasn’t an issue, neither were the MOTs either. Personally, if you’ve got the skoda as a daily which is quick enough, comfortable and practicable then I’d be looking for a contrast to make the 2-3k a year feel a bit more special.
You mentioned an S2 Exige (Elise s2 an option for convertible fun?). These would be a great drivers car, and total contrast.
Prices hold pretty steady on the lotus also.
You mentioned an S2 Exige (Elise s2 an option for convertible fun?). These would be a great drivers car, and total contrast.
Prices hold pretty steady on the lotus also.
DS240 said:
Personally, if you’ve got the skoda as a daily which is quick enough, comfortable and practicable then I’d be looking for a contrast to make the 2-3k a year feel a bit more special.
You mentioned an S2 Exige (Elise s2 an option for convertible fun?). These would be a great drivers car, and total contrast.
Prices hold pretty steady on the lotus also.
I can’t believe the prices of early Elise / Exiges. I’m not saying they aren’t worth it, just surprising that the vanilla models have appreciated so much. Great news for the owners and shows how good they are. I remember when S1’s were £6k now they’re more like £20k for a 1998 carYou mentioned an S2 Exige (Elise s2 an option for convertible fun?). These would be a great drivers car, and total contrast.
Prices hold pretty steady on the lotus also.
jakesmith said:
DS240 said:
Personally, if you’ve got the skoda as a daily which is quick enough, comfortable and practicable then I’d be looking for a contrast to make the 2-3k a year feel a bit more special.
You mentioned an S2 Exige (Elise s2 an option for convertible fun?). These would be a great drivers car, and total contrast.
Prices hold pretty steady on the lotus also.
I can’t believe the prices of early Elise / Exiges. I’m not saying they aren’t worth it, just surprising that the vanilla models have appreciated so much. Great news for the owners and shows how good they are. I remember when S1’s were £6k now they’re more like £20k for a 1998 carYou mentioned an S2 Exige (Elise s2 an option for convertible fun?). These would be a great drivers car, and total contrast.
Prices hold pretty steady on the lotus also.
The S2 was an absolutely fantastic drivers car. It particularly shows that fun and driving pleasure does not require huge power levels like the current trend.
The 987.1 Cayman afterwards was lovely but after the Elise I just didn’t gel with it. That led me to the 987 Spyder which I see as Porsche’s Elise. 9 years of ownership now and still love it, but it doesn’t do enough miles really.
Whatever car choices mentioned in this thread are all nice cars, just personal preference.
hpoom said:
Are the Gen 2's bullet proof (as much as they can be) are the issues really fixed on the Gen 2?
I am still trying to get clarity from those in the know about Porsche, and owners. With the Gen 2 are the problems all solved? Should I not be worried about high mileage on a Gen 2?Also doing a search this evening on all second hand hard sites there are no 987 Cayman 3.4 manual Gen 2's out there that I want to buy (due to colour, features etc). Do I hold out and keep looking or do I search for 987 Boxsters?
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