Back into Porsche - G50 3.2 Carrera or Cayman S
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking at all these classic Porsche got me thinking that my Mini JCW is due to renewal and I would love to get back into Porsche.
I've had a number of Porsche in my time - 2 x 964's, Cayman S, 993, 996 Turbo.
Sold the Turbo for the Mini 3 years ago as it just got too expensive to keep running with impending big bills - so took something fun for 3 years to recover my wallet. Should never have sold the 993 in hindsight . . . . . but hey.
Going to look at a 2011 Cayman S Black Series with PDK but for just a little bit more I can get into a nice 3.2 Carrera. Understand they are different cars with different driving experiences.
I'm thinking that the 3.2 is a more mechanically and electrically (gadgets) simple car with a more direct driving experience, but at more than 30 years old will need constant fettling and work to keep the rust away.
The Cayman will offer more performance, a more relaxed drive (PDK) with modern conveniences, decent heating and airco.
Will be my only car (can use the wife's car if something "normal" is needed) and I drive around 10,000 km a year.
Any thoughts from people who have owned either both or specifically driven a 3.2 Carrera as an only car ?
Cheers
1/2p
Looking at all these classic Porsche got me thinking that my Mini JCW is due to renewal and I would love to get back into Porsche.
I've had a number of Porsche in my time - 2 x 964's, Cayman S, 993, 996 Turbo.
Sold the Turbo for the Mini 3 years ago as it just got too expensive to keep running with impending big bills - so took something fun for 3 years to recover my wallet. Should never have sold the 993 in hindsight . . . . . but hey.
Going to look at a 2011 Cayman S Black Series with PDK but for just a little bit more I can get into a nice 3.2 Carrera. Understand they are different cars with different driving experiences.
I'm thinking that the 3.2 is a more mechanically and electrically (gadgets) simple car with a more direct driving experience, but at more than 30 years old will need constant fettling and work to keep the rust away.
The Cayman will offer more performance, a more relaxed drive (PDK) with modern conveniences, decent heating and airco.
Will be my only car (can use the wife's car if something "normal" is needed) and I drive around 10,000 km a year.
Any thoughts from people who have owned either both or specifically driven a 3.2 Carrera as an only car ?
Cheers
1/2p
The steering is quite heavy on a 3.2 G50 but fine once you're moving. As a weekend car G50 no question. As a daily Cayman no question. Lots of miles in both I'd take the G50 every day of the week even as a daily if its a good one with zero rust but I think its very difficult to find that sort of example for Cayman money or even close to it. I reckon its still £65k for a nice rust free G50 even today.
By the way if you find one thats had a top end rebuild and no rust its the cheapest car I've ever run. They're very robust mechanically probably the most reliable Porsche in last 30 years.
By the way if you find one thats had a top end rebuild and no rust its the cheapest car I've ever run. They're very robust mechanically probably the most reliable Porsche in last 30 years.
Desert Dragon said:
The steering is quite heavy on a 3.2 G50 but fine once you're moving. As a weekend car G50 no question. As a daily Cayman no question. Lots of miles in both I'd take the G50 every day of the week even as a daily if its a good one with zero rust but I think its very difficult to find that sort of example for Cayman money or even close to it. I reckon its still £65k for a nice rust free G50 even today.
By the way if you find one thats had a top end rebuild and no rust its the cheapest car I've ever run. They're very robust mechanically probably the most reliable Porsche in last 30 years.
Awesome response - thank you.By the way if you find one thats had a top end rebuild and no rust its the cheapest car I've ever run. They're very robust mechanically probably the most reliable Porsche in last 30 years.
As a daily, I'd definitely go for the Cayman, for me no contest. I've had a couple of G50 3.2's over the years and I'm sorry to say, I found them a bit agricultural and also heavy steering about town & parking etc. Also, I didn't find them particularly reliable, several failed DME relays and clutch life seemed poor.
As a weekend toy, maybe worth considering, but I think now, they're silly money for the driving experience, and that's assuming you can find a good one.
I know many will disagree with me, but I'm just offering my personal opinion. I had a 981 Cayman-S PDK a few years back, and it was a hoot to drive.
Good luck.
As a weekend toy, maybe worth considering, but I think now, they're silly money for the driving experience, and that's assuming you can find a good one.
I know many will disagree with me, but I'm just offering my personal opinion. I had a 981 Cayman-S PDK a few years back, and it was a hoot to drive.
Good luck.
you could buy mine... I wouldn't use it as a Daily though...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Longman66 said:
you could buy mine... I wouldn't use it as a Daily though...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
If it was a left hooker I'd be interestedhttps://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Discombobulate said:
3.2 for me. But be very careful - even the shiniest ones can be rotten. If it hasn't already had sills, kidney bowls and / or inner wings it will almost certainly need at least one of them.
This is what I'm looking at.https://www.porschecentrumeindhoven.nl/hexon/18800...
Has been resprayed (does not say why) and everything underneath looks "clean" and healthy from what I can see.
halfpenny43 said:
This is what I'm looking at.
https://www.porschecentrumeindhoven.nl/hexon/18800...
Has been resprayed (does not say why) and everything underneath looks "clean" and healthy from what I can see.
That's a smashing looking car, love the subtle stripes and ducktail. https://www.porschecentrumeindhoven.nl/hexon/18800...
Has been resprayed (does not say why) and everything underneath looks "clean" and healthy from what I can see.
I recently went from a PDK 987.2 Cayman S to a 1994 993 C2. I daillied the Cayman with ease, but have 'invested' in a cheap run-around (2005 Mini Cooper @ £1400!) to keep the 993 fresh. The heavy steering and clutch of an older car would get taxing on a daily commute. Also - I see my relatively dull commute as wasted mileage for such a excellent car!
I've run 2 x 3.2 Carrera coupes as daily drivers. The 1st for a year until I swapped to a 993. The last one was 6 years including daily trips round the M25.
They're fantastic cars, heavier around town but easier on the move. Every journey was an event and I wish I still had it.
Only watch out would be to clean out the road muck in the arches and don't use when there is salt on the roads in the winter.
Go for it, so much cooler than a Cayman IMO.
They're fantastic cars, heavier around town but easier on the move. Every journey was an event and I wish I still had it.
Only watch out would be to clean out the road muck in the arches and don't use when there is salt on the roads in the winter.
Go for it, so much cooler than a Cayman IMO.
I would say why not, just ensure you have plenty of funds set aside if you want to use a 3.2 as a daily.. As others have mentioned rust is an issue with these cars, unless you live in a hot climate. We store ours in winter and use a modern car. Cayman is a pretty decent car, we had 981 S with PDK, very clinical in how it goes about it's business, however the 3.2 is an event and for daily driving, you need to be on your toes and concentrating..
G
G
Mmmm left hand drive you say... I own a "twin" of Longman's car in LHD.
Having driven a couple of standard ones they are a little underwhelming as specified out of the factory. They come alive with a bit less weight and some choice changes to the suspension - ironically mine is on "clubsport" coilovers and has no rubber in the front suspension, but rides better and steers lighter than a standard car.
Attention to gear linkage components and clutch hydraulics means the shift is as good as a modern car too. It's not tricky to drive at all, and very approachable on the limit.
Despite being 1100kgs and a significant deviation from standard I'd go anywhere in mine and have driven 1000 miles in a week no problem. It even has heated seats and a DAB radio.
You'd be committed to daily any of them, but kept salt free (mine was in Japan until 2006 and still highly original and rust-free now) they're tough as old boots and it's def the most reliable car I've had - and that includes a few modern Porsches.
Having driven a couple of standard ones they are a little underwhelming as specified out of the factory. They come alive with a bit less weight and some choice changes to the suspension - ironically mine is on "clubsport" coilovers and has no rubber in the front suspension, but rides better and steers lighter than a standard car.
Attention to gear linkage components and clutch hydraulics means the shift is as good as a modern car too. It's not tricky to drive at all, and very approachable on the limit.
Despite being 1100kgs and a significant deviation from standard I'd go anywhere in mine and have driven 1000 miles in a week no problem. It even has heated seats and a DAB radio.
You'd be committed to daily any of them, but kept salt free (mine was in Japan until 2006 and still highly original and rust-free now) they're tough as old boots and it's def the most reliable car I've had - and that includes a few modern Porsches.
alfapork said:
Mmmm left hand drive you say... I own a "twin" of Longman's car in LHD.
Having driven a couple of standard ones they are a little underwhelming as specified out of the factory. They come alive with a bit less weight and some choice changes to the suspension - ironically mine is on "clubsport" coilovers and has no rubber in the front suspension, but rides better and steers lighter than a standard car.
Attention to gear linkage components and clutch hydraulics means the shift is as good as a modern car too. It's not tricky to drive at all, and very approachable on the limit.
Despite being 1100kgs and a significant deviation from standard I'd go anywhere in mine and have driven 1000 miles in a week no problem. It even has heated seats and a DAB radio.
You'd be committed to daily any of them, but kept salt free (mine was in Japan until 2006 and still highly original and rust-free now) they're tough as old boots and it's def the most reliable car I've had - and that includes a few modern Porsches.
Wotcha Having driven a couple of standard ones they are a little underwhelming as specified out of the factory. They come alive with a bit less weight and some choice changes to the suspension - ironically mine is on "clubsport" coilovers and has no rubber in the front suspension, but rides better and steers lighter than a standard car.
Attention to gear linkage components and clutch hydraulics means the shift is as good as a modern car too. It's not tricky to drive at all, and very approachable on the limit.
Despite being 1100kgs and a significant deviation from standard I'd go anywhere in mine and have driven 1000 miles in a week no problem. It even has heated seats and a DAB radio.
You'd be committed to daily any of them, but kept salt free (mine was in Japan until 2006 and still highly original and rust-free now) they're tough as old boots and it's def the most reliable car I've had - and that includes a few modern Porsches.
I used a 3.2 ( '89) as a daily car for roughly three years from 2000 and over 30k....Being based in central Scotland my commuting (25 miles ) on very quiet roads at 05:00 hrs was great ( fast) fun..... and as I was driving all year round...the winter period was .."interesting"....In a few inches of snow the cars chosen direction was dependant on throttle pressure ....the front wheels would rise over the snow and no matter the steering input the car went in the direction the throttle pressure demanded! ...great fun .....if on your own. It was a great car ( my first Porsche )and I enjoyed the involving drive....However that was nearly 20 years ago....now ...In today's traffic a Cayman would be by far the better choice....todays environment has changed dramatically , driving amongst the modern breed of vehicals is a totally different set of circumstances....i.e. the extra safety systems modern cars have leave you very exposed and vulnerable .The older cars have no abs nor traction control , a very serious failure in today's traffic when safety is a consideration, never mind the ease of power steering , the convenience of AC , parking sensors etc...it all adds up to the Cayman a more sensible car as a daily driver. I'm not a doom and gloom proclaimer but these items need to be considered especially if you intend to ferry the family around...I should say my city drive now is a 2000 model Polo Gti , ( yes an old car but has abs etc , the perfect compact size for city driving ) for everything else a Carrera 991 S .... I wish you luck in your choice and enjoy ( whatever the drive) ....kind regards. Ian
Edited by Polome on Monday 21st October 22:39
Edited by Polome on Monday 21st October 22:41
Edited by Polome on Monday 21st October 22:51
Edited by Polome on Monday 21st October 22:55
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