Buying back an old flame - Cayman 2.9
Discussion
I sold my manual Cayman 2.9 just over 3 years ago, I needed the funds to support a house purchase. It was a great car in excellent condition, 25k miles at the time, flawless paintwork and a few desirable extras such as sports seats plus and extended leather. The handling and ride were great on the standard 17" wheels. It was a shame to see it go and we had a few great trips in that car, fond memories.
Fast forward to today, and the current owner who purchased the car from me is selling and asking if I'd like it back. I understand its now on 35k miles (low for an 11 year old car), fully serviced and still in great condition. Price is not yet known but first I need to understand whether I would consider it.
I am tempted to go back to the Cayman, replacing my current m240i but there are a few things bothering me:-
1. Is it going to be as good as I remember? Does owning a car for the 2nd time ever feel as good?
2. It's now an 11 year old car, and although it's low mileage it's going to cost a bit to maintain and possibly replace some key parts.
3. It's going to feel a bit slow in comparison to my current m240i, significantly down on power and torque. The Cayman I remember completely out handles and out steers the BMW, with a nicer noise. But is that going to be enough to compensate for the reduction in pace.
4. It's a bit dated. While it won't be a daily driver (I have an i3 for that), I think I would miss a few things like DAB and a good sat nav.
Point 3 could be addressed by spending an extra £5k to get a quicker gen 2 S. Point 4 could be addressed by getting a 981 2.7, but that would probably be an extra £10k. Neither of those would be my old car.
Do you people think I could regret going back? Part of me thinks that worst case, I end up selling it on without losing too much as prices seem reasonably stable.
Fast forward to today, and the current owner who purchased the car from me is selling and asking if I'd like it back. I understand its now on 35k miles (low for an 11 year old car), fully serviced and still in great condition. Price is not yet known but first I need to understand whether I would consider it.
I am tempted to go back to the Cayman, replacing my current m240i but there are a few things bothering me:-
1. Is it going to be as good as I remember? Does owning a car for the 2nd time ever feel as good?
2. It's now an 11 year old car, and although it's low mileage it's going to cost a bit to maintain and possibly replace some key parts.
3. It's going to feel a bit slow in comparison to my current m240i, significantly down on power and torque. The Cayman I remember completely out handles and out steers the BMW, with a nicer noise. But is that going to be enough to compensate for the reduction in pace.
4. It's a bit dated. While it won't be a daily driver (I have an i3 for that), I think I would miss a few things like DAB and a good sat nav.
Point 3 could be addressed by spending an extra £5k to get a quicker gen 2 S. Point 4 could be addressed by getting a 981 2.7, but that would probably be an extra £10k. Neither of those would be my old car.
Do you people think I could regret going back? Part of me thinks that worst case, I end up selling it on without losing too much as prices seem reasonably stable.
I know if I sold my CS it would grate on me every day, Christ I feel bad about selling my Swift Sport its amazing how much greener the grass looks on the other side until you go there and its not.
Buy it back and enjoy...as you know these cars are not all about driving them on the door handles, driving them is a joy fast or slow.
Buy it back and enjoy...as you know these cars are not all about driving them on the door handles, driving them is a joy fast or slow.
only car i've ever gone back to is a CR, had a PDK years ago sold it to buy a property and ended up with an M2 for just under two years.
Yes was nice all the modern bits etc etc but the car just didn't feel as good to drive so I went back to a CR but in manual this time.
I have updated the headunit but no regrets what so ever!
Yes was nice all the modern bits etc etc but the car just didn't feel as good to drive so I went back to a CR but in manual this time.
I have updated the headunit but no regrets what so ever!
On a smaller scale i brought back my original Clio 182 in July last year.
Owned from almost new (8k miles) i sold it after 4.5 years /84k miles to a friend. I sold it for what i thought at the time was an upgrade to a Mini GP. I hated the Mini and it was never as good as the little 182, it didn't take long to seriously regret my decision to sell.
I got my Clio back in July last year now with 111k on it and have spent the last 6 months just tidying and refreshing components.
Frankly there's nothing this side of £20k id rather drive every day, i couldn't be happier.
Going back is often a case of rose tinted glasses, however i'm happy to say in my case, i absolutely love it as much as i always did.
Go drive it, best of luck.
Owned from almost new (8k miles) i sold it after 4.5 years /84k miles to a friend. I sold it for what i thought at the time was an upgrade to a Mini GP. I hated the Mini and it was never as good as the little 182, it didn't take long to seriously regret my decision to sell.
I got my Clio back in July last year now with 111k on it and have spent the last 6 months just tidying and refreshing components.
Frankly there's nothing this side of £20k id rather drive every day, i couldn't be happier.
Going back is often a case of rose tinted glasses, however i'm happy to say in my case, i absolutely love it as much as i always did.
Go drive it, best of luck.
Edited by frayz on Wednesday 15th January 09:35
Thanks all, opinion seems to be swaying towards not going back! Its something I need to give some thought to and maybe give it another drive. Some good love for the Cayman R mentioned, and while I'd love one I'd be looking at twice the cost of the 2.9, not something I can justify right now!
DJMC said:
OP, how do you find the i3?
It's a great fun commuter. It's a company car and got it in advance of the 0% BIK from April. After tax cost will be about £300 a month all in once that kicks in, and that's doing about 1,500 miles a month from free charging at work. I really like it, and while it has a few quirks that just adds to the interest for me. I have the S version and while its no Cayman in the handling department it does ok. You would really have to stretch a 2.9 Cayman to keep it with it to 50mph.Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff