Prospective Cayman Buyer (First-Time Porsche)

[alecinminn]

Hi!

I'm seriously considering investing in a pre-owned Cayman, but I'd like input for optimization. My hard criteria include:

- Manual transmission
- No more than 60,000 miles
- No more than $23,000

After doing light searching, I'm pretty confident I could find a 2006/2007 for ~$20,000 or less. Any other things I should consider for sure?

[JasonGibson]

Hi and welcome to our forum.

Excellent choice, you will enjoy it.
You didn't say if you wanted the 3.4 or 2.7
I've owned Boxsters with the 3.2 and 2.7, to be honest they are both pretty good and will put a big smile on your face.

Have a look at and test drive a few cars, when you find one that you feel is right, get it checked over by a specialist (unless you're buying from one)
Worn suspension arms can cost a few quid to replace and have a geometry set up after. Often these creak really bad over speed humps and bad roads.

Don't get too hooked up on certain options or colour choices unless they are really important to you.
It can take a long time to find one that ticks every box



Oh and the day after you buy it, take a days holiday and just to go for a drive

[Magic8080]

Hi

I bought my 981 2.7 in April and really enjoy driving her. I was lucky I managed to get most of my requirements.

I drove quite a few 986, 987 Mk1 and Mk2 but ended up splashing a bit more for a 981, albeit 2.7. But it's quick!

As Jason says, don't get hooked on extras e.g. PCM, leather, PASM etc as they're not essential

Hope it helps

[Stevebailey]

Hi
You won't go far wrong with the Cayman, love mine
I went down the opposite route of looking for one with the specs I wanted
There's loads about. I spent about 6 months looking around for the right one
I've had my 2006 Cayman S now for two years & it's a fabulous motor

Good luck with your search

Steve

[WazzerM]

Go for it ..... but, having had my fingers burned, if you're going 'S' get the bores scoped beforehand or simply buy from Northway Porsche (Reading) or Revolution Porsche (Leeds) where they'll look after you properly if things, in the unlikely event, go wrong. Enjoy!

[Skidado]

Hi - New Forum member resurrecting an old post.

I am in exactly the same position - looking for my first Porsche. My budget will maybe get me a 987 Gen1 Cayman 2.7 (possibly a Gen2).

I have read a bit about the bore scoring issue, and from what I've read it affects only about 5% of Gen1 (doesn't affect Gen2) and of the Gen1 only the 3.4s are affected. Two questions for the forum -

1 - is this an accurate statement?
2 - is it likely that there are any with dodgy bores out there still or will they all have been repaired or scrapped by now?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

[jasonp]

Harry over at Portiacraft wont stock Caymans [gen1s for sure] without a rebuild,,,,,jasonp

[Sean Smallman]

Lots written about the bore score issue, which is reflected in the price of the car. Pay a premium and get a car from a dealer with a warranty.

If you are unlucky and I would say that 5% is an exaggeration, you will get a good slug of your money back if you do need to rebuild.

You could always buy one that’s been rebuilt, they are hard to find though.