Drew M

I need some help determining what I should purchase, as far as options and such. I'm going to be using at as a daily and a track car.

Some of my background: I'm 28 with no kids. I've been racing for the last 6 years and have been doing a lot of instructing (~10 days/yr) for the last 2 or 3 years. Not to sound like a braggart, but I'm pretty damn good at it, which makes me wonder if a base Cayman might not be 'raw' enough. Racing, and all the vehicles I have to own as a result, has just become a big hassle so I'm looking to consolidate to one vehicle.

I've heard the Cayman is one of the best handling cars you can buy. Being used to a momentum car (RX7), that's exactly what I'm looking for. I just don't know what is available on these cars, as far as options and such. I'm looking to spend around $30k. Not a huge budget, I know.

Thanks for the help!

hf1

09+ Cayman S (DFI engine) is your best bet. Bullet-proof for track-work. Should be getting near your price ball-park now or very soon.

Drew M

Do they have electric power steering, vs. the older ones have hydraulic PS? Do I have that backwards...or am I thinking of a different car?

hf1

No. PS is hydraulic. Electric PS only started with 981/991 models (I think).

zedcat

+1 for 09 or later Cayman S. As much as I like the R, the premium for a little more power and stiffer suspension isn't justified over an S. Not sure what prices are for the S these days. May start an argument- but I'd pick an 09 Base (2.9l) over an older S to get the newer motor (no IMS and better oiling). That's what I did in 2009. Only my opinion of course.

BGB Motorsports

All of the above mentioned information is all sound information.

1.) 987.1 or 987.2
2.) stretch the budget and get the 987.2 and skip having to do any preventative maintenance for oil or P/S cooling for light track duty.
3.) pay attention to #2.

Bill Lehman

The Gen 1 and 2 have the same chassis and brakes. Gen 2 has DFI motor (more power) and better power steering cooling. IMS has not been an issue with Gen 1 cars but oiling is. Need deep sump, baffles, Motorsport AOS, and third radiator is nice. Gen 1 is in your budget, Gen 2 not yet. Been tracking Caymans since 2008. 20 days track days in a base 2.7 plus 90 track days on Gen 1 S all in instructor run group.

Dr.Bill

Small correction - the Gen 2 Cayman S has the DFI motor, not the base Cayman.

RedTRex

Are all 2009 987.2s? Or is there a cutover month? Recommended options? TIA

I too am interested in purchasing a Cayman for track events. Have owned 18 BMWs Autocrossed some of them as well as a few Subarus. Have been interested in an M3 or Z-4M for next track car but from all I read the Cayman outperforms.
Just registered today but have spent the last week reading most of the threads in here.

Drew M

Are pre '09 cars the 987.1 and 09+ cars the 987.2?

I don't want to stretch the budget too much. As a comparison, $35k is really nice C6 Corvette territory. And to be honest, I shouldn't be spending that much up front on a car.

That's just the type of input I'm looking for. Which did you feel was a better track car, the gen 1 S or the gen 2 base car?

zedcat

Model year 09 was the first year of 987.2. The quickest way to tell the difference for me is the front radiator inlets lights. The 987.1 has a horizontal body color spar with the light in the center. On 987.2 the light is pushed to the upper outside corner. The shape of the tail lights is different too. But pretty subtle.

Drew M

Good to know, thank you!

Drew M

What about options, such as PASM, would I find most useful in a street/track car?

zedcat

Options- for 987.2 probably the biggest consideration is PDK vs 6MT. PDK is brilliant but many prefer the involvement of the manual. About a bizillion threads on PDk vs manual... Seems there have been some posts on cooling issues on track with PDK. Perhaps a PDK owner will comment. In my experience PASM is a somewhat rare option. (I ordered my 09 with it.) It's nice but not essential. Sport chrono is nice but also not essential. It is of more consequence with PDK as it gives faster shifts and a harder redline in sport mode. The software and button can be added though through a dealer. The dash clock gets mixed reviews. Bose sound is common, but again opinions vary. PSE -sport exhaust sounds great but adds no power. Plenty of aftermarket exhaust options. PCCBs are somewhat rare and generally not prefered for track due to the cost of replacement and risk of chipping rotors. A lot of S models have 19in wheels vs the standard 18s. For track a set of 18s (OZ are good) is a good idea. The base seats are ok but not great. The sport buckets are the best imo, but very rare except in the R model. "Full" leather interior is nice of course. Oh, bi xenons if driving much at night. Those are the main things off the top of the head.

tcsracing1

+1

DFI is the best way to go.
PDK is also faster if you wanna be the best.