Shawn Stanford

So, a little background: In early '09 my wife told me to buy myself a sportscar. In the course of doing so, I drove a Boxster, then I drove an '87 951 with low miles (52k) and some light mods (exhaust, chip). I ended up with the 951, and it's a brilliant car.

Now, five years down the road, I'm interested in moving on. I'm looking at the price point where the 951 and the Cayman draw close, so a Gen 1 Cayman with something north of 50k on the clock.

I'm not quite ready to jump on this (maybe in the spring, depending on 951 prices), so I haven't driven the Cayman yet. My 951 is a slingshot-powered go-kart, absolutely precise, and you can feel every undulation in the road. Not much power at first, but when that turbo kicks - holy crap! But, it's a handful on bad roads and a long drive can be brutal (I've done 10 hours in it multiple times. That's a long day!).

What can I expect from the Cayman? And, if I start shopping, what should I be looking for or looking out for?

Thanks in advance!

Spokayman

I think the switch from 944 to Cayman is a pretty common one.
That was kind of my route as well (944S2).
The Cayman will be vastly different than the 951. If you think the steering in the 951 is precise, you will love the Cayman.

The flat 6 revs and builds power much differently than the turbo 4.
Because of the difference in how power is made, you might find the base 2.7 a bit lacking in torque.
I would try both the base and S models and see what you think. The base model handles just as sublimely as the S.

And not as a knock on the 951, but the Cayman is a modern car and it feels like it. After a modern Porsche experience the 80s Porsches, even the 944 series, will feel old. In the 987 everything seems more precise. Shifting, steering, throttle response, brakes, etc.
I'm probably not saying anything you don't already know, especially if you drove the Boxster very much a few years ago.
I think I understand how you feel about your 951. I continue to like the 944/968 cars, and in fact I am actively looking for a 968 to add next to the Cayman.

As regards to daylong driving comfort, my S2 (and to a lesser extent my earlier 994s) were all pretty good. The Cayman is better, but it is fairly stiff riding and it is noisier than a person might think.

At least where I live, you will be paying at least $8-$10 K more to move to a decent Cayman S. Less to a base Cayman.
And the 951 will be more difficult to sell, especially for a high price. You may live where the market is different, I dunno.
Good luck and let us know how your search goes!

HoBoJoe

Go for an S, leaving a 944 turbo the base will not feel powerful enough. Compared to a 944/951 the Cayman is much easier to drive, more comfortable, but also more refined. The only car I've driven that made my 964 feel loose and inferior is the Cayman.

Head over to planet-9 for more info on the 987.1/2. Most of the common problems in the 987.1 are only a worry if you track your car in advance run groups. Non-track related issues are the IMS, water pumps, shifter cables, and paint wearing off the hvac controls. Overall I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a well cared for 987.1, I just happened to find a 987.2 that was exactly what i wanted.

Find one to take for a spin, your mind will be made up very quickly. I test drove a 987.2 base and was sold before I got out of the dealer parking lot.

Hi-Arc

+1 on going with Cayman S. Lot of fully optioned Gen 1 cars out there with Sport Mode, PASM, Chrono Package ect... $25000 - $30000 range based on mileage mentioned for Gen 1. Shares a lot of parts with 06-08 997 including larger ims bearing. Very rare to fail. Same Short shifter drops right in Cayman if you plan to track add a deep sump / x51 pan and third radiator. Great car ,can't drive mine enough. Nothing like listening to the flat 6 singing behind you. Good luck on your search.

Frank 993 C4S

You will really like the switch, predominantly in terms of handling. Most people on RL are very negative about Gen I cars and will tell you to spend the extra $10 - $15k and buy a DFI Gen II car. Don't do it - You will really like the Gen I car.

Shawn Stanford

Not scared of maintenance. I am currently closing in on 125k with an '05 Cayenne and my project car is an 82 928 (next task: oil pan gasket & motor mounts). I've nosed around about the IMS bearing failure and it doesn't seem as much a show-stopper as it's made out to be. If I didn't have the 928 and I was looking for a GT car, I'd probably be actively searching for a 996!

So, yeah, a Gen 1 S sounds like a great idea. Like I said: I just have to wait for the values of a well-sorted 951 and mid-mileage 987 to get close.

Thanks for all the input, guys! If anyone sees a show-stopper of a deal on a Gen 1 Cayman S (low 20s) - preferably in red - PM me!

rackhenry

Buy a 987.2 if you plan on tracking it. Trust me it is worth the extra 10K up front as you will pay that much on top of a 987.1 to get it ready for track. If that is not your goal then get a car with good maintenance history and read the DME ignition range report..

usctrojanGT3

+1

ja78911sc

?????

Frank 993 C4S

How would you spend $10k on cooling and oiling mods for DE?

FVD Motorsports Oil Pan: $595.00
TRS Power Steering Cooler: $299.00
Optional:
Motorsport Air/Oil Separator: $1395.00

HoBoJoe

Is a larger oil pan enough to fix the issue? I was under the impression that an accusump was required.

A432

As some have said, go over to P9 and research Gen 1 oil/rod/cylinder scoring/D chunk issues.
Not bagging on the Gen 1 M97, but it is something to consider for overall costs.
Maybe you can get an '06 cheap enough, and with parts, that justifies the cost of a rebuild too.
That said, the Gen 2 9A1 has def. had the oiling/PS/sleeve/IMS issues resolved, look at the Interseries cars/clubs lack of issues.

Frank 993 C4S

Yes - no accusump required.

You might add an under drive pulley for $195 "while you're at it" but that's not unique to the Gen 1 Cayman.

Spokayman

It does not sound like the OP is looking for a car to take to the track, so the advice and observations that touch on the weaknesses of tracked cars is not relevant to him.
I am simply noting this so that others who are considering Cayman ownership can be more confident in gen 1 cars for daily and spirited driving use.

Shawn Stanford

You're correct, sir: I'm looking for a street car; something for jaunts around town, the occasional long solo trip, or that my wife and I can put a weekend's worth of stuff into and drive off.