indioinca

Been lurking around for last few months and signed up just yesterday. My first post here.

I've a budget of 35-40K (would like not to go over 35K) and am looking at Cayman or Cayman S. Someone told me not to buy up to model year 2008 Cayman due to IMS thing. I looked up IMS and it is kind of scary to read that if it happens it costs a lot of money to fix it. I haven't seen any Cayman 2009 and above in my range so far.

If the car is out of warranty & IMS thing happens, does Porsche cover the costs associated with fix since it looks like to be a well known issue OR will I be SOL.

Any help/input is appreciated.

Thank you.

Spokayman

From the beginning the Cayman received the M97 engine which included a revised (larger) IMS bearing. The bearing is obviously much better than the previous bearings that Porsche used (in the M96 engines) and IMS bearing failures are very rare in this first generation Cayman (2006-2008).
There are some known oil starvation issues and occasional rod bolt issues that tend to appear if you drive the car on the track with any regularity.
If you do any real searching on this forum or others, you should come to this conclusion as well.

If the car is out of warranty, I doubt very much that Porsche will assist with repair costs. The only exception to this that I have heard of is if you are the original owner and you regularly serviced the car at the dealership (IE, you 're a good Porsche customer).
With your budget, you should be able to find a good, well optioned, well taken care of 1st gen Cayman S.

indioinca

Thank you, Spokayman.

HoBoJoe

IMS is a rare failure on these cars, but is still a concern. If you keep looking you'll find a 2009+ in your price range.

usctrojanGT3

Looks on Autotrader...there's a 2009 Cayman S PDK in Irvine, CA listed for $39,950 by a private seller.

ArneeA

Plenty of 987.2 09+ non-S in that price range. Hard to find a 987.2 S in that price range. The one noted by usctrojanGT3 is a GREAT deal if it's in good condition.

2011guardsredcay

I bought a 2011 Cayman (base) with 17K miles in like new condition with one year left of factory warranty, with power/heated/ventilated seats, heated mirrors and steering wheel, PCM, Navigation, 18" Boxster S ii wheels, plus in my wife's preferred color: Guards Red for $38K. Of course 6MT. Probably will need new rear Michelin Ps2 tires this summer. Our Christmas present. My suggestion to OP: keep looking.

ottobon100

Too bad you live in CA. I was just at our local Porsche dealer in Virginia Beach and they have an '08 base Cayman, black on black with 30k miles and a one year warranty. Looked very nice and with the warranty.... No, I am not affiliated with the local Porsche dealer.

indioinca

I am going to wait & keep an eye for 09+ to pop up at or under my budget. Very tempted to jump on 09 Cayman S at Irvine but I want to keep aside 5K or so for any repairs that may have to be done during 1st year or so.

HoBoJoe

I don't think you'll need $5k for an 09+ as long as you get it inspected first. Even tires, all new brakes, and all new fluids won't run you $5k.

Paseb

i have a salvage Cayman s 2008 with 24000miles , asking 20k usd, firm price
small front right accident, easy to repair or could make a nice race car