Steve Lipton

First time poster, never owned Porsche and long time BMW owner... ��

Been looking at acquiring a base Cayman with manual. Found one at a nearby Poersche dealer - 2007, meteor grey metallic, options are bi xenon, Bose, and about 37k on the clock. Dealer is asking $28,000 and it's been on the lot for about a month. This would be a weekend fun car for me.

My questions are,

1. I've looked at Carfax and checked basic maintenance (tires and brakes at 80%). Body is clean. Drives nice, straight and quiet. What else should is ask for? I saw in one forum about asking for a DME report but I am not familiar with this. It also seems I'll be facing the 40k maintenance shortly - about $1,500.

2. What would be a smoking hot deal on this car? I'm thinking $24k. Thoughts?

Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Steve

sdm100

Go for 2009 or higher. Not much more money, plus you get the benefit of the direct fuel injection.

Jack-Porsche

It's a good deal, but smokin would be a few grand less. I just purchased a base 2007 from a dealer with 20,000 miles and manual transmission. I highly recommend....fun car to drive!

Steve Lipton

Thanks for the replies. So should I be shooting for something closer to $20k on an 2007?

Like the idea of an 09 too. Just means waiting a year. Not the worst thing. ��

zedcat

Just for info, for 09-12 the base motor 2.9l is not DFI. It is the 9A1 version though which has a number of improvements including the oiling system and no IMS in the valve train. I would recommend a PPI by a good shop that knows these cars. That should include the DME and they can explain the over-rev ranges. Also, the 40k service should have been done on time not miles so for an 07, it should have received the 40k or 4 yr service twice by now. If that's not documented as having been done it could be a bargaining point. I would also budget to change all the fluids including coolant and trans oil. That's a little conservative admittedly. Finally apart from catching up maintenance I would have at least a couple grand in reserve for unexpected repairs. Waterpumps failing at this mileage are not unusual for example. Best of luck.

Steve Lipton

Really appreciate the thoughts. You've got me leaning to holding out for a year and looking for an 09. The improvements (especially no IMS) feel right. At least half the thrill is the hunt! ��

eddielasvegas

IMHO, a good call Steve.

You can find a higher mileage 987.2 Base for ~$25,000 but you'll need to be patient, search often and nationwide.

Good luck,

Eddie

Steve Lipton

Thanks Eddie. The hunt is on! 😀

Did this with a Z4 I purchased several years ago. I bought from a dealer in Alabama and had it shipped up sight unseen. I drove that poor guy crazy and, to his credit, everything was exactly as he said. I'll have to go 2 for 2!

BoulderGeek

I'm loving my 2006 CS, which I got for less than $27K.

But, I would sleep better, regarding the engine's durability, if I had waited for a 987.2.

DaveCarrera4

+1 what I did...

UCTeeth

When I was searching I had the option between a 2010 base cayman or a 2008 S cayman. The base had 40 k miles, the S had 50k miles.

I knew about the IMS, but I also knew how overblown the issue was on in the internet after contacting PCA clubs across CA. Everyone had heard about it online, but nobody had actually known someone this had actually happened to.

I ended up going with the 2008 S, it was only 1 grand cheaper than the 2010 base. Both were very well priced so I was lucky in that respect. The 2008 was way better optioned out pretty much all the options you could get on it. The base was not so optioned out. Ultimately I knew I would always be thinking about the S if I had gone with the base. Plus after doing my research the S seems to hold value better if you compare all the used Cayman Prices out there.

Just my two cents