Buying advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459
Likes: 200
From: Houston, Texas
Buying advice
Hello! My cousin is wanting to spend $25,000 plus on a Cayman and asked my advice. I have a 997 and a Macan but know zero about Caymans, he knows even less. He wants auto and doesn’t know enough to specify S vs base. Did PDK and DFI start in 2009 like the 997.2? Does the base Cayman 2009 model have enough power for a non track car? What are your recommendations as far as year, S/base etc in the 25k range? Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 647
Likes: 154
Any Cayman has enough power. An S has more power, obviously, which is appreciable. 2009+ Caymans got the changes to the engine.
A Cayman S auto is easily found under 25k. I owned a 07 CS for 3 years before I traded it for a Macan to go along with a 996tt. It may be hard to find a '09+ for 25k with good history; maybe if you check PCA and buy from the owner(?), but I am +1 for an 09 CS for 25k.
A Cayman S auto is easily found under 25k. I owned a 07 CS for 3 years before I traded it for a Macan to go along with a 996tt. It may be hard to find a '09+ for 25k with good history; maybe if you check PCA and buy from the owner(?), but I am +1 for an 09 CS for 25k.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 951
Likes: 196
From: Madison, WI
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 673
From: Dahlonega, Georgia
This should go without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway...
I've noticed an increase in posts on this board and the 987-981 RL board that begin with "I recently acquired a (Insert year and model here) and it has begun to (Insert symptom of serious engine and/or transmission problem here)." As the discussion unfolds, it becomes obvious that the car was purchased without a proper PPI and the new owner is now facing repairs that will cost serious money.
No matter what year/model your cousin ends up liking, the last step he/she should take after agreeing on the price of the car pending a clean PPI, is to pay the money to have a thorough PPI done by a qualified Porsche shop or dealership. If the PPI is clean, then you pay the agreed price and drive the car away knowing you've done your due diligence and protected your investment as much as is practical. If the PPI reveals problems, then you can decide to walk away or renegotiate the deal with full knowledge of what you're facing down the road.
The cost of a proper PPI is not insignificant, but neither are repairs on these cars. Forewarned is forearmed.
Good luck with the search.
I've noticed an increase in posts on this board and the 987-981 RL board that begin with "I recently acquired a (Insert year and model here) and it has begun to (Insert symptom of serious engine and/or transmission problem here)." As the discussion unfolds, it becomes obvious that the car was purchased without a proper PPI and the new owner is now facing repairs that will cost serious money.
No matter what year/model your cousin ends up liking, the last step he/she should take after agreeing on the price of the car pending a clean PPI, is to pay the money to have a thorough PPI done by a qualified Porsche shop or dealership. If the PPI is clean, then you pay the agreed price and drive the car away knowing you've done your due diligence and protected your investment as much as is practical. If the PPI reveals problems, then you can decide to walk away or renegotiate the deal with full knowledge of what you're facing down the road.
The cost of a proper PPI is not insignificant, but neither are repairs on these cars. Forewarned is forearmed.
Good luck with the search.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 951
Likes: 196
From: Madison, WI
This should go without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway...
I've noticed an increase in posts on this board and the 987-981 RL board that begin with "I recently acquired a (Insert year and model here) and it has begun to (Insert symptom of serious engine and/or transmission problem here)." As the discussion unfolds, it becomes obvious that the car was purchased without a proper PPI and the new owner is now facing repairs that will cost serious money.
No matter what year/model your cousin ends up liking, the last step he/she should take after agreeing on the price of the car pending a clean PPI, is to pay the money to have a thorough PPI done by a qualified Porsche shop or dealership. If the PPI is clean, then you pay the agreed price and drive the car away knowing you've done your due diligence and protected your investment as much as is practical. If the PPI reveals problems, then you can decide to walk away or renegotiate the deal with full knowledge of what you're facing down the road.
The cost of a proper PPI is not insignificant, but neither are repairs on these cars. Forewarned is forearmed.
Good luck with the search.
I've noticed an increase in posts on this board and the 987-981 RL board that begin with "I recently acquired a (Insert year and model here) and it has begun to (Insert symptom of serious engine and/or transmission problem here)." As the discussion unfolds, it becomes obvious that the car was purchased without a proper PPI and the new owner is now facing repairs that will cost serious money.
No matter what year/model your cousin ends up liking, the last step he/she should take after agreeing on the price of the car pending a clean PPI, is to pay the money to have a thorough PPI done by a qualified Porsche shop or dealership. If the PPI is clean, then you pay the agreed price and drive the car away knowing you've done your due diligence and protected your investment as much as is practical. If the PPI reveals problems, then you can decide to walk away or renegotiate the deal with full knowledge of what you're facing down the road.
The cost of a proper PPI is not insignificant, but neither are repairs on these cars. Forewarned is forearmed.
Good luck with the search.
well said.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 70
Likes: 3
Cost of cayman manual PPI ?
I am currently shopping. Plan on having a PPI done. Besides paint depth and brake tire wear I assume sump off and bore scope cylinder 5 and 6 . I would want to see over rev history as well.
What do you think that would cost at a porsche specialist , but not a dealer. ?
If i am missing what i should also be doing... please let me know. I am new to this level of car buying prices.
Looking for 987 cayman manual... around 2007 to 2009 if one that new is in my budget. So testing that.
What do you think that would cost at a porsche specialist , but not a dealer. ?
If i am missing what i should also be doing... please let me know. I am new to this level of car buying prices.
Looking for 987 cayman manual... around 2007 to 2009 if one that new is in my budget. So testing that.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 673
From: Dahlonega, Georgia
I am currently shopping. Plan on having a PPI done. Besides paint depth and brake tire wear I assume sump off and bore scope cylinder 5 and 6 . I would want to see over rev history as well.
What do you think that would cost at a porsche specialist , but not a dealer. ? If i am missing what i should also be doing... please let me know. I am new to this level of car buying prices. Looking for 987 cayman manual... around 2007 to 2009 if one that new is in my budget. So testing that.
What do you think that would cost at a porsche specialist , but not a dealer. ? If i am missing what i should also be doing... please let me know. I am new to this level of car buying prices. Looking for 987 cayman manual... around 2007 to 2009 if one that new is in my budget. So testing that.
Good luck in your search
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 70
Likes: 3
Porsche dealer in milwaukee area not helpful
I live near milwaukee and have visited my largest close porsche dealer. No new cars , no used cars. Seems they only have and sell SUV style porsche's. I even called sales and they said they could order a new car, but dont have any used cars , just family haulers.
I wanted to try on a boxter and cayman. So i will have to find one on my own. Several of the used sports car import places have a terrible reputation. I think the milwaukee area just is a desert of porsche people. I see a few driving around, but very few.
I wanted to try on a boxter and cayman. So i will have to find one on my own. Several of the used sports car import places have a terrible reputation. I think the milwaukee area just is a desert of porsche people. I see a few driving around, but very few.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Mile High
I live near milwaukee and have visited my largest close porsche dealer. No new cars , no used cars. Seems they only have and sell SUV style porsche's. I even called sales and they said they could order a new car, but dont have any used cars , just family haulers.
I wanted to try on a boxter and cayman. So i will have to find one on my own. Several of the used sports car import places have a terrible reputation. I think the milwaukee area just is a desert of porsche people. I see a few driving around, but very few.
I wanted to try on a boxter and cayman. So i will have to find one on my own. Several of the used sports car import places have a terrible reputation. I think the milwaukee area just is a desert of porsche people. I see a few driving around, but very few.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 18
From: Northern New Jersey
For about that price you should be able to get a well sorted 987.1 Cayman S (2006-08) with low to mid mileage. Good rule of thumb it so get a PPI before the purchase as it is worth is weight in gold. Some will talk about the IMS Bearing on these cars but that is a very small number of cars that had an issue and some will talk about Bore Scoring but that can be checked during the PPI.
I have a 07 S that I bough a year ago or so and I have been loving it.
I have a 07 S that I bough a year ago or so and I have been loving it.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 878
Likes: 601
From: Comox, BC
I bought my 2011 987.2 Cayman S with 75,200 miles from a local Porsche dealer. I rolled the dice and did not get an independent PPI, trusting that a Porsche dealer would be up front with me. Luckily, they were. You pays your money and you takes your chances. Anyway, I paid $31,000 CAD ($23,450 USD) and couldn't be happier. Even came with an extra set of Michelin all season tires on genuine Porsche wheels. It's in great shape. 7 months of trouble free ownership so far, and I'm looking forward to many more to come. Such an awesome, fun car! Good luck with your friend's search. Let us know if you find anything.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 46
Likes: 10
From: Flyover Country
Hello! My cousin is wanting to spend $25,000 plus on a Cayman and asked my advice. I have a 997 and a Macan but know zero about Caymans, he knows even less. He wants auto and doesn’t know enough to specify S vs base. Did PDK and DFI start in 2009 like the 997.2? Does the base Cayman 2009 model have enough power for a non track car? What are your recommendations as far as year, S/base etc in the 25k range? Thanks!