Practicality for me?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3
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Practicality for me?
So essentially I’m looking to buy an 08-10 Cayman. I go to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and graduate in May. I’m most likely going to be stationed in Florida. We are required to be out to sea for half the year at different times. So do you think it is practical for me to own one of these cars? Money is not really an issue (unless maintenance costs or much higher than I think) and I don’t need space in my car.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
- Logan
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
- Logan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 565
From: SF Bay Area
I mean, if you can handle having only two seats it's a surprisingly practical car. Comfortable for long trips, reasonable reliability, can carry a surprising amount of stuff. I mean, you won't be picking up any plywood or furniture or anything, but you can get a few suitcases in it.
If you're a checkbook mechanic repairs can be somewhat expensive. Not much more difficult than any other modern car to work on, though.
I would strongly suggest getting a 987.2 (2009-2012.) They fixed a lot of stuff in the .2 motor and it has fewer issues.
If you're a checkbook mechanic repairs can be somewhat expensive. Not much more difficult than any other modern car to work on, though.
I would strongly suggest getting a 987.2 (2009-2012.) They fixed a lot of stuff in the .2 motor and it has fewer issues.
Track Day
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 15
Likes: 9
Logan,
The Cayman is a surprisingly practical car, especially for one person. A thorough PPI is a worthwhile investment in that it helps weed out cars that might have issues now or down the road. I would think that your main issue is going to be finding appropriate storage six months out of the year. Good luck in your career.
The Cayman is a surprisingly practical car, especially for one person. A thorough PPI is a worthwhile investment in that it helps weed out cars that might have issues now or down the road. I would think that your main issue is going to be finding appropriate storage six months out of the year. Good luck in your career.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 47
Likes: 4
From: Orlando, Florida
I don’t think Porsche and practical belong in the same sentence, but if you are asking is it doable, it sounds like it is for your situation. As noted above there is a surprising amount of storage especially in the frunk. Parts and labor are more expensive than on most cars but normal maintenance (oil, filters, brakes) are pretty easy as DIY and you should be able to rent a lift and tools at the base.
buy a trickle charger for the battery when you are out to sea to save having to replace it
buy a trickle charger for the battery when you are out to sea to save having to replace it
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 305
Likes: 43
So essentially I’m looking to buy an 08-10 Cayman. I go to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and graduate in May. I’m most likely going to be stationed in Florida. We are required to be out to sea for half the year at different times. So do you think it is practical for me to own one of these cars? Money is not really an issue (unless maintenance costs or much higher than I think) and I don’t need space in my car.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
- Logan
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
- Logan
Congratulations.......and thanks in advance for your service Logan!
If you get a car and get stationed to California, you are welcome to keep your car at one of mt places if you need to. PM me if the need arises.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 104
Likes: 24
From: San Francisco, CA
As a young single person, likely similar to you, my Cayman is my only car and works perfectly for 99% of my needs. I can even fit all of my ski gear in it! The only times I run into issues is when I have to swap tires for the winter/summer. Insurance is quite expensive (~1900/yr) but if you take it off your policy while you're away that should decrease dramatically. Maintenance and tires can be quite pricey, $1k for each set of tires, about ~$2-3k/yr in maintenance but I drive it a LOT ~15k/yr.
Get a 987.2 you wont regret it
Get a 987.2 you wont regret it
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 47
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Due make sure you can maintain the battery while not in use. These cars have a high parasitic draw and will leave you locked out pretty quick. With the frunk latch being electric it can turn into an ordeal to get it running again.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Mile High
You seem like a level headed young man. Lets look at this long term. Decades from now you can tell your grandkids you thought about buying a Porsche, and bought a boring sedan. Cool grandpa!
OR
Do it now while you can. I had RX-7s when I was young and in retrospect not as stupid as I thought. Two seats means no drunk friends in the back, not being the designated driver for groups of friends, ability to come and go as you please. Downside is you don't drink, take taxis home, or be the drunk friend in the back of his sedan.
Decades later I still have a sports car or two, and my wife accepts that as me. Beats trying to get a sports car midlife and acknowledging a crisis. Ive had many a crisis starting in my late teens if that's what gets me a sport car.
OR
Do it now while you can. I had RX-7s when I was young and in retrospect not as stupid as I thought. Two seats means no drunk friends in the back, not being the designated driver for groups of friends, ability to come and go as you please. Downside is you don't drink, take taxis home, or be the drunk friend in the back of his sedan.
Decades later I still have a sports car or two, and my wife accepts that as me. Beats trying to get a sports car midlife and acknowledging a crisis. Ive had many a crisis starting in my late teens if that's what gets me a sport car.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 342
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From: Colorado
+1 Get a battery maintainer and not a simple trickle charger. They simulate driving the car while it's in storage and keep the battery charged. CTEK makes maintainers used by a lot of folks on these forums; I believe CTEK may also make the battery maintainer sold by Porsche. (For more $$) You can leave it plugged in until you get back, and the battery will be charged when you start the car.
Last edited by tomhartzell; Jan 17, 2020 at 10:31 AM. Reason: addn content
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 305
Likes: 43
You seem like a level headed young man. Lets look at this long term. Decades from now you can tell your grandkids you thought about buying a Porsche, and bought a boring sedan. Cool grandpa!
OR
Do it now while you can. I had RX-7s when I was young and in retrospect not as stupid as I thought. Two seats means no drunk friends in the back, not being the designated driver for groups of friends, ability to come and go as you please. Downside is you don't drink, take taxis home, or be the drunk friend in the back of his sedan.
Decades later I still have a sports car or two, and my wife accepts that as me. Beats trying to get a sports car midlife and acknowledging a crisis. Ive had many a crisis starting in my late teens if that's what gets me a sport car.
OR
Do it now while you can. I had RX-7s when I was young and in retrospect not as stupid as I thought. Two seats means no drunk friends in the back, not being the designated driver for groups of friends, ability to come and go as you please. Downside is you don't drink, take taxis home, or be the drunk friend in the back of his sedan.
Decades later I still have a sports car or two, and my wife accepts that as me. Beats trying to get a sports car midlife and acknowledging a crisis. Ive had many a crisis starting in my late teens if that's what gets me a sport car.
...." you don't have a life Dad.....you live one"
Get your car Logan.
Track Day
Joined: Jan 2020
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: New York
Money is not really an issue
Buy the best car you can afford and still have a budget for maintenance whether it's a Camry or a Porsche. At this point in your life practicality is dependent on whether or not another person is involved in your decisions. It sounds like you have some financial independence and are single. That makes things simpler, but get a PPI on any P-car as insurance on what could be a major expense with an older car. Not to make too much of a case out of a rare problem, a PDK replacement can be a $15,000 or more expense. There is a thread in the 997 forum about solving this issue for DIYers should it arise. Good luck.