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Provided that a 2006 S Cayman has the M97 engine (which allegedly has an "improved" IMS design?) and has been relatively well taken care of by the prior owners (timely oil changes, etc)... is 120-130K miles something to be very concerned about? Can these cars go to 200K before they basically need to be donated away or sold for a fraction of what the used cost was?
I'd imagine the supension for sure would need to be addressed with that mileage if not already done, along with betls... Just trying to justify buying a high mileage first year S. This would be a MANUAL trans btw, not the triptronic.
Stating the obvious but, even if superbly maintained, you’re looking at a car with limited mileage left before big bills arrive. Maybe worth a punt if it’s cheap and/or your annual mileage is low. Every used car is a lottery but you can cut the odds by spending more on a significantly lower mileage/newer model. These engines are not cheap. Not heard of a 200,000 miler. If someone on here has one running the original motor it’ll be a Unicorn.
Stating the obvious but, even if superbly maintained, you’re looking at a car with limited mileage left before big bills arrive. Maybe worth a punt if it’s cheap and/or your annual mileage is low. Every used car is a lottery but you can cut the odds by spending more on a significantly lower mileage/newer model. These engines are not cheap. Not heard of a 200,000 miler. If someone on here has one running the original motor it’ll be a Unicorn.
For sure, and that is what my logic is telling me. The price points are very attractive, especially for a somewhat loaded S variant when its in the right color and the right wheels, etc... I suppose the eye candy can persuade the mind from logic and mileage. It makes one wonder, what then happens to the car once it finally gives up the game? What does indeed end up happening to a 2006 Cayman that hit 150K and said "I'm done, buddy"... You have no choice but to put a whole new engine in there to the tune of 18K or thereabouts? I've always wondered what happens to them once that happens.
The highest I have seen in the wild, for sale is 140k and it was priced around 15K
Often purchased for relative pennies by experienced individual with the skills and workshop facilities to rebuild at a fraction of the cost to others. Or simply broken for spares
The highest I have seen in the wild, for sale is 140k and it was priced around 15K
FWIW I just bought a 162k mile 2008 6mt S for under $13k. I'm a unique buyer though who's not afraid of wrenching on my own cars. I've spent $500 out the gate doing all the essentials myself (spark plugs, water pump, low temp thermostat, transmission service, full oil change, etc, etc). Those services at a dealer would probably be over $3000 easy. If you're going to buy a high mileage Porsche, I'd suggest you be the kind of person who can do your own work. That's all I'll say. Or be very lucky.
FWIW I just bought a 162k mile 2008 6mt S for under $13k. I'm a unique buyer though who's not afraid of wrenching on my own cars. I've spent $500 out the gate doing all the essentials myself (spark plugs, water pump, low temp thermostat, transmission service, full oil change, etc, etc). Those services at a dealer would probably be over $3000 easy. If you're going to buy a high mileage Porsche, I'd suggest you be the kind of person who can do your own work. That's all I'll say. Or be very lucky.
Oh, wow! Good for you man.. that is awesome. I definitely will be doing and have done as much of my own maint on my cars as passible, since I was 16 years old. I'm not afraid to tackle propjets and would only resort to a shop if it was something extremely hairy. 162k Miles I love it!
Although I love these cars (I own a 2006 and a 2007) the recent teardown of my 2007 with 105K miles shows that the coating on the piston skirts was failing. It was only a matter of time before something bad happened. Bore scoring or the piston seizing and snapping a rod. It is a very frustrating forensic situation. The only way you can evaluate the piston skirt is to remove the engine, crack the case, and remove the pistons for inspection. I do not understand how people buy a Cayman and then not put many miles on them but there are enough lowish mile cars coming up on BAT that I would just say pass on any high mileage car, on general principles.
What am I looking at there? THose are the pistons you removed, where is the "skirt" damage?
On the piston on the right... It's the silver flaked off spots that look like metallic acne. The loss of piston skirt material is the beginning stages of cylinder bore scoring. It's a downward spiral from here.
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2006 S with M97 Engine - High Mileage
