I spent a lot of time trying to buy a Cayman, and in the end I just couldn't do it. The 987.2 MT cars are so rare that they are A) impossible to find, and B) very expensive when you find one. The 981 cars are a bit more plentiful, but in the end I just can't bring myself to spend $40k on one.

So I'm now looking at 06-08 997.1 MT cars. I'd prefer a car with under 60k miles, and I really really just don't care much about options – so base and cheap is better for me. I'm wondering what people think fair market price is for a clean, no-accident, no-paintwork example of this would go for?

Searching autotrader I see a few show up in the $32k-$35k range, and then other show up higher. There are a couple on the rennnlist classified also around $32-33k.

I also see a Vertex Auto listing with a newly rebuilt engine in it (with 1-year warranty). I've done some searching on vertex, but can't quite find a consensus on their rebuilds.

 

I think what you've seen is reflective of the market, $32-35k for a 997.1 C2 base, manual with reasonable miles. I've rarely seen them dip lower and I've seen plenty of low mile examples in excellent condition with service histories asking for much more. I've seen high mileage (90k plus) examples dipping into the $20's, but as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for".

 

Thanks – that's very helpful.

 

 

32-35K for a no issue 997.1 C2 is actually a good price range. If the PPI checks out, pull the trigger! Good luck in your search.

 

I just happen to have one of those for sale

https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...wn-in-nyc.html

 

Yea thats about right. I bought one 2yrs. The base 997.1 is by far the best value sports car on the planet. Its silly the car is cheaper than a Honda.

My recommendations:

1. Find one with factory 19" wheels. The 18" wheels look flaccid.

2. The base model has the dreaded 4x4 ride height so you need to install lowering springs and 15mm spacers all around. I put Eibachs on mine and they give the car the perfect stance and improve cornering stability.

3. The partially painted brake calipers tend to fade on the base model and looks like ****. I repainted mine after I installed the Eibachs.

4. Fister exhaust is also a must

5. Stick to the 06 versions of above with the large IMS bearing.

6. Ive put 20k miles on mine in under 2yrs as a DD. Its killer but there are some standard maintenance items you will need to budget for (with all 997.1s). If you are comfortable doing the work yourself it will cost you ~$1k in parts. If you want dealer service I would recommend getting a Fidelity warranty for $3-4k.


PM me if you need any help on the PPI checklist and typical maintenance items.

Good luck.

 

Yes you do! In my initial search I put together a list of about 6 cars to follow up on, and yours was definitely one of them. I like the brown!

But it's really too bad you are about as far away from me as possible (I'm in the northwest).


Thanks very much!

I'm a former 911 and 964 owner, so I immediately assume at least $2-3k in maintenance per year, and that's not including anything I might need to do to a car when I first buy it. The good news is that the 997.1 doesn't look to be dropping much in value each year, so even with those costs, you are still driving the car for very little money. I've got a ton of highly recommended indie shops where I am, so I'll probably have the car serviced there.

I need to drive one: driven multiple 911s, 964s, 996s, caymans, and boxsters, but I haven't ever actually been behind the wheel of a 997...

 

 

Good advice mostly but if he were to follow 5 he would lose the chance to own the highly sought after 997 launch edition, which tend to sell for not that much higher than other Carrera but has options that are almost never seen on a Carrera/Carrera S and with an LN engineering ceramic bearing (as many did with 05 models).

All I know is thank god I didn't listen to that 06-08 nonsense touted on this forum or I probably would of ended up with a low option example that I sell after 18 months for a 991. The last 10 years / 97,689 miles in my 05 997S has been pure automotive bliss.

 

@Para82 - I was being lazy. You are right.

 

The 997.1 advice on the IMSB issue ought to always be clearly stated as follows:

EITHER get an 06–08 car OR get an 05 car that has had the IMSB replaced recently (or with the solution).

There's no reason to simply rule out 05 cars, but obviously the 05 car either needs to have a recently updated IMSB or be appropriately discounted over the 06.

JJ: that's a gorgeous car. Please do PM me when you go to list it. Looks like you are in Florida, then only place further way from me than NY!

 

Agree - and JJ's 997 is looking amazing. It's almost tempting to add another....

 

Similar question: what should an '06 997.1 base C4 be worth (43K miles, full leather, 18" wheels)??