997.1 GT3 v 987 Cayman S = maintenance and repair costs?
 

Still searching for a 07-08 GT3. Recently been considering the 987 Cayman S due to significant cost difference. Not sure if the CS will get me excited though, but worth a consideration I think. Thoughts?

Is the GT3 a lot more to maintain and fix parts that break versus the Cayman? How long do clutches last on a GT3 and cost to replace? How about the brakes and suspension components? A friend has a 2008 CS and swears the repairs have been killing him.

Concerned the GT3 will be exponentially more expensive to repair and maintain. Don't want to get in over my head.

Will not be tracking the car. Using as an entertaining part time commuter.

Thanks gents!

I have a 08 CS and a friend of mine has a 10 GT3 997.2. The lowest multiplier I have seen in basic parts is ~2 time more expensive for the GT3, and that is for a few basic parts. Speed costs money, and the real difference at the end of the day is straight line speed.

Both are street cars. Both are Porsches. On the street there's no real maintenance cost difference.

For street use, the biggest differentiation is probably insurance. I've never insured a Cayman S, but they tend to consider factors such as cost when new and also replacement cost to come up with the rates. My own car is BY FAR the most expensive car I've ever insured, but I have a collectors policy which softens the blow and also adds a known replacement value if the car is stolen or totaled.

Considering 07 GT3s are in the 70s and similar year Cayman S are in the 30s. Is the GT3 twice the car the CS is? Is the driving experience superior over the Cayman? Are the advantages of the gt3 exploitable on the street? I'm sure the CS is a slug compared to the gt3 but how fast can you drive on public roads?

I know you gotta pay to play, but is a gt3 really twice as expensive to repair and maintain?

It's not just about raw speed, it's about the overall driving experience along with knowing that you are driving something really special, even at sane street speeds.

It is difficult to explain. Have you driven one? If not, do so and your questions will be answered.

Before I got my GT3 I was considering ordering a new 981 Cayman S. After driving my friend's GT3, which is the one I ended up buying, it was Game Over.

The old Harley Davidson mantra applies to these cars as well...If You Have to Ask, You Wouldn't Understand

I hope all this makes sense to you. Happy hunting! :cheers:

Like it or not you have to at least consider the IMS in pre 2009 Caymans. Just driving on the street there probably won't be a large delta in cost.

If $70k is in your range you might consider a new 2014 Cayman S. A lot of fun to drive pretty close to a stock 997.1 GT3 on track. Plus you get 4 years of warranty.

A 2007-2008 GT3 is 75-80k with no warranty. Generally only requires tires, brakes and oil. Clutch would not be the end of the world and given their age or mileage not uncommon.

A 2011 Cayman R is $60-65k with warranty. Again, tires, brakes and oil.

Brakes and tires would bigger on gt3 thus more money.
If GT3 suffered an engine failure it would be a lot more money compared to 3.4L DFI Cayman engine.

There is no substitute for a 911.
The cayman would be fun but you would still desire a 911.

The GT3 is proven and will last a long time. Especially on the street. Greater chance of suffering body damage before you suffer engine damage on the street.

I would not use the 2007-2009 Cayman as an example because I do not like the engine.
I also would not use the 2010-2012 Cayman S as an example because it is not the same market as GT3.

A Cayman is a great little Porsche but would be a step down from a GT3. (Unless you stuffed a 3.8L into it)

Cayman R is about as close to that "special" feeling of a GT3 as you can get in the cayman line. It's not a GT3; however, it offers warranty and is probably much more usable on the street. It can be more fun at lower speeds and doesn't have the clearance challenges you will face with the GT3.

Speaking of which, my R is about to go up for sale. It's a 2012 6speed with low mileage and options.

hi tom, can you please elaborate on this point?
i know this engine not really suitable for track, but howabout some street-use?

CS vs. GT3
 

The 2006-2008 Cayman S had the "weaker" engine, the primary complaint being oiling, but other issues as well if tracked, i.e. steering, AOS. As 6 year owner of 2007 CS, mine needed, and benefitted tremendously from catless headers, improved intake and Softronic tune to make uneven acceleration more linear. The 2009 CS had a new motor and other needed upgrades. I do not rule out a 2009+ Cayman, but never to replace my new to me .1 GT3 which gives me an experience unlike any other car I've ever driven. I went from a so-so motor to a great motor and it would be boring to go back. And while the CS was stellar in a corner, I can say the same about the GT3.

On maintenance, my constant fear was having to sink unrecoverable money for a replacement motor. By reputation, that is not my concern on the Mezger. From 20,000 to 25,000, I've had no repairs, just oil. No track time in GT3, yet.

I've used both an '07 and '11 GT3 as daily drivers throughout the year including winter with snow tires.

Don't over think it.

Just get the GT3 and don't look back.

Pretty bullet proof. Disposable items only such as oil, brakes, and tires.

From a street only car standpoint a 2006-2009 Cayman engine should be fine. But given their history why not play it safe and stick with the DFI cayman for both piece of mind and resale.

I have met too many 2006-2009 Cayman owners who have engine failures (on track). They have had to add alot of things to make them last however they do claim it can hold up well on the track if properly prepped. But it is so much easier to just stick with DFI.

People can rationalize just about anything, especially when factoring costs. In this case the old idiom of, “drive both and you’ll know” is particularly applicable.
Personally I don’t consider the two in the same category of fun cars, even if both are to be used on streets.

Only expense to figure in is having coolant pipes welded/pinned as a prudent thing to do. Approx 3000-3500 dollars. Most impt in 996 and also prob 997.1 maybe/maybe not 997.2 gt3s