luvs2spwg

Hi - so I'm upgrading from my turbo Miata and after months of test drives and searching I think I've settled on a 987.2. I know the IMS issue is overblown on the 2006-2008 cars, but I'd rather just go with the 2009-2012 987.2 and not even think about it! Question is - how big of a difference between the Base and S model, and will I feel like the Base is "lacking" if I go with that? Prices in my area (New England/Northeast) seem to be about $6-7k difference. Also, I hate that most of these cars don't come with LSD. What is a good option for retrofit here?

Keep in mind that the Miata was about 170hp on a good day, so I'm thinking even the Base model will feel like a rocket compared to that.

Thanks!

Ubermensch

If you're trying to avoid an IMS then the S variant is your only option. It was the first to switch to the 9A1 engine. Your premium sounds about right and is well worth it in my opinion. It was difficult finding one with a LSD but you can retrofit a Guards unit. It took me a while to find mine but I've loved it for the past five years and I'm even taking it with me as I move overseas. They're just great cars...

luvs2spwg

Cool, thanks. Anything in particular to look out for in a PPI? Other than the usual regular oil changes, maintenance history, etc.

Seems like the oil starvation, IMS, bore scoring SEEMS to be limited to the 987.1, from my research.

RWPinNC

In 987.2, you will find more base models than S's. I think people tend to keep them. However they are out there. I have an '06 987.1 S and am not too concerned about the IMS, but the later model is a good move. The base models are fairly quick and the real magic is in the handling. I had a stock '99 Miata (140 hp) and found it to be similar in that it did not have a lot of power, but was a ball to drive. The Cayman will be the same kind of experience. That said, however, I would still opt for an S if you find one that checks most of the boxes. Be sure to widen your search regionally or better nationally.

Good luck.

olegd

As far as I know, all 987.2 engines are 9A1. The difference between 2.9L and 3.4L is the 2.9L is not DFI, which can be a good thing depending on who you ask.

eddielasvegas

I'll throw in my comments since I went from a '96 NA to an '09 Cayman Base in 2014. I sold my Cayman last year.

The base is 265HP. The S is 320 and the R is 330 IIRC. Of course, initially I was thrilled with my Cayman but towards the end I was wishing I had the S. It was at least a 7-10 grand premium when I bought my car and I simply did not have the money, The want for an S was purely physiological on my part, but it was real. Something about 0-60 at 4.8 vs. 5.5. Hahaha.

olegd is correct in that all 987.2's (MY 2009-2012) are free of an IMS bearing. I also did not want to deal with IMS no matter how small. The cost of failure was just too high for my taste.

Be prepared for everything to cost at least 3 to 5 times what it costs for the Miata. I did a brake job on my Cayman a couple years ago. All parts (pads, dampers, sensors - did not replace rotors) were OE and bought at online prices (or better) and it still was between $500 and $600. Replacing rotors would have made the total well over a grand.

You will need some device (many here use a Durametric - cost $300 IIRC) to reset your service reminder, or you can take it to the dealer for a small fortune. So annoying for something so simple.

If you get a manual, the shifter cables almost certainly will break. There are good aftermarket replacements that seem to solve the OE's problem for a few hundred dollars.

If you get a PDK, the dealer has to do all the service due to the need for a PIWIS. Some inde's have them but not many. Oh and if your PDK fails (very uncommon), that's set you back 20 large. You can replace the entire drive train in your Miata for about 5 grand, right?

You will have an electronic engine oil dipstick. Hated the effing thing as it seldom read the same way twice.

Changing the engine air filter or other under-the-hood maintenance items is way more involved since it's a mid engine and requires some work to gain access to the engine.

An oil change (8 qts.) is at best $75 (DIY with oil and filter bought cheaply) to $200 if done at an inde or dealer ($300).

All this said, I plan to be back in a Porsche in 2-3 years.

Good luck,

Eddie


P.S. Whatever route you go, above all else be patient and search really, really often and your Cayman is out there.

luvs2spwg

Wow, thank you all so much for the responses. I actually had a great experience today, test drove a private sale 2007 Base (68k miles, all records, $20k asking price) and immediately after got to test drive a 2011 Base (51k miles, all records, 1 owner, $29k asking price). While not much distinguished them visually, the 987.2 was much more refined, MUCH nicer interior and the 2.9 definitely felt much more substantial. Too bad because I LOVED the color combo (blue on tan) of the 987.1 vs the Gray Metallic on black 987.2 - while nice, is kinda boring.

That was one of the awesome things about the Miata - no matter what the maintenance, it seemed so cheap! I definitely will always love my NA and some day I'll have another. Now that I have decided to upgrade though, I'm not going to rush into any car and search for the best 987.2 I can find. Probably an S model and ONLY a manual

Living in the New England, I can easily plan for 1 oil change a year, not too worried about that.

850tgul

Patrick wilson

Yes, I am pretty much finding the base 981 in the $45K range (at least CPO cars with 20K or less miles), although typically a little "light" on the options. The "S" models seem to have more options than the base models.

Why not the 987? This is totally self-imposed as both myself and my wife love the 981 style over the older cars. And now that I have driven the 981's, its a done deal in that regard. Now, finding a car with the options I would like, with the budget I have is proving to be a little harder

luvs2spwg

Yeah I've seen a few 981's creep into my price range, but I'd rather go 987 and keep the more "analog" feel with hydraulic steering, etc. Don't think you could go wrong with any model though!

olegd

I take my base to the track often and I only miss the extra HP on the straightaways. Even so after some coaching, practice and a couple mods (such as tires, brake pads, suspension and headers) I can keep up and regularly overtake Cayman S and R, In street driving I doubt you will miss the extra power of S.
Not to mention the 2.9L is more fuel efficient.

luvs2spwg

@olegd - yes I'm 100% sure I don't need the S model. It's not like I could even drive the Base at 70% of what it's even capable of!

850tgul

I'm biased as hell but I do really think the 2.9L is a well kept secret int the community and a little gem of an engine. Unlike any other 987 or 981 engine, it has the reliability advantage of having no IMS and no DFI. It also feels stronger than the 2.7L DFI of my 981.

vladimirwolfe

Was this the Cayman Base at the Rochester, NY dealer?

luvs2spwg

Yes it was. Great car and the dealership and the guy I worked with (Tim) were awesome! Just not sure it's the car for me. If I'm going to get my first Porsche, I feel like it needs to be *exactly* the spec I want.