secure1347

Wanted to get your guys opinion. I've been searching really hard for a 2007-2008 Cayman S with fairly low miles for a couple of months now in the price range I want and haven't had much luck. I was set on getting a 2007-2008 since I wanted to avoid the first year even though I'm not aware of any major short-comings. I also just wanted to keep as much value as I can if I decide to resell in a couple of years.

I provided my criteria below to give you an idea. I recently found a 2006 Cayman S (30k miles) in Blue with a fair amount of options for under $36k : Sport Chrono Plus, Heated Seats, Bi-Xenon, Chrome Exhaust Tips, Automatic Temp, Bose, Multi function Steering Wheel.

My Criteria
<~$38k
<35k miles (preferably <30k)
Manual
Blue or Dark Gray
Really wanted PASM, but I finding that very difficult to find
Sport Chrono

What's your thoughts? Should I save myself a couple thousand and just go with a 2006 if I find what I want or should I hold out? I'm also still thinking about holding out a year so I can get a 2009. Thanks for your help.

gmsracing

No real differences between the years. TPMS was an option on the '06's. I wouldn't get hung up on the sport chrono unless you get PASM and like the clock. You can get an aftermarket (or factory) tune to turn on the sport features.

Interestingly, I've been kicking around the idea of selling my '08 midnight blue/black 39k car.

In a nut shell, if you are going to track your car I would hold off for an +'09. If you are going to drive it on the street, the '06-'08 cars are great and, in my opinion, there isn't enough of a difference in the cars to justify the HUGE price differentials between the '08 and the '09's. I've been looking at '09's, and they are 10-15k more! That's insane. For that price difference I could replace the motor in my car if it ever blows.

secure1347

I wouldn't say I'm hung up on the Sport Chrono, it was just a nice to have since some people say you could definitely feel a difference in the response. That's a good point though, because of the savings potential with buying the 06 I was thinking I could potentially get a Borla exhaust and possibly a tune.

I wish your car had a little less miles on it! It doesn't have PASM does it!!!!

gmsracing

No PASM--I ordered the car that way as I wanted a suspension that always reacted the same. It does have PSS9 coilovers on it and I have the Softronic remap that leaves the car in sport all the time. That way the throttle response, power, and rev limiter parameters are constant. The biggest difference in sport mode for the engine in my opinion is how the car rev's out. In non sport the ECU pulls timing above ~6700 rpm's and you kind of lazily run up to red line. With sport, the car doesn't pull timing and you run right up hard to the redline. Big difference in how the engine pulls; doesn't really make more power though.

As for mileage (for my car or any other car) consider that there is more major maintenance required at 40k and many problems (like the clutch) seem to be surfacing for folks in the mid 30k mileage. I've seen lots of people replacing clutches in that range. Mine lasted 38.5k A well maintained car @ 40k might be a better value than a car at 30k that will need $6k of maintenance soon.

cds4402

No significant difference up to 2009.

secure1347

I guess I was just worried about the extra wear due to it being a couple of years older. Even if the miles are still comparable....

I should consider it to save the money and invest in some upgrades.

tcsracing1

im told the 2009 engines are bullet proof. the 2006-2008 are not so much.

If you find a little old lady owned 06-08 and do not plan on tracking it then you should be fine.