2014-2016 981 Cayman S buying advice please
01-19-2019, 09:58 PM
#1
2014-2016 981 Cayman S buying advice please
Hello,
I am looking for a 981 Cayman S, year 2014-2016, mileage around 20000-25000. Couple questions here
1. Maintenance
- years vs mileage? Caymans in this range are now 4-5 years old even though the mileage is low. Should I expect all the major maintenance like 4yr one ? (Replacing spark plugs, belt check etc)
2. Long distance buying
- I live in LA and really hard to find a used 981 in this range here. Im thinking hiring a 3rd party inspection, what are the things should I consider? Any experience sharing is welcome !
3. Warranty cost
- since im looking for 4-5 year old car, factory warranty is mostly over. How much is it to extend ? Should I buy the one from original Porsche shop ?
if anyone had done a similar purchase help me !
Thanks
I am looking for a 981 Cayman S, year 2014-2016, mileage around 20000-25000. Couple questions here
1. Maintenance
- years vs mileage? Caymans in this range are now 4-5 years old even though the mileage is low. Should I expect all the major maintenance like 4yr one ? (Replacing spark plugs, belt check etc)
2. Long distance buying
- I live in LA and really hard to find a used 981 in this range here. Im thinking hiring a 3rd party inspection, what are the things should I consider? Any experience sharing is welcome !
3. Warranty cost
- since im looking for 4-5 year old car, factory warranty is mostly over. How much is it to extend ? Should I buy the one from original Porsche shop ?
if anyone had done a similar purchase help me !
Thanks
01-19-2019, 10:44 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Buy from dealer and go with the CPO. Then fly to the dealer and drive home, great experience and the longer the drive the better. You’ll buy the CPO for $3k-ish which the dealer will negotiate on. Then you’ll have 2 years or 50k miles of piece of mind.
01-19-2019, 11:17 PM
#3
you mean original Porsche dealers only ? Or just any dealer ? If any dealer, Should I purchase CPO there or still go to original porsche dealer ? Thanks for reply !
01-20-2019, 07:49 AM
#5
1. 4 year old car I would expect the 4 year maint to be done, which includes plugs and is 1/2 the cost of the job, or you factor in $1k in the price of the car (2K in your area? LaLa dealers I have seen are obnoxious with posted prices)
2. Patience is required. Not a lot of cars were made, and we saw probably 3:1 GTS vs S for sale when we ere shopping. Be prepared to look outside your area. I was ready to drive it home from 1000 miles away (only ended up going 200 for a lovely GTS)
3. If factory has not expired, you should be able to add on Porsche extended. Aftermarket like Fidelity is well known in the community as being pretty good. Prices will range from 3K-6K depending on type and term. for 2-6 extra years. CPO gets you 2 of course and they will offer packages like this but if you are looking private party price out Fidelity and a few others.
Happy hunting,
- b
2. Patience is required. Not a lot of cars were made, and we saw probably 3:1 GTS vs S for sale when we ere shopping. Be prepared to look outside your area. I was ready to drive it home from 1000 miles away (only ended up going 200 for a lovely GTS)
3. If factory has not expired, you should be able to add on Porsche extended. Aftermarket like Fidelity is well known in the community as being pretty good. Prices will range from 3K-6K depending on type and term. for 2-6 extra years. CPO gets you 2 of course and they will offer packages like this but if you are looking private party price out Fidelity and a few others.
Happy hunting,
- b
01-20-2019, 09:32 AM
#6
Banned
I’d be searching nationwide. (I was.) There also exist CPO cars which are sold privately. In such a sale, the CPO warranty would transfer to you.
Having some factory warranty (original or CPO) is a good insurance policy but not having one wouldn’t stop me from buying a clean car with service records that passes a PPI (pre purchase inspection by a porsche specialist or a dealer shop). The 981s have been quite robust mechanically.
More importantly, if you plan to keep the car longer (out of warranty), find a good independent Porsche shop in your area with whom to build trust. Good luck!
Having some factory warranty (original or CPO) is a good insurance policy but not having one wouldn’t stop me from buying a clean car with service records that passes a PPI (pre purchase inspection by a porsche specialist or a dealer shop). The 981s have been quite robust mechanically.
More importantly, if you plan to keep the car longer (out of warranty), find a good independent Porsche shop in your area with whom to build trust. Good luck!
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01-20-2019, 11:19 PM
#8
1. 4 year old car I would expect the 4 year maint to be done, which includes plugs and is 1/2 the cost of the job, or you factor in $1k in the price of the car (2K in your area? LaLa dealers I have seen are obnoxious with posted prices)
2. Patience is required. Not a lot of cars were made, and we saw probably 3:1 GTS vs S for sale when we ere shopping. Be prepared to look outside your area. I was ready to drive it home from 1000 miles away (only ended up going 200 for a lovely GTS)
3. If factory has not expired, you should be able to add on Porsche extended. Aftermarket like Fidelity is well known in the community as being pretty good. Prices will range from 3K-6K depending on type and term. for 2-6 extra years. CPO gets you 2 of course and they will offer packages like this but if you are looking private party price out Fidelity and a few others.
Happy hunting,
- b
2. Patience is required. Not a lot of cars were made, and we saw probably 3:1 GTS vs S for sale when we ere shopping. Be prepared to look outside your area. I was ready to drive it home from 1000 miles away (only ended up going 200 for a lovely GTS)
3. If factory has not expired, you should be able to add on Porsche extended. Aftermarket like Fidelity is well known in the community as being pretty good. Prices will range from 3K-6K depending on type and term. for 2-6 extra years. CPO gets you 2 of course and they will offer packages like this but if you are looking private party price out Fidelity and a few others.
Happy hunting,
- b
2.!You have GTS ? Congrats! How was the buying process? How did you find the porsche inspection in that location with good reputation ? Was the car well maintained with all the main services? Was it still under warranty?
thanks for your insight and help 🙌🏼
01-20-2019, 11:23 PM
#9
I’d be searching nationwide. (I was.) There also exist CPO cars which are sold privately. In such a sale, the CPO warranty would transfer to you.
Having some factory warranty (original or CPO) is a good insurance policy but not having one wouldn’t stop me from buying a clean car with service records that passes a PPI (pre purchase inspection by a porsche specialist or a dealer shop). The 981s have been quite robust mechanically.
More importantly, if you plan to keep the car longer (out of warranty), find a good independent Porsche shop in your area with whom to build trust. Good luck!
Having some factory warranty (original or CPO) is a good insurance policy but not having one wouldn’t stop me from buying a clean car with service records that passes a PPI (pre purchase inspection by a porsche specialist or a dealer shop). The 981s have been quite robust mechanically.
More importantly, if you plan to keep the car longer (out of warranty), find a good independent Porsche shop in your area with whom to build trust. Good luck!
2. If the car is 4-5 years old with low mileage (like 20000) but didn’t do the 4year service, would you do it after you purchase it ?
thanks for your help !
01-21-2019, 03:52 AM
#10
[QUOTE=bvanlieu;15579373]1. 4 year old car I would expect the 4 year maint to be done, which includes plugs and is 1/2 the cost of the job, or you factor in $1k in the price of the car (2K in your area? LaLa dealers I have seen are obnoxious with posted prices)
2. Patience is required. Not a lot of cars were made, and we saw probably 3:1 GTS vs S for sale when we ere shopping. Be prepared to look outside your area. I was ready to drive it home from 1000 miles away (only ended up going 200 for a lovely GTS)
3. If factory has not expired, you should be able to add on Porsche extended. Aftermarket like Fidelity is well known in the community as being pretty good. Prices will range from 3K-6K depending on type and term. for 2-6 extra years. CPO gets you 2 of course and they will offer packages like this but if you are looking private party price out Fidelity and a few others.
1. Seems like most of Cayman in my search range (2014 (4-5yrs) with 20000 mileage ) has only done the 20k service, but not the 4yr one. Should I still consider ? if PPI passes, does it mean that it is good to go ? would you still purchase and do the 4 year maintenance service by yourself ?
2. you got GTS ? congrats ! How was your buying experience? Any tips for choosing a right inspection place ?
thanks for your insight !
2. Patience is required. Not a lot of cars were made, and we saw probably 3:1 GTS vs S for sale when we ere shopping. Be prepared to look outside your area. I was ready to drive it home from 1000 miles away (only ended up going 200 for a lovely GTS)
3. If factory has not expired, you should be able to add on Porsche extended. Aftermarket like Fidelity is well known in the community as being pretty good. Prices will range from 3K-6K depending on type and term. for 2-6 extra years. CPO gets you 2 of course and they will offer packages like this but if you are looking private party price out Fidelity and a few others.
1. Seems like most of Cayman in my search range (2014 (4-5yrs) with 20000 mileage ) has only done the 20k service, but not the 4yr one. Should I still consider ? if PPI passes, does it mean that it is good to go ? would you still purchase and do the 4 year maintenance service by yourself ?
2. you got GTS ? congrats ! How was your buying experience? Any tips for choosing a right inspection place ?
thanks for your insight !
01-21-2019, 03:55 AM
#11
1. 4 year old car I would expect the 4 year maint to be done, which includes plugs and is 1/2 the cost of the job, or you factor in $1k in the price of the car (2K in your area? LaLa dealers I have seen are obnoxious with posted prices)
2. Patience is required. Not a lot of cars were made, and we saw probably 3:1 GTS vs S for sale when we ere shopping. Be prepared to look outside your area. I was ready to drive it home from 1000 miles away (only ended up going 200 for a lovely GTS)
3. If factory has not expired, you should be able to add on Porsche extended. Aftermarket like Fidelity is well known in the community as being pretty good. Prices will range from 3K-6K depending on type and term. for 2-6 extra years. CPO gets you 2 of course and they will offer packages like this but if you are looking private party price out Fidelity and a few others.
Happy hunting,
- b
2. Patience is required. Not a lot of cars were made, and we saw probably 3:1 GTS vs S for sale when we ere shopping. Be prepared to look outside your area. I was ready to drive it home from 1000 miles away (only ended up going 200 for a lovely GTS)
3. If factory has not expired, you should be able to add on Porsche extended. Aftermarket like Fidelity is well known in the community as being pretty good. Prices will range from 3K-6K depending on type and term. for 2-6 extra years. CPO gets you 2 of course and they will offer packages like this but if you are looking private party price out Fidelity and a few others.
Happy hunting,
- b
2. you got GTS ? congrats ! How was your buying experience? Any tips for choosing a right inspection place ?
thanks for your insight !
01-21-2019, 04:04 AM
#12
I’d be searching nationwide. (I was.) There also exist CPO cars which are sold privately. In such a sale, the CPO warranty would transfer to you.
Having some factory warranty (original or CPO) is a good insurance policy but not having one wouldn’t stop me from buying a clean car with service records that passes a PPI (pre purchase inspection by a porsche specialist or a dealer shop). The 981s have been quite robust mechanically.
More importantly, if you plan to keep the car longer (out of warranty), find a good independent Porsche shop in your area with whom to build trust. Good luck!
Having some factory warranty (original or CPO) is a good insurance policy but not having one wouldn’t stop me from buying a clean car with service records that passes a PPI (pre purchase inspection by a porsche specialist or a dealer shop). The 981s have been quite robust mechanically.
More importantly, if you plan to keep the car longer (out of warranty), find a good independent Porsche shop in your area with whom to build trust. Good luck!
2. I'm definitely searching nationwide. How do you find a right PPI place ? Some cars I found has not many inspection places in that area, should the owner(in case of private seller) bring the car to the inspection place even far away ?
Thanks for your insight !!
01-21-2019, 04:09 AM
#13
I’d be searching nationwide. (I was.) There also exist CPO cars which are sold privately. In such a sale, the CPO warranty would transfer to you.
Having some factory warranty (original or CPO) is a good insurance policy but not having one wouldn’t stop me from buying a clean car with service records that passes a PPI (pre purchase inspection by a porsche specialist or a dealer shop). The 981s have been quite robust mechanically.
More importantly, if you plan to keep the car longer (out of warranty), find a good independent Porsche shop in your area with whom to build trust. Good luck!
Having some factory warranty (original or CPO) is a good insurance policy but not having one wouldn’t stop me from buying a clean car with service records that passes a PPI (pre purchase inspection by a porsche specialist or a dealer shop). The 981s have been quite robust mechanically.
More importantly, if you plan to keep the car longer (out of warranty), find a good independent Porsche shop in your area with whom to build trust. Good luck!
2. I'm definitely searching nationwide. How do you find a right PPI place ? Some cars I found has not many inspection places in that area, should the owner(in case of private seller) bring the car to the inspection place even far away ?
Thanks for your insight !!
01-21-2019, 06:25 AM
#14
1. Seems like most of Cayman in my search range (2014 (4-5yrs) with 20000 mileage ) has only done the 20k service, but not the 4yr one. Should I still consider ? if PPI passes, does it mean that it is good to go ? would you still purchase and do the 4 year maintenance service by yourself ?
2. you got GTS ? congrats ! How was your buying experience? Any tips for choosing a right inspection place ?
thanks for your insight !
2. you got GTS ? congrats ! How was your buying experience? Any tips for choosing a right inspection place ?
thanks for your insight !
2. Happened to get one yes. Was looking for an S (we had a base '07 for many years) and nationwide. Had our list of gotta haves, and the other options were generally meh. GTS's where far more available then S when I was searching. We test drove a few cars (also somewhat hard to find used 981s to test drive). These cars are in a sweet spot for trade ins, a lot at porsche dealers and CPO. Test drove against 991.1 along with 997 (which is a bit more pure). Both great cars but for us more GT then back road sports car compared to a cayman. Roughly a 20K uplift to get into a 911 vs Cayman S of similar year/spec (C2 or Cabrio). To us value was not there. When I looked at the production numbers, the 991 outsold the 981 significantly, so made sense the market required patience.
When the blue GTS popped up in Maryland at a dealer, CPO we took a drive and ended up driving it home that evening. That dealer experience was top notch. Smaller dealer, no pressure, let us drive whatever we wanted by ourselves. A few other P car dealers, including the one we previously bought from, were more about pushing us to a 718. Several had *no* used 981s and we only looked at 911s. Plenty of Macans. :P
Carmax was a good source to check: they will transport a car, or you can fly there too. Prices are in the middle but the experience is no pressure for those who have done it: you would need to extend a warranty on your own (maxcare not bad, similar price as Porsche)
- b
02-12-2019, 11:52 AM
#15
Instructor
I just my first Cayman S w/ 19k+ miles on it. The dealer had already done the 40k service which saved me about 1600 bucks. So if it is 4 years old, do 4 year service I would say, regardless of mileage, time and air also deteriorate components. It also came with a CPO good through Dec 2020. They offered a Wheel Tire protection for 7 yr for 1800.00, which from what I have read is pretty darn good. I do not need it really, BUT if you are driving a lot in LaLa land, you might spring for that kind of coverage. Wheels are VERY expensive to replace.