£20k to spend…

[DoogyRev]

you should buy this one if its still for sale . . .

 

http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/86650-my-cayman-s/

 

[Ekona]

Driven plenty of Caymanseseses, brother owns a Cayman R too.

 

For me, they are superb. Balance, power, handling, looks: They tick all the boxes. You can poodle along at 30mph, or you can blat so hard your face comes off. Either situation is fine for the Cayman.

 

BUT

 

It's not a 911. Yes, that's almost the stock ***** 911 owner response, but to drive something so unique with so much pedigree and knowing that it's a genuine challenge to master, that does make it feel that little bit more special. Even my common C2S still feels more special than the CR, just because it's a 911.

 

 

As for IMS or bore scoring, realistically £5k gets you back on the road, £10k sorts everything. Only you will know if you can budget for or risk those kinds of costs. For me, I found the extra £10k and put it towards a gen2 precisely so I didn't have to worry about that.

[KyleR]

Thanks for the effort of those funding cars, however, despite the bigger selection, I won't be buying from the mainland. I can't take the risk if something being wrong then having to return the car to the dealership and all that nonsense

 

Ekona - you hit the nail on the head, it's not a 911! If I didn't have an inkling that I'd regret the Cayman because it's not a 911, there would be no contest. But, they are quite different cars, not to mention the advantage of lesser miles and years on the Cayman for the same money, I also think I prefer the look of the Cayman to the 997. But this brings us back to the original point - ITS NOT A 911!!

 

Are the IMS/RMS issues as "common" in the 2006-2007 Caymans? That could swing it, simply because I don't have £10k lying about for a possible maybe might happen but probably won't problem lol

[KyleR]

I just looked at the votes, 50/50 seems the populous is as stuck about this as me

[DoogyRev]

I have just voted

[Bockaaarck]

I think the Cayman / Cayman S is is an excellent car and bang for buck a fantastic choice. However; if can seriously get a decent, solid 997 within your budget. I would, on balance of ownership cost and what you get for money, it's got to be the 997.

[Ekona]

The newer the car the less likelihood of IMS issues, in theory. In practice there's naff all difference, and really a higher mileage one is a better buy simply because the weak spot is between about 30k to 70k miles. If you can get the other side of that, I'd be happy to take punt.

 

Which is bizarre, since every purchaser wants low miles, which is the worst thing!

 

As far as bore scoring goes, the smaller engines are better as the walla aren't quite so thin. So really, a 2.7l Cayman with 100k on the clock is better than a 3.8l 911 with 40k. In theory, of course. Personally I'd go for a 997 C2S or C4S with high miles, get a boroscope and rev range test done, then get the low temp stat fitted and just enjoy the finest practical sports car of the 2000s.

[ChrisB]

I'm in agreement with the 911/997 = heritage crowd. If you are going for a Porche, you might as well tap the iconic line otherwise you'll forever feel that you are not really there (IMHO). Then love it, get involved and maintain it.

[KyleR]

I have just voted

 

And it's still 50/50

 

 

 

Ekona - funny I was thinking that, higher miles therefore problems have already surfaced. However, like you say, it goes against what we, as buyers want, low miles.

 

I may ask the 911 seller about those checks you mentioned and maybe there has been a recent check performed, if not I guess I could get the checks done myself if they're not too expensive? What kind of dough would those run?

 

 

 

 

I keep hearing great things about the Cayman, but I do wish it had a few more hp, because the S is about on power with the 06 zed and I have a bit if stigmata about that, even though it's still faster in just about every way, and it's still not a 911

 

The 911 is 9 years old, though to the Caymans 7 and has twice the miles. Also the 2 cars in question are red and silver, 911 is silver, which is a bit boring

[Ekona]

It's always down to the buyer to carry out those checks, unless you can get them inserted into the deal i.e. you pay and if they check out, the seller knocks the cost off the car. You should get a respected company to do the PPI (pre purchase inspection), I'd personally use Peter Morgan or Mike at Sports & Classic on the mainland. Don't go on if they've been done previously unless very recent, like last week. These things can be expensive if they go wrong, so make sure you're happy first and foremost. You should be looking at around £200-£300 depending on who and where.

 

 

Look at it this way: You could buy the 911, run it for a year to say you've done it and if you don't like it, flog it with minimal depreciation and then buy the Cayman.

[Ekona]

Actually, you could just get the simple checks (boroscope and over revs) done at any OPC, but you'll be paying more for those two services than a good indy would charge for a full inspection.

[KyleR]

It's always down to the buyer to carry out those checks, unless you can get them inserted into the deal i.e. you pay and if they check out, the seller knocks the cost off the car. You should get a respected company to do the PPI (pre purchase inspection), I'd personally use Peter Morgan or Mike at Sports & Classic on the mainland. Don't go on if they've been done previously unless very recent, like last week. These things can be expensive if they go wrong, so make sure you're happy first and foremost. You should be looking at around £200-£300 depending on who and where.

 

 

Look at it this way: You could buy the 911, run it for a year to say you've done it and if you don't like it, flog it with minimal depreciation and then buy the Cayman.

 

You've just hit the nail on the head with that last sentence, for some reason I never thought of that See i've been thinking I want a car that'll do me a good 5 years, so thats why I was thinking so much about the mileage and age, but it never crossed my mind that I can just try it out for a year without loosing too much, unless I trade it in of course.

 

 

I'm glad those checks are only a couple of hundred, I was thinking a grand when you mentioned them There are two very well renowned Porsche Specialists over here in George McMillan and Allan McGookin who I would have looking after the car and I'm sure could do the checks Thanks a lot for your help, Dan.

[Ekona]

Any time buddy, if there's anything specific you need to know then just give me a shout

[KyleR]

Any time buddy, if there's anything specific you need to know then just give me a shout

 

Yea, do you fancy flying over to have a look at them for me?

[Ekona]

If you're paying the air fare, then not a problem