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 Post subject: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 11:23 am 
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I test drove a Cayman on Saturday at Foreign Cars Italia - I loved it.

I decided I want to buy a used Cayman S. I can get an almost new one for under 50, and an 06 with all the goodies for just above 35. Can't decide on what year to buy. Some of the 08+ are still under warranty.

I've been doing a lot of reading about them online. The up keep doesn't seem to be as bad as a 911. James said some of you guys (Donnie, Chuck and Steve etc..) might know a thing or two about them, so I thought I would come to the experts for some recommendations...what years to avoid, what to watch out for etc. Thanks!

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 12:05 pm 
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I really don't know much about the peculiars of them like that. I ordered mine before they were available for test drives and have never paid attention to anything else. I have so heavily modified mine that I can't even speak to what to watch out for on the early cars any more. :)

Now, if you wanna stuff a 3.8L engine in there or put some GT3 RS suspension parts on it once you get it, I'm your guy. ;) And if you plan to drive it in anger, well, let's just say rear toe links are a good idea. They have a good bit of bump steer in the rear from the factory...but not until you get them gripping really good. I think they are a bit of a "waterfall" car when it comes to upgrades...once you start, well, you just can't stop. Or maybe that's just me. *sigh*


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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 1:22 pm 
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RamVennam wrote:
I decided I want to buy a used Cayman S. I can get an almost new one for under 50, and an 06 with all the goodies for just above 35. Can't decide on what year to buy. Some of the 08+ are still under warranty.

I've been doing a lot of reading about them online. The up keep doesn't seem to be as bad as a 911. James said some of you guys (Donnie, Chuck and Steve etc..) might know a thing or two about them, so I thought I would come to the experts for some recommendations...what years to avoid, what to watch out for etc. Thanks!


Yes, avoid german cars. JBAC is my advice, if you want to spend that kind of dough you could get one like this: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/2361597342.html and make me hate you. It comes standard with 60% more horsepower and nearly double the torks, the Porsche does have a nicer interior though. BTW aren't you like 22 and have the same job as me? WTH am I doing wrong?

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 1:34 pm 
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Reading the latest issue of GRM made me think long and hard about potential Pcar ownership. I mean literally, which year since 1964.5 did NOT have a relatively common and major powertrain/transmission issue? Whether it be warped heads, pulling head studs, the notoriously bad 915 transmission, dual mass flywheel problems, a/c, heat, rear main seals, intermediate shaft bearings, oiling concerns, dual distributor belts, master cylinders......

However, I'm not sure how the later models are other than they cost an arm and a leg to maintain and have water flowing through them meaning they aren't a real Porsche :).

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 1:51 pm 
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You also have to consider that Caymans, from almost any angle you look at them, are just ugly.

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 2:45 pm 
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MarcusMcRae wrote:
You also have to consider that Caymans, from almost any angle you look at them, are just ugly.


Totally subjective. I think the stock front end is fairly mediocre, but when you pair the rear of the Cayman with the 997 front like I did, well, you have one of the best looking cars you can buy. But that's just me and the handful of other folks who have done it, probably. :)

And to that GRM article, well, you can do that with EVERY car that's been available for more than 20 consecutive years. Doesn't mean they're bad, just means that over time they have problems. That's true of anything, really, especially cars that people drive the every loving piss out of. Take the venerable Corvette mentioned in this thread. You couldn't do that as an "article" because it's already several BOOKS for all the "common" problems since 1953 or whatever. And yet how cool are many of the older Corvettes? Pretty awesome in so many ways. With infinite time and money there are a few I'd own. None since 1970, though. :)

The reality is Porsche parts are getting so damned common now that getting stuff isn't that much more expensive (if any) that any other brand when you're talking about junkyard type stuff, too. And then factor in the fact that so much of the 911/Cayman/Boxster is plug and play with one another since the 996 and you have some pretty interesting possibilities for ways to continually upgrade that car that started out pretty fun to begin with.

Are there better options? Yes and no. No if you really want a Porsche. Yes if you actually do prefer something else. I don't begrudge the Corvette guys their addiction...they are great cars recently in their own rite. Plenty of other marques, too, that are worthy of ownership from a car enthusiast. It's all about what one *wants*, really.


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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 3:12 pm 
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Donnie, I was half way kidding, though all that information in GRM was enlightening. Even though I know it'll be a money pit, I WILL own a 993 :). But I might try the C5Z Vette crack too :) in a few years.

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 3:58 pm 
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Thanks Marcus, I will consider that.

To be honest, the biggest reason for the Cayman is simply that I wanted a Porsche ever since I was a little kid. I'm not going to track or autox it. I have a cheap miata for that. It's stupid, I know..but if I have to own a Porshce, this Cayman seems like a great place to start.

Les, a z06 is my second choice :) I'm not 22!!..I'm 24! :evil: and if I don't buy the car I want now, I feel like it'll be a loong time before I'll get the chance again. Plus, my automatic 350z is getting pretty boring.

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 4:09 pm 
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Marcus drives a hatchback Mazda, ignore his opinions ;).

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 4:32 pm 
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How about this, if it fit your budget.... I tried one like that at the last PCA AX and i was impressed.....

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... dard=false

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 4:46 pm 
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Don't get me wrong, I don't hate german cars and I'm by no means a single marque lover. If I won the powerball tomorrow shortly after stopping by Chevrolet dealer to purchase my brand new Z06 and ZR1s. One of these would be on my short list soon after:

Image

Though I think Donnie perused this at one time and discovered that even if you have the money it doesn't mean you can actually buy one and hence why he ended up with the baddass Cayman he has, so I might would end up doing something similar. I've also always lusted after a whale tail 930, though I'm sure I would be disappointed in the driving experience. I'd also certainly have lots of AMG benz goodness and BMW M action if money were no object. I would need a warehouse.

I'm a "Corvette Guy" these days simply because I've always been a "best bang for your buck" kinda guy and a big fan of the torks, the Corvette is the closest thing to a super car my budget has ever allowed. My C4 has been and is currently a money pit, but I still won't have enough money in it even after the current engine project to purchase any German car that would provide me anywhere near the same bang. What I shouldn't have done is gotten rid of the C5z as I could have it paid off now with the money I have put in the C4. Oh well, you live and learn....

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 4:58 pm 
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JamesShort wrote:
Marcus drives a hatchback Mazda, ignore his opinions ;).


Whatever. I would say that it looks better than your Honda econo box, but I am not sure that is entirely true.

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 5:05 pm 
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http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... page=thumb

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 5:09 pm 
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Ram, would you paint the roll bar/cage tan or upholster it with leather to match the interior? :twisted:

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 Post subject: Re: Porsche Cayman S
PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2011 5:22 pm 
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haha. you guys are soo narrow minded. :lol:

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