Hoping to purchase a 987 S

[colin129]

I have recently sold my 964 C2 Coupé to finance an extension. I have enough left over, hopefully, for a 987.1 S.

So, if anyone is looking to sell one, please do get in touch. There was one on Autotrader where the seller claimed to be a PCGB member, but they aren't answering their phone and haven't got back to me.

Any helpful tips would be gratefully received, I do have a number of questions though:

1. It was my understanding that bore scoring was nowhere near as prevalent as the media would have us believe and if it hasn't happened by time the car is 15+ years old with over 40K miles on the clock (the area I am looking in) then it's unlikely to happen now. Is that fair to say?
I did call on one car which had 45K on the clock and had the engine rebuilt in 2017, where the owner had a Porsche inspection done recently and they identified some scoring on the 'hot' side of the engine but the inspector told him "they all do that a bit". That's not something I need to take a chance on though.

2. How spec sensitive is a 15+ year old car? I like a standard car that hasn't been messed around with, only factory options. Several I've seen advertised have a Pioneer double din header unit in place of the standard single slot CD/radio.
What about this fancy infotainment thing, with the phone module and sat nav, do I need that? Is it going to be difficult to sell, one day, without it? Bear in mind I'm likely to keep it for 10 years or more, like my other Porsches.

3. This Sportschrono thing looks like a fun toy, but very few cars seem to have it. Is this something I need?

Anything else I need to be looking out for?

All assistance gratefully received.

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Colin,

Welcome to this part of the forum.

In terms of the two main Gen1 engine issues of IMS bearing failures and bore scoring, the Cayman coming late to the party compared with the Boxster means that the IMS bearing should feature the latest and most robust solution. Bore scoring unfortunately rears its ugly head on occasions, less so with the 2.7L engine, so it can appear to be a lottery, and I suppose that including a bore survey with a PPI would be a sensible precaution. Of course on a higher mileage car I think you would expect a degree of bore wear in any case, and I have the feeling that the subject probably is over-egged by the internet?

The spec is very much down to your personal preferences, so if you’re looking at keeping the car for a long time then make sure that it meets your immediate and future needs. Incidentally I’ve always been an advocate of Climate Control over the standard low grade a/c system [shame on Porsche!]. Although I have it on my 987.2 CS, I wouldn’t say that Sport Chrono is an essential package, and like Cruise Control it can be retro-fitted, but without the central clock. I wouldn’t let the presence or absence of an up-to-date entertainment/communication/satnav system be an issue when purchasing … you can always choose something yourself later. If the car has the PCM module its satnav system will be so outdated as to be next to useless anyway, and you’re better off with Google Maps or Waze, etc.

Good luck with your search and be sure to keep us updated on progress.

Jeff

 

[colin129]

Another quick question, is PASM standard equipment?

@Jeff I meant to hit "Helpful" but it may have come out the opposite [&:] Just to avoid confusion, yes, your post was helpful []

 

[Motorhead]

Another quick question, is PASM standard equipment?

@Jeff I meant to hit "Helpful" but it may have come out the opposite [&:] Just to avoid confusion, yes, your post was helpful []

No problem Colin … nothing showing here.

In answer to your question, PASM would have been an option if indeed it was available for the Gen1 car. It’s a Porsche … everything’s optional!

Incidentally, if you’ve not seen it already there’s a useful PCGB Buyer’s Guide here:

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/regions-registers/registers/modern/cayman/porsche-cayman-buyers-guide/987-buyers-guide

And another here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/porsche-cayman-987--ph-used-buying-guide/28004

Jeff

 

[colin129]

Thanks Jeff

 

[Greenman986S]

My view is spec on a 15+ year old car is irrelevant to value.

Buy the spec you want bearing in mind the increasing costs, and difficulty of obtaining parts, for 'extras'

For example the built in sat nav is pretty hopeless these days, and I believe no longer has map / data updates, at least at reasonable cost.

After units which support google maps or Waze are far more usable.

 

[SV_WDC]

Unless you plan to track the car, Sport Chrono is probably not that essential. Experiences in my 987.2 was it was far too hardcore for the roads, Sport button was good fun though - better throttle response but not too OTT.

RE: Pioneer head unit - people probably wanted the extra functionality, the consideration though is they're not OEM & standard insurers may treat this as a modification which could impact premiums

 

[Motorhead]

Colin,

An expensive PCM upgrade is now available from Porsche for the 987.1:

https://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/classic/genuineparts/producthighlights/pccm/

Jeff

 

[colin129]

I see a lot of cars for sale with dark painted wheels. Was that a factory option, or is that something people choose to have done after purchase?

 

[Motorhead]

I suspect the 987.1 predated the current fashion for black wheels and doubt that it would have been an option back then, so I would guess that most will have been repainted either when refurbishment was required or when the owner fancied an update.

Looking at the wheel options for my 987.2 [17”, 18” and 19”] they’re all silver.

Jeff

 

[colin129]

I have concluded a deal on a 987.1 Cayman S. It's from a dealer with a 4.9 rating on Autotrader, it's a PX car, to clear for 2 grand less than what private sellers are asking. It's cheaper than most of the cars they sell, they just want it off the forecourt as soon as possible and with no comebacks, because it's not worth their reputation to sell you a dog of a car. I'll also get a limited warranty. They sell a lot of Porsches and know the market.

I found that private sellers (sorry , I guess that's you guys) mess you around, never answer the phone, over value their cars. A lot Cayman sellers have no idea what they have and know nothing about their car.

 

[Motorhead]

Good to hear that you’ve found a suitable car Colin and I hope that your Cayman journey is both enjoyable and trouble free.

Get yourself on the Cayman Register if you’ve not already done so, and post up some pics and the spec if you’re happy to do so.

Jeff

 

[Greenman986S]

How does the warranty work with 'no comeback'?

 

[colin129]

How does the warranty work with 'no comeback'?

You misunderstood. I mean they don't want to sell you a bad car because it's not worth their reputation. They don't want to see you again with a warranty claim once you've handed over the money and driven away.

 

[colin129]

Picked up my new car yesterday.

987.1 Cayman S Seal Grey Metallic, 62K miles. Surprised how loud the exhaust is. I had to come back through Hatfield tunnel and it was [8D].

Managed to squeeze it into the garage with a couple of inches spare either side of the wing mirrors. I hope I can get it out again [&:]

First impressions, I like it []

 

[JMR]

Great to hear you've got the car you wanted and first impressions are good!! []

I had my Boxster 6.5 years and sharing so many components apart from the roof they're great cars.

Also had a Carnewal exhaust fitted so I know what you mean about the sound.

I guess you'll be noting the locations of various tunnels across the local area [8D]

 

[colin129]

I wish it would stop raining so I could drive it []