pterri
New member
after much lurking I'm about to take the plunge, this is my ideal spec. A 987.2 with PASM, not many around, opinions?
http://www.autotrader.co....advert/201606034565089
http://www.autotrader.co....advert/201606034565089
Opinions please
- Thread starter pterri
- Start date
Gazoak
Member
Visually the exterior of the car looks ok. The interior doesn't look very tidy after a close look at the photos and when you compare the 987 to the 981 it looks small and dated. If it were me, I'd save a little more and go for an early 981 2.7. All the sports car you ever need for the price of a new C-Class!
http://locator.porsche.com/ipl-customer/ipl/results/list.ipl?cid=1
http://locator.porsche.com/ipl-customer/ipl/results/list.ipl?cid=1
987.2 S are not that uncommon they were in production from 2009 until 2013 the options also ran for all of that time so whichever options you want from the original list you have a chance of finding one with your requirements or more, make a list of the must haves, would like to have and those you would be quite happy to do without.
PASM is good as is PCM, PSM is standard so you will get that anyway, PSE is fun, PDK very good to have nothing like the earlier Tiptronic, Climate control is a better form of A/C than the basic which is standard on Cayman and Cayman S models. 987 has the earlier type of power steering which many prefer to that of the 981.
If you want an S nothing less will do but I've known a lot of people who have been happy with a 2.9 or 2.7 of all generations.
Some options I prefer are sports seats, auto dimming mirrors ( includes the door mirrors and auto wipers in the package ) I like the wheels on the car you have attached the link for, five straight spokes are easy to clean.
Check with the Porsche Centres, they give a two year warranty on their approved cars which are generally well prepared with plenty of tyre tread a brakes etc.
PASM is good as is PCM, PSM is standard so you will get that anyway, PSE is fun, PDK very good to have nothing like the earlier Tiptronic, Climate control is a better form of A/C than the basic which is standard on Cayman and Cayman S models. 987 has the earlier type of power steering which many prefer to that of the 981.
If you want an S nothing less will do but I've known a lot of people who have been happy with a 2.9 or 2.7 of all generations.
Some options I prefer are sports seats, auto dimming mirrors ( includes the door mirrors and auto wipers in the package ) I like the wheels on the car you have attached the link for, five straight spokes are easy to clean.
Check with the Porsche Centres, they give a two year warranty on their approved cars which are generally well prepared with plenty of tyre tread a brakes etc.
Jarmin
New member
try for the 981 i pushed on for more than i expected to pay but am so pleased mines not an s drove both and i was quite happy with the 2.7 and the backup from my local OPC has been fantastic free coffee and cake 
invites to open days and test drives love this porsche experience love it
invites to open days and test drives love this porsche experience love it
am1985uk
New member
The car has obviously been used as a daily driver and racked up a fairly high mileage. This is not necessarily a big criticism, but it should give you a bargaining tool to negotiate the price down a bit. Having new front disks and pads means you are spared one expense. I'm not sure I agree with the advice from previous posters to save for a 981 base model. Yes, the 981 is nice, principally to my mind in its exterior styling, but having owned both I would not say the interior is vastly better than the 987.
Only you can decide whether you need the S, and to do this you need to drive both. If you buy a base model without having tried the S you will always have a little niggle in the back of your mind "I wonder what the S would be like......"
Only you can decide whether you need the S, and to do this you need to drive both. If you buy a base model without having tried the S you will always have a little niggle in the back of your mind "I wonder what the S would be like......"
I don't agree with those that say the 981 is bland.
I have owned many Porsche's in the past including 911s and latterly a 997 and I can honestly say that the 981 is not only a great drivers car but also is visually stunning, even to non Porsche owners who have said as much. I have never owned any car before that has had so many people pay compliments to its looks. The downside is that a few mistake it for a Ferrari []
The 981 Cayman is the most accomplished drivers car that I have ever owned and even my 2.7 will hold its own with many more greater powered cars on the track. Of course the GT4 must be fantastic to drive to the limit but unfortunately my pockets aren't deep enough to buy one of those at the inflated prices they command.
I was not a great fan of the looks of the 987 Cayman, but I hold my hand up to say that it is a great car to drive. I believe the that 981 has transformed and already great car into a truly superb car that Porsche can be rightly proud of.
987 or 981 - there are both fabulous cars and so so practical too!
I have owned many Porsche's in the past including 911s and latterly a 997 and I can honestly say that the 981 is not only a great drivers car but also is visually stunning, even to non Porsche owners who have said as much. I have never owned any car before that has had so many people pay compliments to its looks. The downside is that a few mistake it for a Ferrari [
]The 981 Cayman is the most accomplished drivers car that I have ever owned and even my 2.7 will hold its own with many more greater powered cars on the track. Of course the GT4 must be fantastic to drive to the limit but unfortunately my pockets aren't deep enough to buy one of those at the inflated prices they command.
I was not a great fan of the looks of the 987 Cayman, but I hold my hand up to say that it is a great car to drive. I believe the that 981 has transformed and already great car into a truly superb car that Porsche can be rightly proud of.
987 or 981 - there are both fabulous cars and so so practical too!
The 981 2.7 is a very sweet engine it's plenty fast enough for the road very usable everyday comfortable economical but still lots of fun when it needs to be.
pterri
New member
Main reason for the S is that I'd like to do so easy track days, I've do everything a few and if I'm honest I'd probably be faster with a few more lessons rather than the few more cc! I'm sure the extra power is largely irrelevant on the road but you know......
Another question, if I can't find a decent PASM how much to fit sports suspension (non active)? The kits look like they're around £1500, what about Fitting?
Another question, if I can't find a decent PASM how much to fit sports suspension (non active)? The kits look like they're around £1500, what about Fitting?
If you want to upgrade anything on the suspension of what is likely to be mainly your road car the best thing is a proper alignment, I know my 987.1S handled much better after a visit to Centre Gravity, the turn in on my 987.2 was noticeably heavier on the turn in when I changed over so I may be taking a visit there before long. I've seen Porsches which have been shipped over from Germany to be worked on there as his reputation is so good.
Google Centre Gravity they will check and measure your existing set up and if wanted happily change your suspension to adjustable shocks, lowered springs etc we had a Cayman Register visit there about three years ago and everyone was very impressed, they are based near Atherstone just off the A5.
Alternatively ask others in your area of a good alignment shop.
Google Centre Gravity they will check and measure your existing set up and if wanted happily change your suspension to adjustable shocks, lowered springs etc we had a Cayman Register visit there about three years ago and everyone was very impressed, they are based near Atherstone just off the A5.
Alternatively ask others in your area of a good alignment shop.
pterri
New member
Don't want adjustable, the reality is that I won't be grubbing around altering the height etc. Just a sportier ride, it will be a weekend and occasional track day toy. The PASM appealed as it's just a button! I understand the standard x73 Porsch sport suspension is good, not seen any caymans with that though. Really can't justify paying too much for a new install on £25kish spend so may just stick to standard, I'm sure it will be fine for my fairly inept driving technique.
In that case get the best you can afford which may get you a 987.2 S with a basic spec or a top notch 987.1 S and some money to spend, or you could get a 987.2 Base which has the 2.9 engine but not DFI so fuel and road tax means you're paying the same as someone with a 987.2 S for those items in fact running costs are much the same, if you buy from a Porsche Centre which is unlikely in the case of a gen 1 but maybe then it will be fully checked out and have a two year warranty good tyres brakes etc.
If buying privately or from a none specialist then you can spend a few hundred on getting a professional inspection or take it to a dealership and have their 111 point check if it passes they can sell you a warranty then get the alignment tweaked, mine was done by CG on my 987.1 but the dealership said it was out, knowing it was non-standard I opted to keep it that way as the tyres lasted better and the handling was improved.
Good luck in your search, let us know when you find your Cayman since you have no personal details in your profile nor signature I can't say where to look there are some reputable dealers around the country who people will mention given your approximate location such as region and county. For instance I recently saw a gen 1 Cayman S Sport in Orange a limited edition for £29,990 with 23,000 miles on it in Derbyshire out of your price range and not to everyone's taste
If buying privately or from a none specialist then you can spend a few hundred on getting a professional inspection or take it to a dealership and have their 111 point check if it passes they can sell you a warranty then get the alignment tweaked, mine was done by CG on my 987.1 but the dealership said it was out, knowing it was non-standard I opted to keep it that way as the tyres lasted better and the handling was improved.
Good luck in your search, let us know when you find your Cayman since you have no personal details in your profile nor signature I can't say where to look there are some reputable dealers around the country who people will mention given your approximate location such as region and county. For instance I recently saw a gen 1 Cayman S Sport in Orange a limited edition for £29,990 with 23,000 miles on it in Derbyshire out of your price range and not to everyone's taste
Gazoak
Member
Peter_Bull said:I have owned many Porsche's in the past including 911s and latterly a 997 and I can honestly say that the 981 is not only a great drivers car but also is visually stunning, even to non Porsche owners who have said as much. I have never owned any car before that has had so many people pay compliments to its looks. The downside is that a few mistake it for a Ferrari [
The 981 Cayman is the most accomplished drivers car that I have ever owned and even my 2.7 will hold its own with many more greater powered cars on the track. Of course the GT4 must be fantastic to drive to the limit but unfortunately my pockets aren't deep enough to buy one of those at the inflated prices they command.
I was not a great fan of the looks of the 987 Cayman, but I hold my hand up to say that it is a great car to drive. I believe the that 981 has transformed and already great car into a truly superb car that Porsche can be rightly proud of.
987 or 981 - there are both fabulous cars and so so practical too!
I agree with all you say here Peter.
Steve Brookes
Moderator
pterri said:
Try to find out as much about the history as you can especially as it has a relatively high mileage. e.g. I can't see the number of owners. I once nearly bought a boxster but found a Porsche inspection sheet stuffed in the glove box. On the sheet there was a large number of recommendations of stuff needing attention but the owner had decided to not have any of them done and decided to move the car on rather than being faced with a big bill.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't be put off by the mileage and I think the price isn't bad considering it's a trade seller.
I know the manager at Porsche Centre Guilford personally if an intro is helpful. Since they're the last main dealer to see the car they might have some insight into the condition of it.
I have a Cayman S of similar age and mileage that I bought last year (albeit that I bought mine at 38k miles and I've put about 12k on since then). Great car and very few issues.
I'd recommend checking the overall condition of the undersides for corrosion. I have found that looking up the suspension coils to the top mounts is a particularly helpful angle.
Definitely take a look through the service book - at that mileage it should have had the plugs changed (the listing says it has) but also I gather that the coil packs are usually near end of life at that point (I had mine replaced a few weeks ago). That's relatively expensive (I can look up how much if you like).
Someone else can probably comment, but the tail pipes don't look right to me - I thought it was a single-piece tail pipe on the S, but I know that the "sports exhaust" option might have been different. This car is a bit newer than mine so that may have been a change on that year. The ad refers to new exhaust fixings - they seem to have a tendency to fatigue crack, so it's possible that this is related.
It looks nice.
I know the manager at Porsche Centre Guilford personally if an intro is helpful. Since they're the last main dealer to see the car they might have some insight into the condition of it.
I have a Cayman S of similar age and mileage that I bought last year (albeit that I bought mine at 38k miles and I've put about 12k on since then). Great car and very few issues.
I'd recommend checking the overall condition of the undersides for corrosion. I have found that looking up the suspension coils to the top mounts is a particularly helpful angle.
Definitely take a look through the service book - at that mileage it should have had the plugs changed (the listing says it has) but also I gather that the coil packs are usually near end of life at that point (I had mine replaced a few weeks ago). That's relatively expensive (I can look up how much if you like).
Someone else can probably comment, but the tail pipes don't look right to me - I thought it was a single-piece tail pipe on the S, but I know that the "sports exhaust" option might have been different. This car is a bit newer than mine so that may have been a change on that year. The ad refers to new exhaust fixings - they seem to have a tendency to fatigue crack, so it's possible that this is related.
It looks nice.
Tail pipes on all of the 3.4 Caymans are twin tail pipes whether the original standard swan neck or the sports ( round ) tail pipes. Personally I'd be a little put off by too low a mileage, dry seals and bearing don't work too well and it's as well to get a car which has been regularly exercised, I prefer the 987.2 S as being best of both worlds and being narrower at the front it fits better in my garage, go for as many sporty options as you can find PASM, Chrono, sports seats and if you're lucky you may get the auto dimming mirrors, very useful travelling at night when you have an SUV behind you.
Yeah my S has the twin pipes but in a single neck on the "T" pipe (not sure I have photos of that to hand). It's basically a single piece with two holes in it, the profile is more angular rather than rounded.
I guess those are just the sports pipes.
Agreed on the auto-dimming mirrors - mine has those and they're lovely on the motorway at night.
I guess those are just the sports pipes.
Agreed on the auto-dimming mirrors - mine has those and they're lovely on the motorway at night.
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