Potential Cayman S owner

[warren_cox]

Hi, this is my first post on here as I am currently investigating whether I should buy a used Cayman S.

I've been driving VAG group cars for 16 years, and currently drive an '07 Audi S3.

I've tested some of Audi's bigger S cars and whilst they're very nice in a GT kind of way, they lack a bit of the focus I'm looking for.

By pure accident we happened to drive past a Porsche dealers and I wandered in to see what was on offer. There were some reasonably priced Caymans, but I have a few questions for you people in the know (as I don't always completely buy into the sales patter on offer).

1) I will drive 12,000 miles a year in all weather conditions using the car as a daily driver. Is the Cayman the right car for this sort of duty (I have access to no other car as my wife's is company use only)?

2) If I was to finance a car through Porsche UK do I have to use Porsche main dealers for servicing, or can I use independents (for non service items?)

3) When looking at a 30,000 mile car (around 2006), is there anything I should be checking for beyond crash damage / uneven tyre wear etc....?

4) Would you consider purchasing extended warranty at £1100, or is this excessive?

If anyone has any other pearls of wisdom for the uninitiated they would be gratefully received. In the meantime many thanks in advance, and having had a brief test drive on Saturday all I can say is what lucky people you are.

Kindest regards
Warren

 

[marlin]

Have a test drive, all your other questions are too complicated for me []

 

[Alex Postan]

1) I will drive 12,000 miles a year in all weather conditions using the car as a daily driver. Is the Cayman the right car for this sort of duty (I have access to no other car as my wife's is company use only)? No problems, apart from the fact that mileage carries depreciation implications 2) If I was to finance a car through Porsche UK do I have to use Porsche main dealers for servicing, or can I use independents (for non service items?) Service it where you like but if you have taken up the Porsche Warranty, that's a problem 3) When looking at a 30,000 mile car (around 2006), is there anything I should be checking for beyond crash damage / uneven tyre wear etc....? Same as any second hand car. 30,000 miles is not too much for a three year old car 4) Would you consider purchasing extended warranty at £1100, or is this excessive? I had a new engine at 23,000 miles and have taken the decision to keep the car and I am now accepting that the annual premium is part of the running cost. If I had had to pay for the engine it would have been nearly £12,000 out of my back pocket Take a drive in the car.... do you like it? My preference would be for Cayman S with PASM. Rear wiper and park assist are pretty clever but don't bother with 19" wheels or general bling

 

[warren_cox]

Thanks for the replies guys. I don't tend to do more than 12,000 miles a year, and would probably plan to do less in the Cayman S. Looking to buy one with SatNav, Phone Prep, PSM. Both the ones I am looking at have 19's , and one has a Chrono Pack which I'm not sure would add much benefit as it's hardly likely to see much track action. I'm surprised an engine let go, what was the major determining factor to the failure? Can only imagine it's one of those things that can happen to any car of any brand. My motto is if you can't afford to replace it, put the measures in place to ensure you can. Therefore I think I will buy extended warranty to cover the 2 extra years (above the initial year I get for gratis) as I don't have the slack for new engines or gearboxes, and the car will be resold in 3 years. Many thanks Warren

 

[uknick]

My Cayman is my only car. I used to commute 40 miles a day and had no problem. However, as my only car there are a couple of of downsides; 1. Ride quality; it is a lot harder than my Golf 1.8T was. I do not really notice this but my good lady keeps on telling me. I run 18" wheels with no PASM. 2. Not much room in the car if you need to take take stuff to the local tip for example. Obvious thing to say but needs to be kept in mind. Having said that, there is enough space for the weekly shop at the supermarket. Despite the limitations, and it is a 2 seater sports car after all, I am very glad I purchased a Cayman instead of a new Scirroco. Always puts a smile on my face when I drive it, even after a year of ownership and 12k miles As already stated, test drive one and I think you may find it hard to walk away.

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

Hi Warren, Agree with all that Alex says, if your buying from a Porsche Centre, then I would expect 1 yrs guarantee anyway? Therefore you are only going to pay for an additional 2nd year? Servicing.. is every 2 years or 20,000 miles..(minor) and major at 4 years, which is around £700 plus £170 for brake fluid...at the 40k mark you might be running into pads and disks...£1200 ish all round...so I would ask to see the inspection report and check disc tolerences as well as pad wear for the car and cut your deal accordingly. I wouldnt contemplate going to the tip in my car, although each to their own... tyres are around £900 a set (discounted). Tip = builders nails & screws! As for options...on the early cars the sat nav was c**p..unless it has a history of being upgraded £400+ a go, then dont accept this as a bonus...the phone option was also c**p no one could hear you speaking as the microphone was ineffective. My main options would be climate aircon, as opposed to regular, definitely parking sensors for the rear that you cant see, but will cost you £1200 to repair a small dink and last of all heated seats are nice for a daily drive in the cold mornings! Hope this is of help to you...let us know how you get on

 

[Alex Postan]

Do try to get a car with PASM; it'll be worth the wait. You get track handling and lazyboy comfort. Engine picked up on four cylinders, Smoky, oily rattly. Even Porsche make mistakes and it pays to remember they are built by johnny foreigner[:-]

 

[Alex Postan]

and another

 

[Richd]

Hi Warren I do about 10k/yr and the only time I've ever had cause for concern was when it snowed heavily this year. I still made it to work, but if it snows like that again I may leave the Cayman in the garage! Mine makes trips to the tip and B&Q because it has to (and I clean it immediately after because I have to!). At 30k everything should still be spot on, but the cabin can rattle a little so listen out during the test drive. Rich

 

[warren_cox]

I have a couple of Caymans on the radar so will go and test drive. One of the cars has Chrono Pack, the other doesn't. Anyone know if it will be of any use or another one of those try it once and forget options (like the stopwatch on my S3 driver information system!). I did have a short test in a 55 plate on Saturday morning, but due to the rain and very leafy B roads that the dealer let me loose on I didn't dare push it and make hedge furniture of it. I want to go out for a proper drive where I can really test the car. Wherever I buy from dealer or independent I want 1 yr warranty. Porsche UK warranty is £1100 per year, whereas sourced through an independent it seems to be about £900. I'll probably be sorting out the discs and pads via an independent, but anything else will be at Porsche main agent service centre. Insurance is a jump up from the Audi S cars (all of them are about £380, the Porsche is about £560). Tyres I was expecting to be expensive on the back, but hopefully if I can get them for a grand all in that will be manageable. Ouch at that piston chamber above. I'd have been weeping! I'll avoid snow, but it may do the odd tip trip!

 

[JohnP]

I bought a 06 Cayman last February. 25k on the clock, 19" bling wheels, chrono pack, satnav, phone prep, reverse warning and the standard PSM but no PASM. The car now has 37k on it, has run faultlessly (I really shouldn't say that, should I?) and been an absolute delight. The Sport Chrono stop watch is pure bling. As far as track days are concerned if you are seen using a timing device you'll be turfed off the track. On the other hand if you are a keen driver you might appreciate the instant throttle re-map that selecting Sport gives you, along with a loosening of PSM's grip. Without Sport selected 40% of throttle travel gives you about 30% of available torque, with it selected the torque figure is over 70%. Personally, having driven PASM equipped cars I prefer the options the Sport Chrono pack gives me. However, as you may have gathered from the other posts, we all have our personal preferences. I would have preferred 18" wheels and the satnav is pretty useless but it's a matter of choosing from what's available. Try before you buy. John

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

ORIGINAL: warren_cox Wherever I buy from dealer or independent I want 1 yr warranty. Porsche UK warranty is £1100 per year, whereas sourced through an independent it seems to be about £900.

Warren, thats odd...Porsche warranty now is a "closed shop"..in as much that you can only have it supplied if the car comes from an official OPC...if from an independent, you are required to own the vehicle for 3 months, prior to spending the £1100 but subject to having a 111 point check and any remedial work undertaken by Porsche. Maybe the £900 you mention is an independent warranty and non Porsche?

 

[InnerSphere]

In terms of being a daily driver, mine was on for 15k per year and was fantastic for it. PASM was required for the comfort in 'normal' driving, and even more required for the 19" wheels. The ride with the PASM is very compliant - much more so than a previous 330d Sport. I really enjoyed having the Sport Chrono, but as previously stated, the stopwatch is pointless in nearly every imaginable situation I enjoyed it for the improved throttle response. It made heeling and toeing when having a spirited drive much easier and more enjoyable. For normal driving, it makes the throttle just that little bit too responsive and jerky, which is why being able to switch it on or off is useful. Annoying that it automatically puts the PASM into sport mode, but it's just one more button press to solve the problem. If you're looking for a sports car that is useable and practical (for up to 2 people anyway) every day, you can't go wrong with the Cayman imho. It bridges that gap perfectly. The Lotuses of the world are more sporty and connected to the driving experience, but are not practical or comfortable enough for real every day use. The Audi's are too far the other way imho, and don't offer enough of the true driving experience, so the Cayman is perfect I am yet to try the Evora, but till then, the Cayman is king of the hill Good luck with whatever you choose to go with. If you manage to resist, I will be most impressed. The test drive normally seals your fate ;-)

 

[richardheeley]

I've had three Cayman Ss. Two with PASM, one (the most recent) without. All with standard 18inch wheels. I would not consider a car with 19inch wheels without PASM. Even with 18inch wheels the non-PASM car is pretty firm. Interestingly, I personally think the PASM cars work better WITH 19s. - But it is all a matter of taste. Good luck! Richard.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: richardheeley Interestingly, I personally think the PASM cars work better WITH 19s. - But it is all a matter of taste. Good luck! Richard.

My OPC sales told me if I wanted 19's I must have PASM because in the standard setting it is softer ride than a conventionally sprung non PASM car running on 18's [&o] Non PASM car on 19's is not a very pleasant ride comfort mix!

 

[berty987]

I have a boxster 987S with PASM and 19" wheels. Like many I was told the PASM equipped car rides better with 19" wheels . PASM equipped cars sit lower (about 10mm) and have softer anti roll bars to compensate for the switchable damper settings. The dampers have about 5 settings in each mode (Sport or Normal) which are automaticaly selected based on accelerometers on the car chassis. I also have Navigation and Sport Chrono Plus on my car. To be honest I rarely use the car in sport mode as its far too firm for most B roads and makes the car seem unsettled over potholes and bumpy surfaces. Considering the boxster is allegedy a softer chassis than the cayman I was very surprised to find a cayman gen2 with standard springs and 19" wheels actually rode the poor surfaces better than my car. There are also massive differences in the way a car feels over bumps based on the choice of tyre. Maybe the gen 2 cayman has moved on in terms of suspension or perhaps it was the new N2 pilot sports (my car wears the original N1 design). In virtually every road test I've seen the standard sprung car always comes out best and reccomended over a PASM variant. Personally I would suggest driving a PASM against a standard sprung car before making your decision. As to warranties the PASM dampers are not covered by porsche but are by warranty direct, something to consider when looking at the price of a new damper , or the price of the policy.

 

[Dylan1]

my 3 yr old cayman s has 19"carrera 2 alloys without pasm. whilst i might find 20k miles a yr a bit of a pain,the 6k i do are sooo much fun i feel like i am driving a REAL sports car. true,it IS very firm but if i want a nice floaty relaxing drive,theres always lindas bmw sport with 500lb/ft torque.....[]

 

[chrisH]

ORIGINAL: berty987 I have a boxster 987S with PASM and 19" wheels. Like many I was told the PASM equipped car rides better with 19" wheels . Considering the boxster is allegedy a softer chassis than the cayman I was very surprised to find a cayman gen2 with standard springs and 19" wheels actually rode the poor surfaces better than my car. There are also massive differences in the way a car feels over bumps based on the choice of tyre. Maybe the gen 2 cayman has moved on in terms of suspension or perhaps it was the new N2 pilot sports (my car wears the original N1 design). In virtually every road test I've seen the standard sprung car always comes out best and reccomended over a PASM variant. Personally I would suggest driving a PASM against a standard sprung car before making your decision.

I agree totally with what you say. I had a Gen 1 Boxster with PASM on 18ins which had a great ride. I then had a Gen2 Boxster S on 18ins and tested a Cayman S on 19ins to find that the ride is much better controlled over bumps and the ride does not seem so hard. I thought of speccing up PASM on a Cayman but after trying this one it did not seem worth paying the 1k extra plus the worry of a lot of extra cost if they go wrong outside of warranty. One reason for this could be that 19ins are shod with Pirellis whereas the 18ins were Michelin N2 Sports. I would certainly advocate trying the PASM on the wheels you want before you decide. Could it be that Porsche just designed out the need for PASM on the Gen2 Cayman unless you plan on using it for lots of track days?

 

[Obijez]

I have 19" wheels on my recently acquired 07 Cayman Tip (no PASM). On our national crappy roads I feel I'd like a little more tyre wall to absorb bumps. It occurs to me a suspension rebuild will be required sooner on the 19". Can't say the Bose sound system impresses me, but the sports exhaust does - though I probably don't hear it as well as others ;-)