Cayman 987 prices… where are they headed?

Cayman 987 prices… where are they headed?

Author
Discussion

Niall0tdi

Original Poster:

176 posts

180 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
Hi all, looking to purchase a 987 (ideally Gen2 2.9 or the right gen1 2.7) in the next couple of months. I’ve done my homework, and some, so feel as prepared as I can be.

Question I have is around the market pricing for Caymans and availability. Within my budget and engine/model requirements there’s currently only a couple of cars across the country… is this (like convertible) due to the time of year and do you typically see more cars in April/May? Likewise, do prices follow suit and go up much or are the Caymans not so effected by the seasonal swings?

Of course with the ongoing car market pricing, no one can predict but just want to understand from Historic Porsche prices and learn from more experienced owners & buyers.

Finally - anywhere (beyond the obvious) I should be keeping an eye out for a good car? I’ve got my eyes on the Cayman OC forum but it’s very slow moving, likewise with the Porsche GB club classifieds - anywhere I’m missing? Based in Essex so any well regarded local dealers I could get in touch with?

Thanks!

julian987R

6,840 posts

66 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
Niall0tdi said:
Hi all, looking to purchase a 987 (ideally Gen2 2.9 or the right gen1 2.7) in the next couple of months. I’ve done my homework, and some, so feel as prepared as I can be.

Question I have is around the market pricing for Caymans and availability. Within my budget and engine/model requirements there’s currently only a couple of cars across the country… is this (like convertible) due to the time of year and do you typically see more cars in April/May? Likewise, do prices follow suit and go up much or are the Caymans not so effected by the seasonal swings?

Of course with the ongoing car market pricing, no one can predict but just want to understand from Historic Porsche prices and learn from more experienced owners & buyers.

Finally - anywhere (beyond the obvious) I should be keeping an eye out for a good car? I’ve got my eyes on the Cayman OC forum but it’s very slow moving, likewise with the Porsche GB club classifieds - anywhere I’m missing? Based in Essex so any well regarded local dealers I could get in touch with?

Thanks!
About 5 years ago, base 2.7's were getting close to £5K...admittedly the ropey ones.... the average was around £8-10K. Now you'd need £15-£20K. So call it doubled in 5 years. I can't see them returning back. As the Cayman R keeps going up (a few recently at £50K sold), it lifts up the rest of the range.

There will come a point where they'll max out but I feel there is some way to go for the prices.

As to where to look, beyond AT and PH, then Cayman OC is a good place. Have you checked WindyMillers out ...

https://www.caymanoc.com/forums/topic/2673-windymi...

...super cherished and well maintained, fantastic spec. Selling it in May, which is only 2.5 months away. I'd hold out for that though you don't detail your spec preference.

Also, and what I did, try the classifieds and dealers in Jersey and Guernsey from time to time. Without being stereotypical but they ain't short of a bob or two over there, and the best spec Porsches are usually over there...Jersey owners seem to go all out spec wise.

I would also do a frequent Google Image searches for Cayman's and filter by date added as to other ways to find sales that aren't listed on AT or PH yet still come up in general search.

Also in AT, where it says filter by model variant, and this only applies in the AT iPhone app, is select 'Unlisted' - this will display Porsche listings where the owner has listed/posted it up wrong. That was the case with my R, it only appeared in results if one selected Unlisted plus Jersey. This gives you an advantage on a pool of Porsches that many people don't know are there.

So a few tips there, hope that helps!

In fact over on OC, start a thread as we look out for others and will post up recommendations based on more spec info....or add to this thread..

https://www.caymanoc.com/forums/topic/2636-looking...

Best regards and good luck
Julian





























LennyM1984

766 posts

75 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
julian987R said:
About 5 years ago, base 2.7's were getting close to £5K...admittedly the ropey ones.... the average was around £8-10K. Now you'd need £15-£20K. So call it doubled in 5 years. I can't see them returning back. As the Cayman R keeps going up (a few recently at £50K sold), it lifts up the rest of the range.
A base 987 (even a ropey one) has never been 5k or even anywhere near that. They bottomed out a few years ago at around 10k for a high mileage non-Cat car.

These days the same car is around 11.5-14k. A gen1 S is marginally more but the price difference is not as large as one may expect.

The rise in prices has happened since Covid and may or may not be permanent. I don't think it's old fashioned price appreciation as was seen on the air cooled cars.


Edited by LennyM1984 on Tuesday 11th January 20:30

F6C

455 posts

45 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
julian987R said:
About 5 years ago, base 2.7's were getting close to £5K...admittedly the ropey ones.... the average was around £8-10K. Now you'd need £15-£20K. So call it doubled in 5 years. I can't see them returning back. As the Cayman R keeps going up (a few recently at £50K sold), it lifts up the rest of the range.
Mostly incorrect. 2.7s never got that cheap. "Average" pricing of a 2.7 never dipped below about £12k and only a small minority were advertised below £10k. They were not remotely "getting close to £5k". They have gone up a bit since, along with much of the market.

The R is exceptional at the moment in that it's one of the few Porsches that hasn't seen a fairly big jump in values. It's been fairly flat with only a small increase. Flatter than any other Cayman, I would say. Non-R Gen 2 Caymans, both 2.9 and 3.4, have gone up far more in percentage terms, probably in outright terms, too. A really good dealer 3.4 has gone from about £22-24k to £30-32k, in terms of advertised prices. Even a few 2.9s over £30k, which is a big jump of getting on for 50 percent. If Rs had gone up an equivalent amount, they'd be £60k-plus. But they actually haven't moved much, which is odd, but there you go. Not everything has gone mad.

As for where the market is heading in general, rather than typical seasonal trends, nobody knows, ignore anyone who pretends to know the future. Regarding seasonal stuff, the winter is a bit slower and more cars will be available in spring. Prices are typically a bit firmer but beyond that, who knows. That said, it's hard to see a really dramatic change between now and spring.

Most cars are on PH and AT. You can try Facebook market and relevant Facebook groups, the odd car pops up on there before it gets advertised on the usual suspects. You might even find something on eBay that isn't listed elsewhere. Good luck.

T1547

1,149 posts

141 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
From keeping an eye on the market and being an owner of a 987 Cayman I'd say prices have gone up for the 987.2 3.4 S by approx. 10%, possibly 15% at the upper level in the last 3 years. I would imagine 2.9 would be similar but haven't watched these so closely.

The 2.9 price rise will be constrained by the bottom of the 3.4 price point (why would you pay more for the smaller engine car), with the 3.4S in turn being constrained by the R and likely also 997.2 prices. The 987.1 2.7 is at the bottom of the pile (although still excellent) and so constrained by all other models.

There are not a great amount of 987.2's around, they are a known entity in being a very good sports car with a good balance between old school and modern, without many reliability problems, so my prediction is that prices will remain firm and may possibly continue to creep upwards, although tempered by my point above about the price point vs the rest of the Porsche range from the same era.

Whatever happens, I would think it very unlikely that prices of 987.2 would mean losing your shirt on one so if you're after one, buy it and enjoy!

julian987R

6,840 posts

66 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
LennyM1984 said:
A base 987 (even a ropey one) has never been 5k or even anywhere near that. They bottomed out a few years ago at around 10k for a high mileage non-Cat car.

Edited by LennyM1984 on Tuesday 11th January 20:30
Believe me, they were. Lowest I saw was a fair few at £6K, which lead me at the time to predict they'd. go as low as £5K. This I swear by.

julian987R

6,840 posts

66 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
F6C said:
Mostly incorrect. 2.7s never got that cheap. "Average" pricing of a 2.7 never dipped below about £12k and only a small minority were advertised below £10k. They were not remotely "getting close to £5k". They have gone up a bit since, along with much of the market.
Wrong wrong wrong and wrong. I was following the prices 5 years ago religiously.

MrVert

4,428 posts

246 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
Oh god….he’s off again hehe

GT4RS

4,687 posts

204 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
Niall0tdi said:
Hi all, looking to purchase a 987 (ideally Gen2 2.9 or the right gen1 2.7) in the next couple of months. I’ve done my homework, and some, so feel as prepared as I can be.

Question I have is around the market pricing for Caymans and availability. Within my budget and engine/model requirements there’s currently only a couple of cars across the country… is this (like convertible) due to the time of year and do you typically see more cars in April/May? Likewise, do prices follow suit and go up much or are the Caymans not so effected by the seasonal swings?

Of course with the ongoing car market pricing, no one can predict but just want to understand from Historic Porsche prices and learn from more experienced owners & buyers.

Finally - anywhere (beyond the obvious) I should be keeping an eye out for a good car? I’ve got my eyes on the Cayman OC forum but it’s very slow moving, likewise with the Porsche GB club classifieds - anywhere I’m missing? Based in Essex so any well regarded local dealers I could get in touch with?

Thanks!
My first new Porsche was a 2.9, loved every minute of it.

Very usable car, you can really drive the socks off it on the road.

GT4RS

4,687 posts

204 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
Niall0tdi said:
Hi all, looking to purchase a 987 (ideally Gen2 2.9 or the right gen1 2.7) in the next couple of months. I’ve done my homework, and some, so feel as prepared as I can be.

Question I have is around the market pricing for Caymans and availability. Within my budget and engine/model requirements there’s currently only a couple of cars across the country… is this (like convertible) due to the time of year and do you typically see more cars in April/May? Likewise, do prices follow suit and go up much or are the Caymans not so effected by the seasonal swings?

Of course with the ongoing car market pricing, no one can predict but just want to understand from Historic Porsche prices and learn from more experienced owners & buyers.

Finally - anywhere (beyond the obvious) I should be keeping an eye out for a good car? I’ve got my eyes on the Cayman OC forum but it’s very slow moving, likewise with the Porsche GB club classifieds - anywhere I’m missing? Based in Essex so any well regarded local dealers I could get in touch with?

Thanks!
My first new Porsche was a 2.9, loved every minute of it.

Very usable car, you can really drive the socks off it on the road.

Escy

4,037 posts

156 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
julian987R said:
LennyM1984 said:
A base 987 (even a ropey one) has never been 5k or even anywhere near that. They bottomed out a few years ago at around 10k for a high mileage non-Cat car.

Edited by LennyM1984 on Tuesday 11th January 20:30
Believe me, they were. Lowest I saw was a fair few at £6K, which lead me at the time to predict they'd. go as low as £5K. This I swear by.
I was in the market for a ropey dog a few months into the covid pandemic, prices on everything had plummeted at that point, demand had dropped, people thought they would lose their jobs and crucially, no shortages of supply for new cars. Price wise, they'd be 1 or 2 starting with a 6, a handful more with a price starting with a 7. Needed to be around 8-9k to have a reasonable choice. I'm talking 987 Boxsters prices here, the Cayman seems to be about 1-2k more like for like. 5k Caymans were never a thing.

I don't really think 987.1's have moved that much in value through covid. They've firmed up a bit but it only seems like a couple of grand at the most which isn't worth talking about in Porsche world, you could easily drop 2k in maintenance if you picked up the wrong example (needing coolant pipes or suspension re-fresh, etc).

I don't think that's a bad thing, lot of the current car market is built on sand. My mate bought a brand new Polo GTI in lockdown, 18k, sold it back to a dealer after 18 months for 19.5k, it's madness.

julian987R

6,840 posts

66 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
To all those who seem to be jumping on the £5K comment. I said close to that mark for ropey ones but the average was circa £8K-£10K which is the sums you are saying were common. Exactly. That’s what I said. What’s with all the heat?

Now we can go back and forth on this forever, he says, I says. I saw Caymans around the £6K mark as I mentioned above. You didn’t. Oh well. They existed. Few and far between but they existed. You missed them. oh well.






Edited by julian987R on Tuesday 11th January 22:35

supersport

4,269 posts

234 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
I want what ever you’re on hehe

The price rises aren’t due to the R pulling them up, it’s the lack of new cars pulling everything up, same as every other make. When supply finally returns to normal prices will drop again.

Essentially you have to decide if you are willing to pay the inflated prices, but if you want a car now, then you have no choice.


julian987R

6,840 posts

66 months

Tuesday 11th January 2022
quotequote all
supersport said:
I want what ever you’re on hehe

The price rises aren’t due to the R pulling them up, it’s the lack of new cars pulling everything up, same as every other make. When supply finally returns to normal prices will drop again.

Essentially you have to decide if you are willing to pay the inflated prices, but if you want a car now, then you have no choice.
beer

F6C

455 posts

45 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
julian987R said:
Wrong wrong wrong and wrong. I was following the prices 5 years ago religiously.
You're making things up. It's a mystery why you bother. Or you're just clueless, it's hard to say which.

F6C

455 posts

45 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
julian987R said:
To all those who seem to be jumping on the £5K comment. I said close to that mark for ropey ones but the average was circa £8K-£10K which is the sums you are saying were common. Exactly. That’s what I said. What’s with all the heat?
987.1 2.7 Caymans were never 'average £8-10k', that is completely false. If you said that about 987.1 2.7 Boxsters, you'd be nearer the truth, they did get to something like that level. Caymans did not, no matter how often you repeat it.

F6C

455 posts

45 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
supersport said:
I want what ever you’re on hehe

The price rises aren’t due to the R pulling them up, it’s the lack of new cars pulling everything up, same as every other make. When supply finally returns to normal prices will drop again.

Essentially you have to decide if you are willing to pay the inflated prices, but if you want a car now, then you have no choice.
R pulling other models up is total gibberish. The R, for whatever reason, has performed the worst of late. It hasn't moved much, but other gen 2 models have seen quite a jump. Here's a gen 2 2.9 Cayman for £33k:

https://www.mortimersprestige.co.uk/used-cars/1357...

Over priced, to be sure, but probably £8-10k more than it would have been 18 months ago and proportionally that's a very large increase.

I agree it's a temporary blip. The only possible catch is that inflation generally is pretty bad. So, while values may dip in real terms, the price in £'s may not drop much if at all. In real terms all our savings are taking a hammering.

KPB1973

929 posts

106 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
And to think I bought and sold a 987.2 CS with 52k miles for £18.5k less that 2 years ago. I can't say as I liked the car much and it needed a clutch and flywheel, but I'd have made a packet had I not got itchy feet for an Elise 111R.

I couldn't shift it at £21k and gradually came down in price to get it gone before the lotus arrived.

I picked up a lovely Aqua Blue gen 2 Boxster S in November in pretty high spec for less than £20k. I consider that a bit of a bargain despite having bought one 5 years ago for £17.5k.

I remember 3.2 early 987.1 Boxsters hitting approx £7-8k for heavily worn ones, but I never saw any form of Cayman near £5k unless it needed a new engine!

Happy to be proven wrong if someone wants to waste a few hours on the wayback machine website.

tracydeedance

787 posts

186 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
just an observation don't wish to talk up or down prices as not to bothered.
From what I see in the market prices have softened for 987 models especially the Gen1s

High priced 987s have been for sale for months when you start checking on a regular basis
Good cars with a good history reasonably priced sell simple.

Anyone selling at this time of year and current climate needs to be flexible on prices if looking to move it on only cars going up or staying level is high end stuff.

Only my opinion and what I have seen in the current market.




Old saying goes a cars only worth what someone's willing to pay for it






BS62

1,971 posts

173 months

Wednesday 12th January 2022
quotequote all
The whole car market is bonkers, not sure there's a specific Cayman trend.