Gen 1 Cayman S sense check
Discussion
What looks like a nice example of a manual Gen 1 Cayman S has come up for sale in a colour I haven’t seen that often, racing green. This is by far my favourite colour offered. Car looks good from the pictures on the advert and is up for sale at a not so local dealer hence the post to get an idea of this is a car worth making the visit to see.
It’s an 07 plate with 66,000 miles, 6 previous owners and asking price is £19,995.
Dealer notes the cars service history is as follows:
4236,13811,22203,28583,30733,35130,45923,57505 and 62814 miles. Service has been done at main dealer and Porsche Specialist and the service at 62k was a major.
I’m aware of the bore score issue on these cars but the dealers advert mentions they have undertaken a Bore Score Survey and the vehicle has been given a clean bill of health with all 6 cylinders being in good condition.
The car has also had a new clutch fitted at 53k miles as well as new brake discs and pads. The dealers advert also notes a new exhaust was fitted at this time.
On paper it seems like a very nice example. Does anyone with more knowledge on Caymans see any issues with the above or does it all look in order?
It’s an 07 plate with 66,000 miles, 6 previous owners and asking price is £19,995.
Dealer notes the cars service history is as follows:
4236,13811,22203,28583,30733,35130,45923,57505 and 62814 miles. Service has been done at main dealer and Porsche Specialist and the service at 62k was a major.
I’m aware of the bore score issue on these cars but the dealers advert mentions they have undertaken a Bore Score Survey and the vehicle has been given a clean bill of health with all 6 cylinders being in good condition.
The car has also had a new clutch fitted at 53k miles as well as new brake discs and pads. The dealers advert also notes a new exhaust was fitted at this time.
On paper it seems like a very nice example. Does anyone with more knowledge on Caymans see any issues with the above or does it all look in order?
Edited by JamesA95 on Saturday 7th October 11:31
JamesA95 said:
What looks like a nice example of a manual Gen 1 Cayman S has come up for sale in a colour I haven’t seen that often, racing green. This is by far my favourite colour offered. Car looks good from the pictures on the advert and is up for sale at a not so local dealer hence the post to get an idea of this is a car worth making the visit to see.
It’s an 07 plate with 66,000 miles, 6 previous owners and asking price is £19,995.
Dealer notes the cars service history is as follows:
4236,13811,22203,28583,30733,35130,45923,57505 and 62814 miles. Service has been done at main dealer and Porsche Specialist and the service at 62k was a major.
I’m aware of the bore score issue on these cars but the dealers advert mentions they have undertaken a Bore Score Survey and the vehicle has been given a clean bill of health with all 6 cylinders being in good condition.
The car has also had a new clutch fitted at 53k miles as well as new brake discs and pads. The dealers advert also notes a new exhaust was fitted at this time.
On paper it seems like a very nice example. Does anyone with more knowledge on Caymans see any issues with the above or does it all look in order?
If it has had a bore score survey and you can see the results of that and everything works on the car, its in condition in line with its age then all good. At the end of the day its a 16 year old car it will have some niggles probably. Go for it if you think the price is reasonable. It’s an 07 plate with 66,000 miles, 6 previous owners and asking price is £19,995.
Dealer notes the cars service history is as follows:
4236,13811,22203,28583,30733,35130,45923,57505 and 62814 miles. Service has been done at main dealer and Porsche Specialist and the service at 62k was a major.
I’m aware of the bore score issue on these cars but the dealers advert mentions they have undertaken a Bore Score Survey and the vehicle has been given a clean bill of health with all 6 cylinders being in good condition.
The car has also had a new clutch fitted at 53k miles as well as new brake discs and pads. The dealers advert also notes a new exhaust was fitted at this time.
On paper it seems like a very nice example. Does anyone with more knowledge on Caymans see any issues with the above or does it all look in order?
Edited by JamesA95 on Saturday 7th October 11:31
edit..... just had a look at the advert. Looks good.
Edited by craigjm on Saturday 7th October 14:17
Since you're asking, for a £20k budget I would go for a 987.2 2.9 instead, or spend a few k more on a 987.2 S. I'd only spend that much on a Gen 1 if it had already had a reputable engine rebuild.
I just think when you come to sell on you will take a fair hit. I bet the dealer paid about £14k for it.
I just think when you come to sell on you will take a fair hit. I bet the dealer paid about £14k for it.
Its got full leather which is nice.
Color coded centre console - get build codes off dealer to see if it's factory.
Can't tell from photos if it the Sports Seats, nice if they are...
Find out what aftermarket exhaust it is.
Clutch done, good.
As it's a Dealer, l assume they won't show you full service history receipts? If you can see them, look for evidence of coolant pipes changed and suspension top mounts, arms, etc as most are tired by now...
That's a really nice color in them and worth paying a slight premium...there's one local to me...
That cars been listed for 6 weeks.... markets slow.
Color coded centre console - get build codes off dealer to see if it's factory.
Can't tell from photos if it the Sports Seats, nice if they are...
Find out what aftermarket exhaust it is.
Clutch done, good.
As it's a Dealer, l assume they won't show you full service history receipts? If you can see them, look for evidence of coolant pipes changed and suspension top mounts, arms, etc as most are tired by now...
That's a really nice color in them and worth paying a slight premium...there's one local to me...
That cars been listed for 6 weeks.... markets slow.
Edited by Andyoz on Sunday 8th October 06:13
craigjm said:
It is a touch pricey but prices are rising. I sold my 59 plate high spec S PDK for 25k in late 2016 and it looks like it would command similar price now
We saw a huge increase in used car prices, and especially toys, during Covid, but there is a correction that is now starting to happen. There are dozens of 987.2 and 981 Caymans that have been for sale for months now, all far too overpriced.
Not sure I would want to pay £20k now for a 16 year old Cayman, especially with the 3.4 engine. It will bore score at some point, plus you could be looking at £4k of suspension, £1500 worth of coolant pipes, flywheel could need replacing shortly, cam chain guides are getting to the age where they start to break up, as are many hoses and pipes etc.
If all that has been done already then yeah, pay £20k, if not, well it could soon cost you considerably more.
Interesting thread, because I've been looking at 987.2 and 981 Caymans recently. I'm put off by two things. Firstly, the fact that some of these cars are now 14 years old. As noted above, you're looking at tired suspension bushes, leaking coolant pipes and no doubt other things too. Now, if the asking prices reflected the likely costs, fair enough, but they seem not to. Hence the second thing: price.
Then there's asking prices for 981S Caymans - a couple on A/T, private sales, 40k plus miles with an asking price over £36,000. Hmm. Even one where a private seller wants over £41k.........
Then there's asking prices for 981S Caymans - a couple on A/T, private sales, 40k plus miles with an asking price over £36,000. Hmm. Even one where a private seller wants over £41k.........
There's a black Gen 2 'S' on Autotrader with 53k for the same price. It might not have the spec you want (and would need a few cosmetic rectifications in my eyes) but it does show that if you're quick and have good negotiating skills, you can get a car that - whilst not guaranteed to be utterly bulletproof - does come with a lot more peace of mind.
It's not an unreasonable assumption that you could get the green one, spend £2-3k over a couple of years, and be sitting on a car still only worth £13-14k in PX, or £15-16k privately due to the reluctance of enthusiasts to take a punt on a Gen 1.
It's not an unreasonable assumption that you could get the green one, spend £2-3k over a couple of years, and be sitting on a car still only worth £13-14k in PX, or £15-16k privately due to the reluctance of enthusiasts to take a punt on a Gen 1.
KPB1973 said:
It's not an unreasonable assumption that you could get the green one, spend £2-3k over a couple of years, and be sitting on a car still only worth £13-14k in PX, or £15-16k privately due to the reluctance of enthusiasts to take a punt on a Gen 1.
I had a look at what bottom book might be for this car and to compare it to my old high spec gen 2 S. Then I hit a snag with a hidden registration on the car listed for sale. I really hate that. So I put my old 59 high spec S PDK into a number of buy it now type things and the highest offer I got was £14k
Agreed, there were a few gen 2 2.9 Caymans at under £14k before Covid.
I remember laughing at the advert for a Guards red one with 80k miles at £13.5k that the old boy had taken photos of in his single garage full of junk, you could hardly see the car.
But still, it was a gen 2 Cayman for £13.5k with 80k miles, if it hadn't of been in Scotland I would have bought it. Still took around 5 weeks to sell.
There was another, also guards red 2.9 but pdk, and that was in the midlands at £13999 and that sold in a few days.
981 non S models were being advertised for around £22/23k too, and they only had 40k miles or so.
Who knows where it will be in Jan/Feb price wise?
It could either be half that price for a gen 1 987 S or maybe as more people come off mortgage deals, realise financing a new Cayman has gone from £800 month to £1500 a month now, these older cars might hold their value as people decide to buy an older, cheaper toy?
But still, gen 1 for £20k? I would want to see most of the 15 year old niggly, expensive stuff done and still be realistic about an engine rebuild in the coming years.
I remember laughing at the advert for a Guards red one with 80k miles at £13.5k that the old boy had taken photos of in his single garage full of junk, you could hardly see the car.
But still, it was a gen 2 Cayman for £13.5k with 80k miles, if it hadn't of been in Scotland I would have bought it. Still took around 5 weeks to sell.
There was another, also guards red 2.9 but pdk, and that was in the midlands at £13999 and that sold in a few days.
981 non S models were being advertised for around £22/23k too, and they only had 40k miles or so.
Who knows where it will be in Jan/Feb price wise?
It could either be half that price for a gen 1 987 S or maybe as more people come off mortgage deals, realise financing a new Cayman has gone from £800 month to £1500 a month now, these older cars might hold their value as people decide to buy an older, cheaper toy?
But still, gen 1 for £20k? I would want to see most of the 15 year old niggly, expensive stuff done and still be realistic about an engine rebuild in the coming years.
Ed.Neumann said:
Agreed, there were a few gen 2 2.9 Caymans at under £14k before Covid.
I remember laughing at the advert for a Guards red one with 80k miles at £13.5k that the old boy had taken photos of in his single garage full of junk, you could hardly see the car.
But still, it was a gen 2 Cayman for £13.5k with 80k miles, if it hadn't of been in Scotland I would have bought it. Still took around 5 weeks to sell.
There was another, also guards red 2.9 but pdk, and that was in the midlands at £13999 and that sold in a few days.
981 non S models were being advertised for around £22/23k too, and they only had 40k miles or so.
Who knows where it will be in Jan/Feb price wise?
It could either be half that price for a gen 1 987 S or maybe as more people come off mortgage deals, realise financing a new Cayman has gone from £800 month to £1500 a month now, these older cars might hold their value as people decide to buy an older, cheaper toy?
But still, gen 1 for £20k? I would want to see most of the 15 year old niggly, expensive stuff done and still be realistic about an engine rebuild in the coming years.
I don't recall seeing any 2.9s under about £16k pre-Covid but I can't remember what mileage filter I was using then. When I was finally ready to buy, post Covid all 2.9s had jumped to a minimum of about £19-20k for anything with under 80k miles, so I ended up buying a really nice Gen 1 2.7 in guards red for £14k privately that had had nearly all the common stuff due done. Sold for almost the same money (to a dealer) after owning for 2 and a bit years earlier this summer. Which you can't grumble at. Not much interest from private buyers though, which surprised me but it seems people will gladly pay dealer markup for the perceived piece of mind of some kind of warranty/dealer comeback.I remember laughing at the advert for a Guards red one with 80k miles at £13.5k that the old boy had taken photos of in his single garage full of junk, you could hardly see the car.
But still, it was a gen 2 Cayman for £13.5k with 80k miles, if it hadn't of been in Scotland I would have bought it. Still took around 5 weeks to sell.
There was another, also guards red 2.9 but pdk, and that was in the midlands at £13999 and that sold in a few days.
981 non S models were being advertised for around £22/23k too, and they only had 40k miles or so.
Who knows where it will be in Jan/Feb price wise?
It could either be half that price for a gen 1 987 S or maybe as more people come off mortgage deals, realise financing a new Cayman has gone from £800 month to £1500 a month now, these older cars might hold their value as people decide to buy an older, cheaper toy?
But still, gen 1 for £20k? I would want to see most of the 15 year old niggly, expensive stuff done and still be realistic about an engine rebuild in the coming years.
Will be interesting to see where all models of Cayman settle in 2024. I think they will come down a little, but not to pre-Covid prices.
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