Thinking of buying a Cayman

[lacroupade]

and VW badges widely available on eBay.

I would take a vw boxster over my zed any day. Shame but I have had problems with my z4 from day one, bmw in my opinion hav'nt even got the basics right.

Aesthetically I'd agree 100%. Sadly the Zed is much cheaper to run (with the four-pot that you and I have) and mine has had no problems to speak of in six years from new, so its been a significantly cheaper ride.

 

[tabbie]

and VW badges widely available on eBay.

I would take a vw boxster over my zed any day. Shame but I have had problems with my z4 from day one, bmw in my opinion hav'nt even got the basics right.

Aesthetically I'd agree 100%. Sadly the Zed is much cheaper to run (with the four-pot that you and I have) and mine has had no problems to speak of in six years from new, so its been a significantly cheaper ride.

Its good to hear that someone has'nt had any problems with their z4 in six years and I totally agree the 2ltr is a cheap car to run. Am going to try and stay positive with the car. I love the drive and the look of it,its just a shame the dealers have spent more time with it than I have Back on topic :hijacked: Something to do with a Porsche cayman :wub:

 

[left98204]

I drive a Cayman S (3.4) and can give you a warts and all overview.

I test drove a number of models and have to say there is a big difference between the 2.7 and the 3.4. Noticable even on normal road driving, so I think you may well be disappointed in a 2.7.

Mine has Sat Nav and makes the inside a much better place to be. The screen really makes a difference displaying all manner of information like Radio stations, track lists, CD number, the usual MPG distance to fill up etc. You miss a lot if you go for one without. Muich like the Z I suppose.

If you genuinely want any advice, I'm happy to give you an impartial view. I kept the Z for sunny days, so still have a foot firmly in both camps.

PM me if you want to know any more.

Final word though. You wont regret getting one

 

[Mowflow]

Don't the early ones suffer from the possible IMS failure?

Never driven the 2.9 but drove the 2.7 and the S back to back along with a boxster spyder last year. Liked the spyder best, then the S and lastly the 2.7. They deserve the praise they get for handling but the 2.7 felt pretty weak to me, it lacked torque whichwears where the 3.4 felt totally different and a lot better.

I was contemplating an early 987 boxster s not long ago but after months of reading all the mags and forums I financially bottled it. It's not that they are unreliable it's just that you need to keep them in tip top condition or they become totally unsellable (servicing it yourself is frowned upon and not easy with the mid engine) and consumables are not cheap. The general consensus seemed to be that keeping £2-3k aside was sensible if not essential.

If I had the money to get a warrantied one I'd buy it in an instant.

 

[Dreamer]

I drove a couple recently, the 3.4s. Gorgeous grown up drive, just the right firmness and finesse.

The biggest turn of are the POTENTIAL costs. Sure running one isnt to expensive on paper but anything unexpected and your into serious costs. And don't even think about NOT taking it to Porsche as then the history has a blemish the size of Australia in terms of resale.

I think what it boils down to for me is I'm a bit of a beer money type of fella and that's why I prefer a performance bmw. Good vfm.

 

[Glaikit]

Nice choice Hunter. That was my original thought until I found the Q1 offer on the E89. Okay it is not in the same league as the Cayman when it comes to fun factor but the option to run as a cabrio and convertible was just too tempting. So much so that I never test drove a Cayman in the end, probably just as well!!

Good luck with the hunt :wink:

Oh and don't get the wife involved, I didn't

 

[alex]

I drove a couple recently, the 3.4s. Gorgeous grown up drive, just the right firmness and finesse.

The biggest turn of are the POTENTIAL costs. Sure running one isnt to expensive on paper but anything unexpected and your into serious costs. And don't even think about NOT taking it to Porsche as then the history has a blemish the size of Australia in terms of resale.

I think what it boils down to for me is I'm a bit of a beer money type of fella and that's why I prefer a performance bmw. Good vfm.

This is why the Porsche warranty is basically a must have unless you like to gamble. From what I remember it's pretty good value considering.

 

[tomscott]

I test drove the Cayman S before the M, great car but its not a Carrera and the M was more fun much more fun and much less money so got an M.

 

[mrlozzer]

Servicing costs on my mate's Boxster were horrific, even at our local indie with a reasonable hourly rate...

 

[Paza3]

Servicing costs on my mate's Boxster were horrific, even at our local indie with a reasonable hourly rate...

Sorry dude but thats just not correct its not horrific to run a Porker, especially with 20k service intervals - Even Porsche main dealer quote servivcing at just under 400 for a Cayman/Boxster S , you pay 300 at a Bmw main dealer. Even a 997 S is about the same as an M once you factor the 14k / 20k difference.

If your reffering to a 986 with 70k on the clock your likley to encounter high maintance cost worn out parts etc , but the Cayman S is a much new car and the OP is looking at this car in particular.