by "TractorPillow" (tractorpillow)
Published 08/17/2017 at 20:54
by "TractorPillow" (tractorpillow)
Published 08/17/2017 at 20:54
No Tags
STARS: 7
2008 Cayman S: $27,000
TTR: ~$2000
Oil changes: Free from the dealership I bought it at
Tires: $818 (literally put on a month ago after a nasty flat, shoulda just replaced the rears but thought I might keep it longer, enjoy them new owner)
Miles driven: 15,000
Selling Price: $26,250
Total Cost of Ownership for 21 months: $3,568 (not including gas or insurance; insurance was about $100/mo and it gets 23 mpg with my foot so you do the math if you care)
The Cayman is the first car I’ve sold that I didn’t make money on or break even on; thanks to the wife for the accident...although for some reason the shop never actually charged us our deductible so that’s why I didn’t include it in cost of ownership. That and me being the 5th owner hurts resale a bit.
So I bought the Cayman S for my wife and a little bit for me. She told that since I wasn’t giving her a baby she wanted a sports car. I sold my Viper after about 6 months of owning the Cayman and her not driving the Cayman very much at all. She is getting a masters here in town and didn’t want to park on the street with it, so she drives the old, trusty Camry.
After I sold the Viper (old DD) I daily drove the Cayman when I wasn’t riding my motorcycle to work. I put over 10,000 miles on it with just my driving and a few road trips. And what can I tell you about it that you don’t know? Probably not much, but I’ll give my opinions on it anyways!
First off, a small percentage of 987s’s suffered IMS bearing issues and would blow up resulting in an expensive new engine bill. This was in the back of my mind for the last 18 months. Not a good feeling, even though it is not that common, especially on untracked cars. I’d steer you away from the 06-08's for that reason alone.
The car is super comfortable and just well put together. The interior is about as perfect today as it was the day it rolled off the line. Even the exterior looked basically brand new with zero dents or scratches. Not even a door ding. It was a gorgeous car and everyone thought I was rich until I corrected them that their Mustang or F150 cost more than my silly, 10 year old sports car.
The handling was phenomenal, but I used to have an Elise, so it was nothing to write home about as far as fun factor. They say the 06-08's are great because they are the last of the hydraulic steering (pretty sure this is right), but still I’d go for a later MY just for the peace of mind.
The looks were great. The previous owner put the HRE P40's and the front LED spars on it which I think added to the looks department a lot. I got thumbs up and compliments everywhere, but I also live in El Paso where every sports car is from one of the big 3 so YMMV. This is also part of the problem...there is only one curvy road within an hour of my house, so I could not enjoy it the way it is meant to be enjoyed. When I took it up to the mountains and let her loose, I do have to admit it was a joy to drive and I felt very comfortable whipping it around curves at happy speeds.
Acceleration is okay, but nothing mind blowing or even throw you back in your seat. I think the sound sucks with the stock exhaust, which I had, but some people think the NA flat-6 sounds great so that’s all subjective.
The storage space is surprisingly hefty! Once, my 65 lb pupper jumped in the frunk and looked at me with eyes that said “I’ll hang out here, you drive!” The trunk has more than sufficient room for the biweekly grocery runs.
So, I’ve had a great time with this car, but it’s just too composed and easy to live with. I never felt excited driving it. I need the quirks (insert Doug-trademark). I need something that makes me check the forums to figure out what the hell is wrong with x, y, or z. I actually have found myself becoming less enthusiastic about cars in general as a result of owning such a perfectly composed car...yeah yeah I know that’s on me. I just like to have something a little more unique and wacky.
Would I recommend this car to someone? Nah. For about the same price you can get a well sorted Elise. Get that car. You’ll deal with more issues, your back might ache after long drives, and you’ll get tired of explaining that Lamborghini doesn’t make Lotus,but you’ll get more smiles per mile and that’s what really matters. I would trade the hand crank windows of the Elise for the automatic up/down windows on the Cayman any day of the week.
So what’s going to replace the 987? Well, I’ll let you figure that out, but I will give a huge hint and say that I am about to have 10 cylinders worth of Camry greatness in my garage! I also think I owe my wife a baby now...
"B_dol" (bdolan40)
08/17/2017 at 21:03, STARS: 1
Thanks for the review! It’s a fine car no doubt but after having my sights set on it for 3+ years I felt similarly - lacks that gotta have it xfactor. Test drive did not prove lust worthy.
Oddly enough I am considering a 987.2 variant now (2 years later), having learned a bit more about used car buying this search could take a while or never materialize...
"TractorPillow" (tractorpillow)
08/17/2017 at 21:07, STARS: 1
Appreciate it! Did you test drive a manual? I do have to say that it has one of the best shifting feels of anything I have ever driven. Forgot to mention that, oh well! Don’t be afraid to search near and far; a plane ticket isn’t that much in the grand scheme of things and allows you a great way to road trip home and really learn the car...if you have the time off of course.
"B_dol" (bdolan40)
08/17/2017 at 21:14, STARS: 1
I did. Spent an hour driving a 987.1 S and another half hour driving a 981 S back-to-back, granted on suburban streets. High praise for the fact that the car just works - the shifter, clutch, motor and suspension is dialed and the car is a joy to drive. The interior of the 987 is not amazing and it seems not enough of the 911 DNA ended up on the platform. At the time I was coming from an FR-S and desired something with real oomph, street presence and DIY friendly.
A 911 would be a little too far into my car budget, so I found a suitable alternative in the 07 BMW M coupe. That car has been a riot but notably pricier to maintain and rougher on the streets than the Cayman platform. Two years in I am feeling the new toy itch and either I dive in deeper with this platform or jump to the right alternative (Cayman, etc.). Suffice to say any car I own will get an exhaust and Ohlins coilovers ASAP.
"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
08/18/2017 at 00:27, STARS: 0
How bad has the M been to maintain?
"DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By" (ducst3-red-1liter-standing-by)
08/18/2017 at 01:05, STARS: 0
My father in law just got rid of his, identical to yours but black. Fun to drive for sure, but I was surprised at the quality of the interior. Nothing rattled but some if the plastics felt very cheap. Maybe I set my sights too high. Still a great little car though. He traded it in for a 17 boxster, also very fun
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
08/18/2017 at 09:33, STARS: 1
Nice, honest write up. I drove my boss’ ‘11 Boxster S PDK the other day and was really impressed...
I’m pretty sure EPS didn’t come until the 981.
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
08/18/2017 at 09:37, STARS: 0
Do you prefer the 987 S to the 981 S, or is the difference just not worth the additional cost?
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
08/18/2017 at 09:42, STARS: 0
I assume you’ve read this: http://jalopnik.com/how-much-better-is-the-new-porsche-cayman-than-the-old-1566718109
"TractorPillow" (tractorpillow)
08/18/2017 at 09:49, STARS: 0
Yeah the radio preset numbers sucked. Cheap plastic and would pop out.
"B_dol" (bdolan40)
08/18/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 0
It hasn’t been unreasonable but hitting the 75K mile mark and 10 years at the same time was a decent hit. Replaced belts, pulleys, bushings, engine/transmission mounts, etc. around the car and now the suspension needs a rebuild. Issue is it will be set to go for the next 20-25K miles now hah.
I documented some of my issues here
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/honeymoon-out-months-7-12-of-german-m-ownership-1786410069
"B_dol" (bdolan40)
08/18/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 1
I saw that a while back but just re-read it. I agree whole-heatedly that the 981 is a beast! Sounds great, scoots pretty good and the interior is great. However the the car is larger and I felt disconnected from the road. 987.2 is where the sweet spot is and the value proposition is hard to ignore.
If I could afford a 981 GTS that is where I would go, otherwise a 987.2 S with some choice modifications. The Porsche platform is much more planted and supple than the Z4M. I have grown accustomed to the quirks and charms of my M though, not sure I can let it go...
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
08/18/2017 at 13:18, STARS: 0
I really, really, really hope that a GT4 might be within my reach once I’m really to have a car like that in 5 or 10 years, but it’s probably so harsh that the GTS is really the better choice for how I’d use it.
I love the back end of the 987 so much, I won’t be surprised if I end up with one of them one day. What’s the price range for the .2 right now?
"B_dol" (bdolan40)
08/18/2017 at 13:39, STARS: 1
A friend has a GT4, need some seat time! 987.2 look to be trading for $37-45K and up. I shamefully admit I have been searching slowly for the right example, parting with the BMW is the linchpin of the entire operation though.
Essentially only looking for an Atlas Gray Metallic, Racing Green Metallic or unique color 987.2 S. I will need a thorough test drive to recall why I made the decision against the platform in the first place. My preferences may have evolved...
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
08/18/2017 at 14:24, STARS: 0
Sapphire Blue might make me hold out for 981...
"AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
08/18/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 0
An e46 m3 is looking very tempting to me but it’s getting to the point where finding a nicely maintained s54 is tougher and tougher.
"B_dol" (bdolan40)
08/18/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 0
For what it’s worth mine is impeccably maintained mostly due to my fix it right may as well do X/Y/Z while you are in there attitude. I recommend BMWCCA classifieds or Pelican Parts forums for the better kept cars, other websites tend to be a broader mixture.
"rpmucha23" (rpmucha23)
10/07/2017 at 01:46, STARS: 0
Im pretty sure i just purchased your car. Same year, wheels, led lights, tinted glass, loose radio buttons. From your talks about it (the carfax owner trail, and the wife’s little fender bender which State Farm brought to my attention when i added it to my policy & that carfax did not show). You happen to remember the last couple of the VIN? I am curious if it is yours.