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| Just mobilize it |
I’ve never had a sports car and I’ve been thinking about a used one lately. Always wanted a C6 Corvette though I have been researching these Caymans lately and think one may fit the bill as they are supposedly more reliable than I ever thought—with the exception of potential bore scoring in anywhere from 5-20% in the S models. Should I stay away from a Porsche Cayman first gen 987.1S (‘06-‘08)? | ||
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Member |
The engine has a serious potential issue. Summarized by A I, we can read "Early Porsche Caymans (and Boxsters) are known for IMS bearing failures, which can lead to catastrophic engine damage. While this issue is less prevalent in the 2006-2008 range compared to earlier models, it’s a critical consideration. Look for cars with an IMS upgrade or plan to budget for the replacement." A Porsche-phile friend of mine went through this on more than one occasion. ------- Trying to simplify my life... | |||
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Mensch |
You must get a pre purchase inspection! Money well spent. My dad looked a several that revealed major issues. Finally found an '09 Cayman S at a Ferrari dealer [trade in for a new Ferrari]. It only had minor issues, so he bought it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Yidn, shreibt un fershreibt" "The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everyone else, and nobody was going to bomb them. At Rotterdam, London, Warsaw and half a hundred other places, they put their rather naive theory into operation. They sowed the wind, and now they are going to reap the whirlwind." -Bomber Harris | |||
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| As Extraordinary as Everyone Else  |
The Cayman is perhaps one of the best handling cars in their price range out there. Yes the earlier ones had the potential IMS issue and it is a relatively easy fix for a mechanic but once done these cars are easily maintained and well worth it. Where else are you going to find a mid engine sports car for that kind of coin? What kind of money are you looking to spend? There are a number of venues to find good Porsches for sale … ------------------ Eddie Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina | |||
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Shaman |
The direct injectors are a problem if you're not a mechanic. And have the tool to program the ECU to the replacements. Which are $400+ each. I replaced all 6 on a BMW. A European car garage wanted $6,000 to do them.  He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. | |||
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| Lawyers, Guns and Money  |
The Cayman is a great car. But I don't know anything about the potential IMS issue. Sounds like it would be worth having it looked over before purchase. This guy talks about the potential problems and mitigation. 2006 Porsche Cayman S Review - Is The 987.1 Still A Good Buy? "Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." -- Justice Janice Rogers Brown "The United States government is the largest criminal enterprise on earth." -rduckwor | |||
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| As Extraordinary as Everyone Else |
I’ve had 6 Porsches over the last 25 years or so from a 944S2 up to a Cup car. I’ve never had to replace any injectors. The first two Porsches I owned had over 100K miles on them when I sold them. One of the cars I had was an ‘03 Boxster S (essentially a convertible Cayman) that we did a European delivery with when we ordered it. Over the years we put about 30k miles on it and never had any IMS issues. I asked my mechanic, who is extremely knowledgeable if I should just go ahead and be proactive and change it out and he said no, if I was going to have an issue I would have already had it so even though there is a lot of internet buzz about it the actually percentage of cars that have this issue is relatively low.. I do agree that a PPI is a good idea, especially if you’re new to the Porsche world but a PPI probably wont catch any IMS issue unless it’s about to blow… I would also suggest you find a car that is owned by a PCA member and has not tracked it. ------------------ Eddie Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina | |||
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| Just mobilize it |
Good consideration so far thanks guys. I’ve been researching a good amount and watching a bunch of videos and it appears that they are pretty reliable overall, but the bore scoring was a concern. I don’t remember seeing much about IMS issues. The car that I am looking at is around 30K and it has under 50,000 miles on it with an extensive upkeep general maintenance history. I researched it and someone had owned it who was pretty meticulous about it, but it still doesn’t mean that things can’t happen in the future. Years ago, I had a BMW out of warranty and it was great for a couple years, but then it started getting expensive as repairs were a couple thousand here, couple thousand there over two years and I had to get rid of it. I have no problem throwing some coin into it overtime to maintain it, but I just didn’t want to get into something that is gonna cost me 5k+ a year just to maintain as that’s no good. The engine rebuild would cost half the price of the car alone. | |||
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Drill Here, Drill Now |
My buddy drives a 911 and his son is extremely creative in finding reasons he should drive it. For example, get home minutes before my buddy so he parks him in. His son earned a full ride scholarship to college so my buddy bought him a Cayman in the '06-'08 range. So far everything has been DIY work on it. Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer. | |||
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| Member |
I just got back from Cars and Coffee at the local Porsche dealer with my 996. It has the M96 engine with the IMS potential issue. Previous did the retrofit and all is well. From what I have read and learned, bore scoring is inevitable- just to what degree. This is true of the M96/97 engines. If you want to avoid the IMS issue and bore scoring entirely, move up to the next generation of engines in the Cayman, Boxster and 911 which is the MA1 in 2009. Find a good 2009 to 2015 Boxter or Cayman S and manual. PPI are worth it. Look at PCarmarket or PCA website for sales. Then drive the crap out of it. P229 | |||
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| Member |
I owned a Boxster S. (Yeah, I know... a pussy Porsche) It was very quick from zero to one hundred to zero and fun as hell to drive. Glad I owned it. The electrics in Porsche's are not what you're used to. Parts are expensive and depending on where you live you (or your mechanic) might not be able to just run down to the parts store to get what you need. Find a good mechanic that has worked on them and learn to use YouTube. | |||
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| Member |
I've got a 07 987.1 Base w/ manual 5 speed. I bought it with 178k on the clock and I'm almost at 200k. I drive it as a daily as long as its not raining and the temps are high enough for the summer tires. The base is plenty fun to drive on public roads as you can only go so fast anyway. Its the handling that's fun as hell. You can fling it into corners without hitting the brakes. I like to say it pivots more than it turns. I've only had one real issue with mine and it was a leak in the cooling system. It turned out to be a failed o-ring. Access to it was a pain, but I did it myself. Other than that, I've just done preventative maintenance. Replaced the AOS since I didnt know the last time it was done. Replaced the water pump, front brake pads, plugs, coils, transaxle fluid, etc. I do oil changes every 5k. I've also replaced the windshield and tires once. I've think I have less than $4k into maintenance over the 3 years i've owned it. Mechanically the car is solid. It has cosmetic issues. Some of the undertray panels need to be replaced and so ones of the wheel well liners. The fog lights work, but both lenses are cracked. replacements are expensive. Both bumpers could stand a refresh on the paint. Its very fun to drive, but it is a sports car, so not a luxurious ride by any means. You feel all the bumps and imperfections on the road. Its a bit loud inside, but theres no drone, at least with the factory exhaust. The longest trip i've taken it on was a 5 hour one way trip to the mountains and I was comfortable. My wife lasts about an hour before she's tired of being in the car. The base has less issues than the 987.1 S models. Bore scoring isn't as much of an issue. IMS bearing issues seem to be relatively low for the 987s when compared to the 911's that use the same design. having said that, if i ever need to replace the clutch, i'll upgrade the IMS while i'm in there. There are a few known issues. The AOS having a lifespan of about 30-50k miles. Bore scoring on 987s models. A few IMS bearing issues. The end of the shifter cables failing on manual cars and leaving you stuck in a gear (plenty of aftermarket solutions for this). Overall, I think the car is a hell of a value and very reliable. If I was recommending a sports car for best reliablity and cost of ownership it would be either a Porsche or Corvette. ____________________ I Like Guns and stuff | |||
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Member |
I'd love a Cayman, would be the next step after a Miata, IMO. Well out of my budget for now, so I'm happy with my little Midget. The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
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thin skin can't win |
We owned a Cayman GTS for 10 years. Loved it. LOVED IT!!! Happy to speak with you on this, shoot me a message at email address. You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02 | |||
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| half-genius, half-wit |
Locks went nuts on my '03 Boxster here in UK. electronic, of course. Un-locking after a few minutes, cancelling the alarm, or setting it off at random intervals - usually in the am's. Natch. Took it to my local main dealer, and this is what they found - Water in the right-hand seat pan - from the drain tube behind the door being blocked. The door electronics are situated there and were futzing as a result. Replacement sensor unit, door lock to drivers side and matching passenger side - only the driver's world works the sensor unit. Two new keys, lock unit and sensor ECU - £1780. At that time, $2295. In the end, I'd paid more to keep it running, including a $9000 engine rebuild, than it had cost me. No more Porsche for me. BTW - as a matter of interest to some. The original engine, the version that had the hot engine oil degreasing the 'sealed-for-life IMS bearing, causing failure, tooth-skipping and pistons and valves having a bad encounter was'not uncommon'. No sh*t, Sherlock. According to a survey carried out by the POCUK, no less than 8% of ALL pre-03 986 engines had catastrophic engine failures. Porsche refused to accept any blame at all. | |||
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Member |
I would go buy a new Twin, either the BRZ, or GR86. The 2.4L boxer has direct and port injection, both, via Toyota’s D-4S system. Yes it’s a poor man’s Cayman, but it’s 6MT, RWD, with Torsen LSD, and a fantastic car for the money. What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone | |||
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| Just mobilize it |
Appreciate the breakdown of your experience. Funny the other car I’ve been considering is a plane Jane Corvette C6. | |||
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| Just mobilize it |
Will do thanks! | |||
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