Porsche Cayman question.

[Wendy]

Hi all.

I am looking to purchase a Porsche Cayman.

 

Somewhat bewildered by it all to say the least.

 

I have done my homework, rang Porsche dealerships x 2, a Porsche specialist x 3. Checked likely issues old, current and possible even likely ones.

Checked running costs, servicing etc.

Been advised best one is 2.7 987 gen 2.

Late 2007 on have no IMS issues.

 

So..........after driving many miles..........

 

Driven a 3.4 2007 manual.

Quite amazing and loved it.

Just this was not the right car, other issues.

Besides aware of IMS Issues (new engine !! )  and Bore Scoring from being driven hard when cold on 3.4's.

 

Then a 2.7 late 2007. 

Drove one 3 weeks after the 3.4.

Of course it was not the same in the way it led into action. But also much slower to get any punchy power out of it and then a struggle. I gathered from the owner it needed to be in 3.5 to 4000 revs to get it to work.

I was at least expecting to be able to overtake at ease. 

 

Does anyone own a 2.7 Cayman, manual, non turbo who might give me their thoughts.

 

Or anyone with good knowledge of the Cayman please.

 

I am not too techie but have a 2005 350z no mods except Japspeed exhaust and Corrado VR6 with Ram air filter and miltek exhaust. With being really light weight car it just flies. Neither are mapped but both have easy and good pull in any gear which of course I am going to compare to.

 

I am going to hopefully get to test drive more 2.7's to compare too.

 

Thanks in advance.

Wendy

 

 

[The Bounty Bar Kid]

I think you need handbag man. Sorry I mean Ekona 

He's very knowledgeable on Porsches I believe.

Edited July 29, 2018 by The Bounty Bar Kid
Clarifying who handbag man is :p

[Ekona]

Having driven the 2.7 without the IMS issue (one of the few modern Porsche engines I don’t actually know the code number for off hand  ), albeit in a Boxster rather than Cayman, I tend to agree with you. I preferred the older engine, it seemed a bit more lively, but then the new 2.7 was the only 9x7.2 lump NOT to get direct injection, which I’m guessing is what makes for a radically different feel. 

 

Is it slow? No. It is a very different engine to the V6 in the Zed though, and yes you absolutely do have to rev it to make the most of it. The beauty of the Cayman is the chassis though, and how deft the car can feel under you. The 2.7 just needs a different driving style, but after having driven an mx5 for the last couple of months with much less power, I can promise you that the 2.7 is far more capable of overtaking  

 

Work the engine and gearbox a bit more, don’t be afraid to use all the revs all the time. Shifting down to where the revs are at 4000rpm is a pleasure, not a chore  As an aside, in terms of running costs my 997.2 was cheaper to run than my Zed was, and likewise the 987.2 Cayman R my brother has after his Zed was the same. 

[Wendy]

Thanks Dan.

Hoped you would pass on your thoughts. 

 

Will give more 2.7's a drive and work harder on the rev's. 

Was perhaps being too considerate of the car especially as was a private sale ! 

 

Was hoping to go today but is foul weather here and would prefer dry roads for a test drive.

[Ekona]

Totally get what you mean about being considerate of someone else's car, but as long as you give it time to warm up (and the flat sixes do take a while to get oil temp up in fairness) then it comes down to the fact it's your money you're spending, so by all means test the product properly. You can always get the other person to drive the car first, so they they only hand it over when they're happy it's all warm and ready to go  

[GranTurismoEra]

Guessing you have to synchro rev match yourself on the older manual ones? 

[Ekona]

If you mean do it properly, then yes  that horrible feature is only on the newer 718s, thankfully. 

[StevoD]

Curious what size wheel the 2.7 you've tried have had see a few for sale with massive 19s etc and I'm sure they only help. If feel sluggish 

[GranTurismoEra]

On 07/08/2018 at 20:40, Ekona said:

If you mean do it properly, then yes  that horrible feature is only on the newer 718s, thankfully. 

LOL i used to do it on the 350. Good to have some sort of ability to drive manual properly. Then the synchro rev match makes you lazier. But it feels so much smoother on upshift and downshift. I always drove with it on in the 370

[Ekona]

I couldn’t imagine ever using it. It annoys me that Porsche won’t let you turn it off unless you turn the TCS off too, that’s utterly bonkers. 

[DarmoZ]

On 10/08/2018 at 17:46, Ekona said:

 

 

Hi Ekona, I'm considering getting a 2008 Cayman S, (this one). I understand that they fixed the IMS bearing issue with these as they used a bigger IMS. are there any other things to consider with this model year.... boring pre purchase inspection still recommended ? thanks

Edited June 15, 2019 by DarmoZ

[Ekona]

IMS definitely NOT fixed, but still just a 5-10% risk of it going. Bore scoring on the S much more troublesome, so always get them inspected regardless. As long as it’s fine, and again remembering that more mileage is better, buy and enjoy the finest sports coupe of the time. 

 

The IMS was only sorted on the 2009 Cayman S that did away with it entirely and moved to the DFi engines. 

[pintopete58]

Sorry mate don't go there egg shape pistons