Drove a 09 Cayman S: Big mistake!
 

I think I just made a mistake. For about a year now I’ve looking over used Boxsters, probably a 2000-2004. I never really gave much thought of the difference between an S or base model. Both are way more than I have now (Civic) so I figure whatever I found would satisfy my lifelong itch. But then this last Saturday I got to drive a 2009 Cayman S (6 speed MT). I drove it on some twisty roads, and on some wide open highways. (BTW, it hits 100 mph very easy!).
So I’m wondering if an early Boxster, base or S is now going to meet my expectations? I’ve never driven any Boxster, so I don’t know what I don’t know!
I see that I can get a 2006 Cayman for about $25k here in SoCal, but then it will have the “un-replaceable” IMS bearing.
So a few scenarios are playing our in my head.

With everything thing else being equal (mileage, service record, etc), Which is better:
$35k for a 2009 Base Boxster /Cayman, or a 2007/8 Boxster/Cayman S?
Or do I stick with my original plan and get a 2000-2004 Boxster (now wanting the S!) and have money left over to sort it out?

Get the 09 base boxster, if I had known about the IMSB issues before hand that's what I would have done. Instead I ended up replacing the motor in my 02 shortly after buying it 2 years ago.

I think, besides being a generation older, you have found that a strong modern-built structure and chassis benefits enormously in more modern cars, especially non-convertibles. I've not driven a Cayman, but I can tell you that my '01 S has a loose feeling to it you would not find in a newer vehicle, and that isn't just from wear and tear. Coming from some late model vehicles into the Box, I can notice the difference, even with economy cars, how much these advancements in industry-wide technology since the 986 have affected handling, solidity and overall feel. That said, the early model cars, which are the only I've driven, are a lot of fun. Drive one and see how it compares.

I'd get the 09 ...

I bought my 2001 Boxster base two years ago well aware of the ims issue and had the IMS Guardian installed. I did not want to put out a huge amount for my first Porsche. Two years later I am thinking ahead and dreaming of the 2009 Cayman/Boxster I might get in the next couple of years.

It depends on your financial situation. If you can afford it the 2009 Boxster would be a great car without the ims but check for reliability issues anyway - Truedelta etc.
The 2009 has been around long enough to vent the owners' experiences.

Yes I would either go with the early Boxster/base/s where you don't have to split the case to replace the ims or go 2009 or newer to avoid the ims altogether. Yes it is a fun car. Earlier Boxsters I would think the driver would experience more being in touch with the car. I have not driven the later ones as I might end up buying one....

Those 09+ cars have a much bigger drop in depreciation in their near futures than the cars that have already been out of warranty for some time. This would be the worst time to upgrade to the new engine, you'll be taking the bulk of a car's second big wave of depreciation. Right now there's still a huge jump in pricing from 05-08 to 09+. That's like standing on a bubble.

Does Cayman 06 have ims issues ?

It still has an IMS bearing that can fail, same as the Boxster. Though it would appear the larger '06-08 bearings fail at a lesser rate than the earlier single row bearings, similar to the original double row bearings.

Good point! Maybe get a 2000-2004 now, and then in a few years, get the 2009 for 20K!

A boxster is rarely going to earn you money .
Forget depreciation and buy what you want .

Or , buy a car that loses money and a car that makes money .
That way balance is restored :D

All Boxster/Cayman are fun to drive and you will never get near their performance envelope on the street. Get what you like but the 09 is sublime. It will probably be my next Porsche.

For the first 100k miles...
After that, short of splitting open the engine, you are stuck with that single row bearing that wasn't intended to be a permanent part. Meanwhile the older Boxsters can have theirs replaced in a day. Or eliminated altogether like on a 09+ plus engine.

Whereabouts in SoCal are you ?

I may be wrong on this, but didn't Porsche put the direct injection, IMS-less engine in the S cars in 09 and the base starting 2010?

Clarification: not all 09 motors are the same. You want a 09.2 late production motor. If it has PDK, it has he new motor for sure...

The 987.2 Boxster and Cayman starting in MY 09 have the 9A1 motor (no IMS) the base cars have 2.9L and are not DFI. The S models have DFI.

I have asked this a couple times on this forum when I have seen it but how can one get rid of the IMS all together?

Fit a dfi engine :D

If a 09 is in your price range, buy it and say to heazy with the whole Ixx hooplah. Drove a 2011 base, and eventhough my S was faster, that car was beautiful inside and out. Even rolled smoother with the newer dammpners than my car. As long as the engine isn't blowing up, can't go wrong.

Well I should have said no bearings like an 09+ DFi engine. The bearing are the enemy within. The LNE Solution for single bearing cars uses no ball bearings, thus you never have to deal with IMS issue ever again. But the cost is higher obviously.