Drove a 09 Cayman S: Big mistake!

[surf40]

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?

[juicepro]

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.

[Hayden]

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.

[Ian c]

I'd get the 09 ...

[fatmike]

If you want to really make a mistake, go drive a 2014 Cayman S.


/

[Jake Raby]

Or take a drive in the Flat 6/ LN "Cayman X" with a full 4.2 liters of fury, based on the 9a1 DFI power plant.
:-)

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by fatmike

If you want to really make a mistake, go drive a 2014 Cayman S.


/

I did on the infield roadrace course in Fontana CA up to 100 mph. Was it more comfortable to ride in than my 2000 3.6 Box S ? Yes. Easier to drive? Yes. Better suspension? Yes. Feel like I was cheating with PDK & other driver aids? Yes. Would I trade 4 of my cars for it? Heck NO!

[recycledsixtie]

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....

[Perfectlap]

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.

[The French Dude]

Does Cayman 06 have ims issues ?

[stephen wilson]

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.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

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.

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.

[trimer]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

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.

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?

[surf40]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Right now there's still a huge jump in pricing from 05-08 to 09+. That's like standing on a bubble.

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

[Ian c]

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

[husker boxster]

Cars in general, including Porsches, hit a depreciation drop in yr 4. Maybe because warranties are running out. The 09's will be hitting that drop this yr.

However, there was this little thing called a recession that hit in 08 and it drastically affected sales of the 09 Caymans. 08 Cayman sales were in the 20K units while 09 Cayman sales were less than 2K. With a more desirable motor and substantially fewer 09s in circulation, the laws of supply and demand take over. Chances are the 09s will hold their value better than other yrs.

PerfectLap mentions the IMSB in an 06-08 Cayman will fail at some pt. He mentions it happening after 100K mi. If you make it to or past 100K mi, is it really a design flaw? My point is a 987.1 is a reliable car. There are plenty of 06s that are now getting into the 100K mi category. The 987s with the M97 engine were not included in the Porsche settlement because they don't break IMSs at a substantial rate. Don't discount buying a 987.1 because of IMS.

[Johnny Danger]

Drive a 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale and you'll forget all about the Cayman.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

Drive a 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale and you'll forget all about the Cayman.

360CS still commands big money vs the Modena.

This article does have a point...

Could an Old Ferrari be a Better Deal than a New 911? | 6SpeedOnline.com

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

PerfectLap mentions the IMSB in an 06-08 Cayman will fail at some pt. He mentions it happening after 100K mi. If you make it to or past 100K mi, is it really a design flaw?

If the engine would easily survive well past 100k if not for the bearing then I would call that a design flawe. And by survive I mean an engine that could be rebuilt without having to contend with the sort of carnage you often get with IMS failures. And using a sealed bearing where oil starvation could lead to this much destruction was inherently flawed engineering. Servicing a bearing by only one means, engine splitting, when already built cars don't need this added expense, is head-scratching engineering. To me it says they didn't really investigate the cause of failures but instead chose to concentrate on raising the level of tolerance before failure.

P.s.
I agree with you entirely on peak credit crisis cars holding value, so as long as interest rates remain low. But Bernanke seems to be telling us that the saying "all good things must come to an end" is about to come true. I would be selling real soon if i dont plan to keep a soon to be out of warranty car. Which means if I'm a buyer I'm waiting until next year or at least depositing the cash from a loan now to use later when loans get harder to get for the same rates and amounts.

[Ian c]

BUY GOLD !!! BUY GOLD !!!



The amount of guys on here with "LN" in the signatures is astonishing .
Are you really trying to say "I'm smarter than porsche , and smarter than you ... Look at me !!! " Lmao

Yet in the same sentence bemoaning the porsche they own being a mass produced "disposable car" ...

It really is ridiculous .

Porsche have allways been about "evolution not revolution" , yet many big-up there older cars at the expense of the far superior later cars .., why is that ?
Ego self pleasure ?
Listen to your mummy ... That will make you blind you know .

Porsche "problems" have been going on for years , yet overall they are great cars .
Car guys simply learn about the issues , deal with them , and move on .
No crying .
No bull .
No Internet expertise .
Just drive them and have fun ...

:ah: