Cayman vs 370Z (inc Reliability)... - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

How much of a performance bargain is the Cayman really? I have been fighting with my head and my heart for a while now on what to get next and feel like a Cayman would be the logical step forward having almost reached the magical three-oh, having expired most of the hot hatches on my list and chasing the never ending requirement for more power and performance from my daily drive. I currently own a 2003 Honda Integra DC5 and really enjoy driving it - Its good cheap thrills, super reliable and handles like its on rails, I have had loads of Hondas including S2000 and fancy something similar but with more torque. I would get an FD2 but the Mrs says I need to grow up a bit so…. I have researched a bit into the 981 Cayman (2006 models) and I never compromise on engine specifications, and so naturally want the 3.4S with a manual gearbox. However after doing a bit of research I find the internet littered with horror stories about RMS/ IMS failure and seemingly more increased reports of catastrophic engine failure through excessive oil use, leading to engines smoking heavily and eventually leaving owners with scored bores and what I would class as ‘excessively large’ bills…. I have considered other cars, the 370Z is a close contender and if it weren’t for the £485/year tax I would have to stump up it would be a closer call between the two. However this extra seems small potatoes when you consider Gen 1 Cayman engine rebuild costs at 5k+! I drive pretty hard and probably do about 8k a year, no track work. I want a reliable, fast car that gives real depth of feedback, begs to be driven at 10/10ths and puts a smile on my face daily. Of course I could just get a warranty from Porsche on a Cayman but that’s just another yearly bill to pay, which leads me onto my question(s). How reliable are the 3.4 Cayman engines? Is it worth getting a warranty? Is the 370Z really a contender for the Porsche? Thanks in advance for constructive comments.

Is the 370Z really a contender for the Porsche? nope you can just tell the extra weight straight away on B roads, it's more GT car imo. and as you have noticed fuel and tax are big issues.

981 would be great, but a 2006 is a 987. I wouldn't buy an 06 Cayman S if you paid me to. Either go newer or buy something else.

ok lets assume i cant afford a newer one! What makes the 987 such a bad car? Remember, ive not come from a 911 GT3RS, 458 speciale, or a Lambourghini sesto elemento.... I drive a Honda Integra. Im pretty sure I will consider the Porsche a step up.

I tried the 370Z when looking to come out of my Exige, but I found it to be a big cumbersome, heavy feeling lumbering thing, which was a great disappointment, as I love the looks, equipment levels and most of all, the price! In truth, I would take my 981 PDK all day long over a manual 370Z, even at twice the price - oops, wrong thread ;-) Edit to add, I couldn't get comfy in any 986/7 car, they seem to be built around people with short legs?

987.2 is fine for me and I am 5'11.

I came out of a 350Z into my 2007 Cayman S and the difference is massive. As already mentioned, the Nissan is a heavy car compaired to the Porsche and this is extremely noticeable especially when pushing on a bit. The Porsche is considerably more nimble and responsive in every way. It also sounds a hell of a lot better too. Yes, there are plenty of horror stories out there with regards to the M97 engine, but the main one you need to be aware of is bore scoring as Cayman's have the latter IMS bearing which is proving to be more reliable. Your options are to: 1) take out a Porsche warranty, 2) get a maintenance plan from someone such as Hartech, 3) keep an emergency fund just in case the worst should happen. The road fund licence is no cheaper on the Cayman S than it is for the 370Z unless you purchase a 2008/9 or later model.

Trev450 said: I came out of a 350Z into my 2007 Cayman S and the difference is massive. As already mentioned, the Nissan is a heavy car compaired to the Porsche and this is extremely noticeable especially when pushing on a bit. The Porsche is considerably more nimble and responsive in every way. It also sounds a hell of a lot better too. Yes, there are plenty of horror stories out there with regards to the M97 engine, but the main one you need to be aware of is bore scoring as Cayman's have the latter IMS bearing which is proving to be more reliable. Your options are to: 1) take out a Porsche warranty, 2) get a maintenance plan from someone such as Hartech, 3) keep an emergency fund just in case the worst should happen. The road fund licence is no cheaper on the Cayman S than it is for the 370Z unless you purchase a 2008/9 or later model. + 1

If you're looking for torque then don't go for the 2.7 Cayman, that thrives on revs like your S2000 did. I imagine the 3.4S has more torque, or if you can stretch to a 997.2 you'll have all the torque you need and no IMS bearing, but no money left in the bank! Personally I don't buy into the IMS panic. I had a 130 000 mile 996 which had never had an IMS problem, just a bit of bore scoring which resulted in a small puff of smoke on start up. Not worth spending thousands on. It was all the other bits which wore out first! I think the lower power of the Caymans puts less stress on the similar engine and results in fewer problems - the main thing is to have it maintained properly with the right lubricants.

Trev450 said: The road fund licence is no cheaper on the Cayman S than it is for the 370Z unless you purchase a 2008/9 or later model. it is on a pre May 2005 Cayman S, a big reason my Gen 1 was that year.

mrdemon said: Trev450 said: The road fund licence is no cheaper on the Cayman S than it is for the 370Z unless you purchase a 2008/9 or later model. it is on a pre May 2005 Cayman S, a big reason my Gen 1 was that year. I think you mean 2006 - but yes I'd overlooked the introduction date of the higher band.

anonymous said: [redacted] A friend of mine had to have the RMS replaced at 15K miles on his 2007 Cayman.

BoyRacerChaser said: How reliable are the 3.4 Cayman engines? Is it worth getting a warranty? Thanks in advance for constructive comments. What you are basically asking is how long is a piece of string. What invariably happens on the internet when the same questions are asked is a bunch of people who have been hit with bore scoring will tell you the engines are made of cheese but they have no actual failure numbers to allow you to quantify the issue, and when asked will say things like they fail 'regularly', or 'more than average', 'a lot', which doesn't help you at all. Then those like myself will come along to say there car has made it to 70k miles with no issues (i recently had a boroscope to prove it) and so you are left with nothing reliable to go on. In theory a warranty makes sense but many out there will regard bore scoring as wear and tear and aren't worth the paper there written on. You could go for the porsche warranty but then you won't be able to mod the car and if you keep it for a number of years you will want the engine to blow just to get your money back on all the extra cost maintaining the warranty entails. Personally I don't have a warranty. The way i look at it is, any car can in theory blow the engine, so don't buy one if you can't afford to repair it if the worst happens.

anonymous said: [redacted] And how does that help the original poster weigh up the risks exactly, are you suggesting that no one at all should buy a 987 because 'some' cars fail? Don't be ridiculous man...

anonymous said: [redacted] Unfortunately I have read many of your posts on this subject in the past and you seem hellbent on some form of crusade to convert others to your twisted view with this sort of childish baiting but I feel no compulsion to engage or encourage what reads to me as just neurotic drivel.

anonymous said: [redacted] Unfortunately I have read many of your posts on this subject in the past and you seem hellbent on some form of crusade to convert others to your twisted view with this sort of childish baiting but I feel no compulsion to engage or encourage what reads to me as just neurotic drivel.

BoyRacerChaser said: ok lets assume i cant afford a newer one! What makes the 987 such a bad car? Remember, ive not come from a 911 GT3RS, 458 speciale, or a Lambourghini sesto elemento.... I drive a Honda Integra. Im pretty sure I will consider the Porsche a step up. Something to consider...when new 987.1 was an expensive car even though they can now be bought for a reasonable sum they still have the running costs of the original price tag, if you budget for this then that's OK plus a slush fund for any unexpected repairs. A word of warning if you have a test drive of a Cayman no hot hatch will come close to the driving pleasure you sampled...you will have to buy one there will be no going back. Nissan...no, Porsche...yes.