What’s considered high mileage for a 987.1 Cayman S?

Curious to know what you guys would consider to be high mileage in a 987.1 Cayman S . 100k, 150k?

If I'm buying it, 100,000 If I'm selling, 150,000

I’d agree with that^… I think what your trying to ask is: at what point in a flat 6’s life would I expect to pay 20k plus for a rebuild?.. there is a 200k mile club.. sure would make a difference on how much I’d pay for one. Porsche ’s are different tho because their worth rebuilding..99% of the junk out there isn’t…

100k seems to be a big price change point. The asking price drops off pretty quick after that. Even with the age of the car, I seem to see more with fewer than 100k than more. Funny thing, I recently bought a 2006 with 90k and it hasn't been registered for about a decade. Somebody drove the crap out of that car when it was new.

Only cars with high values and high mileage are the special editions or especially antiques such as Speedsters or 356's

Well, it’s inevitable what’s to follow… I had a friend that worked at Vertex Porsche and they bought 996/ 986 IMS failure cars in the 2000-5000$ range… they can drop a rebuilt in for way less than we can… 5-10k profit those cars but it’s good to go for another 10-15yrs… and worth doing, so it’s all justified but know that a higher mileage car will at some point require a high dollar fix or ticket… and know one wants to pay for that if they don’t have too.. anyone want an 80k mile Cayman S ? 🤣 it’s really nicely modded and has RS decals on the wing ! Haha

It was inevitable when I bought it. It had bore scoring, so a rebuild was required. I'm in the middle of building a LN 3.8 now.

And when that’s done it will be a mon$ter!! We’re at an interesting cross roads with sports cars right now… generally speaking development has stopped on the motors that we know it… so imo if you can and you like the car… totally worth it!!!

I grabbed a Base 2005 987.1 with ~47,000 miles. I can't find anything wrong with it. It was a southern car, garage kept by all appearances, and only two owners. I'm old and I too have noticed the shrinking market for genuine light and simple (analog) sports cars. While researching the options if/when the day ever came that it might need a motor, I came across a rebuilt motor by a well respected source and I grabbed it at a bargain price. I don't know if I will ever need it, but I no longer have to be concerned. I just DRIVE and enjoy. They are such an amazing driver's car from an Era we will never see again. I think they are a bargain!

The base never had bore scoring issues… big bonus!! I’ve never driven a base but I’m sure it’s not far off

They say a base model has less problems. A base has a lower selling price also. Good for the buyer but not the seller. Its currently a sellers market. I put my 08 S up for sale in November, thinking I overpriced it. Sold it in one day and had 2 guys begging for it. 98000 miles, for the record. Yes I no longer have a Cayman so I should not even be posting here.

Well assuming you got great cash for it… save the cash and wait for the economic crash again… it’s coming in some form..

I got stupid money for it. Bought a Corvette. Let the hating begin.

Depends on the MY… I tracked one a lot for a friend (long story)… C6Z06… great car, absolute rattle trap tho.. I’m not a front engine sports car guy.. Porsche , MR2, Exige, R8 for me

For the record, I have daily driven Corvettes for 32 of the last 42 years, so I have an idea of what I am getting into.

Best bang for the buck no doubt and cheaper to fix…. I’ll probably give up one p car for the Lotus Emira…. Me likey!!! The 2GR motor rules

When I look for a used car, mileage is certainly one of the items. Some others that I weigh as well: 1) Garage kept - especially if it keeps the car from temp extremes and UV light. I don't think I would buy a Porsche that wasn't unless it was going to be a track car. 2) The maintenance schedule - especially oil and tranny. Records really help. 3) The previous owner - easy to get an idea of what kind of caretaker they might be. Even their knowledge of the particular model. 4) Sometimes you can get an idea if the miles are highway or city by where the previous owner lives. I drive lots of highway miles myself and have multiple cars with 150-250k miles that show far less than that due to highway miles.

My 987.1 is a 2005, but not a Cayman . Sorry if I wasn't clear about the top down feature. 🤣

Obviously not a problem. I think your standing here is still in good stead. Pretty looking car. I like the exhaust tips. One of the reasons I did a cat back exhaust was to change the ugly stock tips.

Yea, a fellow inmate here had a Carnewal 'd exhaust in his garage and the tips. I cleaned it all up to like new brightness and installed it. I've had a blast putting this car on the rack and looking in, up, around, at every nook and cranny. I honestly thought it would be an occasional sunny day car for me, but I have become so smitten that it has become the primary amongst my 3 cars/truck. It's SO well designed and put together.

Nice angle.. I miss having access to a shop here in MN.. life was so easy, it looking like I’ll have to get a hoist but I’d rather not.

I use a similar list when buying a used car. My wife and I flew from Washington State to Chicago to get our CS several years ago. After the owner and I had corresponded two or three times, I felt comfortable with him and the car. If it hadn't worked out, it would have been a long walk home! Fortunately, the seller and the car were just as I expected and the car performed flawlessly on the long drive back to Washington. It still drives well, especially now that the sloppy plastic shifter has been replaced by a Numeric Racing unit.

Just a consideration...... If that " Porsche replacement cost" is found hauntingly in the back of your mind while you own your Porsche , it can mute the enjoyment to some degree. But you already own it and it is running just fine currently..... So be on the lookout for a motor all the time, especially while there is no urgency. There are all kinds of circumstances that can make a perfectly healthy motor be available for much le$$ than that $number we all have in our " Porsche replacement cost" mind. I tripped across a post a few months ago that implied there was a Flat6 Innovations rebuilt 2.7 on the shelf. I inquired and was very pleased to find that I could acquire it at a bargain. And I did! Obviously I don't know if I will ever need it, but I gotta tell you just having it stored in the barn makes every ride in my Porsche just that much more enjoyable without that "what if" in the back of my mind. I bet it's like taking an umbrella with you, if you know what I mean. Lol

It’s not haunting me or keeping from driving it at all… it is a reality that can become very real that’s all I’m saying

I purchased an extended warranty. Good for 5 years/70,000 miles. Double and triple checked that it covered engine failure from anything other than outright neglect. I sleep well at night.

Just a heads up on aftermarket warranty companies. I asked the manager of a local highly regarded Porsche shop which aftermarket warranty they thought was best. "Hands down Zurich." Apparently, the claims go through smoothly, they pay the shop rate ($160/hr) and they pay for the diagnosis. I have no dogs in this race.. I don't have a car qualified for an aftermarket warranty - so I'm just passing the info along.

I’ve heard of them with good outcomes too..