£17k to spend - Cayman vs 911 - Page 3 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Afternoon, As the title suggests. What would be your go to out of the two. I have £17k ish burning a hole in my pocket and a 40th birthday fast approaching. I'm looking for a car I can drive daily on a short 9mile commute across country lanes but also have some fun road trip and the occasional track visit. Both the Cayman S and the 996 can be had for this price and both seem close on basic stats. However, this would be my first Porsche. The closest I have come is a 2 mile blast in an original Boxster. What would the great font of PH knowledge do with their money?? Edited by microgod on Monday 10th October 14:29

17k, I'd buy the best Boxster I could find ..... if not one of those a Cayman, 17k is bottom of the 911 market and likely a potential money pit. same could be said f the others but you'd be starting with a more modern car that may not have entered dubious ownership due to value drop.

Definitely go in with eyes wide open about the potential spend AFTER buying A 987 gen 2 Cayman with that sweet 2.9 might be a good starting point. Engine will barely be warmed up at 9 miles though Edited by Andyoz on Monday 10th October 15:23

987.2 boxter / cayman with the 2.9 none DFi engine . Handles better than any 911 , lower forward risk and running costs and hopefully zero depreciation. Manual of course for greater involvement.

Without asking personel questions, do you have kids or a small dog? If the answer is yes then the 911 is your choice. I have what i think is a £20k 911 & TBH its not a money pit , so costs are ok

£17k should just get you into a Gen 2 3.4 Boxster. That’s where my money would be going. Good time to buy.

Be patient, “Winter is coming”, keep saving and buy a 996 in the first or second quarter of next year. It may not handle as well as a any mid-engined Porsche, but it’ll be more of an event to drive. And it’s far, far cooler ...

microgod said: Afternoon, As the title suggests. What would be your go to out of the two. I have £17k ish burning a hole in my pocket and a 40th birthday fast approaching. I'm looking for a car I can drive daily on a short 9mile commute across country lanes but also have some fun road trip and the occasional track visit. Both the Cayman S and the 996 can be had for this price and both seem close on basic stats. However, this would be my first Porsche. The closest I have come is a 2 mile blast in an original Boxster. What would the great font of PH knowledge do with their money?? Edited by microgod on Monday 10th October 14:29 Thing is, will you continue to have money burning a hole in your pocket for the upkeep of the car. At that budge both models are potentially going to be bags of spanner’s, in time. True, any car could, and not a sweeping statement, but at this budget and of this age of car, they have a significant head-start to being so.

£17k of 911 would keep me awake at night! Buy a 2.7 or 2.9 Cayman, the S model doesn't feel that much faster, and the base models have nicer suspension. You have to rev them a bit more but they make a beautiful noise when you do.

Thanks everyone for your wise words. I think the general consensus is the Cayman, Didn't realise I could just get in to a gen 2 so may try pushing the budget. The Boxster is an option but we already have a 2series convertible so I'd rather go for the coupe. As advised I'm trying to go in eyes open and repair costs are a concern but its just the danger of swimming in this pool and a risk I'm willing to take. Think as mentioned above I'm going to hold off for another few months and see what winter does to values and give me enough time to add a little more to the budget. I'll be back once the purchase has been made and you can all tell me how I got it wrong

I think Slippy nailed it. If you're intending longer term ownership or even looking at this as a stepping stone - I think your money will be safer in a carefully chosen 996 - they're at the bottom of their depreciation curve.

Penguinracer said: I think Slippy nailed it. If you're intending longer term ownership or even looking at this as a stepping stone - I think your money will be safer in a carefully chosen 996 - they're at the bottom of their depreciation curve. They have been at the bottom & on their way back up, I have a folder from previous owner that is at least 5 inch thick with every receipt ever spent on the car, every page laminated & there is a sales receipt in there for the car sale for something like £8,700 about 8-9 years ago.

987.1 have bottomed out, as well, depreciation wise. That's where my money would go, or maybe a 987.2, though the stated budget is a bit tight. 996s are now getting quite old and significant rust is becoming an issue, along with all the other stuff. I'm not anti a 996, they're fab, but for me it's a car you buy because you really want a 996 and are willing to buy one and then sort it. If you're not clearly set on a 996 and know what you are doing, I'd steer clear. It's harder to find a good one, easier to end up with a dud, especially for the relatively uninitiated. For the same money as a ratty 996, you can have a really fresh, stellar 987.1 that has relatively few immediate needs and can be enjoyed from the get go. The issue with the 987.1 is that the 3.4 lump is a total liability. So, you either go with a 3.2 Boxster, or if you don't want a Box it's either the 2.7 Croc, which is a bit slow (none of these cars being discussed are rocket ships, obviously, but the 2.7 987 really is a little light on torque), or find a Harteched 3.4. £17k is a bit tight for a 987.2 Croc at the moment, it will get you a slightly miley 2.9. But it's a reasonable budget for a Boxster and that would also be a good buy. Anyway, for me the 996 is a better buy for an experienced hand or someone who really likes 996s. If the remit is a bit broader and less specific, I'd be looking at a newer and likely less complicated 987 purchase of some kind. I don't think the 996 is the safer bet, I think it's riskier due to greater chance of expensive issues, especially for a first time buyer.

Meant to add, there are still zillions of clean, low mile 987s out there to choose from. Much smaller pool of 996s you can say that of, which for the first time buyer I think is a major factor. Any of these cars can throw up loads of expensive issues, of course. But I think it will be far easier to end up in a really clean, non problematic 987 at this budget and as a first time buyer. Will be relatively easy to find one, if desired, from one of the better traders who will back the car for at least six months, a year in some cases, and offer a low-stress turn-key experience. Of course, the OP may be very hands on and not worried about all that, in which case the calculations / trade offs will be different.

Jonny - I agree...the 996 is on the way up...which makes it a safer bet now than perhaps four years ago. If you want a 911 on a £17K budget...now's the time...it won't get any cheaper.

Over-production does result in market compression. Just the Bentley Continental GT suppressed Arnage prices which in turn surpassed Turbo R prices, so the market position of the vanilla 997 will ultimately dictate the ceiling for vanilla 996's. High production numbers will ultimately tell in market values.

Personally I'd go 996. Technically inferior, almost certain to cost more to run and maintain and arguably the 'worst' 911. But I'd never pass a 911 and think I could have bought one of those with wistful regret.

ChocolateFrog said: Personally I'd go 996. Technically inferior, almost certain to cost more to run and maintain and arguably the 'worst' 911. But I'd never pass a 911 and think I could have bought one of those with wistful regret. I think the Cayman is a better car than a 996, which to my mind is the low point for the 911.

paulguitar said: ChocolateFrog said: Personally I'd go 996. Technically inferior, almost certain to cost more to run and maintain and arguably the 'worst' 911. But I'd never pass a 911 and think I could have bought one of those with wistful regret. I think the Cayman is a better car than a 996, which to my mind is the low point for the 911. That's the point I've just made. But I can remember the first time I saw a Caymen when they first came out and that was also the last time I gave one a second look that wasn't a GT4 derivative. Whereas I still note every 911 I see despite there being so many out there. Ropey 996's used to be £5-6k, they're over double that already, that's definitely where my money would go.

ChocolateFrog said: That's the point I've just made. But I can remember the first time I saw a Caymen when they first came out and that was also the last time I gave one a second look that wasn't a GT4 derivative. Whereas I still note every 911 I see despite there being so many out there. Ropey 996's used to be £5-6k, they're over double that already, that's definitely where my money would go. I love the 911 but the 996 just looks wrong to me, unless it's the turbo. I'm starting to think the one that works best is the 964, but those have got a bit pricey...

OP, my budget was a little higher than you (but not by much) and I went down the 987.2 Cayman route with a 2.9 manual car. I’ve had it just over two years now and I’m still delighted with it, it handles so well and sounds sublime. I looked at 996 and 997.1 cars and eventually decided I didn’t want to take the risk on the potential issues they can have. If you are anywhere near West Oxfordshire, you’re more than welcome to come and have a cuppa and a nose around the car.

Same budget and same choice about 5 years ago, I bought a sorted 2.7 Cayman from a good specialist. Still have it, and never regretted not buying something else.

ChocolateFrog said: That's the point I've just made. But I can remember the first time I saw a Caymen when they first came out and that was also the last time I gave one a second look that wasn't a GT4 derivative. Whereas I still note every 911 I see despite there being so many out there. Ropey 996's used to be £5-6k, they're over double that already, that's definitely where my money would go. I find it fascinating how folks have such differing views. I'm the opposite...think the Cayman is the best looking car Porsche make, esp the earlier 987's and 981's. I don't dislike 911's at all - quite the opposite, but a Cayman....just gorgeous.

This is a lovely colour combo, if he had knocked the price when I spoke to him ( I believe it was £18996) and it checked out I would have bought it instead of my E63. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022080183... In hindsight I am pleased to have bought a truly silly car instead of the 987/996 I was looking for. The genuine carbon folding buckets are worth a fortune so you could sell them and this would be a cheap 987.2 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022052561...

£17k 911 you say…worth a call to Ashgoods

Used to think the boggo 996 relatively hideous from new. But with some subtle mods can become very different proposition. A good colour, slight lowering, a ducktail, and perhaps wheels, and niiice... Cayman / Boxster nothing wrong but they will always be the "not a 911", rightly or wrongly.

I do like the white one linked above and it may encourage some budget creep. However, I'm also loving this - https://www.flat-sixperformance.co.uk/used-porsche... Would rather have the 2.7/2.9 but look, its a colour not a shade of grey and the interior is not black..... Perfect

philj said: £17k 911 you say…worth a call to Ashgoods I was about to go and screengrab the same thing - 997 prices increased along with everything else but now seem to be sliding back towards pre-covid. The Ashgood one sounds good but I expect it’ll sell quickly!

microgod said: and the interior is not black..... Perfect But it is plastic and thse cars really benefit from the ext leather option...

AndrewGP said: OP, my budget was a little higher than you (but not by much) and I went down the 987.2 Cayman route with a 2.9 manual car. I’ve had it just over two years now and I’m still delighted with it, it handles so well and sounds sublime. I looked at 996 and 997.1 cars and eventually decided I didn’t want to take the risk on the potential issues they can have. If you are anywhere near West Oxfordshire, you’re more than welcome to come and have a cuppa and a nose around the car. Pretty much exactly the same as Andrew! I browsed some 911s around this budget but in the end opted for a 987.2 2.9 manual Cayman. Owned it since March 2021 and it's been fantastic. Currently for sale, sadly, as a house purchase is around the corner. But I'd absolutely recommend one.

My old 2.9 is for sale, full extended leather and it has the sports seats, but a bit over your budget. Great cars.

JackReacher said: My old 2.9 is for sale, full extended leather and it has the sports seats, but a bit over your budget. Great cars. Link?

I would avoid a 996 tip and a lot of the budget end cars are tip, we had one and it was always in a rush to get in to 5th, it never felt that quick even when using the buttons to change. I have a 987.1 manual boxster S 3.4 on 117k miles, it feels much quicker, much better handling and has not really cost me anything to own other than changing a snapped front spring recently. I guess it is worth £9-10k - you could buy something like that and keep a bit behind for any refurbs and then move up later? I think I will sell mine before too long as I have too many other things but I cannot fault the car.

buccal said: JackReacher said: My old 2.9 is for sale, full extended leather and it has the sports seats, but a bit over your budget. Great cars. Link? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209270145853?advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=22500&postcode=Ct117ew&model=Cayman&page=2&price-from=20000&make=Porsche&include-delivery-option=on&sort=relevance

Had a 996.1 tip drop top, had the cash and it turned out to be a great car but i am pretty handy with a spanner and had a durametric by the end. Driven a 987.1 2.7 Cayman for a little while, was a lot of fun and easy to throw around. Was not mine so didnt touch it maintenance wise. Now have a 997.2 I would get the 996, the extra space (bags/shopping/children/tyres) / 3.4 / 911 experience and it is a safer bet to keep your money long term. I made money on mine driving it for a couple of years as a daily even after maintenance costs thrown in. Add in getting a good tool kit, some maintenance books and a durametric and you should be able to keep the costs down even if it needs some TLC being a lower budget car. The 987 Cayman was fun and i would love to get one to go with the 911 but more that a 7.2 is now stupid money in Aus so takes some of the fun of parking at a supermarket out of things. Both are a lot of fun.

Hi, I'm selling a 2004 996 C2 manual non sunroof coupe with just under 100k miles and full history that meets your budget, let me know asap if it's of any interest to you because it'll be going into the dealers on Monday if not.

Fiammetta said: 987.2 boxter / cayman with the 2.9 none DFi engine . Handles better than any 911 , lower forward risk and running costs and hopefully zero depreciation. Manual of course for greater involvement. What he said ^

roca1976 said: The genuine carbon folding buckets are worth a fortune so you could sell them and this would be a cheap 987.2 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022052561... Kudos to the original owner for speccing those seats on a base model. To the OP - those seats are potentially £5-7k which gives you a £15k 2.9 Cayman. Absolute bargain.

SPX1 said: Hi, I'm selling a 2004 996 C2 manual non sunroof coupe with just under 100k miles and full history that meets your budget, let me know asap if it's of any interest to you because it'll be going into the dealers on Monday if not. After doing 450 miles in 2 days around the Scottish highlands in my 996.1 coupe manual I have to say the above is your clear winner. I’ve added up my purchase price, my bills for last 6 years including insurance and I still don’t get to what I’d sell it for now. Basically I’ve been paid to drive a 911

johnnyBv8 said: philj said: £17k 911 you say…worth a call to Ashgoods I was about to go and screengrab the same thing - 997 prices increased along with everything else but now seem to be sliding back towards pre-covid. The Ashgood one sounds good but I expect it’ll sell quickly! A friend was trying to see a 997, and no interest. Everyone on the sidelines.

microgod said: Thanks everyone for your wise words. I think the general consensus is the Cayman, Didn't realise I could just get in to a gen 2 so may try pushing the budget. The Boxster is an option but we already have a 2series convertible so I'd rather go for the coupe. As advised I'm trying to go in eyes open and repair costs are a concern but its just the danger of swimming in this pool and a risk I'm willing to take. Think as mentioned above I'm going to hold off for another few months and see what winter does to values and give me enough time to add a little more to the budget. I'll be back once the purchase has been made and you can all tell me how I got it wrong Honestly your posts read like you are looking for reasons not to buy one. Looking forward to pictures.

Fiammetta said: 987.2 boxter / cayman with the 2.9 none DFi engine . Handles better than any 911 , lower forward risk and running costs and hopefully zero depreciation. Manual of course for greater involvement. This , the 996 and to a lesser extent the Cayman 3.4 have engine concerns over the long term.