Went to see a Cayman 987 aaand… - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Didn’t buy it. At the risk of calling the dealership into disrepute, I won’t share their name/location but safe to say, they won’t be getting my money… Ignored by the chap in the dealer with a sniff and told I could look around it (perfect for me in fact! Meant I got to have a really good snoop around, undisturbed), I began my inspection. It’s a 2.7 manual and very base spec - this was ideal as, having not viewed a cayman before, certainly not with the intention of buying, I was keen to see what the various specs are like in the flesh. I was pleasantly surprised by how high quality it felt inside and non-scratchy without the extended leather. Outside the paint was absolutey covered in swirls and a large patch of laquer bubbles on the rear ‘haunches’ above the wheel arch. More worryingly, the front of the offside sill looked like this: Looked like some spray/replacement work perhaps? And the rust… odd. You may also spot some pink liquid on the floor here. Despite the salesman assuring me it was “from a ropey Fiesta that was parked there”, I could visibly trace the leak to the shell of the car. Any ideas what this would have been? Coolant fluid? Tyres were all a mess. Rear Bridgestones both heavily cracked and two new super-budget tyres on the front: Looking past the basic valet, there was evidence that the car really hadn’t had much love in recent years… lots of green moss hidden around the seals/badges etc: So, a few questions from my initial Cayman viewing to help me judge future cars by: - is rust on the sills a common issue? I didn’t think so. - what would the pink liquid leaking be behind the offside front wheel? - are laquer issues common with paint? - this was a £15.5k car, 70k odd and full service history. Am I expecting too much for this sort of money? I appreciate it’s not top of the market but nor is it bottom. Just trying to get my expectations in line really. Thanks for any thoughts in advance!

There is a chance the pink liquid is coolant from the cross over pipes, its very common and cost around £1000 to do it right - we replace everything in one go rather than parts of it. You would want to carry out wheel geo too as you drop the front subframe to do it. The rust... that would bother me, its hardly a new car and its a common place for paint to flake and rust - our Mk1 TT used to do it. The swirls and the green stuff around the badge, again not an issue, not everything is loved some people just drive them because they are a Porsche and their neighbours have one. Service history and spec would be key for me. At the moment the stock isn't out there so you dealers are probably selling cars they wouldn't normally retail.

Sounds like it's not had much love recently, even without the coolant link anyone putting budget tyres on a Porsche is likely to have skimped elsewhere. That money should get you something decent - I'd choose a private sale with a solid service history and an owner who's cherished it over something in a dealer with a warranty that probably isn't worth much in real life.

Corrosion on the leading edge of the sill is quite common with that age of 987. My old 987.1 2.7 had it. My 11 987.2 S hasn’t got the above problem (yet) but the odd minor spot of lacquer peel around the intakes. The above isn’t to say anything about the car you saw (which personally I’d look elsewhere) but in case you encounter on other examples when looking. Did you test drive at all? Edited by T1547 on Saturday 5th February 19:12

Niall0tdi said: Didn’t buy it. Outside the paint was absolutey covered in swirls Looking past the basic valet, there was evidence that the car really hadn’t had much love in recent years… lots of green moss hidden around the seals/badges etc: I wouldn't worry about the swirls and moss. Check my Cayman R before and after which was similar to the one you have been to see. https://twitter.com/perfectionvalet/status/1300855... https://twitter.com/perfectionvalet/status/1300353... https://twitter.com/perfectionvalet/status/1300854... https://twitter.com/perfectionvalet/status/1300870...

The leading edges of the cills are in the firing line for everything that comes off of the tyres. Often the edges of the arches get surface rust too. I say to sort. But that looks like some had a crap go at it with a spray can. That and leak would have me walk from that dealer, very poor prep. But can all be sorted. But it and the odd tyres point to it being poorly looked after.

You did well to walk away. That looks like it’s been far from loved and looked after. Last year I bought a 987.1 Boxster S from a dealer which was immaculate. One previous owner (which doesn’t mean that much - I’ve bought a Boxster before with 10 previous owners and it was fantastic condition) and was as close to perfect as you could get. The car cost £14.5k and has only needed a few cosmetic things doing to it. I’d certainly buy from one of the reputable Porsche independents as they have a reputation to keep. I’ve seen some horrors before at bog standard car dealers. There are definitely gems to be had out there. Patience is the key thing and pick your dealers well.

Always go for a well known indie. They check and prep properly they really do. The cars they reject - and there are LOADS trust me - then end up at these “normal” garages. These are specialist cars and need regular maintenance and upkeep. For me even budget tyres would make me walk away it just shows someone has spent the minimum they can get away with. If you can’t afford an indie car, save a bit longer and then get one. Buy a bad car and the bills can be eye watering, but they don’t need to be if you buy right. Just my advice after buying numerous Porsche over the past 10 years..

The tyres alone would be enough to make me walk away.

SpyderMatt said: Always go for a well known indie. They check and prep properly they really do. The cars they reject - and there are LOADS trust me - then end up at these “normal” garages. These are specialist cars and need regular maintenance and upkeep. For me even budget tyres would make me walk away it just shows someone has spent the minimum they can get away with. If you can’t afford an indie car, save a bit longer and then get one. Buy a bad car and the bills can be eye watering, but they don’t need to be if you buy right. Just my advice after buying numerous Porsche over the past 10 years.. Get on the forums and buy from an enthusiast owner. 15 and a half grand for a ropey 2.7! I think you really should name the dealership in question.

SpyderMatt said: Always go for a well known indie. They check and prep properly they really do. The cars they reject - and there are LOADS trust me - then end up at these “normal” garages. These are specialist cars and need regular maintenance and upkeep. For me even budget tyres would make me walk away it just shows someone has spent the minimum they can get away with. If you can’t afford an indie car, save a bit longer and then get one. Buy a bad car and the bills can be eye watering, but they don’t need to be if you buy right. Just my advice after buying numerous Porsche over the past 10 years.. Get on the forums and buy from an enthusiast owner.

I think with older stuff there is a massive gap between the expectation some buyers have that it should be equivalent to a nearly new car with perfect paintwork, matching tyres, etc, and the reality. As long as you budget for the coolant issue, new tyres, etc and do the necessary due diligence there is probably no reason not to proceed. If you want an immaculate car however, particularly in this market, I suspect you will have to up the budget.

Cheers all! Very helpful advice… I’ll be holding out for a car from a Porsche indi or someone from one of the forums selling privately. It’s made a bit trickier by the fact not all Indi sales are listed on AT / PH so there’s a need to chase around their various websites. Worth it though! Certainly have no expectations of a nearly new car, by the way… Just wouldn’t expect a car that’s well in the mid-money territory of the market to have visible major leaks, plastic tyres and areas of potential dodgy damage repair. I’ll line up more viewings but impression I get is that there’ll be some much nicer versions at the same price from better sellers.

OP, have you tried the Porsche Club UK site? You might find something in there, although spring would be a better to look.

Lexington59 said: I think with older stuff there is a massive gap between the expectation some buyers have that it should be equivalent to a nearly new car with perfect paintwork, matching tyres, etc, and the reality. As long as you budget for the coolant issue, new tyres, etc and do the necessary due diligence there is probably no reason not to proceed. If you want an immaculate car however, particularly in this market, I suspect you will have to up the budget. I’m not sure I agree. This car looks like it’s been neglected. Moss growing around the badge and an obvious leak would suggest to me it hadn’t been well looked after. There are immaculate cars to be had out there but you need to do lots of homework, be extremely patient and buy from an indie who have a strong reputation to keep. OP, is it a gen 1 you’re after?

Far better cars available from dealers that care more.

Nothing a little bit of TLC wouldnt address but that worries me that the dealer didn't do it themselves as part of their prep.

Chubbyross said: OP, have you tried the Porsche Club UK site? You might find something in there, although spring would be a better to look. Yes, a couple of cars on there but way out of budget unfortunately… will be sure to keep checking in there though!

Chubbyross said: Lexington59 said: I think with older stuff there is a massive gap between the expectation some buyers have that it should be equivalent to a nearly new car with perfect paintwork, matching tyres, etc, and the reality. As long as you budget for the coolant issue, new tyres, etc and do the necessary due diligence there is probably no reason not to proceed. If you want an immaculate car however, particularly in this market, I suspect you will have to up the budget. I’m not sure I agree. This car looks like it’s been neglected. Moss growing around the badge and an obvious leak would suggest to me it hadn’t been well looked after. There are immaculate cars to be had out there but you need to do lots of homework, be extremely patient and buy from an indie who have a strong reputation to keep. OP, is it a gen 1 you’re after? Yeah, that’s the view I took - not the one but it doesn’t have to mean all cars should be in as ropey a condition. Great advice… I’ve been hunting for around a year *properly* but only now in the position to be able to make a move on the right car. A gen 1 is most realistic for my budget but have seen a few nice 2.9 gen 2’s at £20-22k which is doable.