Please help difficult decision

I'm in my twilight of life and I am going to purchase my first Porsche . The vehicles I was looking to purchase 2015-2017 Cayman , However I noticed the other day the older gentleman, Has a 2001 911 C4S for sale locally with 31,000 miles in immaculate condition. So I went to take it for a ride it's wonderful the price I believe is right low 30's, I am aware of the IMS issue he says it was never done but all other basic service was, Car sounded and drove fanatic still tight. It doesn't obviously have the modern creature comforts I was hoping for bluetooth, camera etc. but what a ride now I don't know what to do spend the 20k more for a new cayman or save 20k and have this.

The standard advice has always been to buy the newest Porsche you can afford. This is a little different. In my mind the only advantage the 911 has is that it is perceived to be the more prestigious model and so if you care what others think then the 911 might have some appeal. In all other measures, the Cayman is the better car. However, factor in the bias of this Cayman heavy form.

Agreed, it cost the same amount of money for basic maintenance on an older P car car as it does a newer one, however the older models are at that point that things will start to fail that you won't necessarily have to worry about quite yet on a newer model. No problem if you are OK with that and get a good enough deal that there is enough cash reserves from the cheaper car to cover those cost. As you stated, this is a 996 model that has the crappy IMS bearing , so the lower mileage on this car is actually a negative thing. The IMS bearings would typically fail early in the cars life once enough miles were on the car, so a 996 with higher mileage is less likely to have an IMS failure than one that hasnt been driven enough yet to know if there will be an issue with the IMS yet. There is an old saying that really holds true with these cars, "the most expensive Porsche you own will be the cheapest Porsche you buy"

A test ride proves that at the moment the much-feared IMS is performing correctly. You stated you would save 20K, why not price out the cost of the IMS upgrade and negotiate? This is if you have a passion for this 911 . The savings is substantial and those models kept nice will do fine going forward, especially with an IMS upgrade. Lastly, I don't think the "cheaper Porsche " saying applies here, 30K is a clean car with plenty left in the tank for the next owner, even from the photo you can see it's been loved. The real question is do you like that 911 and only you can answer that.

The only reason I considered it was that it is so clean and it drove so nice, I was told the same as the first responder to my post when buying a porsche always buy the latest year model you can afford. I'm sure he'll take 30k for it he mentioned splitting the difference for the cost of the IMS but I think I'm gonna pass and continue my search for a 2016-17 Cayman or possibly Boxster . thanks to all the responded.

Exactly what I was thinking that's why I am passing the lower the milage = higher risk of IMS failure he was soft on the car you can tell better to ride it like a porsche

What is "Twilight"? Have you rolled in and out fo a Cayman ? 1) Drive both and see what you like better (at near equal prices) 2) Set your budget 3) Get the nicest best maintained care at your budget based on what you like. I would not buy new, let some other person pay for the initial depreciation.

I would definitely pass on the 996 and try and get a well-loved 981s Boxster or Cayman . Mid-engine, more of the modern options you want. They have that model year pretty well sorted out. Please don't get me wrong the 911 is a great car, I am just biased and love my Boxster S . You couldn't tell me with the top down on the way to work I should be in an older 911 scheduling the IMS solution install. It's nice that you are able to have a "First World" decision to make in your life. Good luck in your decision no matter which way you go. Let all of us know when you've made it.

i guess there is no wrong or right answer.... only what is right for you.... having said that, taking care of a 22 year old car is different from say a 3-4 year old car. and you didn't mention what you had in mind.... e.g. if you were planning on taking it for long road trips or if you were planning some track time/autocross... and if this is your only car or daily - all of which might influence the type of car and age range. (car not person 😅 )

Well I love 996’s and I actually like the fact that you can change the IMS … I’d check for bore scoring… change the IMS RMS and clutch… great car Personally I’d get the 996. Cayman is a great car tho …. Just get what you want.. at the end of the day the cayman would be a faster car.. Good luck!

I don’t like the 996 or the Cayman . If I where you I would search for a 997 CS Cabrio

Spend the xtra money

Look thru lasts months Panorama. There is is an informative write up on IMS and bore scoring, for 911 's and Boxster / Caymans .

It’s always been a very large topic… it’s becoming a huge issue because the cars are old now…

Don't forget that Porsche now has new headhunts available for the 996/ 986 series cars that have the bluetooth and Apple CarPlay that you want.

Like many here - I loved the look of the Cayman the first time I saw it. There are a few 922's I would love to have - but like most, a 2014- 2016 Cayman , especially an S or GTS are quite simply a better car in many ways. You are going to spend the money one way or another.... spend it on a Cayman . If just love 911 's then go for it. Make yourself happy.

just my humble opinion, but I recommend you get a 981 S.

But the newer Cayman . I bought a 2014 Cayman Base 5 years ago, my friend bought at 1999 Carrera at the same time. I paid $40k and he paid $25 k. He and I both agree that I have the better and more fun to drive car🏎

Cayman it is.

When you say you are looking for a 16-17 remember they are very different 2016 was the final year that all Cay mans were 6 cylinder. Everything except the 4.0 is now a turbo 4 cylinder.

Good point! I only use models nowday unless we’re obviously talking about a 987 etc

That's good advice for a new buyer. I love my 987.1 C-S. I was going to trade up to a .2 but I enjoy the car so much I think I'll just keep it and pick up a Boxster S .2. you mentioned a 996 but what about a 997? The .2 also enjoys a strengthened engine. what about a 981 or a 991? The old engine issues are resolved. I would go there but I want the hydraulic steering.

I’m searching for a clean aero kit 996. I’m going to drop a 4.5 Deman motor in one. I like them because their still small… 997 is the best car imo😁

Not necessarily… they all still have bore scoring.. just wait as they get older..

The 996 C4S is one of the "It" cars these days. I'd be very tempted to go that route. Important to have a quality [not inexpensive] PPI done by a good shop that knows the cars. Buy it, take care of it, and I suspect you will end up with a classic. Either way have fun and good luck.

Ya they are an it car… they just look so good from any angle (turbo body). I’d prefer to find a bad motor model for cheap or a nice runner and sell the motor. I’m not keeping the motor anyway.. 4.5 would be the plan.. imagine 550hp plus in a 996? Fun!! I love 996’s.. 997’s too of course 😁

For what it's worth, Porsche made far less 981s than any other model for the years it was available I believe. I may just be kidding myself to think that my 2014 981 Base will become more collectible than a 911 , and that's not the reason I bought one, but it is nice to have one of the few 981s in a town full of every other type of Porsche .

I think the 987.2 ’s were the low numbered caymans …the eco melt down 2008… 2011-ish? Imo, the 991/ 981 were the mass produced years

Yep, 2009-2012 Caymans were sold in the US in low numbers due to the financial crisis. I had one, and didn't realize just how rare that car was until after it was gone. I want to say that there were only 1,300 or so a year in the US during the crisis with it peaking in 2012 with the lowest value of only 400 or so Caymans sold in the US that year. Which makes sense, as we were still on the back side of the financial crisis, plus it was the last model year for the previous body style that had already run its course. The 981s are much more plentiful, and are not rare at all other than some of the GTS and GT models. They sold more than 23,000 981 Caymans and Boxsters worldwide in 2014

Never selling my 2012 Cayman . One of only about 400.

I just looked up the charts, and it was precisely 462 Caymans sold in the US for MY 2012 Compared to 3,300-3,600 per year sold for the 981 , which is still low volume compared to the likes of Chevy and others, considering they sold 2 million cars in the US in 2022, but still high enough production that they aren't really considered "rare".

Cayman - prettier, more capable, 2014-2016 = previous years 911 Carrera motor, brakes etc. Models, years, options not withstanding,,,, newer (pre 718 ) Cayman takes it, in general.