My Cayman S is 18 years old today.

So, today is 18 years and 69,150 miles since I picked up my new Cayman S at Brumos Porsche in Jacksonville, Florida. I ordered the car in Atlas Gray with Terracotta leather interior, and all the sporty options except for the ceramic brakes. I still love and enjoy driving the car, but over the span of 18 years, 69K miles, three batteries, and three sets of tires , there have been a few issues. A broken seat reclining lever, and a broken door opening handle were repaired under the factory warrantee. A crazy random station changing radio was replaced under extended warrantee. A few disappointing and unexpected issues were the sagging headliner, interior paint flaking off some of the plastic finishing surfaces, and a pixelating speedometer. A local upholstery shop redid the headliner, and I ordered an LCD display repair kit from Italy to resolve the pixelating instrument problem. And about a year ago I had to have the throughout bearing and oil separator replaced. All these issues considered, the fun times and enjoyable driving far outweigh the issues I've had. I would buy the same car all over again. I'm looking forward to the next 18 years and thousands more driving miles. I would recommend the Cayman S to anyone looking for a well handling sports car. If you been thinking about getting a Cayman . Go out and get one. You'll love it. Bill.

Sounds like you picked a winner. Over the span of 18 years your issues seemed fairly minor, although any issues are always cause for consternation. But as far as Porsches reputation, (some deserved) of being prone to major failure, high cost of ownership and maintenance, you‘ve had a good run with your Cayman. Even your battery ratio, 3 batteries over 18 years is uncommon, averaging over 5 years per battery. I have 17 years on my Boxster and love every minute behind the wheel. Sometimes even find myself stepping into the garage to grab a cold one from the drink fridge and strolling around it, admiring its lines, stance and looks. Nice to hear positive experiences from another proud owner. Enjoy the next 18 years of smiles per gallon.

Congrats on 18 years and really, very few relatively minor issues. I can only hope mine is that reliable for 18 years. I'm about an hour south of you on the coast - would love to hear any indy shops you would recommend.

@Platinum5150 , if you are asking about independent shops, I can recommend Aerodynamics in South Daytona/Port Orange. Lou Verdiales is the owner. Lou is very knowledgeable, Honest, and very respected in this area. He maintains three cars for me. Shop number is [phone removed]. Thanks for the comments. Yes, I have been fortunate with the Cayman. I change the oils once a year and flush the brakes and other fluids every few years. Other than that, not much else needs to be done.

I was thinking about this 18 year old thing today. These early cars are getting legitimately old. I have also had some of the same issues and also feel the same way about these cars. Similar mileage to you too. Issues have included the head liner, interior door handle, speaker surround, some of my previously black interior buttons are now white.

Thx...much appreciated.

These early Caymans and Boxsters, with real flat 6 engines, are in a position, for one of those famous Porsche re-sale value increases. This is the last year, they are going all E, as we all know. I wish I had a 981 , but that's another story. I'm 76, just this month. I spent 2 days in My cardiologists office getting a PET / CT scan. I told my lovely MUCH younger wife. Hold on to this car. 2008 S 3.4, Boxster , Tiptronic, 59K miles and smiles. Cheers, Art

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Also installed a Rennline 987 Upkick carbon fiber spoiler (shown in pic) at 53K

I like the spoiler, reminds me of the early 911 ducktail. And by the way, thank for your service in the USN.

@cavediver , you have done a lot to your Cayman. Mine has remained pretty stock. I really like the look of the carbon fiber rear spoiler. I might have to look into one of those.

Congrats on 18 joyous years of ownership! I bought my '06 987.1 Cayman S (now a 3.8 RS thanks to Jake Raby) in 2013 as a used CP car with 35,00 mi on the clock. There have definitely been a couple of hiccups along the way like you, including bore score, but I still get a kick every time I drive mine whether on the road or an autox course. I will never sell mine if I have any say in it. Keep enjoying your ride - these are fantastic cars!

Thank You!

Congrats on 18 joyous years of ownership! I bought my '06 987.1 Cayman S (now a 3.8 RS thanks to Jake Raby) Me too I really like mine. I never plan to sell it.

Thank you @skypig . I am sure your Cayman S with a 3.8 moves right along. Enjoy.

I've been daily-driving my 2008 CS since new. My car sat on a dealer lot in Michigan for at least a year and had to compete with the 987.2 2009 models with face-lift and improved engine. I got one of those rare $48k dealer specials that would pop up from time to time across the nation in 2009. Until recently my daily commute was 5 miles of stop-and-go Silicon Valley rush hour for the first 12 years. I'm now on my 3rd set of brakes and 4th battery. But still original clutch! Went through a rash of tail light failures (maybe due to the battery having a rough life?). Water pump replaced proactively a while back. The Air/Oil Separator failed spectacularly and left me stranded once (huge plumes of white smoke, presumably causing more pollution than it was ever going to prevent). I caught the AOS making funny noises just a few months ago and had it replaced before failure. Passenger side mirror motor failed and was replaced. A/C sprung a leak and led to a somewhat hot road trip to Napa Valley. Other than that, it's been just over 100k of trouble-free miles. As my only car, the hatch has been indispensable. With a bit of rope to tie the lid down, it's amazing what you can fit in there! Also, as my only car, it's been camping in Yosemite and Whitney Portal — both areas seemingly the home of enormous "light" trucks. When packing the car at Costco, I always open the frunk and trunk — still keeps getting gawkers.

@SunnyvaleCA , yes, opening both trunks at the same time gets people wondering where is the engine. It is inevitable, when both trunks are open at once there is always someone that will walk over and ask about it. Keep enjoying the ride.

Got mine ('07 Base) last fall with ~99k on it and have just turned 104k. Based lined all the fluids except brake/clutch but that's happening soon as I have parts on had to renew all the brakes. It had zero issues when I got it but now I have to replace the right window regulator (so I'll do both) and I have a "clunk" in the rear so all the bushings/mounts will be getting the hairy eyeball soon. I have nothing to compare it to as it's the first Porsche I've driven but it didn't feel to me (and still doesn't) like a car with 100K on it. I think they are well engineered/built units.

@SunnyvaleCA I also got my 2008 CS in the summer of 2009 at a similar discount, i was looking at two of them, the Ruby Red one I bought from the dealer in Seaside and a Speed Yellow on at the dealer in I think Fremont (is that your car?).

US$48k! The Doctor that bought my .1 Cayman S new in 2006 paid A$181k. We have high taxes on cars in Australia (basically we are continually ripped off.) The A$ was about US$.75 at the time. So about $US135k!! (2008 the dollar was .95… Cayman Ss were probably dearer by then)

Congrats on your years of relatively trouble-free enjoyment, I have a 2007 Cayman S manual (registered new in 2008) I bought late last year, done 104K kms (64K miles) absolutely loaded with factory extras. My first Porsche and I absolutely love it, so responsive on the road. My 73rd. birthday present to myself, I intend to keep it for years... I am guessing the first owner paid a similar price to 'skypig' here in New Zealand.

I am glad to see so many responses from other Cayman owners that are happily enjoying their Caymans . It really is a great car, and fun to drive fast or slow. At one point I did a lot of autoXing with it and one track day. It is a lot of car and certainly more capable than I am. Keep enjoying your caymans .

I realized recently that my 2008 Boxster (which I took delivery of in late 2007) will be 18 years old in a few more months. It's still a beautiful design to my eyes and a joy to drive. Mechanically, I've had zero issues during my entire period of ownership - It's never been in the shop for anything. Earlier this year, I was contemplating upgrading to a final year 2025 Boxster GTS 4.0 . It's a superb car, but on my way home from the test drive, I kept thinking of how much more I enjoyed the pure mechanical experience, more compact dimensions and lighter weight of my 987.1 Boxster - This really is a gem of a car. They sure don't make 'em like they used to.

Bill, I have an 18 year old Cayman S as well. Got mine at 3 years old and only 9,000 miles. Sagging head liner and a few minor mechanical issues. LOVE the car! Glad your car is doing well! Kim

Good for you, Kim. I'm glad you are enjoying your Cayman as well. Bill.