Planet 9

Hello, I have a couple of questions regarding my possible purchase.

1. The used Cayman doesn't have the wheels I want. I want the Carrera S 19's and am not sure how hard it will be to find a set? Also, are there a bunch of different offsets for the wheels and do I need to find a set that was built for a Cayman S?

2. Is there anything I need to know before purchase? Anything to look for? This car only has 6K on it and I figure it will be in pretty good shape.

3. Can the front license plate holder be removed and not leave some big mess? I hate those things.

4. Are there any design flaws in the car other than the "clunk" that I have read about? This car seems too perfect.

Here is a link to the car if that helps. It may be already sold but, I just inquired about it 5 min ago and want to get a leg up on my educational journey.

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

Thanks for any help or links you can provide.

I think 2 and 4 can be answered in the FAQ.

You may want to call them. All the cars I have been inquiring about lately have been somehow selling moments before I inquire. I have also been finding several dealers not responding at all or in a less than pleasant manner.

I looked at the FAQ and to be honest, I couldn't make heads or tails of it. If it was summarized on page one, I would read it but, to got through 246 replies to find some answer seems a bit daunting for me. I will keep searching out answers. I did several searches on the license plate and came up empty. I also looked at the Carerra S wheels and haven't gotten an answer that was clear yet. I called Porsche and didn't really get an answer from the parts department that was convincing. I don't think I would want to spent the money on a set of wheels if they may not be correct.

My search continues. Thanks for the help.

1. Well, the Carrera S wheels are for the Carrera S, but you can put them on the Boxter or Cayman. One size fits all. I don't believe you need to worry about any crazy mounting or what not, just new tires to fit the larger wheel. Should be plenty of places selling them, but they're pricey. I thought about replacing my stock 18s for 19" sports, but after driving a car with and without, I decided the ride was a lot more comfortable with the 18s. While you don't have to, you might want to consider a car with PASM if you're going for 19s.

2. Look extremely close at the paint. Arctic silver does an amazing job of hiding scratches and chips, but once you know they are there, it'll drive you mad... well at least it does for me.

3. Pretty sure they had to drill holes for the front license plate. You might want to get a super sweet European style plate. Otherwise, you're options are bumper plugs or a repaint.

4. Only that they don't come with a clear engine cover, to display that super sweet boxer.

Also, I (and a bunch of people on here) highly recommend getting a car with sport chrono. If you haven't driven one with it, you should. Take it up to 5000 rpms and you'll know exactly why it's worth it.

__________________
2006 Cayman S [Arctic Silver/ Full Leather in Cocoa]
Sport Chrono Plus, PCM 2.1, Heated Seats, Bose
30,010 miles (2/05/2009)

Thank you pointnumber1.

The only thing I am not sure I understand is, "Carrera S wheels are for the Carrera S". I do know you could order the wheels from Porsche new so, I just wasn't sure if they were different in anyway from the ones on the Carrera S itself? If they are the same that helps in finding them. You are right, they are pricey.

Thanks.

This is your offset info, from the wheel FAQ on this website.

Planet Porsche - FAQ: Cayman Options

Carrera Sports
Front: 8.5"J x 19" - 55mm offset. 235/35 ZR19
Rear: 10"J x 19" - 42mm offset. 265/35 ZR19

Cayman Stock
Front: 8"J x 18" - 57mm offset 235/40 ZR18
Rear: 9.5"J x 18" - 43 mm offset 265/40 ZR18

The offsets are different, but the Carrera Sports wheels will fit on the car... To answer your original question: no, there aren't specific Carrera Sport wheels built for the Cayman.

__________________
2006 Cayman S [Arctic Silver/ Full Leather in Cocoa]
Sport Chrono Plus, PCM 2.1, Heated Seats, Bose
30,010 miles (2/05/2009)

Maybe you didn't look at the FAQ - we have an FAQ (Planet Porsche - FAQ) that is reachable from this link. While there's a lot of info there, I would hardly call it daunting. It is organized with explanations of most of the available options, although a few need updating for the Gen2 cars. But, for for '06-'08 cars it is very complete.

You should also read through the Idiosyncrasies section too. Lots of info about some things peculiar to these cars you might want to know about before buying. (Planet Porsche - FAQ: Indiosyncrasies) there's also a Q&A section that I'd highly recommend because it has a section with tips on buying a used Cayman.


One size does not fit all Porsches - What you want, if you decide to get them would be 19" Carrera S wheels sized to fit the Cayman S.

They are:

Front: 8"J x 19"- 57mm offset - fits 235/35 ZR19
Rear: 9.5"J x 19" - 46mm offset - fits 265/35 ZR19

The Carrera S wheels for the 911s have different widths and different offsets.

brad

__________________
22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

Oops, you are correct, I didn't see these FAQ's. Pardon my ignorance. Thanks for the links and all the replies. The car I posted is still for sale but, I can't see it until the weekend since it is so far away. Probably be sold before then anyway. I am not in any rush though. I enjoy my Audi for now until my wife takes it over when I get my Porsche.

H_curtis, I wouldn't be so sure about that. I was considering driving down to see that exact car back in April (notice how there's no leaves on the trees in the pictures) but found another CS (an 06, the one I bought) closer to me.

If you live north of DC, I can put you in touch with the guys that I picked my CS up from, they were an absolutely great buying experience. Otherwise, best of luck and happy shopping, it's an absolutely incredible car.

__________________
2006 Cayman S [Arctic Silver/ Full Leather in Cocoa]
Sport Chrono Plus, PCM 2.1, Heated Seats, Bose
30,010 miles (2/05/2009)

I am in Pittsburgh but, going to DC this weekend for some business. I thought the car had a pretty good price for it being an '07 with such low mileage. Amazing it could sit there that long. He did respond and say he is very firm on the price.

I got an PM from someone saying the wheels I like (Carrera S) require a 17mm spacer. That doesn't make much sense to me since I would be very surprised if Porsche would make a wheel and sell if for the Cayman and it would then require a spacer from the factory. I find that highly unlikely. I never heard of a reputable auto maker selling wheels that require a spacer? Is that the way it is really?

The Carrera S wheels are made in different sizes - one size for the 911s and one size (as I showed above) with the proper widths and offsets for the Cayman. If you buy the ones sized for the Cayman you will be able to bolt them right on, without any spacers. If you buy the ones sized for the 911s, then you'll have to monkey around with spacers and different tire sizes.

brad

__________________
22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

I had a feeling that was the case. Will be very hard to find a used set of the Carrera S wheels that were made for a Cayman. Wonder how much they are new from Porsche?

beez: I stand corrected. I was informed by a member in another forum that you could throw 997 wheels on the 987 with the use of 12mm spacers. This of course, made the wheels stick out a bit, but that was kinda the look I was going for. They said OEM wheels should work, but aftermarkets were on a case by case basis. The one size fits all comment I made was short sighted.

__________________
2006 Cayman S [Arctic Silver/ Full Leather in Cocoa]
Sport Chrono Plus, PCM 2.1, Heated Seats, Bose
30,010 miles (2/05/2009)

h_curtis: I feel bad about giving you bad info... and I'm pretty bored, so here's a couple links for the wheels (for 987 models):

Set of four with summer tires, ground shipping inside PA for $80: Genuine Porsche Cayman Alloy Wheels at Don Rosen Porsche

Just the wheels, priced individually, scroll down the page about halfway (near Pittsburgh)
New Used & Refinished PORSCHE CAYENNE S 6 CYLINDER TURBO TITANIUM SUV CAYMAN OE Original Factory Aluminum Porsche OE OEM Original Factory Aluminum Wheels Philadelphia PA NJ DE NY MD CT Wheels OEM Alloy Used Wheels Rims Sales 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

__________________
2006 Cayman S [Arctic Silver/ Full Leather in Cocoa]
Sport Chrono Plus, PCM 2.1, Heated Seats, Bose
30,010 miles (2/05/2009)

h_curtis - Here's some (albeit unsolicited) advice: You don't even have a car yet. From the questions you're asking, I would politely suggest you do some serious reading through the FAQ and really familiarize yourself with the options, buying advice and idiosyncrasies that are compiled there. It would behoove you to be armed with good information before you plunk down the bucks to buy one of these cars. While buying a sports car like this is still by-and-large an impulse buy, you shouldn't go into such a purchase blind. You say you're coming from an Audi - these are very different cars. Test drive some at some dealers and make sure this is what you really want. Many people find that the dream of a sports car like this doesn't come close to the reality of its loud motor sound and tire/road noise in the cockpit and the stiff suspension, made even more so if you get 19" tires and wheels. Many of these very low mileage cars that are for sale now are on the market because the owners didn't make an informed decision when they bought it, and it wasn't what they are ultimately looking for in these areas.

When you get a car - if you can get one from a Porsche dealer, you might be able to swap the wheels that are on the car for a style more to your liking, but if not, maybe you should drive the car for a while and see what it's like before making any big changes that are going to cost you extra money - you might find the 18" tires to your liking - they are less expensive, come in more sizes, and are easier on the butt on bumpy roads.

brad

__________________
22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

Thanks for the links. The information provided on this thread has been great. Just to read the FAQ's were excellent and the knowledge build up is very useful. Thanks again.

I have had all kind of cars and am in my 40's. Believe me, if you can stand to drive a car like the link below that I restored you can surely handle driving an '07 car of any kind. Trust me, the Porsche will feel like a luxury sedan compared to this:

Curt's Corvette Web Site

Curtis:

OK. I read the ad. I've read all the posts. I just bought one of these...WITH the wheels you seek, by the way.

This ad is so vague. There are some blurry cell phone photos and no mention of what options are on the car. For that reason alone, I'm thinking the seller knows nothing about these cars. I would stay away from this one. Check eBay motors for cars listed by real dealers.

If you want 19" wheels on a Cayman or Cayman S, you should get PASM. If you don't know what that is. Click the link. It gives you a softer ride on bad roads. You should have it. I love my Carrera S wheels. I keep thinking about getting 18"s for a better ride, but I'm just smitten with the look of them. I' thought about offering them to you, but I like 'em too much....and you haven't bought a car yet and you probably shouldn't buy that one.

There are other options like Sport Chrono and PCM 2.1 and Bose that you should familiarize yourself with. Decide what you want, what you can live with and what you can live without.

If you're not going to track this car, the non-S Cayman is a pretty decent machine. If you're thinking about commuting with it, it might be the better choice. Pay quite a bit less for a non-S.

Low miles are good but a well taken care of car with 20K or so is a fine choice and you can get a lot more of the important options for less money if you don't insist on a near zero mileage car. At the price you're paying, you can afford to actually drive the thing.

My best advice is to let this one pass and do a little more reading.

-Six

[QUOTE=h_curtis;372937]I am in Pittsburgh but, going to DC this weekend for some business. I thought the car had a pretty good price for it being an '07 with such low mileage. Amazing it could sit there that long. He did respond and say he is very firm on the price.

If he's firm on the price, then it's not that great a deal based on my recent experience. I bought CPO 07 CS with similar mileage and more options in Feb. My car is basalt black, and even then the car was in perfect condition with no swirls marks, dents, scratches, etc. Interior still has new car smell. Over rev diagnostic revealed the car was not driven hard at all. PM if you want details on the price that I paid. Options the car you are looking at seem to be very minimal. No xenons, that alone for me would be a no go on this car.

I think the car has xenons but, he doesn't list it. The seller doesn't seem to know how to list a car. Here is a close up picture of the front.