Planet 9

Tigger · #1 12-04-2008, 11:35 AM

Hi

First post from a newbie

I'm from Coldy snowy Scotland, good forum over here currently been jumping between my usual TT forum and this forum....

I drive a 57 Audi TT 2.0 Remapped DSG and was looking at a Cayman a year ago before I got the TT but they were just out of my price range min 38K at the time for a used one...
But now with prices dropping I can start thinking about a Cayman again, I've been looking at Autotrader again and on the Porsche site but mainly independent dealers and see some tasty Cayman/S for offer on my budget of 24-28K on 55/06 plates.

Now he's the questions:

I'm most worried about when I take ownership will I be faced with loads of bills to cover on a 3 year old cayman with around 20K miles.
At the moment I don't have much outlay for the TT just fuel and cheap 170quid road tax with 2 years warranty left on it...
Will it be the full 400quid road tax for a 55/06 plate CS?

Is there a guide on the forum in looking for a 2nd hand Cayman? i.e what to look out for etc....

What's it like parking it up in carparks and off street parking does it attracted unwanted attention with the Porsche badge?
I know my TT its totally fine with so many kicking about old/new shape no one notices so I feel safe it will be same condition when I get back...

I've not driven a Cayman yet been finding out more information and hoping can pick up a better deal after the New Year, my car value will suffer too but dealers might be more hungry for deals.
Before going to prob a Porsche dealer to sample both the Cayman and CS out to see the difference.
Is there a big difference between the 2 version?
I've got a feeling the Cayman will prob be slower than my remapped TT which has quite bit of torque from the turbo.
But my heart is more set on a CS with the extra kit and power...

Any specs/kit I should look for in particular/ or can forget about when looking for a cayman/S?

Cheers
Chris

Pint of Brew · #2 12-05-2008, 03:32 AM

Chris,

There's a lot of information about most of what you're asking in the Articles section and plenty of threads addressing most of your questions.

Will you feel the same 'thrust' you feel when your turbos reach peak pressure? Probably not, it depends on what your current engine is like. My Porsche certainly is nothing like my previous stage-1 05 STi.

The Cayman isn't about that, it's about poise. Handling on TTs isn't very impressive and as such you don't mind the turbo engines irregular power-band, particularly as they're FWD or predominantly-forward 4WD. With delicate RWD handling, a flat torque curve is paramount and crucial to handling; it's impossible to ballance the car 'on the throttle' unless the power delivery is flat as an ice-rink.

Try both cars. The S is faster but the 2.7 isn't slow. As for Tax, the 5-speed 2.7 emitts 222gr, giving it the £215 tax band. The 2.7 6-speed, the 3.4, and the automatics all emit more than 225 meaning £420.

Buying tips? As with all Porsche products, buy with condition, not with mileage. They're as reliable as hammers mostly. I've yet to uncover a common "beware of" point in the Cayman, though there's numerous little niggles which are very easy to fix (rear bootlid counterweight noisy, rear side-window squeak etc. All fixable with elbow grease and an evening's tea, with pictured guides on the forum).

If you do track a lot, make space in your budget, about £1k, for a diff from Motordrive. That's including installation. It is critical and important. You may also want to make a ~£500 budget for a Softronic remap, which seems to be a safer and better option than other re-flash software packages available. Both these options are undetectable from the OPC. Note that I'm not affiliated with Motordrive and the prices are my estimations. Ask Tess Tickle for details and more accuracy.

Lastly, avoid 19" rims on cars without PASM. The ride is horrid. PASM equiped cars are at the same time more supple and more sporty, a 19" PASM car rides slightly smoother (at least that's what my bum felt) than an 18" normal car. And in sport mode it responds a little sharper too.

**KS-CS** · #3 12-05-2008, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by Tigger

. . . Is there a guide on the forum in looking for a 2nd hand Cayman? i.e what to look out for etc....

There's a quick summary located here: The Cayman Club - FAQ: Questions & Answers

Welcome to the swamp . . .

**Tess Tickle** · #4 12-05-2008, 06:57 AM

Chris, Relative to road tax, if you buy either an 05 or early 06 car (before 26th March) next years road tax is £210...think for the following year it might go to the £410 though....all depends on if the whole thing has been shelved at the moment as some people seem to think !!

and again Welcome to "probably the very best forum in the world"

Tigger · #5 12-05-2008, 07:38 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome guys

Yeh Pint of Brew I totally agree that's what appeals to me about the Cayman the Mid engine layout and amazing handling the Cayman is associated with....
Mine is a FWD so there is lots of tractions issue trying to get 260bhp/280odd ib ft of torque through the front wheels, which won't be a problem with the Cayman RWD

Thats what I like to hear no real "beware points" on a relatively new car, yeh I'll have a look in the article section before I start going hunting for a Cayman...

I can't believe how much more affordable they are now compared to them when new with a retail price of £50K with a few toys on a CS....
I will see what I get for my TT as P/E with all car values going down the pan will not be expecting a lot!!!!

**Tess Tickle** · #6 12-05-2008, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Tigger

I can't believe how much more affordable they are now compared to them when new with a retail price of £50K with a few toys on a CS....
I will see what I get for my TT as P/E with all car values going down the pan will not be expecting a lot!!!!

If you rub any more salt in the wound.......well you wont be quite as welcome.

My car cost me £54k in Dec 05 (talking of which 3rd Birthday TODAY

) and wellbuyyour.co or whatever offered me £19,200.00 yesterday.....bugger !!
NOT that I'm selling....!!

**Nick_USA** · #7 12-05-2008, 09:12 AM

Tess,

perhaps with all that money he has saved he could buy some new goodies from you

Where should we start:

Engine Cover
TBD
Seats
Etc
Etc
Etc

Mrd07 · #8 12-05-2008, 03:29 PM

tess our cars share the same B-day

:-) hope you got the mot done, mine passed yesterday phew

**Tess Tickle** · #9 12-05-2008, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mrd07

tess our cars share the same B-day

:-) hope you got the mot done, mine passed yesterday phew

Got the MOT done on 4th November........just got organised before "lay up"

kareldeeley · #10 12-06-2008, 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by Tess Tickle

Got the MOT done on 4th November........just got organised before "lay up"

Allan - Did you Pass the Emissions Test with the Milltek 100 Cell Race Cats and Secondary Cats Deleted?

What Were the Numbers...... Perhaps Mrd07 could publish his figures for comparison?

Were they Higher than Expected but still a pass?

Or, did you put your stock Exhaust back on?

Did you have any problems with your Lowered Suspension & Front Splitter getting onto the ramps or on & off the Brake Tester?

Tigger · #11 12-06-2008, 04:36 AM

Did you guys take it back to Porsche or good old Kwik Fit for MOT time loh

Are cayman std exhaust made of S/S?

**Tess Tickle** · #12 12-06-2008, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by kareldeeley

1)Allan - Did you Pass the Emissions Test with the Milltek 100 Cell Race Cats and Secondary Cats Deleted?

2)What Were the Numbers...... Perhaps Mrd07 could publish his figures for comparison?

3)Were they Higher than Expected but still a pass?

Or, 4)did you put your stock Exhaust back on?

5)Did you have any problems with your Lowered Suspension & Front Splitter getting onto the ramps or on & off the Brake Tester?

Karel
1)Not a problem with emissions at all (remember I've been testing on a monthly basis to look for any issues on the Milltek......without any)

2)Numbers I'll look on Monday as the paperwork is at work in the file,

3) Flew through, and therefore not higher than expected.

4) Ran the Milltek with 200 cell sport cats, None in the rear

5) Yes, car wouldn't go on static brake tester, so they take it up the road with a remote memory thigie in the car then download it to the machine. No issues No Problem Passed without any issues.

Tigger, your answers

Did you guys take it back to Porsche or good old Kwik Fit for MOT time loh NO NO NO not an OPC unless you want a crazy bill.....!!

Are cayman std exhaust made of S/S? NO...some sort of galvanised poo

Mrd07 · #13 12-07-2008, 03:15 AM

took mine to local place
which was good as my number plate is only the same size as the plack but it still passed.

as for figures no idea what these mean but here you go
fast idle
CO level 0.02%
HC level 13 ppm
Lambda 1.01

these look very low as pass figures seem very high.

**JackWood** · #14 12-08-2008, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by Tess Tickle

Tigger, your answers

Did you guys take it back to Porsche or good old Kwik Fit for MOT time loh NO NO NO not an OPC unless you want a crazy bill.....!!

Are cayman std exhaust made of S/S? NO...some sort of galvanised poo

How much is an MOT?

OPC charged me £54 for MOT.

They came and picked up the car and dropped it off, and they are coming to collect it again on Wednesday to put it back through Free Of Charge because it failed on the cracked window last week.

£54 including collection and delievery (or free courtousy car), TWICE, is worth every penny in my books.

**Tess Tickle** · #15 12-08-2008, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by JackWood

How much is an MOT?

OPC charged me £54 for MOT.

They came and picked up the car and dropped it off, and they are coming to collect it again on Wednesday to put it back through Free Of Charge because it failed on the cracked window last week.

£54 including collection and delievery (or free courtousy car), TWICE, is worth every penny in my books.

Yep dead on Jack....I was more concerned with all the little extras they like to tag on, But you've proved that wrong so I’ll shut the f*** up and apologize….sorry Mr Porsche

In my defence I only paid £35.00 for my MOT anyway (‘cause I is Trade !!)

**JackWood** · #16 12-08-2008, 12:58 PM

Yea, I was worried, especially when I heard "and the technician here has had a good look over the car and............................................... ....................the oil is a little low. Would you like us to top it up?"

And that was that! Mega surprised! I was ready with the "no don't worry about the pads, or the disks, or the aircon, or the blah blah blah!" but none were needed!

Only thing they didn't do was manage to locate the niggle with the driver-side interior door pull where some times it doesn't drop the window when you pull the handle, or go back up when you close the door. Must have a dicky micro-switch on the lever-pull.....I think they looked at the outside handle when it was in the workshop, which works fine.

So how much is an MOT for Normal Folk? Normally?

Tigger · #17 12-08-2008, 02:03 PM

what Mileages have you guys covered so far in your Cayman's?

Saw a Black Cayman this morning on the way to work he was def in a hurry to get to somewhere maybe late for meeting or just having a good morning blast.... Was tempted to give him a little chase to see how quick a std Cayman is but resisted with the boys in blue out in force now over Christmas....
It had the bodykit and that big additional spoiler not that keen on it myself...