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Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayan S 981 Purchase

Cayman S 
4K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Scottino27 
#1 · (Edited)
Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

All,

Newbie arriving here about to purchase a 2013 BB CS 981 - or possibly an alternative silver CS. I have read a number of discussions here and in other places, and of course a lot of focus in new or used purchases is the myriad trade-offs of specs and the long list of options. My basic goal on this subject is a minimum of PCM (may be standard…), sports chrono plus, PASM (especially on back roads in the UK where I have lived for a log time, although I'm originally from the States), bose surround etc. I like the basalt black metallic colour better than the silver CS, which doesn't have PASM but has PDLS (valued below PASM!).

But here is the 'rub' and the core question - the importance of mileage - which I haven't seen discussed here or other Porsche forums very much as a purchase criteria, but maybe I haven't looked hard enough !

My original target was under 30k, clearly cars that are north of 50k and 5-6 years old need more serviceing costs annually as core car components reach the end of their lifecyce, such as exhausts needing replacement at roughly 7 years.


So the punch line - I like the BB CS better and it has PASM but it has 46k miles. The Silver CS has 20k miles and is therefore more expensive - but no PASM.

So can anyone comment on the relative importance of various milage levels in a CS purchase ? BTW, I am having a full PPI done by an independent Porsche expert.

Cheers ! Scottino

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#2 · (Edited)
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

Just to add, most of the rest of the options are similar, SAT NAV, full black leather in both, rear/front parking assist etc - neither have PSE. The BB CS does not have a sport steering wheel with the paddles but I may prefer shifting the PDK in 'manual mode' using the shifter. This is a daily driver and weekend 'UK country roads get away' car.


The one I prefer, the BB CS also has only a 2-way electric seat so I plan on replacing the drivers seat with the 14-way, which the Silver CS has.....S
 
#3 ·
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

I don't think mileage is an issue with these cars. I had a 2004 with 56k miles and it was rock solid for a 14 year old vehicle. Is time more of a factor or mileage? These cars LOVE to be driven. My 2013 981 Boxster has 75K on it. No major systems have been replaced or need repair. Everything looks, sounds, and performs within spec. My exhaust is not rotting (as I live in Florida). The car doesn't see snow, salt, corrosion, etc. These are all factors which can deteriorate a vehicle. Some seem to think it is better to purchase a car with more mileage than one that just sits in the garage and is used only on holidays. As long as you keep up with maintenance and service, these cars will perform and last.
 
#6 ·
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

I don't think mileage is an issue with these cars. I had a 2004 with 56k miles and it was rock solid for a 14 year old vehicle. Is time more of a factor or mileage? These cars LOVE to be driven. My 2013 981 Boxster has 75K on it. No major systems have been replaced or need repair. Everything looks, sounds, and performs within spec. My exhaust is not rotting (as I live in Florida). The car doesn't see snow, salt, corrosion, etc. These are all factors which can deteriorate a vehicle. Some seem to think it is better to purchase a car with more mileage than one that just sits in the garage and is used only on holidays. As long as you keep up with maintenance and service, these cars will perform and last.

Hi algiorda- thanks for your reply, the first for me I guess on this forum ! I tend to agree with you, kind of along the logic of a watch winder for a nice mechanical watch - being some variation of 'use it or lose it'. I think what I had in mind per the question was there are probably, roughly 3 types of degradation concerns: (1) average wear and tear along an average 'real' depreciation path, (2) random catastrophic failure, i.e. component based from the factory not user influenced, and, (3) user-induced catastrophic failure due to previous owner 'excess driving'.


I lean toward worrying about (3) maybe more if my PPI turns up excess revs etc. But all in the end are relevant but in your case if you're doing well relative to (1) and (2) that's great.


I must add, that just today when I was going to hit the deposit send button for the BB CS with the higher mileage, the other dealer said they just acquired an metallic agate grey, 2013 981 S with 37k mileage AND an even better spec, adding PSE, dynamic engine mounts and torque vectoring along with everything else I already had in the other two cars - this high spec I was told is not much different than a GTS.


So.…….now I have switched and made a deposit on this Agate Grey CS and will test drive it tomorrow ! For 4 months I couldn't find a car to satisfy my spec, price goal and mileage objective and now there are 3, so soon I guess I can be an 'official newbie Porsche owner' ! Scottino

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#4 ·
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

I have a 2015 CS with about everything except PASM. I had a 2017 Macan GTS (PASM and air suspension were standard) and after 6mos, the PASM system went into error mode and the air suspension went flat and the vehicle just settled as low as it could go. The error message said it was OK to drive but it was quite sloppy. For me, I'm glad I don't have PASM on the 981 CS. I would just add X73 or some coilovers. PASM and PDK are the kinds of things that could eventually fail and once the warranty has expired, those will be expensive. Personally, I love PDK, but I do wonder how it will fare in a few years. I only have 12k on mine. The older cars like the 2004 algiorda above referenced did not have some of these electronics and I think they'll probably have less trouble. To me PASM is not a big deal and if I had PASM, I'd worry a lot when my warranty expires in Jan, 2021.
 
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#5 ·
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

I would opt for the lower mileage and have an X73 installed to address the lack of PASM. Memory seats were not critical for me but since you appear to want even the 14 way, then consider the savings on the seats to pay for the X73 install.

I have a black car and it is really hard to keep looking good even for California weather. Silver is a much more forgiving color.

They both look great though. Best of luck.
 
#7 ·
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

Thanks FlatSickx - being from the States originally, the roads here especially backroads on weekends are considered the worst in general in Europe so that's why I have leaned toward PASM - I agree the more complicated/complex 'capabilities' in newer cars raise the cost for sure at the end of the normal lifecycle, for replacement - under (1) in my follow-up note or worst case (2) with random, early failure. Hopefully having never owned or even driven a Porsche I can drive it appropriately !


Btw way, the car I learned to drive way, way, way back at 16 in San Diego was a 1966 Buick Skylark Gran Sport with a manual 4 speed and a 402 cu inch V8 - a classic straight line muscle car...Scottino
 
#8 ·
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

There are numerous factors beyond the specific configuration of a car, such as much you drive each year. My Cayman S is an '09 and it is near flawless and never had problems. So I would say buy the car you like best. And you are so lucky to be in Surrey! Visit the Watts Artist Village and the De Morgan collection in Compton, Guildford. They are worth visiting even by bus.
 
#11 ·
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

There are numerous factors beyond the specific configuration of a car, such as much you drive each year. My Cayman S is an '09 and it is near flawless and never had problems. So I would say buy the car you like best. And you are so lucky to be in Surrey! Visit the Watts Artist Village and the De Morgan collection in Compton, Guildford. They are worth visiting even by bus.
Thanks palio for the suggestion, I haven't visited but will give it a try - one of the other Fab things where I live, which is 2 miles from Brooklands, the first purpose built auto race track in GB around 1908 is the New Years Day vintage car meet - over 10k people bring every vintage car under the sun, from 1930 Brit Taxis to anything you can possibly imagine and most line up on the parts of the original Brooklands corner banks that are still there over 100 years later.

So any Brit car enthusiasts should plan on New Years at Brooklands, cheers, Scottino
 
#9 ·
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

Normally the old adage applies; "It's the milage baby!" However, the difference between 20k and 46k is not huge, IF.... If the car was serviced regularly by Porsche during it's under warrantee years. And service by either Porsche or a reliable mechanic after. So paperwork to support said services should be critical in your decision. Also, a PPI is required with either vehicles. If all comes up roses, then I would would pick the car that I liked the most. BTW, I have PASM and if you are concerned about ride comfort on B roads then it is worth it! I drive mine with the tire pressure set at "comfort" level, 30 psi. The only draw back is that top speed is limited to 165 mph which does not seem to be a limiter here in Phoenix. lol
Good luck with your choice.
 
#10 ·
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

Does the gray one have the 14-way seats? I could be wrong, but I don't think that's something you can just swap in w/o a lot of work.

My advice would be to wait for the right spec to come along and then pounce on it. If you're spending that much money, no use sacrificing and wishing you had something later.
 
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#12 · (Edited)
Re: Importance of Mileage in a 2013 Cayman S 981 Purchase

Does the gray one have the 14-way seats? I could be wrong, but I don't think that's something you can just swap in w/o a lot of work.

My advice would be to wait for the right spec to come along and then pounce on it. If you're spending that much money, no use sacrificing and wishing you had something later.
husker boxter - definitely agree on hard searching for the right spec, so yes the agate grey has the 14 way seat it's just the BB one that doesn't but after 5 months of hard searching, the grey one has the most elaborate spec I have seen with just about everything you could possibly pick, plus the great colour, and so it's the closest overall set of options to supposedly what is standard on a GTS - so after 5 months that's why i'm pouncing, cheers, Scottino

PS -all three cars have full Porsche dealer service records.....
 
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