Stapled headliner and 8,000 miles in 8 years might be problematic. The quick fix on the headliner may indicate this car hasn't been properly maintained. Ideally, I'd want to see that maintenance was performed according to the time rather than mileage schedule. If there are no records available, the PPI will be especially critical in uncovering what kind of shape the car is REALLY in.

 

As noted above, I think that a hokey fix of the headliner is a potential indicator of a lack of care for the car in general, and so I would be especially diligent to determine what kind of care the car has had.
To avoid potential damage to the engine, and to a lesser extent the AOS, the oil needed to be changed at intervals not exceeding 24 months, 12-18 months would be much better.
Also to avoid potential corrosion in the brake system, the brake fluid should be flushed every 2-3 years.
Aside from these two maintenance items, a car with only 8K miles might be in acceptable shape provided the lack of use hasn't caused oil seal leaks.
I would have an experienced mechanic (experienced in Porsche 987) look over the car.
It will almost certainly need some maintenance work, based on time more than miles, and this can be taken into account as you deal with the owner.
If you do buy the car, I would suggest changing the oil, engine air and cabin air filters, alignment check, and new tires. Eight year old tires are nearing the end of their recommended life and can be unsafe at speed.

 

Thanks for the explanation. I am worried to get an overabused car and it's certainly not by use. I will require all the servicing records to check the by-time maintenance. You hit the spot. I do think of the potential lack of care that comes from the headliner is a good point. It is to simple to not fix and who might use staples on a Porsche, c'mon?

 

Spokayman has pointed out several key areas that will need attn. Have a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) done by a reputable dealer familiar with Porsches and ask them point out any areas that will need attn due to age in addition to any broken or worn items. The age items are where the dollars will start to add up and they're hidden dollars (which is what the seller is hoping you don't know).

As Edd China told Mike Brewer on Wheeler Dealers, "that's not good for a sports car" to sit around for years. Buying a garage queen isn't as great as it seems, mostly due to the costs of getting it road worthy, but as long as you have the information before going into price negotiations, you won't have too many surprises (there will always be a few). If you're handy with a spanner and can do some of the work yourself, you'll save some bucks and get to know your Cayman better. If you have to hire out the work, you better have several extra thousand dollars available after the purchase. Porsche parts are expensive.

 

Thank you. In fact, I am not prepared for all those hidden dollars that might rise right now.

I was seeing this as an opportunity to anticipate my dream car due to its low mileage (I.e no extra costs an the short term). Luckily enough, I started my search and registered to thi forum to clear my mind, and I was wrong.

I am asking for the servicing records To see what have been done in these 8 years with the car.

 

So you guys generally think of a better bargain a car that has been used, abused and maintained (with records) rather than a garage queen?

 

I'll take the garage queen and change the fluids and the tires. After getting it home, I would inspect all rubber parts and other normal wear items should be inspected for eventual replacement.

Do not let the worry wart nannies put unfounded fears in your head. BUY IT!

 

If you are purchasing a car without any sort of warranty, a well taken care of car with service records and a PPI are critical. The milage of the car is not of huge concern here, it was either well taken care of mechanically or not. The milage, or abuse as you put it, comes into play when you talk about cosmetic appearance. Will your dream car still be your dream car if the front end is covered with 75,000 miles of stone chips or the leather seats are showing significant wear inside? Sticky knobs are easy, but when it comes to reconditioning the appearance of a car if you are not happy with it can get very pricy as well. I would be patient and look for something in between. Low milage is not always a good indication of mechanical condition but it usually does mean much better cosmetic condition if that is something that concerns you. Proper maintenance is key to good mechanical condition no matter what the odometer says.

 

I prefer a car that is reasonablly driven and used, but many of these cars are second/third/forth cars. Bi-annual oil changes, and basic maintenance is not hard to keep up with: so having proof it was done is a good thing. That being said, if it really sits....the car is not rotting. Oil doesn't magically stop doing its job (it can sit in a bottle for a few years without blinking , and the service items are very conservative for the car.

We got our lower mileage 07 with on 14K on the ticker, did CPO. Basically it only had oil changes, they didn't do the 2y brake, or 4y spark plugs (again, 14K miles...the car ran just FINE). I had them do it for CPO, so if there is no evidence of this budget it/take off price of car to do some service.

Also the serp belt would be done at 6y (about a $200 job, 1hr labor, and part).

If there are original N spec tires on there, budget replacements. Rubber does age, and 5-6y is a reasonable life. A set of PSS's for example will wake the car up!

Have a few K set aside for repairs (water pump...we are staring at you). If you are not in that position...you likely should not get into the car as why put yourself
in a bad spot and not be able to drive the thing should something go bump?

- b

 

When have you got yours '07? Aren't your afraid of a bigger problem coming from those itens that you didn't do?

I agree that 2y/4y maintenance are necessary when you have it up and running as a performance car, but... for a garage car it just sounds bit too much, doesn't it? Lets say... doing oil changes, serp belt and water pump, what else could be a trouble? I am not being arrogant, just asking...

Anyway, I am taking the car to the workshop, having an inspection and a quote. I am sure the current owner is aware of the cost and I will try to take the service (no matter what needs to be done) off the price. This should be a bargain. Wish me luck!

 

In the used 987 market, I'd be looking for a car that has been used regularly and maintained religiously. Less than 3000 miles a year would be cause for concern, as would total mileage over 80,000 unless the car had meticulous records and was clearly owned by someone who NEVER deferred maintenance. Even higher mileage 987s and 997s can look pretty damn fine cosmetically if the owner(s) have been kind to the car. My 2011 997.2 with 76,000 km is unusual for a 911 of that vintage. But aside from a slight bit of hood road rash, the car looks no different than vehicles with 1/3 the mileage. Bottom line: don't be afraid of a car that's been well used, but don't look at very low mileage as necessarily a good thing.

 

Be wary then. Seriously, get all service records and a PPI by someone who does PPIs and knows what to look for. Like others have said, it's the garage queens that sometimes are the worst cars, especially if not stored properly.


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Many have suggested in this thread that garage queens are more likely to be in worse mechanical shape than cars driven more regularly.

In my experience they are no more likely to be in bad mechanical shape than higher mileage cars.
Garage queens ought to be the better cars IF they are properly maintained and stored.

One of my current cars is fairly low mileage (about 2,600 miles/year average), but it is very well maintained and sees regular use.
Prior to that, I owned two different 20+ year old Porsches with only 1,500-2,000 miles per year average use and they were both in great mechanical condition and felt like new cars.
This is the type of car that I look for when I buy used as I prefer the tightness/freshness of a low mileage car, but I need to see that it has been well maintained.

 

i wouldn't write off a car just for a failing headliner - a common issue after a few years.
For those of us who have experienced it, you'll know how darn irritating it is to drive with the headliner on your head and I almost resorted to the same temporary repair method!

 

I bought a 08 cayman s with very little miles on it back in August.
The car was a lease and after that sat around for few years with another owner. I have yet had any problems with it other then a right rear shock was going bad. I was intending on replacing them anyway which I did with new coilovers.

But the headliner is od to me on this one. I would have passed or at least get it PPI'ed.

Don't let emotion drive your decision, I shopped around for months before getting my car . I passed on quite a few other cars similar to this.

 

From my personal experience, I wouldn't dismiss this car due to mileage or falling headliner. I bought an 06 CS about 3.5 years ago. At the time it had 4,800 miles on it. I had a major service performed after purchase and have had the oil changed annually and brake fluid changed every 2nd years since then. According to the local dealer, there are NO mechanical issues with my car which currently has about 12,500 on the odometer. A quality and thorough PPI should alleviate concerns although there is no way for anyone to tell with certainty that you will have no issues. Age presents issues whether the car is driven or not - they may just be different types of issues.

As far as the headliner is concerned . . . I would not be worried there either. I agree the fix is somewhat suspect, but maybe the owner knew they would be getting rid of it anyway and didn't want to fork out the $$. Mine is starting to sag just under and behind the visors. They currently minimize any sagging and until it touches my head or an edge detaches I don't plan to have it replaced. IMO - it's an expensive dealer repair (assuming you have the dealer do it) for a minor cosmetic issue.

Bottom line - get the PPI from a reputable source, keeping in mind this may not always be your local dealer. Combine that with their opinion of a low mileage car to make your decision.

 

Thanks for the kind opinion. I am getting a PPI in a few weeks from an independent dealer. If there were no major issues I will start the negotiation.