[dmorales-bello]

Hello guys,
After selling my 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (pearl white) because of unreliability and extreme cost of frequent maintenance, I've decided to hunt down what I consider to be the very best values for true sports car: a pre-owned 981 Cayman S. Coming from a Lambo the base Cayman would feel somewhat underpowered, thus the choice for an S. I want to stick to a max budget of $60,000 and after research it seems that such an amount will get me a very well appointed 2014 Cayman S. I have found two similar cars at a place near Orlando, FL (3 hrs drive from me) that I have a hard time deciding between. The dealer is Millenia Motors in Longwood, FL, and a search has thrown no red flags and generally good opinions. Both are 2014 Cayman S, one with 22k miles and almost every option available on it and the second car has 8k miles and fewer options. Both have clean CarFax records. This will be a daily driven car. I will paste the links for both cars and would truly appreciate whatever the members in all their knowledge and experience can contribute so I don't make an expensive mistake again.
Thanks,
David
2014 Porsche Cayman S | Longwood, FL | Millenia Motors
2014 Porsche Cayman S | Longwood, FL | Millenia Motors

 

[ddodd]

They both look like nice cars biggest one difference is suspension. One has PASM one x-73. Depends on your preference definitely suggest a test drive. I bought my used 2014 approx 2 months ago with PASM and I am adding x73 sway bars. I don't want a lower car as I already scrape coming out of my driveway.

 

[RickH]

If it were up to me I would buy the one with PASM. The x-73 is just to low and too harsh for me. I have PASM and even then I scrape a bit on driveways. Also I would fix those yellow wheels. Maybe it just me but I think they are awful looking. Good luck!

 

[Redvoodoo55]

Ultimately you will just need to drive both and decide what you like best. I agree that the suspensions is the biggest difference between the two. Personally I prefer the X73 Sports Suspension over PASM. I think the only think I would not prefer on the car with X73 is its steering wheel.

 

[Redvoodoo55]

I did notice the one with PASM has PSE which is a significant difference but I would still go with the X73 one. You can always add an aftermarket exhaust if you want more sound.

 

[dmorales-bello]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I understand the X73 is a lowered, stiffer suspension mainly due to thicker sway bars, right? Since I'm coming from a Lamborghini Gallardo with very stiff suspension, jarring ride and having to lift the nose to clear speed bumps, I would prefer the more moderate PASM.
I'm leaning toward the PASM car with the yellow wheels but I dislike those yellow wheels as well and tried to get the seller to swap the black wheels form the other car but he argued that the build sheet for each car specifies the wheels that came from factory and that would hurt resale value. Is that salesman BS?
Any particular mechanical problems I should be looking for typical for these cars that wouldn't be obvious or included in a PPI?

 

[jimc12]

I would ask the dealer to generate a DME report to see if there are any engine over revs. Are they providing any repair history documentation? PPI is a must....

 

[dmorales-bello]

I'm having an indy Porsche specialist do a PPI tomorrow. I wonder if he can generate a DME report like you mentioned.
The seller has all the service records and repair history (nothing more than routine scheduled maintenance has been done) as well as a clean Carfax.

 

[wagzhp]

Both car adds mention "previously sold as certified pre-owned". Does that mean they come with the Porsche certified pre-owned warranty? That would be a huge bonus in my book. Swapping the wheels, or having them painted, can be done after the purchase. In my experience, not many sellers will swap wheels with another car on the lot.

 

[dmorales-bello]

So the PPI was done yesterday on the car with the yellow wheels and the only significant finding is a small chip on the passenger side of the windshield about 2 inches from the bottom.
The over revs report indicates:
"Range 1 7,300 to 7,500 RPMS hit rev limiter 7 times, last occurrence 3.36 hours." For all the other higher ranges there are 0 occurrences.
All else on the car is without issues. No codes, no recalls.
The seller is only coming down $1000 from his asking price. I would like him to patch the 4 holes in the front bumper from the license plate bracket and repair the windshield but it doesn't look likely that he'll be willing to pay for these things. Is it such a seller's market at Porsche that he can hold that position and still sell the car?

 

[dmorales-bello]

The CPO warranty can only be transferred if the sale occurs between two private owners and cannot be transferred once a dealer is involved in the secondary sale. Unfortunately!!!

 

[jimc12]

Looks like you're good to go....

 

[wagzhp]

"The CPO warranty can only be transferred if the sale occurs between two private owners and cannot be transferred once a dealer is involved in the secondary sale. Unfortunately!!! "

Oh, that's a bummer. To me, with no warranty, the price seems a little high. However, to get them to go lower you will have to make your offer and walk if they don't accept. Let them know you are serious and tell them to contact you if they change their mind. It's risky if you really want the car. Sometimes they will call you back a couple of days (or weeks) later, sometimes the car will sell to someone else.

 

[dmorales-bello]

"The CPO warranty can only be transferred if the sale occurs between two private owners and cannot be transferred once a dealer is involved in the secondary sale. Unfortunately!!! "

Oh, that's a bummer. To me, with no warranty, the price seems a little high. However, to get them to go lower you will have to make your offer and walk if they don't accept. Let them know you are serious and tell them to contact you if they change their mind. It's risky if you really want the car. Sometimes they will call you back a couple of days (or weeks) later, sometimes the car will sell to someone else.

I decided to put down a deposit for him to hold the car a couple of weeks until I can up there to see it. I have not seen any 2014 CS with more factory options anywhere and the car seems to be in pretty much perfect shape. I agree that it's a couple of thousand bucks above the norm for a not current CPO vehicle but there's still 8 months left of the factory original warranty. It looks like I'm gonna buy a Porsche Cayman S

 

[wagzhp]

That works too. Finding one with the options you want, at the time you're ready to buy, is worth a few hundred or thousand. If it checks all of your boxes, jump on it!

When I found mine I had been seriously looking for about 8 months, but couldn't find the colors/options I wanted. Mine is only missing 3 options that I also would have liked; PVT or true limited slip, PASM or sport suspension, and PSE. I figure those can be added later if I realize I really need them.

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[dmorales-bello]

Update: I bought the yellow CS with all the options and the ugly yellow wheels. I'm so grateful to all who helped me make the decision and I'm so happy with my acquisition! It reminds me so much of a yellow 1978 Datsun 280Z I had when I was in college, but on steroids. I already added a backup camera, clear led turn signals, Porsche all weather floor mats and trunk liners, window tint, black rear deck letters and it already looks so much cooler. I'll be painting the yellow part of the wheels platinum color this weekend and installing the Zunsport front grill kit. I think that will probably complete my personalization and I'm sure I'll enjoy driving this baby for a long time.

 

[wagzhp]

Congratulations! I really like the sport techno wheels when they are all silver, and a bonus is that they are easier to clean than many of the other designs.

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[kwa747]

Update: I bought the yellow CS with all the options and the ugly yellow wheels. I'm so grateful to all who helped me make the decision and I'm so happy with my acquisition! It reminds me so much of a yellow 1978 Datsun 280Z I had when I was in college, but on steroids. I already added a backup camera, clear led turn signals, Porsche all weather floor mats and trunk liners, window tint, black rear deck letters and it already looks so much cooler. I'll be painting the yellow part of the wheels platinum color this weekend and installing the Zunsport front grill kit. I think that will probably complete my personalization and I'm sure I'll enjoy driving this baby for a long time.

Congratulations, love the yellow!!

Don't forget pictures with the new wheel color.

 

[dmorales-bello]

Sorry I took so long to add a few pics of my Cayman S mods. After changing the wheel fill in color from yellow to platinum, my son convinced me to change the tail lights and add the GTS scoops. Added black model designation script on the doors and completed Zunsport grills all around. Black lettered emblems on the rear deck, clear LED turn signals and a backup camera with parking sensors complete my mods so far. I will be installing the increased height crested arm rest in December (wife's Xmas gift) and I think that may be it.... for now.