2006 Cayman S - Is this a good deal?

[JonnyMiata]

I keep coming back to this car and it looks like a damn good deal.  The car is an S and has 19K miles with no accidents, a wired detector, clear bra, and lots of goodies.  For $33K this seems like a great deal.  What am I missing?  Is insurance just outrageous for these cars? 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=288296792&dealer_id=65771647&car_year=2006&doors=&systime=&model=CAYMAN&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=500&min_price=&drive=&rdm=1294431325390&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=&address=45255&color=BLUE&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=35000&color2=&awsp=false&make=POR&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=242&standard=false

It is nice to know there are deals like this out there.  I really want one of these beautiful cars some day.  I am glad to see they are somewhat in my price range.

[MAC]

Boxsters, Caymans, and some 911s with their water-cooled engines have proven themselves to be problematic according to many experts including Excellence Magazine writers.  Particularly with engine failures and rear main seal leak problems, I would certainly do some research before buying one these cars.  It's too bad because publications have issued rave reviews about the these cars. As always, buyer be aware.

[JonnyMiata]

Thanks, Mac.  I knew it had to be too good to be true.  Oh well....back to the drawing board.

[P_Croc]

Boxsters, Caymans, and some 911s with their water-cooled engines have proven themselves to be problematic according to many experts including Excellence Magazine writers.  Particularly with engine failures and rear main seal leak problems, I would certainly do some research before buying one these cars.  It's too bad because publications have issued rave reviews about the these cars. As always, buyer be aware.

It has been my understanding that the issue regarding engine failures and and rear main seal leaks were primarily found in Boxsters of the 1997 -2001 era.  There were changes made after which seemed to virtually eliminate this problem.  I can speak for myself as I have an '08 Cayman with 45,000 and no major problems to speak of to date (knocking on wood).  In fact it has been one of the most solid cars I have ever owned.  As with any car you need to be thorough in your research...how it was driven, how it was maintained, etc.  As far as major problems related to manufacturing though, I think Porsche had a pretty handle on it by '06.  You can find out all kinds of good info on this car at www.planet-9.com formerly caymanclub.com.

[Bruce]

Jon - I paid about $29,000 for my '06 Boxster (not an S) with 16K miles.  This included tax, title, and a delivery fee (it came out of Chicago).   A good friend has a '06 Cayman S and I believe he paid somewhere between $35,000 and $40,000 back in mid 2009.  We both love them and they have both been (knock on wood) trouble free.  I was a little apprehensive when I read about the main seal problem that would result in catastrophic engine failure, but like P_Croc said, the issue seemed more prevalent in the 986 (96 to 04) than in the 987 (2005+) and tended to happen early in the life of the car.  As for insurance, I pay $418 per year for my Boxster with full coverage, $250K/$500K limits, and a $1,000 deductible.  I'm sure you'd love it.

[JonnyMiata]

Cool, Bruce....thanks for the info.  The other car I am looking at is the newer Audi TT.  I had one of the 1.8T TT's in 2000 and liked it.  I understand this is more of a "purpose built" car meaning that it is closer to a true sports car than the TT body on a VW GTI chassis.   The choice would be 2.0T or 3.2 V6.  If I can get the sound out of the 3.2 that I have heard from a VW R32, I am all over that.  I have heard the 2.0T is more sportier though.   This is one of those cars that I wouldn't mind getting with the paddles.  This would be a first for me.  The Cayman would have to be manual. I can get a low mileage TT that is certified under $30K.  That is a good deal. 

[Bruce]

Since you've already had an Audi TT, give the Porsche a try!  Have you driven one?

[JonnyMiata]

I have driven a Boxster.   I have driven a 911. 

[TARNOLD]

I inquired about the black 2008 Cayman. It has 38k miles, is certified and comes with a 100,000 mile warranty. $33K and I am sure could be had for less. Call Mike Lippschutz (friend from Kilgour School days) and take it out. It is a beauty.

[MAC]

I don't want to be "Mr Negative" but I think Audi was second from bottom on reliability ranking in JD Powers (sorry, Consumer Report) last year, I believe it considering the problems my daughter's had with her S4.  Of course, reliability is not everything especially while car's under warranty.

[Bruce]

I have driven a Boxster.

Then you've effectively driven a Cayman.  The Cayman has a more rigid chassis because of the hard top, but that's about it.  If I'm sitting in my Boxster or my friend's Cayman, the interior is pretty much identical.  I think you should go for it (not that my opinion matters). 

[JonnyMiata]

Mac you are killing me here.    With what Bruce is telling me and others I have talked to, the Porsche seems like a good choice.  I am not ready to move now but I will looking a little closer in the summer. 

[MAC]

You could check into extended warranty policies, it might be worth it depending on cost, it would give you the piece of mind and be able to enjoy the car too.  

I'll have to check my records to see what year(I checked, it was 06) his car was, but I have a customer whose Cayman I put a clear bra on maybe a year and half ago and he came back recently with a new Corvette for me to do.  I asked him what happened to his Cayman and he said he found out that the engine in his car had been replaced at around 12k miles and when he started checking on the net about problems with these cars it scared him into trading it in for the Vette.  

He loved his Cayman and I think from everything I've read Cayman is the best Porsche you can buy in many ways.  I'm thinking it might have been cheaper for him to have kept it and bought service insurance.  

[Bruce]

When I was looking into getting mine and came across the engine failure issue, I did a lot of research.  I don't remember the details, but there is a kit you can buy to replace the parts that cause the failure.  If I remember correctly, the kit plus installation was under $2,000.  At the end of the day, I decided to pull the trigger and get the Boxster (without the kit).  Love it! 

[TARNOLD]

I just realized I was incomplete in my comment about the 08 Black Beauty. It is at Porsche of the Village.