As you’re likely aware, the Porsche Cayman is ostensibly the hardtop sports car version of the mid-engined convertible Porsche Boxster. However, this inclination arguably classifies it as the more focused driver’s car. In this overview, we’ll concentrate on the first-generation Cayman, known as the 987. This model is essentially akin to the second-generation Boxster, a vehicle deserving of its own ReDriven Cheat Sheet.
In Australia, the Cayman was primarily available in two specifications: the standard Cayman and the more potent Cayman S. Additionally, two special editions were introduced—the Black Edition and the performance-oriented Cayman R.
A noteworthy development occurred with the 2009 mid-cycle update for this generation. Beyond the obligatory visual and equipment enhancements, the updated 987 underwent significant changes. The engines featured in these models were substantially updated from 2.7 L and 3.4 L Flat 6’s to 2.9 L and honed and improved 3.4 L Flat 6 units, with Porsche opting for a dual-clutch PDK unit, discarding the previous tip-tronic automatic option. Brake systems, suspension, and overall dynamics were also improved to align with these changes.
Given its Porsche lineage, the Cayman 987 boasts an extensive list of optional features, and prospective buyers are advised to familiarise themselves with these options, as there are examples on the market with substantial add-ons.
While the 987 Cayman may seem to offer excellent value for money, appearances can be deceiving. Further details on engine outputs and specifications are outlined in the technical specifications below. For a more nuanced understanding of the risks and what can go wrong, read on to discover additional insights.
Exterior:
The Porsche 987 Cayman exhibits vulnerability in its headlights, susceptible to stone chips and cracks. While light scratches can be polished out, replacing a damaged light can be a costly affair, ranging from hundreds to over $1000. Owners often recommend opting for the Bi-xenon headlights if a replacement becomes necessary. Yellowing or fading of headlights is a common issue, but easily remedied with numerous online tutorials.
The climate condensers and radiators, positioned low in the front, are prone to corrosion, stone chips, and potential leaks. The front lower intakes can accumulate debris, necessitating a thorough air-con test during a pre-purchase inspection to avoid costly component replacements.
Gas struts holding the bonnet open may show signs of wear but are relatively inexpensive to replace. Tailgate rattling can occur due to misaligned hinges or worn seals, usually not a cause for concern unless indicating poor repairs post-accident.
Any signs of rust on a Cayman should raise red flags, suggesting potential issues with accident repairs.
Interior:
Headliner issues often arise, with the roof fabric delaminating and falling in.
Cable wear on door handles is common, leading to handles sticking out.
Interior plastics may experience brittleness, cracking, or peeling surface finishes.
Water ingress can cause complications, often from blocked drainage holes or faulty rubber seals. These demand close inspection, especially behind the front seats.
For the Boxster variant, ensuring the roof mechanism works flawlessly and checking for leaks, possibly by simulating rain, is crucial.
Owners have reported various issues with cup holders, but most are easily fixable with online tutorials.
The air conditioning blend door foam can disintegrate, affecting climate control over time and blowing foam debris into the cabin.
We highly recommend joining 987 owners groups for detailed insights and advice.
Mechanically:
Addressing the notorious IMS (intermediate shaft bearing) issue, early models faced potential failures causing catastrophic engine damage. However, ignoring the hysteria often found online, only a very small percentage of the early 987s actually fail due to this and if the IMS was replaced and upgraded as a preventative maintenance measure (which many are) it’s unlikely to be an issue. Preventative maintenance measures, frequent oil changes, and occasional spirited driving, the theory being that the bearing is lubricated more substantially at higher engine RPM, can all mitigate risks.
Bore scoring issues, causing excessive oil consumption, again primarily affected earlier models. However, this needs to be investigated by a specialist prior to purchase.
Oil leaks, often from the rear main seal and spark plug tubes, are common in aging Porsches like the 987.
Issues with the AOS (Air Oil Separator) can produce smoke on start-up but are relatively inexpensive to fix. Coolant leaks, particularly from the expansion tank and
Exterior:
The Porsche 987 Cayman exhibits vulnerability in its headlights, susceptible to stone chips and cracks. While light scratches can be polished out, replacing a damaged light can be a costly affair, ranging from hundreds to over $1000. Owners often recommend opting for the Bi-xenon headlights if a replacement becomes necessary. Yellowing or fading of headlights is a common issue, but easily remedied with numerous online tutorials.
The climate condensers and radiators, positioned low in the front, are prone to corrosion, stone chips, and potential leaks. The front lower intakes can accumulate debris, necessitating a thorough air-con test during a pre-purchase inspection to avoid costly component replacements.
Gas struts holding the bonnet open may show signs of wear but are relatively inexpensive to replace. Tailgate rattling can occur due to misaligned hinges or worn seals, usually not a cause for concern unless indicating poor repairs post-accident.
Any signs of rust on a Cayman should raise red flags, suggesting potential issues with accident repairs.
Interior:
Headliner issues often arise, with the roof fabric delaminating and falling in.
Cable wear on door handles is common, leading to handles sticking out.
Interior plastics may experience brittleness, cracking, or peeling surface finishes.
Water ingress can cause complications, often from blocked drainage holes or faulty rubber seals. These demand close inspection, especially behind the front seats.
For the Boxster variant, ensuring the roof mechanism works flawlessly and checking for leaks, possibly by simulating rain, is crucial.
Owners have reported various issues with cup holders, but most are easily fixable with online tutorials.
The air conditioning blend door foam can disintegrate, affecting climate control over time and blowing foam debris into the cabin.
We highly recommend joining 987 owners groups for detailed insights and advice.
Mechanically:
Addressing the notorious IMS (intermediate shaft bearing) issue, early models faced potential failures causing catastrophic engine damage. However, ignoring the hysteria often found online, only a very small percentage of the early 987s actually fail due to this and if the IMS was replaced and upgraded as a preventative maintenance measure (which many are) it’s unlikely to be an issue. Preventative maintenance measures, frequent oil changes, and occasional spirited driving, the theory being that the bearing is lubricated more substantially at higher engine RPM, can all mitigate risks.
Bore scoring issues, causing excessive oil consumption, again primarily affected earlier models. However, this needs to be investigated by a specialist prior to purchase.
Oil leaks, often from the rear main seal and spark plug tubes, are common in aging Porsches like the 987.
Issues with the AOS (Air Oil Separator) can produce smoke on start-up but are relatively inexpensive to fix. Coolant leaks, particularly from the expansion tank and water pumps, are prevalent, require attention. Brakes and suspension components, such as lower control arm bushes, are worn items needing replacement every 40-60k kilometres.
Servicing and repair costs are comparatively high not only because it’s a Porsche but often due to challenging access to engine components.
Manual transmissions are generally reliable, though selector cables can break. Not a difficult or expensive repair.
Pre-update Tip-tronic gearboxes are solid but lack the fun factor of PDK, which, while not unreliable, incurs high repair costs if or when issues arise.
Before paying a premium for genuine Porsche components, the 987 Cayman benefits from a robust aftermarket parts market and abundant DIY resources, making it an excellent platform for enthusiasts, even those on a tighter budget.
In summary, the 987 Cayman falls into two categories: meticulously maintained examples owned by passionate and financial enthusiasts, likely to be very reliable, and neglected ones owned by those possibly not in the financial position to afford a Porsche, therefore cutting corners, causing significant headaches for the unprepared future owners.
Exterior:
The Porsche 987 Cayman exhibits vulnerability in its headlights, susceptible to stone chips and cracks. While light scratches can be polished out, replacing a damaged light can be a costly affair, ranging from hundreds to over $1000. Owners often recommend opting for the Bi-xenon headlights if a replacement becomes necessary. Yellowing or fading of headlights is a common issue, but easily remedied with numerous online tutorials.
The climate condensers and radiators, positioned low in the front, are prone to corrosion, stone chips, and potential leaks. The front lower intakes can accumulate debris, necessitating a thorough air-con test during a pre-purchase inspection to avoid costly component replacements.
Gas struts holding the bonnet open may show signs of wear but are relatively inexpensive to replace. Tailgate rattling can occur due to misaligned hinges or worn seals, usually not a cause for concern unless indicating poor repairs post-accident.
Any signs of rust on a Cayman should raise red flags, suggesting potential issues with accident repairs.
Interior:
Headliner issues often arise, with the roof fabric delaminating and falling in.
Cable wear on door handles is common, leading to handles sticking out.
Interior plastics may experience brittleness, cracking, or peeling surface finishes.
Water ingress can cause complications, often from blocked drainage holes or faulty rubber seals. These demand close inspection, especially behind the front seats.
For the Boxster variant, ensuring the roof mechanism works flawlessly and checking for leaks, possibly by simulating rain, is crucial.
Owners have reported various issues with cup holders, but most are easily fixable with online tutorials.
The air conditioning blend door foam can disintegrate, affecting climate control over time and blowing foam debris into the cabin.
We highly recommend joining 987 owners groups for detailed insights and advice.
Mechanically:
Addressing the notorious IMS (intermediate shaft bearing) issue, early models faced potential failures causing catastrophic engine damage. However, ignoring the hysteria often found online, only a very small percentage of the early 987s actually fail due to this and if the IMS was replaced and upgraded as a preventative maintenance measure (which many are) it’s unlikely to be an issue. Preventative maintenance measures, frequent oil changes, and occasional spirited driving, the theory being that the bearing is lubricated more substantially at higher engine RPM, can all mitigate risks.
Bore scoring issues, causing excessive oil consumption, again primarily affected earlier models. However, this needs to be investigated by a specialist prior to purchase.
Oil leaks, often from the rear main seal and spark plug tubes, are common in aging Porsches like the 987.
Issues with the AOS (Air Oil Separator) can produce smoke on start-up but are relatively inexpensive to fix. Coolant leaks, particularly from the expansion tank and water pumps, are prevalent, require attention. Brakes and suspension components, such as lower control arm bushes, are worn items needing replacement every 40-60k kilometres.
Servicing and repair costs are comparatively high not only because it’s a Porsche but often due to challenging access to engine components.
Manual transmissions are generally reliable, though selector cables can break. Not a difficult or expensive repair.
Pre-update Tip-tronic gearboxes are solid but lack the fun factor of PDK, which, while not unreliable, incurs high repair costs if or when issues arise.
Before paying a premium for genuine Porsche components, the 987 Cayman benefits from a robust aftermarket parts market and abundant DIY resources, making it an excellent platform for enthusiasts, even those on a tighter budget.
In summary, the 987 Cayman falls into two categories: meticulously maintained examples owned by passionate and financial enthusiasts, likely to be very reliable, and neglected ones owned by those possibly not in the financial position to afford a Porsche, therefore cutting corners, causing significant headaches for the unprepared future owners.
Should you consider purchasing a Porsche 987? If we’re discussing pre-update Caymans, we would advise against it. While undeniably exceptional when in optimal condition, the associated maintenance costs and reliability concerns make it a less-than-ideal choice. Additionally, in automatic form, the mechanically robust tip-tronic lacks the driving finesse found in the updated models with the PDK transmission.
Considering the cost on the used market, numerous alternatives offer comparable value, driving experience and appeal.
On the flip side, for post-updated Caymans, if the pre-purchase inspection clears and you are aware of the commitment involved, not only should you consider buying one, but it stands out as a top choice among performance cars in this budget range and beyond.
This model not only satisfies all the criteria for a premium car but also stands as one of the finest driver’s cars available across various budgets. Its exceptional performance can be enjoyed even at sensible speeds.
Acknowledging their imperfections and the financial commitment associated with owning a used Porsche, the Cayman, especially the Cayman R if available, emerges as a compelling option. While it may not stroke your ego like a 911, if the latest flashy car isn’t a prerequisite for your self-esteem, the Cayman is a worthwhile choice.
Should you consider purchasing a Porsche 987? If we’re discussing pre-update Caymans, we would advise against it. While undeniably exceptional when in optimal condition, the associated maintenance costs and reliability concerns make it a less-than-ideal choice. Additionally, in automatic form, the mechanically robust tip-tronic lacks the driving finesse found in the updated models with the PDK transmission.
Considering the cost on the used market, numerous alternatives offer comparable value, driving experience and appeal.
On the flip side, for post-updated Caymans, if the pre-purchase inspection clears and you are aware of the commitment involved, not only should you consider buying one, but it stands out as a top choice among performance cars in this budget range and beyond.
This model not only satisfies all the criteria for a premium car but also stands as one of the finest driver’s cars available across various budgets. Its exceptional performance can be enjoyed even at sensible speeds.
Acknowledging their imperfections and the financial commitment associated with owning a used Porsche, the Cayman, especially the Cayman R if available, emerges as a compelling option. While it may not stroke your ego like a 911, if the latest flashy car isn’t a prerequisite for your self-esteem, the Cayman is a worthwhile choice.
Should you consider purchasing a Porsche 987? If we’re discussing pre-update Caymans, we would advise against it. While undeniably exceptional when in optimal condition, the associated maintenance costs and reliability concerns make it a less-than-ideal choice. Additionally, in automatic form, the mechanically robust tip-tronic lacks the driving finesse found in the updated models with the PDK transmission.
Considering the cost on the used market, numerous alternatives offer comparable value, driving experience and appeal.
On the flip side, for post-updated Caymans, if the pre-purchase inspection clears and you are aware of the commitment involved, not only should you consider buying one, but it stands out as a top choice among performance cars in this budget range and beyond.
This model not only satisfies all the criteria for a premium car but also stands as one of the finest driver’s cars available across various budgets. Its exceptional performance can be enjoyed even at sensible speeds.
Acknowledging their imperfections and the financial commitment associated with owning a used Porsche, the Cayman, especially the Cayman R if available, emerges as a compelling option. While it may not stroke your ego like a 911, if the latest flashy car isn’t a prerequisite for your self-esteem, the Cayman is a worthwhile choice.
Have ultimate peace of mind when buying a used car by purchasing an official PPSR report.
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Dec 15, 2023.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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