Contemplating on buying a used Porsche. Which one is more reliable, Porsche 911 or Porsche Cayman?
More detail please like year miles etc. how much are you going to use it? how will you use it?
Which years are you looking at? Overall, the Caymans are generally more reliable. Either of these would be best for a secondary or weekend car instead of a daily driver - especially if the car has a lot of miles on it. The 2006-2012 Porsche Caymans with the flat 6 engine are pretty solid with the 6 speed manual transmission. I would highly recommend getting a pre-purchase inspection before you make an offer. Just keep in mind that you will have to budget at least a couple thousand dollars per year for maintenance since everything from parts and labor to normal maintenance is going to be more expensive. If you go into ownership knowing/preparing for this, you will enjoy the car a lot more. They are solidly built cars that are really fun to drive!
Perhaps a hint or three will help with your question? Stuff like: … newer one?, older one?, classic one?, … available budget? Perhaps even an example of one you are lusting after? For example, … I like ‘72 911E, … since I can’t afford 911S, … that is, the one in excellent condition.
And Cayman? Recently, Caymans are a bit better than 911s, better drivers, more bang for your buck, … but that does not matter much. I wouldn’t want to own neither one.
Anyway, … hint or three, please?
F.S.
I have owned three early ('70. '71 and '81) 9lls. I rebuilt the engines and trans on all of them and believe they were the best, easiest to work on and most fun vehicles I have ever owned. I never drove a Cayman so I can't intelligently comment on them.
Thank you all for the feedbacks.
I was looking at a 2007 Cayman S with 100K miles going for around $20K on craigslist, sure like the way it looks compared to the 911. It looks more aggressive in my opinion. Was just wondering about their reliability and hence the question. I'll definitely take some of your advice and get a pre-purchase inspection before price negotiation.
Yes but make sure to have it to an independent experienced mechanic not Porshce itself because they WANT you to buy that car so they can fix it.
‘07 Cayman and plus/minus a year are rather reliable. 2.7 is more reliable than 3.4. Larger engine has a lubrication problem if you flog it. Also brakes, … but these cause problem if you don’t flog it.Yes. You have to use brakes hard for them to work properly. Other problems: … electrical, failing suspension parts. And servicing! Costs primarily, …
Anyway, big problem with used Porsches is that they were either driven hard, … by a delinquent owner, or they were park for months and months by a one who bought it for status and drove it lightly and seldom. Either category is not best, … you need to drive them and drive them often, … and service them diligently, otherwise they seem to act up, … and act up often.
Other than that, … if you like one, if you think you can afford up keep, … find one. Have it thoroughly checked before, … and don’t pay too much. Think about if you just have to sell it at some point. It won’t be easy, … rich guys just buy or lease a new one, … and rest are just wanna-haves. Too cheap to even splurge on a cheap one! Trust me, Porsche’s are not liquid assets!
Best,
F.S.