get every option?

[Ian Kirby]

Hi there

I am just about to take the plunge, have done all my homework, had the test drive and pored over every car on the web. I have decided on a 2008 3.4s with PASM, PSM, chrono pack, sport exhaust, sport seats, Aero kit and other 'bits' - am I getting too obsessed with toys? Which is generally accepted as the better amongst yourselves the 3.4 or the 2.9 I just can't quite decide, I have about a week to change my mind, but not sure if I want to. All advise gratefully recieved.

Cheers Ian
P.S anyone have a car for sale?

 

[Buddy]

Hi Ian, Buying 2nd hand means you get the options cheap so get as many as you can it doesn't effect resale price by much but it does effect your enjoyment of the car. As for 2.9 or 3.4 I must admit a bias to the 3.4 as having driven a 2.9 I wouldn't go that route. I don't have the Climate control, PASM or sat nav but just about everything else and auto dimming mirrors with auto wipers are brilliant but not appreciated until you have them, so are the Xenon lights both are terrific on those long motorway trips in bad weather at night. Sports seats, Bose all make for a nice road car. Chrono pack is good but not vital. My car is not for sale and I've had it nearly 5 years.[]

 

[Ian Kirby]

Thanks for that kev wasn't sure anybody would answer, As I indicated pretty sure the 3.4 is the car for me the fella that I'm in touch with seems to be a really genuine fella, as the car has a full history I figured a MOT or AA check should be enough to quell any last minute fears. The idea is to purchase the car which is a fair way from home and then take 2/3 days to get home, a road trip is maybe a bit tempting fate but I am SOO ready for a break. Cheers again Ian

 

[Buddy]

Does it have a Porsche Warranty? If so it is transferable on a private sale. An OPC check is the minimum inspection to go for or a private inspection such as AA. Is the full service history OPC? 2 - 3 days is a lot of traveling so you must be taking some stop overs. Is it a long distance or as you say your need of a break that makes you say 2 - 3 days?

 

[chrisH]

One more point Ian is as if it has a Porsche warranty it is worth extending when it runs out. My OPC told me that Porsche tends to take a sympathetic view on failures up to 5 years old providing the service history is up to date and its got reasonable mileage. After 5 years though you are on your own so would advise keeping that extended warranty running on a 2008 car when it becomes due.

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Ian, Welcome to the forum. I concur with Kevan's comments but you might consider having an inspection performed by a reputable Porsche Indy, rather than the AA, since they'll have more specialised experience. My Cayman S is a Gen II car - which means there are no RMS/IMS issues and the DFI engine is more fuel-efficient and cleaner - with 19" wheels, PASM, LSD, Sport Chrono, Bi-Xenons with Dynamic Cornering (which follow the road as you turn - really excellent!), Sport Seats, Full Climate Control plus a few other things, all very nice to have. I'd say that the PASM, Bi-Xeons and the Climate Control are the "must haves" for me and the Sport Seat suits my slim build, but mine's not an every-day drive. I'm sure that the BOSE system is very good but I find that the Sound Package Plus upgrade is perfectly adequate and a TomTom suits my travelling requirements perfectly well. The ParkAssist and Rear Wiper would be useful if you're using the car regularly in heavy traffic and having to park in streets. Hope the purchase goes smoothly and enjoy the car. Do please think about joining the Club too. Jeff

 

[Buddy]

One other thing regarding the Porsche warranty is that even if it has lapsed you can get a Porsche 111 point check at a price at the OPC and then buy their warranty, not cheap but from time to time there are debates on what is a good warranty provider, most stick with Porsche. As Jeff rightly says the Gen 2 does have a good number of improvements not least being the engine mods and some suspension changes to give an improved ride although I have no complaints with the Gen1 personally and although not exactly of narrow build I prefer the sports seats. Whereabouts are you based? The club has regional and national meets and you can get along to talk to other Porsche fanatics many have been driving Porsches for many years. I'm sure that if you get along to a local meet to introduce yourself and take a look they will be encouraging. Enjoy the car when you get it.

 

[Ian Kirby]

Thanks Everyone! I'm genuinely touched/immpressed with the useful and practical advise from people. As soon as car is purchased I will defineatley be joining up and will get to my nearest North Yorkshire meet - Leeds I think? Here is the actual blurb :- 2008 Cayman S. 29000 miles. Serviced last week (major including oil, brake fluid and plugs) New years MOT. Turbo wheels. Aero Kit fitted from factory.Chrono pack.Sport seats. PSM.PASM. Sports Exhaust. Sat Nav, PCM. Air Con. CD. E/W. COBRA tracker installed. Black Leather with Red Seat belts. Bi-Xenon lights. My man lives way up in Aberdeen, I in Scarborough N.Yorks hence the comment about 2 day journey back really it's just an excuse to chill and play. And now to make myself look like a complete a**e I shall have a stab at OPC without looking it up Official Porsche C..., nope but it sounds the thing to do!. Easy to organise?Will check with him about extended warranty, I was more than happy with the garages he quoted. Ever so slightly worried now about the sport seats and slim build, I'm more James Martin than Chris Martin! B in Law has a RS4 it's pathetic watching me flailing around trying to exit with grace - might have to perfect my James Bond roll out of the car. I honestly hadn't clicked that Xenon's were an extra so that blows the so called 'homework',no real mention of the sound system I think 'sport exhaust' was the only noise I wanted to hear. I shall stop gabbling - make quite a few notes from you guys - learn what OPC means,hopefully buy a car and lose weight fast!! Thanks for the help,hope to see you on the road soon

 

[Ian Kirby]

OPC..... as in OaPC like the big logo at the bottom of the page,[] Oh god I'm off to dig a hole and hide. I'm not allowed on here anymore am I [] Aargh the shame!!!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

No, not that. OPC = Official Porsche Centre. Mine has standard seats, as I found the sports seats on my 996's a bit snug on the thighs. I sat in some sports seats in a friend's Cayman, and they were fine (much more comfortable than in my 996), so I think you will likely be OK. And if you don't like them, I'll swap!

 

[Ian Kirby]

I don't think I'm intelligent enough to own one of these cars So not necessarily a Porsche dealership but an approved garage, which can easily be found on the web who can then do a Porsche approved 111 point check which will cost me ?...£100-200, can they also do the mystical 'this car has never gone over 65mph and every gear change was sequential' unlike my test drive - 6 GEARS! God bless my missus who has bought me a driving experience for my birthday - 30 years of driving and I desperatley need a driving lesson. Again Thank you Much soil in hair from hole in ground, I will be changing my name if I turn up at a meeting I am sure there is a community sniggering out there....I deserve it!![]

 

[John H]

I'd say don't get too hung up on the options. Mine is a basic 2.7 with almost no options (just cruise and heated seats) cos I wanted a basic simple car, and it is still fabulous, even after 5 years of ownership. []

 

[Dylan1]

you will be absolutely fine with sports seats-the 996 sports seats were too snug for my 6 ft 14 stone frame but porsche knew their market was getting older and not so slim so the 997 /987 sports seats were bigger hence i am absolutely fine with them and actually far more comfortable than in standard seats-so i guess you will find them great-i personally wouldnt choose a car without them now as i find them much more comfortable than std seats.i didnt realise people bought them because they were slim!! most of my chums bought them because they liked the extra snug support and most are my approx size. enjoy the car you will have great fun[]

 

[Buddy]

Dylian just described just as I feel the seats are, snug and supportive not too cramped. I do know one guy who modded his to be a little less snug but he's the only one to do anything that I know of. The spec sounds nice, enjoy the car and maybe at some time get down to the region 8 meetings, I've been unable to attend for some time but it would be good to have a Cayman contingent there when I do.

 

[Motorhead]

ORIGINAL: Ian Kirby Ever so slightly worried now about the sport seats and slim build, I'm more James Martin than Chris Martin!

Ian, Can I suggest that you get yourself along to the nearest OPC (now that you know what it means!) and try both seats for suitability. They're bound to have a selection of 987 Caymans and Boxsters with standard and sports seats. Jeff

 

[uknick]

ORIGINAL: Ian Kirby So not necessarily a Porsche dealership but an approved garage, which can easily be found on the web who can then do a Porsche approved 111 point check which will cost me ?...£100-200, can they also do the mystical 'this car has never gone over 65mph and every gear change was sequential' unlike my test drive - 6 GEARS!

Only an OPC can do the 111 point check, and if you buy a Cayman without official extended warranty I think you have to wait for 90 days from purchase to get a new warranty put on it. You might want to Google for comments about the official Porsche extended warranty. There are some quite stringent conditions for the warranty to apply.

 

[Ian Kirby]

Hi Everyone just waiting for the qualifiers fingers x jenson can get his act together. Thanks for the advice from everyone, especially kevan who made extra effort to educate this simpleton. Think I'm going to chill on the whole seatgate situation the 2006 car I test drove was fine (no idea which seats) and the seats in my S6 do a good job as well. 100% an OPC for me - anyone got an idea of cost? Cheers all

 

[Buddy]

If you mean to buy a car from an OPC ( 2 year warranty included ) then google Porsche centres and they list all centre cars in the UK just search by model. Happy hunting![][][] For info: http://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/owningyourporsche/porschewarrantyperiods/

 

[Ian Kirby]

Bah not buying a maclaren - they're rubbish in the rain!! to be honest I didn't actually mean a purchase I meant 111 point check and reinstatement or continuing their warranty, the car I test drove was £26000 which I thought was a little rich, the car I'm looking at is 2 years newer similar miles and even if it costs a grand or two to get back full warranty status - will be checking this week, still leaves me 2k better off with a newer car. But I will check it out, I thought I'd looked everywhere but always grateful for any any tips Cheers

 

[Ian Kirby]

Thanks Buddy Just a had a quick look in my local area nothing really floats my boat or in my budget [] b ut will keep looking!