….so does my son stretch to a 981or go 987……first Porsche and seems easier to cap the budget at 15k and just consider 987s!!!
Appreciate there are loads of variable but let’s start with it doesn’t need to be an 3.2/3.4 or PDK.
Any thoughts much appreciated
For a 15K budget, you will not find a good 981. I would suggest you get the best 987 base model you can find for £20K, buy from a reputable dealer and get it inspected by an expert who will check that EVERYTHING works.
The later 987.2 has the more robust MA1 direct injection engine with lower emissions, better fuel economy and lower road tax . Note that some 2009 registered cars are 987.1s. The 987 also has fewer electronics than the 981 e.g, the latter has start/stop, electric parking brake, electric power steering and possibly more.
I am the third owner of a 92K mile 2010 987.2 Cayman. I have owned it for 10 years. Service has been as per the book except that, regardless of miles covered, I change the oil and filter annually . This helps keep the engine clean and healthy.
The car had a new clutch and brakes when I bought it. In the 10 years since, in addition to the usual wear and tear (brakes, tyres etc.), notable work has amounted to the following:
2019 - window regulator cable (corroded and snapped)
2020 - front coolant pipes, mentioned by others. Note, many don't last 10 years
2021 - one failed coil pack
2022 - auxiliary drive belt tensioner replaced,
2023 - front suspension struts and rear track control arms replaced (at 84K miles, by OPC).
2024 - snapped gear selector cable replaced last August (at 89K miles, again by OPC)
Personally, I don't think that is bad for 10 years of ownership given the age and milage on the car.