@5:45 Spark plugs and coils are actually very easy, behind both rear wheels there is an access door held on with some torx screws. Summitlife has a pretty good video on it. Looks good man, keep it up!
Good video! Forget about IMS on these, bore scoring will get you in the end! Recommend you install a low temp thermostat (very cheap), and put fresh injectors (about £50 a pop). Old injectors leak and the fuel washes the oil film out of the cylinders greatly accelerating wear. And change oil every 5k or 6 months. Gotta love lokasil, rapid oil contamination, change often.
@@KennyRavelo it’s now affecting a huge number of engines and it’s down to how they were driven. Garage queens suffer the worst it seems. Search for “bore scoring rennvision” and you’ll find a 10 part series by FSI, 6 hours of content on bore scoring explaining how it happens, how to check, and how to keep a still healthy engine that way.😅
FYI: Changed the battery to AMG few years ago, then the airbag light stayed illuminated on the dashboard. Purchased icarsoft v2.0 Porsche for diagnostic and reset the light worked. Indy mechanic usually charges $100 USD for diagnostic rip off, just get the icarsoft well worth it for other Diag and resets. Gas cap access panel solenoid stopped working in open position, reset the fuse did the trick. Battery Starter for Car, TOPVISION 2200A when your battery dies and can't open the frunck to jump start the battery, keep it inside your cabin. Let the engine fully warmup before hamming it to help prevent cylinder bore scoring. Best Wishes Everyone!
I have a 06 cayman s and I would recommend getting an aftermarket infotainment system. I have a pioneer avh-4200nex works great comes with a backup camera and compatible with android auto and Apple carplay.
The only reason I haven't upgraded my system is because the owner before me went through some serious modification to install a cable that works with the OEM infotainment system, and I definitely appreciate the work and the OEM look they tried to preserve. I've been seriously thinking about how much more money I'm willing to spend on the car now, and the more i think about it the more I'm considering just saving up for an eventual 981 upgrade. It might not be for a while as prices on those are very high still, but it's something to look forward to eventually...
Love it! The shape and handling will ensure your car is a classic. My 987.2 is up to 121,000m and I don’t care about short term loss because I love it so much and know that in ten years it’ll be worth at least as much as it is now :)
I wanted a 987.2 or 981 but couldn't find one with the specs I like (Manual S), and the ones I did were wayyyy out of budget .. for good reason. You're right, sounds like 987.2 and 981s will definitely keep their value for a while now
Indeed, and even the original 987 cayman has bottomed out over here at £10k. Such an awesome shape and not many about. Had to change my fuel pump a while back and that was the only big layout so far. Apart from oil, tyres and brakes adding up it’s not been a bad ride :)
Like you said, your car is old. Stop paying premiums for Porsche service. Find a good Indy shop or learn to diy. If you wanna learn how to do brakes I'm in San Jose.
I mostly wanted to just do Porsche service for my first major one to see what the cost is actually like and if its worth it, otherwise i wouldnt have been able to share that info with you all. But going forward I definitely will be looking at indy shops. I would love to DIY more but time constraints are a huge thing for me unfortunately. I might be limited to the quick oil changes and easier jobs for the foreseeable future.
Just found your channel tonight. As a fellow 987 owner I have to say yours looks absolutely gorgeous with the wheels and front lights in particular. I agree the IMS issue isn't a concern here. LN engineering makes IMS replacement kits and they specifically say the failure rate on our cars is lower than 1% and to not bother with replacing it. The language is on their site. You have a new subscriber here.
Thanks so much! :) Yes, from everything I've seen the IMS issue is much more myth than fact. Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on an orbital and some more detailing tools during quarantine so I can make a paint correction video
I bought a black 987 almost 10 years ago and it's an absolute pleasure to own and drive. Never wanted another car again so you might just keep it a long time!
oof bracing myself for the shifter cable, but might just do a mod when the time comes anyways .. maybe a short shifter kit or just something that feels a little more precise and rifle bolt "clicky"
Do the SS and Numeric shift cables! The ‘rifle bolt’ feel is one of my favorite mods, well worth the $750. I bid on a 2016 Spyder, should be shipped soon! SS is standard!
@@charleslu7044 I haven't considered any suspension upgrades yet, as I am pretty happy with the handling so far, but Short Shifters are definitely on my radar for near future. My 2005 Mini Coop S has a more precise feeling shift throw somehow
Enjoyed the video. I too own a 987.1 S. Decided I don't like dealing with dealership and found an Indy who is Porsche certified. Do the plugs yourself. Super easy. CZcams is the best...
@@roccogrisham8441 Yeah since this video I've found an indy shop I really like, already saved me about $1200 on a clutch/RMS job. Next time spark plugs/air filters/oil need to be done now I'll definitely be taking care of it myself. The clear cover wasn't a huge want of mine, but I JUST saw one in person for the first time, and now I'm drooling over it...
What I gathered from the first 1/3 of the video was that if you're handy, the maintenance costs are not significantly different from any other performance car. The labor is such a large percentage of the costs you paid.
For the most part, yes the actual labor cost for maintenance is the big killer. If you do the work yourself or at an indie shop, you'll definitely save quite a bit, but if you're adamant about sticking with OEM parts, the costs will still be pretty high. Look up how much it costs to get new OEM cats and you still might cringe
Great video, great overview of the ownership experience, great commentary. Glad to see you enjoying the car and taking care of it. I agree with so many of the things you said here. I almost bought a 987, then a 981, and ended up with a Lotus Elise. Still love the caymans though!
KENNY! Great stuff buddy! (I grew up in the South Bay Area. Go Niners) This is my first CZcams comment as I usually just watch, read and move on. I felt compelled to share my opinion as it is rather informed and I am passionate about these cars. I’ve been fortunate to have owned an 2008 S and currently drive a 2011 S. Both 6sp manuals. Both black on black. The scope of the 987.2’s updates are an example of Porsche’s commitment to improving on their already iconic motor cars. The second generation 2009-2012 are the absolute sweet spot of mixing heritage with advancements and ultimately an unbeatable driving experience at almost any price. The mid engine platform has always been and will always be the superior platform. So much so, that Chevrolet was willing to scrap 70 years of Corvette design. Crazy. (With the differences between a Camaro and a Corvette becoming less and less obvious, it’s no wonder Chevy had to change one of them significantly enough to justify the need for both models. There had to be a big change that would truly set them apart.) Spoiler alert; they didn’t change the Camaro to the mid-engine platform. They changed their most iconic flagship model because they would do that, before creating a Camaro that would end the Corvettes reign atop the fold. In short, they were willing to bite the bullet and design a game changer. (We’re all about to see just how special this new car is and it’s impact on the ‘luxury/super car’ market. Why the comparison? The difference? Chevy sells many many different models. Up to relatively a short time ago, Porsche was 911 and ONLY the 911. That WAS the brand. Period. The 911 are still status symbols AND amazing cars. Sometimes economy, and vision AND opportunity intersect to allow a car as ‘perfect’ as any you’ll ever drive [the Cayman], to get all the way through design and development to fruition at a relatively affordable price! It is MORE car on which even really wealthy guys can spend their money, for the Return On Enjoyment; or ROE, versus ROI. (Wink!) It is somehow affordable for guys like you or me to own and enjoy and I can PROMISE you when I drive up next to a 911, I am no less giddy and in awe of the beauty of those cars, BUT I also know that there is ZERO CHANCE that the driver of that vehicle is having ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars MORE fun than I am. NO chance. So. The point? The Cayman is kind of a ‘happy accident’; the ‘younger brother’ that turns out to be better than his big brother at many things, EXCEPT he’ll never eclipse the status or favor of the ‘first born’. THATS THE 987.2! Well-taken-care-of 10 year old Caymans are currently ‘worth’ and sell for HALF of their own sticker price that was already significantly less than a used 911 of the same generation and their accompanying original sticker price. This is bananas. BUY ONE BEFORE THE SECRET IS NO LONGER A SECRET. YOU WILL THANK ME. Are the 981 & 718 generation cars better? Those are definitely fun conversations. Different cars? Yes. More advanced? Yes. Better? Hmm. Time will tell. I would argue that the rear sloped deck lid design, was abandoned because it is a more unique and stylish look then the 911 has offered In some time. It was a fresh and exciting look with an equally as (r)evolutionary driving experience. The ‘fire’ the Cayman started was a very ‘controlled burn’. Ultimately, history will tell the story, but I truly believe that the updated/face-lifted Caymans of 09-12 will only gain respect, value, and envy as economies, technology, regulations and ‘bottom lines’ change, advance, increase and tighten respectively. This car will be atop the ‘Bang for Buck’ list for MANY years to come, so if you have one, do everything you can to keep it. Also, there weren’t THAT many Cayman S cars produced and I’m sure a few have been totaled...... ask me how I know... Many blessings and drive safely friends!
Ah yes I've had my eye on 987.2 and 981s but the 987.2 is extremely elusive. The numbers they were built in are just so small it's difficult to find one that fits the spec I'm looking for! It seems like a lot of people are holding onto their 981 as well, but the ones I do see and like are still a bit out of my price range. If I find a 987.2 pop up that I really like, you better bet I'm taking it! I've never seen one up close or driven one so I appreciate the insight. I totally agree with you on the 911. It is and always will be the golden child, but that just works to the advantage of people in on the secret they call the Cayman ;) Again, really appreciate all the info and insight, always nice to get the inside scoop on the 987.2 we see all too little! Glad you enjoyed the vid, drive safe
@@KennyRavelo Hey Hey! Yes. Rare AND many of the Cayman S of 2011/12 were sold as ‘R’ models. (Nothing wrong w those accept they still go for $60k+ AND I prefer the retractable spoiler.) so that leaves VERY few around. I’m in San Diego and I found this one north of me near LA. I had been watching the Cayman market like a hawk for a year and a half after I totaled the 08. #gonetoosoon. I knew I would only buy an 09-12 and I figured as long as the interior is black I could wrap it any desired color. 6sp was my only MUST have. the rest is all icing. I’m really fortunate and super thankful the timing worked out. I have my short list of mods for this car and i’ll chip away at it. So much fun. I’ll send you some pix if you like. I’m dmemeo@yahoo.com
@@DAPPERDANMEMEO There is not much wrong with the 987.1 as long as you get it checked for bore scoring. It can be an issue in a small amount of ``S`` cars, but the IMS thing that is often talked about is irrelevant after 2005 on Cayman`s. Many people do not realise this, espc in the USA. Only a very few Cayman`s were made in late 2005, and most were sold in Europe. In 2006, Porsche introduced a much larger single race bearing into the Cayman models. I think 997`s and Boxster`s also had their IMS upgraded after 2005, but cannot verify this. Looks wise, the 987.1 and 987.2 are almost identical. A friend owns a 2010 and next to my `06, it is fair to say they look almost the same. I would give the later model a 5% win here. What i do like about the later model is the nicely upgraded interior and controls, and the 25 hp upgrade and lower fuel consumption ( About 10% better ), that you get with DFI. The Sat nav on the Gen 2 is a nice step upward. But they are both great cars.
Congrats my dude! Enjoy the car and let me know how its going. That engine is bulletproof compared to the 987.1 so none of the IMS Bearing or Connector Rod stretching applies to it. From what I understand it will happily rev out to its 7k RPM redline all day
Oh yeah own a 987.1 and a 981 GT4. It all started with that 987 I upgraded it as far as the entertainment system was concerned. Tinted the windows slapped on some badass lightweight wheels. I drive it daily and people think it's a new car It's a 2007 and I love the damn thing. As far as the GT4 that's a no-brainer that's a totally different animal. Good to hear people appreciate the 987 as much as they do
Timeless design! It's amazing how good it still looks after 13 years. I speculate the 718 looks will go out of style before the 987 does... but that's just me
Dude my 2008 Cayman S hardly burns any oil at all. I drive the hell out of it too. If you are burning a lot of oil check your air oil separator, or get it checked out. The part is like $100 and it shouldn’t be too bad for the labor.
Oh I'm not burning much oil at all either, but as far as tolerances go, they say anything up to 1L/1000 miles is considered "acceptable". This probably has to do with more and more oil seeping into the cylinders as they get bored out over time, or the seals wear.
Great video pal. I live in Liverpool uk and are seriously thinking of buying a fully equipped low mileage 2011 3.4s. You make me want it even more!! Keep up the videos pal
Just stumbled onto your video and have to say, Really REALLY good. Love your car and the info was straight forward. That is appreciated. Your background music is perfect btw. PERFECT.. Keep it up, or maybe you have, I have not ventured into your other videos yet, but will.
The 2 main reasons the 911 is 3-4x the price is that it has rear seats and more heritage. The Cayman wouldn’t exist without the 911, but I’d say that’s heritage enough to get the Cayman
It's 100% the heritage.. The 911 is just iconic, no doubt about it. And at this point a lot of people buy them just to say they own a 911, not the "cheap man's Porsche"
Great video. I have a 2007 S here in the UK in Basalt black with 19 inch sport design wheels and agree with everything you said. They seem more expensive in the US then here in the UK, which I don’t really understand but a brilliant car and if looked after will give you years of great motoring
Meanwhile in the UK.... My 2.7 Cayman, cost £320 insurance, £50 in oil. and I had it 3 years. Infact that;s more than me classic ferrari, lotus, or TVR. The only big one was the A/C condensers (radiators) up front gained a leak from a rock, £120 for a pair, fitted myself, AC recharge another £50. I did see a LOT of brand based over-pricing on accessories, for example lets say a bit of carbon trim for the dashboard, they would ask over £400, whereas the same manufacturer would ask £100 for a very similar piece of trim for a Honda. That really irritates me.
320 insurance for a year?? that's amazing. But otherwise, yeah even aftermarket manufacturers know they can probably get away charging more just for the brand, simply because Porsche charges so much for OEM parts as is.
Word from another channel is that bore scoring is caused chiefly by the recommended oil (0w40) being too light, with 10w40 being much better. More frequent oil changes too, of course.
That sounds plausible, a lot of the issues associated with this engine seem to be oil-related. Although around here near the CA coast, it doesn't even drop to below 40F, so there isn't as much of a difference between 0W or 10W for us haha. Colder places with actual winters and bigger temperature changes could definitely aggravate the oil issue
I have the glass engine cover and i highly recommend getting it. It doesnt get hot in the cabin and the noise level is pretty much the same. I did clean the engine and dress it up with some spray paint. It looks great.
Oh that's actually great to hear. Might give it another look then. Cleaning and painting the engine would for sure turn it into a full weekend job. I'm definitely going to want to do the paint correction first, but that's next up. Whenver I see pictures of it, it always looks amazing
I’d say it enhances the sound just by being able to hear the ticking and engine running “noises” ;) let alone the clearer induction noise from initial throttle stab to the top of the tacho yeehoo
Nice review and great feedback Kenny. Great scenic photographs of your car. As a fellow Bay Area 987.1 Cayman S owner, I feel that I need to get mine out of the garage and enjoy it more. I've owned mine for almost 2 years and have only put 2k miles on it in that time. The clock just turned 27k and it's immaculate. Like you said every time I drive it I get compliments, and I can't stop grinning from the sheer enjoyment of driving it. Luckily mine has incurred any significant maintenance costs, although I do need new tires as my tmps sensor batteries are dead and the tires on it are original and too old for the tire shop to work on. Maybe I'll see your car around the Bay one of these days if so I'll give you a friendly honk.
Wow that's impressively low mileage, great find. Funny you mention TPMS sensor batteries as mine are just starting to go also. Yes definitely hope to see you around! If you follow @brokeboi_garage on instagram I always post when I'm trying to get a meet/cruise together, but we've been a little less active due to COVID.
@@KennyRavelo TPMS sensor, the chain tire shops will install them for you if you want to save some coins, just get them the parts (don't let them do it) to make sure it's the correct part number. Let them install TPMS, tires, and balance. 4 wheel alignment should be done at Indy/dealership. I'm rocking ExtremeContact DWS06 with excellent treat wear.
@@KennyRavelo You should check out Americas Tire I got a quote for around $60 per wheel for new sensor replacement. Unfortunately they couldn't work on mine as the tires are older than 10 years. I'll have them replace them when I need new tires. Walnut Creek Porsche wanted nearly $1,000 just to replace the sensors, like some of your commentors mentioned, it pays to shop around.
@@munkeiketon8519 Yeah especially for some relatively minor service like this I definitely wouldn't mind going to an indie shop. I have a place down the street from me that always does my tires and takes real good care of me so I'm likely going to use them. Due to the finish on my wheels, I needed to find a shop with a special "touchless" tire removal machine.
TIMESTAMPS: 1:09 Cost of Ownership (Maintenance, Insurance, Repairs, Consumables) 8:19 My modifications and costs 11:19 Fact vs. Fiction (Myths, common failures) 13:28 My Future Plans for Arabella 15:58 General Review after 2 years of weekend Hooning, comparison to 718, how it's aged after 13 years 22:00 THE CONCLUSION - Is it the Best bang-for-buck sportscar in 2020 so far?
Pretty much the same case as with my 12 year old Cayman as well. Coolant guide started leaking, followed by a broken AOS that threw white smoke and oil everywhere. Just when I thought I had managed to do preventive maintenance on all the wear and tear parts, the coolant expansion tank leaked and primary cat failed. Fingers crossed that all is well now...
I asked the shop what I can do to prevent things like this in terms of either maintenance or driving habits, and they just said it really is just wear and tear - no way to foresee these things coming, unfortunately. I haven't had issues with my primary cats (yet), but I may consider getting a Soul or other aftermarket replacement, as it's far cheaper than OEM.
that sounds pretty angelic. Track time is definitely in my future plans so maybe after I feel like I'm pushing the car to its limit (which will take quite a long time), I'll probably be looking into that
Never take a 13yr old Cayman to a Porsche dealership. They are very easy to work on and very cheap if you can do it yourself. A good indi would have that bill in half.
The interior, and the engine is a bit more bulletproof. No risk of stretching rods near the redline and no IMS. But otherwise, yes it's a big price difference for some small improvements.
thank you! and nope, but if Electric Wizard sounds like the music I put it the I will definitely be looking them up! Music in this video: Witchcraft - "Deconstruction" Witch - "Seer" Ruby the Hatchet - "Black Tongue" Green Lung - "Let the Devil In" Black Mountain - "Old Fangs"
Kenny Ravelo I could not quite tell but it totally sounds like Witchcraft too. Both are really good bands! If you like Witchcraft you will totally love Electric Wizards. Thanks for the list!
Not sure. In Australia anyways it's about $10k dearer than the Boxster. So if it's purely bang for buck that's probably the Boxster. But I still prefer the Cayman. More a mini 911.
Love the video! I have a 987 Base spec down in SOCAL that i got around September. Listening to your cost of ownership regarding the spark plugs, They aren’t that bad to get to for a mid engined car. Sure its not just opening the hood but the 987 has pretty good access to the spark plugs when you take off the rear wheels the only tough one is bank 6 which is the mid most bank on the drivers side. But its only a bitch to get to because a hose is in the way. Else it is a doable DIY.
If you remove the rear wheels you will see an inspection cover. remove that and you can change the coil packs and spark plugs very easy. Beautiful car. Keep cruising. #porsche_machine.
Great video, just subbed. I'm thinking about buying a cayman/boxster as a project car to do videos with, found your video pretty informative, and am going to go watch some of your other ones on the Cayman. Nice work! My channel is a similar size to yours, though none of mine have the views that this does. - Fred
Thank you! As a "project car" you'll be doing work on, I would be very wary of the implications of DIY on these cars due to the mid-engine layout. It's going to be extremely inconvenient to work on, as you either have to get under the car, unscrew the covering panel, or drop the engine out altogether - all of which are annoying and/or time consuming. It's made me consider getting a small home lift just to make getting under the car more convenient, but those arent exactly cheap. However, if ease and accessibility aren't a concern, this will be one amazing tuner. You're getting a LOT of sportscar for the price.
As for your CZcams following: don't worry about the numbers, as long as you enjoy making the vids and put thought/effort into making them, it'll always be a rewarding experience. And I'm sure your following will grow. This video is sort of my "one-hit-wonder" at the moment, but I'll definitely continue making videos as time allows. I may be doing a follow-up video on my exhaust mod in the near future.
@@KennyRavelo Haha, I probably should have elaborated a bit more. By "project car" I meant more of, bring it back to stock and factory condition (if it's not already), and do a few tasteful mods to it (like you've done). Really it would be for the youtube channel (and for my own enjoyment). It's a little ways out, working on plans for a new freestanding garage first, but I got the sign off from the wife, so I'm gonna do a ton of homework on the generations of Cayman/Boxster, and figure out what I want. Thanks for the insight!
@@FredsFullThrottle Ah yes that makes more sense, in that case you'll have a blast. I subbed you back as I'm interested for myself! The thought of upgrading to a 981 Cayman (or even more rare 987.2 unicorn) has crossed my mind more than once, so if you find a good deal on those I definitely wanna hear what your experience is.
@@KennyRavelo Thanks, that's good advice. I didn't mean to come across as a "hungry" youtuber. Totally just doing it for me, because I have fun filming and editing, and enjoy cars/bikes. You're right though, if the passion is there, it will grow over time. I had my own one it wonder a few weeks ago (some info about the new Ford Bronco), but am very happy to just do my thing and if people like it, great, if not, no worries. Thanks!
Welcome to the ranks, man. The modern versions - 981 and 718 - just don't have the soul of the 987. The new cars are chasing after the Tesla-defined "space age" look and feel, and they're never going to compete in that market. The 718 especially just looks like a generic car - with so many non-performance and partial-performance vehicles with essentially the same shape (and interiors with even more bells and whistles to distract from the non-performance). Nowadays, most people look at the 987 (mine's Ruby Red) and wonder if it's an Italian car. Even the 911 series no longer looks THIS MUCH like a real sports car.
I wouldn't be opposed to the updated 981 interior, but I definitely agree that's not what the car's focus should be about. The look of the newer ones are definitely not going to be as "timeless" as the originals, and trading that Flat 6 for the turbo Flat 4 was just too big a blow to the heart and soul of it. It does say a lot about the design of the 987 that most non-Porsche people wouldn't be able to spot the difference between a 911 of much higher value.
I wouldn't be opposed to the updated 981 interior, but I definitely agree that's not what the car's focus should be about. The look of the newer ones are definitely not going to be as "timeless" as the originals, and trading that Flat 6 for the turbo Flat 4 was just too big a blow to the heart and soul of it. It does say a lot about the design of the 987 that most non-Porsche people wouldn't be able to spot the difference between a 911 of much higher value.
@@KennyRavelo See if you can find a 987 with the "Sand Beige" interior, especially if the car is black or one of the non-monochrome colors. From the perspective that "everything looks dated compared to a Tesla", the tan 987 interior still comes off as refined and elegant in a way that's not matched by the later Porsche interiors. Modern interiors are on a rat-race of tiny, futzy feature upgrades especially with bizarre illumination tricks. That's not gonna end well, my friend.
It’s a Porsche, what do you think the service and tyres would be? Cheap as a Mini! But look, listen and feel that ride, mmmmm she’s amazing, cost goes out the window.
Well done video, bought my 987.1 right before my 21st last year and everything you went over is spot-on. AOS is $100 and do-able by yourself (mine went out first drive this year, smoke everywhere thought I blew it up). If you see this, what exactly you do to the exhaust? I put the cheap ebay circuit werx system on but it rattles like crazy and needs to go...might go back to stock its so annoying.
Wow a Porsche for your 21st birthday? Congrats, Hope you've been enjoying it and thanks for watching! Oh that's good to know actually, didn't realize the AOS were so cheap. My exhaust is actually a custom job, didn't like the aftermarket options at all. Either way overpriced or poor quality or both. As with the theme, I decided to go with a more "bang-for-buck" option. I actually made an entire video on my exhaust mod, if you want more detail on that
@@KennyRavelo Thanks for the quick reply. I hear you on the exhaust stuff, couldn't justify 2-4k so went cheap (catback last year and headers recently for giggles). I'll check out your exhaust video as I might have to do something similar. Been eyeing the clear engine cover along with carbon aero parts but starts to defeats the insane value this car is. Think I might spend the money on track prep and track time/trips instead.
The window is cool. I owned 987, and now a 987.2. When detailed and painted up the 987’s bits look very nice, however the design of the updated car doesn’t lend itself to the similar treatment
I always make the joke that it's a "running oil change", but yes you absolutely do still need to. This engine holds over 8 quarts. Especially for me since I don't daily the car, I try to change oil every 3500-4500 miles. it's probably not necessary, but I want to avoid any oil-related issues
I don't know off the top of my head (and it doesn't show that on my invoice either). I ordered mine through ModBargains and all I needed to do was tell my Rep I wanted them the exact same dimensions as the OEM S wheels. (I believe mine originally came with Carrera S wheels from the documentation). Thank you!
I haven't looked into aftermarket, as I'm sure there are plenty of options but that doesn't sound like something I would want to spend on. However, I really like the look of the 981 steering wheel a lot more, so I WOULD upgrade to that if I saw a used one for a good deal. New those go for over $1000 which doesn't seem worth it to me.
So far I haven't had any battery-related issues and I'm still on the battery the car came with when I bought it. I've let it sit sometimes 2-3 weeks at a time without even turning it on. From what I understand this can vary a lot depending on the temperature/moisture of where you are located, but here in SF we don't have much change throughout the year
nice guy, excellent review... tires are expensive if you buy expensive tires. for non-track driving it makes no difference. you can save yourself $300 on a set of rears. and $150 for mounting and balancing is ridiculous. if you 'take' your car to a porsche dealership for service you WILL get ripped off. having all the right stamps in the service manual will cost you a lot. and at this point in my life i don't even trust them to do the job right anymore. learn to do the work yourself and spend a few hours on the internet finding parts at the best price and you'll cut your maintenance costs by 80%. then spend the savings on a 987.2 S (2009-2012), if you can even find one. and as far as insurance goes. i believe that a 'for fun' sports car is a luxury i can do without if i am so careless as to crash it. so i get liability only for about $200 a year. of course, i also don't believe in borrowing money to pay for toys. so i can choose the degree of insurance that i buy. not something one can do if the bank really owns the car and must protect its investment by demanding collision insurance.
the issue I have with cheap tires on a nice sportscar like this is that it seems like I've gone through all this trouble and care to get a beautiful performing machine only to get stingy on one of the most important aspects of the car. and not to mention it is a safety thing as well. I want to be able to feel like I can push the car relatively safely when carving up canyons, and I do eventually plan to get take this autocrossing/HPDE hopefully after COVID... Also, my mounting and balancing was expensive because I have HRE wheels with a custom finish, so I needed to find a specialty shop to mount the tires with a "touchless" machine that won't ruin the finish. In terms of other service though, I agree completely. As long as I have the time and tools I will be learning from CZcams and doing as much as I possibly can at home! For insurance, I'm not as concerned with ME crashing the car, but since I live in crowded SF there's no shortage of terrible drivers in close proximity!
Good stuff man! I just bought a 2008 Cayman S. Delete this if you want but you can check out Craving Cars on Facebook or CZcams, that's my channel. Just a little something I have fun but I will have some videos on my Porsche soon enough. You have a new follower!
Thank you! I almost went with OZ Racing HLT Alegritas or similar in all black, but the gold was a nice breath of fresh air from the all-too-familiar murdered out look
Kenny Ravelo that’s so funny the person I bought my car off of put those on they were in the grey but he powder coated them to match the oem gold wheel caps
@@omm8701 thats crazy! Yeah they were a good looking set of wheels and about the same price range too, but for some reason I'd always been infatuated with HRE wheels and this is the first set I've ever bought. The build quality on the cheaper Flowforms is still superb, but makes me PARANOID when parking near kerbs at night.
Nice review, but why does every Porsche owner with a manual transmission, put themselves so above an owner with an automatic??? After hearing it so many times I’m convinced that people who say a manual or nothing, just says it to fit in to what a lot of people think a Porsche should be . I have a Cayman with an automatic and paddle shifters, and I spank manuals all day long, and my driving experience is superb and tireless......SMH
I'm not saying manual drivers are above automatic drivers, and I didn't mention the actual drivers at all here. For this specific 987.1 generation, I say this because the automatic option is not PDK and generally is not very good. Also in my experience the manual version is more enjoyable because it is more engaging. Nothing to do with the driver, just my take on the car. I've driven the 7 speed PDK on a 718 for a few days and it's phenomenal, but it's just my opinion that I would choose a manual over it any day for the feel and experience. Performance wise, you're right. The PDK is better for track, and I never claim the manual is "faster".
Nice video bro. Pls answer me this.Can you replace the steering wheel with a newer model one ? I m looking to buy a cayman 2012 265 hp and wondering also if it s possible to chip tune the car to 320. I want to buy the same wheels and taillights and modify the exhaust like you did. I m looking at a 23k $ price tag with 70k miles. IF anybody can solve this riddles for me it would be much appreciate. My apologies for the writing am not english but from europe
so basically no chip tune. But i am wondering between the 2.9 265 and 3.4 320 and other models also,and the steering wheel seems fine . I am going to modify the exhaust and buy wheels but STILL the question is. What would be a good price for a 2011 ish maybe cayman with nice options and decent mileage ? I found 2012 cayman 265 as i said with 100k miles and navi xenon bose heated sets and climate for 22k
Yeah I've seen people upgrade to a 981 steering wheel, but we're talking THOUSANDS for a steering wheel. It looks great no doubt, but wow it's a lot. Better to keep your eye out for a used one on Rennlist classifieds or something like that. I'm no expert on tuning and haven't looked into it much because I wasn't planning to for my car, but it sounds a little crazy to gain 40hp from a chip. I don't think that would even be possible.
Yeah I've seen people upgrade to a 981 steering wheel, but we're talking THOUSANDS for a steering wheel. It looks great no doubt, but wow it's a lot. Better to keep your eye out for a used one on Rennlist classifieds or something like that. I'm no expert on tuning and haven't looked into it much because I wasn't planning to for my car, but it sounds a little crazy to gain 40hp from a chip. I don't think that would even be possible.
@@tudoralex-ve7st The price probably varies by your region and how saturated the market is with Cayman listings. A 2012 with 100k miles has definitely been driven quite a bit, so no matter what you buy do lots of research into the ownership/service history of the car and make sure to get a Pre-purchase inspection. From what I've seen, 981 or 987.2 Cayman S listings around here in similar condition to mine seems to have a $7000-10000 higher price.
@@KennyRavelo Well in Germany i ve seen a few 987.2 cayman s from 2010 and 11 at around 30k with the mentioned options. The next car is going to be Porsche,although i am not quite sure wich one. I am also looking at the Panamera 2011 3.6 300 . What do you think about this car?Being this big does it hold the porsche driving feel and handling? What about the maintenance costs compared between? The Panamera has a lot more options like ventilated seats and rooftop with fwd and so on. I am also looking at a price tag of around 25k for 80-90k miles. Bro in europe it s ALOT more common hehe for the cars to have 90 -100 k and be reasonable. Only in the usa and a litle bit in the uk i ve seen this stigma (for me personally) with very low mileage cars. I swear man it s imposible to find a car older than 5 years with less than 60k -75 k.. Very nice Video BTW
Have you ever driven a Cayman automatic ??? Wish you guys would stop telling people not to get an automatic !!! I stomp 5 and 6 speeds all day long in mine ! Good grief, You sounded intelligent till you said that, then you just sound like you are regurgitating what you heard other people say....use your own experience...
Yes, I have. I also never said the manual was faster, just that it's a more engaging experience, for me at least. Also, because the 987.1 does not have the PDK transmission. If you don't care about these things, then the auto is still a great car.
@5:45 Spark plugs and coils are actually very easy, behind both rear wheels there is an access door held on with some torx screws. Summitlife has a pretty good video on it. Looks good man, keep it up!
Thanks for your kind words about the Cayman/Boxster family. I just bought a Boxster S 987 2006.
It is fabulous!
congratulations! enjoy, these are an absolute pleasure
Good video!
Forget about IMS on these, bore scoring will get you in the end! Recommend you install a low temp thermostat (very cheap), and put fresh injectors (about £50 a pop). Old injectors leak and the fuel washes the oil film out of the cylinders greatly accelerating wear. And change oil every 5k or 6 months. Gotta love lokasil, rapid oil contamination, change often.
Ooh very good tips, bore scoring was the much less discussed issue in my research. Any links where I could find more info on these mods/parts?
@@KennyRavelo it’s now affecting a huge number of engines and it’s down to how they were driven. Garage queens suffer the worst it seems.
Search for “bore scoring rennvision” and you’ll find a 10 part series by FSI, 6 hours of content on bore scoring explaining how it happens, how to check, and how to keep a still healthy engine that way.😅
@@gregv3920 appreciate it! I'll give that a look
FYI: Changed the battery to AMG few years ago, then the airbag light stayed illuminated on the dashboard. Purchased icarsoft v2.0 Porsche for diagnostic and reset the light worked. Indy mechanic usually charges $100 USD for diagnostic rip off, just get the icarsoft well worth it for other Diag and resets. Gas cap access panel solenoid stopped working in open position, reset the fuse did the trick. Battery Starter for Car, TOPVISION 2200A when your battery dies and can't open the frunck to jump start the battery, keep it inside your cabin. Let the engine fully warmup before hamming it to help prevent cylinder bore scoring. Best Wishes Everyone!
I have a 06 cayman s and I would recommend getting an aftermarket infotainment system. I have a pioneer avh-4200nex works great comes with a backup camera and compatible with android auto and Apple carplay.
The only reason I haven't upgraded my system is because the owner before me went through some serious modification to install a cable that works with the OEM infotainment system, and I definitely appreciate the work and the OEM look they tried to preserve. I've been seriously thinking about how much more money I'm willing to spend on the car now, and the more i think about it the more I'm considering just saving up for an eventual 981 upgrade. It might not be for a while as prices on those are very high still, but it's something to look forward to eventually...
Love it! The shape and handling will ensure your car is a classic. My 987.2 is up to 121,000m and I don’t care about short term loss because I love it so much and know that in ten years it’ll be worth at least as much as it is now :)
I wanted a 987.2 or 981 but couldn't find one with the specs I like (Manual S), and the ones I did were wayyyy out of budget .. for good reason.
You're right, sounds like 987.2 and 981s will definitely keep their value for a while now
Indeed, and even the original 987 cayman has bottomed out over here at £10k. Such an awesome shape and not many about. Had to change my fuel pump a while back and that was the only big layout so far. Apart from oil, tyres and brakes adding up it’s not been a bad ride :)
Finally I can sleep at night, no more IMS nightmares. Thanks! Great vid!
Like you said, your car is old. Stop paying premiums for Porsche service. Find a good Indy shop or learn to diy. If you wanna learn how to do brakes I'm in San Jose.
I mostly wanted to just do Porsche service for my first major one to see what the cost is actually like and if its worth it, otherwise i wouldnt have been able to share that info with you all. But going forward I definitely will be looking at indy shops. I would love to DIY more but time constraints are a huge thing for me unfortunately. I might be limited to the quick oil changes and easier jobs for the foreseeable future.
Just found your channel tonight. As a fellow 987 owner I have to say yours looks absolutely gorgeous with the wheels and front lights in particular. I agree the IMS issue isn't a concern here. LN engineering makes IMS replacement kits and they specifically say the failure rate on our cars is lower than 1% and to not bother with replacing it. The language is on their site. You have a new subscriber here.
Thanks so much! :)
Yes, from everything I've seen the IMS issue is much more myth than fact.
Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on an orbital and some more detailing tools during quarantine so I can make a paint correction video
I bought a black 987 almost 10 years ago and it's an absolute pleasure to own and drive. Never wanted another car again so you might just keep it a long time!
It's definitely looking that way unless I spot an unbelievable deal on a 981!
Water pump 60K, air/oil separator 50K, shift cable 100K, coolant reservoir 100K. These are recurring issues for my 05 Boxster S, 150K.
oof bracing myself for the shifter cable, but might just do a mod when the time comes anyways .. maybe a short shifter kit or just something that feels a little more precise and rifle bolt "clicky"
Do the SS and Numeric shift cables! The ‘rifle bolt’ feel is one of my favorite mods, well worth the $750. I bid on a 2016 Spyder, should be shipped soon! SS is standard!
@@charleslu7044 Will most definitely be looking into that. Thanks for the tip. Congrats on the Spyder!
@@KennyRavelo Hey man, my Spyder arrived last week, but I’m sure my 987 S is a more mechanical feel. Bilsteins and short shifter are my favorites.
@@charleslu7044 I haven't considered any suspension upgrades yet, as I am pretty happy with the handling so far, but Short Shifters are definitely on my radar for near future. My 2005 Mini Coop S has a more precise feeling shift throw somehow
Enjoyed the video. I too own a 987.1 S. Decided I don't like dealing with dealership and found an Indy who is Porsche certified. Do the plugs yourself. Super easy. CZcams is the best...
Also the clear covers are around $650.
@@roccogrisham8441 Yeah since this video I've found an indy shop I really like, already saved me about $1200 on a clutch/RMS job. Next time spark plugs/air filters/oil need to be done now I'll definitely be taking care of it myself.
The clear cover wasn't a huge want of mine, but I JUST saw one in person for the first time, and now I'm drooling over it...
What I gathered from the first 1/3 of the video was that if you're handy, the maintenance costs are not significantly different from any other performance car. The labor is such a large percentage of the costs you paid.
For the most part, yes the actual labor cost for maintenance is the big killer. If you do the work yourself or at an indie shop, you'll definitely save quite a bit, but if you're adamant about sticking with OEM parts, the costs will still be pretty high. Look up how much it costs to get new OEM cats and you still might cringe
Great video, great overview of the ownership experience, great commentary. Glad to see you enjoying the car and taking care of it. I agree with so many of the things you said here. I almost bought a 987, then a 981, and ended up with a Lotus Elise. Still love the caymans though!
Thank you, appreciate it! Also, congrats on the Elise, I always get super excited seeing one of those as they're so rare around here.
Put in a magnetic drain plug , that’s what I did even tho I have a 987.2 S
KENNY! Great stuff buddy! (I grew up in the South Bay Area. Go Niners) This is my first CZcams comment as I usually just watch, read and move on. I felt compelled to share my opinion as it is rather informed and I am passionate about these cars.
I’ve been fortunate to have owned an 2008 S and currently drive a 2011 S. Both 6sp manuals. Both black on black. The scope of the 987.2’s updates are an example of Porsche’s commitment to improving on their already iconic motor cars. The second generation 2009-2012 are the absolute sweet spot of mixing heritage with advancements and ultimately an unbeatable driving experience at almost any price.
The mid engine platform has always been and will always be the superior platform. So much so, that Chevrolet was willing to scrap 70 years of Corvette design. Crazy. (With the differences between a Camaro and a Corvette becoming less and less obvious, it’s no wonder Chevy had to change one of them significantly enough to justify the need for both models. There had to be a big change that would truly set them apart.)
Spoiler alert; they didn’t change the Camaro to the mid-engine platform. They changed their most iconic flagship model because they would do that, before creating a Camaro that would end the Corvettes reign atop the fold. In short, they were willing to bite the bullet and design a game changer. (We’re all about to see just how special this new car is and it’s impact on the ‘luxury/super car’ market.
Why the comparison? The difference? Chevy sells many many different models. Up to relatively a short time ago, Porsche was 911 and ONLY the 911. That WAS the brand. Period. The 911 are still status symbols AND amazing cars. Sometimes economy, and vision AND opportunity intersect to allow a car as ‘perfect’ as any you’ll ever drive [the Cayman], to get all the way through design and development to fruition at a relatively affordable price! It is MORE car on which even really wealthy guys can spend their money, for the Return On Enjoyment; or ROE, versus ROI. (Wink!)
It is somehow affordable for guys like you or me to own and enjoy and I can PROMISE you when I drive up next to a 911, I am no less giddy and in awe of the beauty of those cars, BUT I also know that there is ZERO CHANCE that the driver of that vehicle is having ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars MORE fun than I am. NO chance.
So. The point? The Cayman is kind of a ‘happy accident’; the ‘younger brother’ that turns out to be better than his big brother at many things, EXCEPT he’ll never eclipse the status or favor of the ‘first born’.
THATS THE 987.2! Well-taken-care-of 10 year old Caymans are currently ‘worth’ and sell for HALF of their own sticker price that was already significantly less than a used 911 of the same generation and their accompanying original sticker price. This is bananas.
BUY ONE BEFORE THE SECRET IS NO LONGER A SECRET. YOU WILL THANK ME.
Are the 981 & 718 generation cars better? Those are definitely fun conversations. Different cars? Yes. More advanced? Yes. Better? Hmm. Time will tell. I would argue that the rear sloped deck lid design, was abandoned because it is a more unique and stylish look then the 911 has offered In some time. It was a fresh and exciting look with an equally as (r)evolutionary driving experience. The ‘fire’ the Cayman started was a very ‘controlled burn’. Ultimately, history will tell the story, but I truly believe that the updated/face-lifted Caymans of 09-12 will only gain respect, value, and envy as economies, technology, regulations and ‘bottom lines’ change, advance, increase and tighten respectively.
This car will be atop the ‘Bang for Buck’ list for MANY years to come, so if you have one, do everything you can to keep it. Also, there weren’t THAT many Cayman S cars produced and I’m sure a few have been totaled...... ask me how I know...
Many blessings and drive safely friends!
Ah yes I've had my eye on 987.2 and 981s but the 987.2 is extremely elusive. The numbers they were built in are just so small it's difficult to find one that fits the spec I'm looking for! It seems like a lot of people are holding onto their 981 as well, but the ones I do see and like are still a bit out of my price range. If I find a 987.2 pop up that I really like, you better bet I'm taking it! I've never seen one up close or driven one so I appreciate the insight.
I totally agree with you on the 911. It is and always will be the golden child, but that just works to the advantage of people in on the secret they call the Cayman ;)
Again, really appreciate all the info and insight, always nice to get the inside scoop on the 987.2 we see all too little!
Glad you enjoyed the vid, drive safe
@@KennyRavelo Hey Hey! Yes. Rare AND many of the Cayman S of 2011/12 were sold as ‘R’ models. (Nothing wrong w those accept they still go for $60k+ AND I prefer the retractable spoiler.) so that leaves VERY few around. I’m in San Diego and I found this one north of me near LA. I had been watching the Cayman market like a hawk for a year and a half after I totaled the 08. #gonetoosoon. I knew I would only buy an 09-12 and I figured as long as the interior is black I could wrap it any desired color. 6sp was my only MUST have. the rest is all icing. I’m really fortunate and super thankful the timing worked out. I have my short list of mods for this car and i’ll chip away at it. So much fun. I’ll send you some pix if you like. I’m dmemeo@yahoo.com
@@DAPPERDANMEMEO There is not much wrong with the 987.1 as long as you get it checked for bore scoring. It can be an issue in a small amount of ``S`` cars, but the IMS thing that is often talked about is irrelevant after 2005 on Cayman`s. Many people do not realise this, espc in the USA. Only a very few Cayman`s were made in late 2005, and most were sold in Europe. In 2006, Porsche introduced a much larger single race bearing into the Cayman models. I think 997`s and Boxster`s also had their IMS upgraded after 2005, but cannot verify this. Looks wise, the 987.1 and 987.2 are almost identical. A friend owns a 2010 and next to my `06, it is fair to say they look almost the same. I would give the later model a 5% win here. What i do like about the later model is the nicely upgraded interior and controls, and the 25 hp upgrade and lower fuel consumption ( About 10% better ), that you get with DFI. The Sat nav on the Gen 2 is a nice step upward. But they are both great cars.
I just bought a Porsche 987.2 cayman and you answered all my questions. Thank you and you have a new subscriber and a follow on Instagram
Congrats my dude! Enjoy the car and let me know how its going. That engine is bulletproof compared to the 987.1 so none of the IMS Bearing or Connector Rod stretching applies to it. From what I understand it will happily rev out to its 7k RPM redline all day
Oh yeah own a 987.1 and a 981 GT4.
It all started with that 987 I upgraded it as far as the entertainment system was concerned.
Tinted the windows slapped on some badass lightweight wheels.
I drive it daily and people think it's a new car It's a 2007 and I love the damn thing.
As far as the GT4 that's a no-brainer that's a totally different animal.
Good to hear people appreciate the 987 as much as they do
Timeless design! It's amazing how good it still looks after 13 years. I speculate the 718 looks will go out of style before the 987 does...
but that's just me
Dude my 2008 Cayman S hardly burns any oil at all. I drive the hell out of it too. If you are burning a lot of oil check your air oil separator, or get it checked out. The part is like $100 and it shouldn’t be too bad for the labor.
Oh I'm not burning much oil at all either, but as far as tolerances go, they say anything up to 1L/1000 miles is considered "acceptable". This probably has to do with more and more oil seeping into the cylinders as they get bored out over time, or the seals wear.
@@KennyRavelo That's an Audi normal BS disclaimer "1L/1000 miles is considered "acceptable", Porsche Engines usually is something wrong.
Great video pal. I live in Liverpool uk and are seriously thinking of buying a fully equipped low mileage 2011 3.4s. You make me want it even more!! Keep up the videos pal
Thanks man! If you can find a 2009-2012 that fits the spec you like, at a fair price, that's already a rarity in itself. Best of luck on your search
Just stumbled onto your video and have to say, Really REALLY good. Love your car and the info was straight forward. That is appreciated. Your background music is perfect btw. PERFECT.. Keep it up, or maybe you have, I have not ventured into your other videos yet, but will.
The 2 main reasons the 911 is 3-4x the price is that it has rear seats and more heritage.
The Cayman wouldn’t exist without the 911, but I’d say that’s heritage enough to get the Cayman
It's 100% the heritage.. The 911 is just iconic, no doubt about it.
And at this point a lot of people buy them just to say they own a 911, not the "cheap man's Porsche"
Rear seats for small kids only or a pet !! I owned one and forget about putting a normal sized adult back there.
Those wheels turn a dull black Cayman into a thing of beauty..good choice
Thank you! Definitely glad I went with these instead of just the black/black
Great video. I have a 2007 S here in the UK in Basalt black with 19 inch sport design wheels and agree with everything you said. They seem more expensive in the US then here in the UK, which I don’t really understand but a brilliant car and if looked after will give you years of great motoring
Thanks for the AWESOME video! I'm thinking about buying a black 987.2 S--you answered all of my questions! Keep up the great work! Cheers!
Glad I could help! Good luck with your 987.2, you're gonna fall in love instantly.
Cheers
Meanwhile in the UK.... My 2.7 Cayman, cost £320 insurance, £50 in oil. and I had it 3 years.
Infact that;s more than me classic ferrari, lotus, or TVR.
The only big one was the A/C condensers (radiators) up front gained a leak from a rock, £120 for a pair, fitted myself, AC recharge another £50.
I did see a LOT of brand based over-pricing on accessories, for example lets say a bit of carbon trim for the dashboard, they would ask over £400, whereas the same manufacturer would ask £100 for a very similar piece of trim for a Honda. That really irritates me.
320 insurance for a year?? that's amazing.
But otherwise, yeah even aftermarket manufacturers know they can probably get away charging more just for the brand, simply because Porsche charges so much for OEM parts as is.
Word from another channel is that bore scoring is caused chiefly by the recommended oil (0w40) being too light, with 10w40 being much better. More frequent oil changes too, of course.
That sounds plausible, a lot of the issues associated with this engine seem to be oil-related. Although around here near the CA coast, it doesn't even drop to below 40F, so there isn't as much of a difference between 0W or 10W for us haha.
Colder places with actual winters and bigger temperature changes could definitely aggravate the oil issue
I have the glass engine cover and i highly recommend getting it. It doesnt get hot in the cabin and the noise level is pretty much the same. I did clean the engine and dress it up with some spray paint. It looks great.
Oh that's actually great to hear. Might give it another look then.
Cleaning and painting the engine would for sure turn it into a full weekend job.
I'm definitely going to want to do the paint correction first, but that's next up. Whenver I see pictures of it, it always looks amazing
I’d say it enhances the sound just by being able to hear the ticking and engine running “noises” ;) let alone the clearer induction noise from initial throttle stab to the top of the tacho yeehoo
Thank god I’m a mechanic, I work on my Boxster s and saves me all kinds of cash
Nice review and great feedback Kenny. Great scenic photographs of your car. As a fellow Bay Area 987.1 Cayman S owner, I feel that I need to get mine out of the garage and enjoy it more. I've owned mine for almost 2 years and have only put 2k miles on it in that time. The clock just turned 27k and it's immaculate. Like you said every time I drive it I get compliments, and I can't stop grinning from the sheer enjoyment of driving it. Luckily mine has incurred any significant maintenance costs, although I do need new tires as my tmps sensor batteries are dead and the tires on it are original and too old for the tire shop to work on. Maybe I'll see your car around the Bay one of these days if so I'll give you a friendly honk.
Wow that's impressively low mileage, great find. Funny you mention TPMS sensor batteries as mine are just starting to go also.
Yes definitely hope to see you around! If you follow @brokeboi_garage on instagram I always post when I'm trying to get a meet/cruise together, but we've been a little less active due to COVID.
@@KennyRavelo TPMS sensor, the chain tire shops will install them for you if you want to save some coins, just get them the parts (don't let them do it) to make sure it's the correct part number.
Let them install TPMS, tires, and balance. 4 wheel alignment should be done at Indy/dealership.
I'm rocking ExtremeContact DWS06 with excellent treat wear.
@@KennyRavelo You should check out Americas Tire I got a quote for around $60 per wheel for new sensor replacement. Unfortunately they couldn't work on mine as the tires are older than 10 years. I'll have them replace them when I need new tires. Walnut Creek Porsche wanted nearly $1,000 just to replace the sensors, like some of your commentors mentioned, it pays to shop around.
@@munkeiketon8519 Yeah especially for some relatively minor service like this I definitely wouldn't mind going to an indie shop. I have a place down the street from me that always does my tires and takes real good care of me so I'm likely going to use them.
Due to the finish on my wheels, I needed to find a shop with a special "touchless" tire removal machine.
3:56 It should not burn much oil. If so you should check your air oil separator
TIMESTAMPS:
1:09 Cost of Ownership (Maintenance, Insurance, Repairs, Consumables)
8:19 My modifications and costs
11:19 Fact vs. Fiction (Myths, common failures)
13:28 My Future Plans for Arabella
15:58 General Review after 2 years of weekend Hooning, comparison to 718, how it's aged after 13 years
22:00 THE CONCLUSION - Is it the Best bang-for-buck sportscar in 2020 so far?
Pretty much the same case as with my 12 year old Cayman as well. Coolant guide started leaking, followed by a broken AOS that threw white smoke and oil everywhere. Just when I thought I had managed to do preventive maintenance on all the wear and tear parts, the coolant expansion tank leaked and primary cat failed. Fingers crossed that all is well now...
I asked the shop what I can do to prevent things like this in terms of either maintenance or driving habits, and they just said it really is just wear and tear - no way to foresee these things coming, unfortunately. I haven't had issues with my primary cats (yet), but I may consider getting a Soul or other aftermarket replacement, as it's far cheaper than OEM.
The engine will go bang for sure
Coilovers, rear lower tie rods and a hollow gt3 front sway bar = god mode handling 🤘
that sounds pretty angelic. Track time is definitely in my future plans so maybe after I feel like I'm pushing the car to its limit (which will take quite a long time), I'll probably be looking into that
Nice review! Good info.
Thank you! Glad it helped
good review mate.
Thanks dude !
The cars are 'rude' they're gonna go up in price within the next 10yrs
Never take a 13yr old Cayman to a Porsche dealership. They are very easy to work on and very cheap if you can do it yourself. A good indi would have that bill in half.
OT great choice of background-music!
Thanks, mate! Cheers
Love the video man! Earned a new sub! I spy Sharp park road at 6:42 lol.
Thank you, appreciate it!
And yes, good eye. Use that way a lot to get to PCH!
Stunning 987 you got there
thank you! cheers
Just what I expected as compared to my Cayenne. I got the eBay led taillights mod too!
Definitely makes the cars look much younger. If you don't care about strictly staying OEM, it's a really good upgrade IMO.
The only thing a 981 has over the 987 is a more posh and better interior layout. But again, i prefer the driver focus interior.
The interior, and the engine is a bit more bulletproof. No risk of stretching rods near the redline and no IMS. But otherwise, yes it's a big price difference for some small improvements.
Is that Electric Wizard I hear in the background good taste lol nice great review!
thank you! and nope, but if Electric Wizard sounds like the music I put it the I will definitely be looking them up!
Music in this video:
Witchcraft - "Deconstruction"
Witch - "Seer"
Ruby the Hatchet - "Black Tongue"
Green Lung - "Let the Devil In"
Black Mountain - "Old Fangs"
Kenny Ravelo I could not quite tell but it totally sounds like Witchcraft too. Both are really good bands! If you like Witchcraft you will totally love Electric Wizards. Thanks for the list!
right on!
You don’t have to worry about the IMS bearing because there isn’t one on a 987.2.
Fantastic Informative Review...Well Done 👍
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful
Not sure. In Australia anyways it's about $10k dearer than the Boxster. So if it's purely bang for buck that's probably the Boxster. But I still prefer the Cayman. More a mini 911.
Agree, given the Boxster and Cayman have mostly shared components, Boxster is even more bang-for-buck. Just depends on our preference in styling!
Love the video! I have a 987 Base spec down in SOCAL that i got around September. Listening to your cost of ownership regarding the spark plugs, They aren’t that bad to get to for a mid engined car. Sure its not just opening the hood but the 987 has pretty good access to the spark plugs when you take off the rear wheels the only tough one is bank 6 which is the mid most bank on the drivers side. But its only a bitch to get to because a hose is in the way. Else it is a doable DIY.
Yeah definitely going to do it myself for my next 4yr service (if I end up keeping it that long)
Spark plugs are done on the bottom with the rear tires off
If you remove the rear wheels you will see an inspection cover. remove that and you can change the coil packs and spark plugs very easy. Beautiful car. Keep cruising. #porsche_machine.
That's a good tip! I'll keep that one in mind before my next service
Good on you mate!! Good on your Porsche.!!
Thanks dude! Cheeers
Great video, just subbed. I'm thinking about buying a cayman/boxster as a project car to do videos with, found your video pretty informative, and am going to go watch some of your other ones on the Cayman. Nice work! My channel is a similar size to yours, though none of mine have the views that this does. - Fred
Thank you!
As a "project car" you'll be doing work on, I would be very wary of the implications of DIY on these cars due to the mid-engine layout. It's going to be extremely inconvenient to work on, as you either have to get under the car, unscrew the covering panel, or drop the engine out altogether - all of which are annoying and/or time consuming.
It's made me consider getting a small home lift just to make getting under the car more convenient, but those arent exactly cheap.
However, if ease and accessibility aren't a concern, this will be one amazing tuner. You're getting a LOT of sportscar for the price.
As for your CZcams following: don't worry about the numbers, as long as you enjoy making the vids and put thought/effort into making them, it'll always be a rewarding experience. And I'm sure your following will grow.
This video is sort of my "one-hit-wonder" at the moment, but I'll definitely continue making videos as time allows. I may be doing a follow-up video on my exhaust mod in the near future.
@@KennyRavelo Haha, I probably should have elaborated a bit more. By "project car" I meant more of, bring it back to stock and factory condition (if it's not already), and do a few tasteful mods to it (like you've done). Really it would be for the youtube channel (and for my own enjoyment). It's a little ways out, working on plans for a new freestanding garage first, but I got the sign off from the wife, so I'm gonna do a ton of homework on the generations of Cayman/Boxster, and figure out what I want. Thanks for the insight!
@@FredsFullThrottle Ah yes that makes more sense, in that case you'll have a blast. I subbed you back as I'm interested for myself! The thought of upgrading to a 981 Cayman (or even more rare 987.2 unicorn) has crossed my mind more than once, so if you find a good deal on those I definitely wanna hear what your experience is.
@@KennyRavelo Thanks, that's good advice. I didn't mean to come across as a "hungry" youtuber. Totally just doing it for me, because I have fun filming and editing, and enjoy cars/bikes. You're right though, if the passion is there, it will grow over time. I had my own one it wonder a few weeks ago (some info about the new Ford Bronco), but am very happy to just do my thing and if people like it, great, if not, no worries. Thanks!
Welcome to the ranks, man. The modern versions - 981 and 718 - just don't have the soul of the 987. The new cars are chasing after the Tesla-defined "space age" look and feel, and they're never going to compete in that market. The 718 especially just looks like a generic car - with so many non-performance and partial-performance vehicles with essentially the same shape (and interiors with even more bells and whistles to distract from the non-performance). Nowadays, most people look at the 987 (mine's Ruby Red) and wonder if it's an Italian car. Even the 911 series no longer looks THIS MUCH like a real sports car.
I wouldn't be opposed to the updated 981 interior, but I definitely agree that's not what the car's focus should be about. The look of the newer ones are definitely not going to be as "timeless" as the originals, and trading that Flat 6 for the turbo Flat 4 was just too big a blow to the heart and soul of it. It does say a lot about the design of the 987 that most non-Porsche people wouldn't be able to spot the difference between a 911 of much higher value.
I wouldn't be opposed to the updated 981 interior, but I definitely agree that's not what the car's focus should be about. The look of the newer ones are definitely not going to be as "timeless" as the originals, and trading that Flat 6 for the turbo Flat 4 was just too big a blow to the heart and soul of it. It does say a lot about the design of the 987 that most non-Porsche people wouldn't be able to spot the difference between a 911 of much higher value.
@@KennyRavelo See if you can find a 987 with the "Sand Beige" interior, especially if the car is black or one of the non-monochrome colors. From the perspective that "everything looks dated compared to a Tesla", the tan 987 interior still comes off as refined and elegant in a way that's not matched by the later Porsche interiors. Modern interiors are on a rat-race of tiny, futzy feature upgrades especially with bizarre illumination tricks. That's not gonna end well, my friend.
It’s a Porsche, what do you think the service and tyres would be? Cheap as a Mini! But look, listen and feel that ride, mmmmm she’s amazing, cost goes out the window.
Well done video, bought my 987.1 right before my 21st last year and everything you went over is spot-on. AOS is $100 and do-able by yourself (mine went out first drive this year, smoke everywhere thought I blew it up). If you see this, what exactly you do to the exhaust? I put the cheap ebay circuit werx system on but it rattles like crazy and needs to go...might go back to stock its so annoying.
Wow a Porsche for your 21st birthday? Congrats, Hope you've been enjoying it and thanks for watching!
Oh that's good to know actually, didn't realize the AOS were so cheap.
My exhaust is actually a custom job, didn't like the aftermarket options at all. Either way overpriced or poor quality or both. As with the theme, I decided to go with a more "bang-for-buck" option. I actually made an entire video on my exhaust mod, if you want more detail on that
@@KennyRavelo Thanks for the quick reply. I hear you on the exhaust stuff, couldn't justify 2-4k so went cheap (catback last year and headers recently for giggles). I'll check out your exhaust video as I might have to do something similar. Been eyeing the clear engine cover along with carbon aero parts but starts to defeats the insane value this car is. Think I might spend the money on track prep and track time/trips instead.
HIP Design is the way to go sir
Just seeing this now... Under $700 isn't bad actually, I was seeing some online for over $1k
Kenny Ravelo and that’s after shipping as well if I remember correctly
@@7royboy Might have to reconsider my timeline on that mod if that's the case!
The window is cool. I owned 987, and now a 987.2. When detailed and painted up the 987’s bits look very nice, however the design of the updated car doesn’t lend itself to the similar treatment
If it eats 1 liter oil/1000km, do you even need to change your oil?
I always make the joke that it's a "running oil change", but yes you absolutely do still need to. This engine holds over 8 quarts. Especially for me since I don't daily the car, I try to change oil every 3500-4500 miles. it's probably not necessary, but I want to avoid any oil-related issues
Superb wheels
Great video
Thanks! Hope it helped
Well done! Thanks
Hey do you know what offset your wheels are ? They look great!! Thanks
I don't know off the top of my head (and it doesn't show that on my invoice either). I ordered mine through ModBargains and all I needed to do was tell my Rep I wanted them the exact same dimensions as the OEM S wheels. (I believe mine originally came with Carrera S wheels from the documentation).
Thank you!
Great video. Why winter store a car in California?
Oh no need to winter store a car here, just wanted to pass along info I got from deep digging in the Pcar forums :)
Classy review, nice wheels and sound, have a great day.
Thanks, same to you!
wtf get you a porsche approved warranty which is in germany is about 1000€/year and most of the problems you had, would have been paid by the warranty
Do they have an aftermarket or upgraded Steering wheel? And would you upgrade yours?
I haven't looked into aftermarket, as I'm sure there are plenty of options but that doesn't sound like something I would want to spend on.
However, I really like the look of the 981 steering wheel a lot more, so I WOULD upgrade to that if I saw a used one for a good deal.
New those go for over $1000 which doesn't seem worth it to me.
How long does yours last before the battery runs out when it’s parked up?
So far I haven't had any battery-related issues and I'm still on the battery the car came with when I bought it.
I've let it sit sometimes 2-3 weeks at a time without even turning it on.
From what I understand this can vary a lot depending on the temperature/moisture of where you are located, but here in SF we don't have much change throughout the year
Cool.
What's the meaning of the large red dot on the front of your vehicle at 14:2 ?
This was from a Christmas shoot so that was supposed to be a Reindeer nose (if you look close you can see the antlers on my windows) lol
Wow nice car
Thank you!
nice guy, excellent review...
tires are expensive if you buy expensive tires. for non-track driving it makes no difference. you can save yourself $300 on a set of rears. and $150 for mounting and balancing is ridiculous. if you 'take' your car to a porsche dealership for service you WILL get ripped off. having all the right stamps in the service manual will cost you a lot. and at this point in my life i don't even trust them to do the job right anymore. learn to do the work yourself and spend a few hours on the internet finding parts at the best price and you'll cut your maintenance costs by 80%. then spend the savings on a 987.2 S (2009-2012), if you can even find one.
and as far as insurance goes. i believe that a 'for fun' sports car is a luxury i can do without if i am so careless as to crash it. so i get liability only for about $200 a year. of course, i also don't believe in borrowing money to pay for toys. so i can choose the degree of insurance that i buy. not something one can do if the bank really owns the car and must protect its investment by demanding collision insurance.
the issue I have with cheap tires on a nice sportscar like this is that it seems like I've gone through all this trouble and care to get a beautiful performing machine only to get stingy on one of the most important aspects of the car. and not to mention it is a safety thing as well. I want to be able to feel like I can push the car relatively safely when carving up canyons, and I do eventually plan to get take this autocrossing/HPDE hopefully after COVID... Also, my mounting and balancing was expensive because I have HRE wheels with a custom finish, so I needed to find a specialty shop to mount the tires with a "touchless" machine that won't ruin the finish.
In terms of other service though, I agree completely. As long as I have the time and tools I will be learning from CZcams and doing as much as I possibly can at home!
For insurance, I'm not as concerned with ME crashing the car, but since I live in crowded SF there's no shortage of terrible drivers in close proximity!
Good stuff man! I just bought a 2008 Cayman S. Delete this if you want but you can check out Craving Cars on Facebook or CZcams, that's my channel. Just a little something I have fun but I will have some videos on my Porsche soon enough. You have a new follower!
Love the HRE’s!
Thank you! I almost went with OZ Racing HLT Alegritas or similar in all black, but the gold was a nice breath of fresh air from the all-too-familiar murdered out look
Kenny Ravelo that’s so funny the person I bought my car off of put those on they were in the grey but he powder coated them to match the oem gold wheel caps
@@omm8701 thats crazy! Yeah they were a good looking set of wheels and about the same price range too, but for some reason I'd always been infatuated with HRE wheels and this is the first set I've ever bought. The build quality on the cheaper Flowforms is still superb, but makes me PARANOID when parking near kerbs at night.
Gold wheels really is classy
Nice review, but why does every Porsche owner with a manual transmission, put themselves so above an owner with an automatic??? After hearing it so many times I’m convinced that people who say a manual or nothing, just says it to fit in to what a lot of people think a Porsche should be . I have a Cayman with an automatic and paddle shifters, and I spank manuals all day long, and my driving experience is superb and tireless......SMH
I'm not saying manual drivers are above automatic drivers, and I didn't mention the actual drivers at all here. For this specific 987.1 generation, I say this because the automatic option is not PDK and generally is not very good. Also in my experience the manual version is more enjoyable because it is more engaging. Nothing to do with the driver, just my take on the car.
I've driven the 7 speed PDK on a 718 for a few days and it's phenomenal, but it's just my opinion that I would choose a manual over it any day for the feel and experience.
Performance wise, you're right. The PDK is better for track, and I never claim the manual is "faster".
Nice video bro. Pls answer me this.Can you replace the steering wheel with a newer model one ? I m looking to buy a cayman 2012 265 hp and wondering also if it s possible to chip tune the car to 320. I want to buy the same wheels and taillights and modify the exhaust like you did. I m looking at a 23k $ price tag with 70k miles. IF anybody can solve this riddles for me it would be much appreciate. My apologies for the writing am not english but from europe
so basically no chip tune. But i am wondering between the 2.9 265 and 3.4 320 and other models also,and the steering wheel seems fine . I am going to modify the exhaust and buy wheels but STILL the question is. What would be a good price for a 2011 ish maybe cayman with nice options and decent mileage ? I found 2012 cayman 265 as i said with 100k miles and navi xenon bose heated sets and climate for 22k
Yeah I've seen people upgrade to a 981 steering wheel, but we're talking THOUSANDS for a steering wheel. It looks great no doubt, but wow it's a lot. Better to keep your eye out for a used one on Rennlist classifieds or something like that.
I'm no expert on tuning and haven't looked into it much because I wasn't planning to for my car, but it sounds a little crazy to gain 40hp from a chip. I don't think that would even be possible.
Yeah I've seen people upgrade to a 981 steering wheel, but we're talking THOUSANDS for a steering wheel. It looks great no doubt, but wow it's a lot. Better to keep your eye out for a used one on Rennlist classifieds or something like that.
I'm no expert on tuning and haven't looked into it much because I wasn't planning to for my car, but it sounds a little crazy to gain 40hp from a chip. I don't think that would even be possible.
@@tudoralex-ve7st The price probably varies by your region and how saturated the market is with Cayman listings. A 2012 with 100k miles has definitely been driven quite a bit, so no matter what you buy do lots of research into the ownership/service history of the car and make sure to get a Pre-purchase inspection.
From what I've seen, 981 or 987.2 Cayman S listings around here in similar condition to mine seems to have a $7000-10000 higher price.
@@KennyRavelo Well in Germany i ve seen a few 987.2 cayman s from 2010 and 11 at around 30k with the mentioned options. The next car is going to be Porsche,although i am not quite sure wich one. I am also looking at the Panamera 2011 3.6 300 . What do you think about this car?Being this big does it hold the porsche driving feel and handling? What about the maintenance costs compared between? The Panamera has a lot more options like ventilated seats and rooftop with fwd and so on. I am also looking at a price tag of around 25k for 80-90k miles. Bro in europe it s ALOT more common hehe for the cars to have 90 -100 k and be reasonable. Only in the usa and a litle bit in the uk i ve seen this stigma (for me personally) with very low mileage cars. I swear man it s imposible to find a car older than 5 years with less than 60k -75 k.. Very nice Video BTW
Drink more... it helps :-)
Have you ever driven a Cayman automatic ??? Wish you guys would stop telling people not to get an automatic !!! I stomp 5 and 6 speeds all day long in mine ! Good grief, You sounded intelligent till you said that, then you just sound like you are regurgitating what you heard other people say....use your own experience...
Yes, I have. I also never said the manual was faster, just that it's a more engaging experience, for me at least. Also, because the 987.1 does not have the PDK transmission. If you don't care about these things, then the auto is still a great car.
Wats with the fkin cuts in every 2 seconds