Cayman 2.9 @ 93000 miles, 14k from Sagitta Automotive in Derby, anything to watch out for?

[Karl Traae]

Hi All, I’m new to the forum and have a test drive booked for Friday in a gen2 2.9, it’s at 93000 miles but has full Porsche service history and Sagitta Automotive has a good rep. It’s at 14k and they’ve agreed to px my car. I’m struggling to get a clear idea of the value comparing Autotrader and eBay sales, prices seem to range all over the place and not necessarily to do with specs. It’s a manual btw, I have tried the 3.4 PDK but it seemed to have a little lag before the acceleration kicked in. I have a checklist of all the usual stuff to look for but wondered if anyone knew the car? It’s WU09 VLF. Any advice much appreciated.

[Beanoir™]

Hi Karl, welcome to the OC! 😄

 

Thats not a bad price for a gen2 car, taking mileage into account.  Assuming it’s got a decent service history and the usual wear and tear items have been addressed? 
 

Posting a link to the advert might help other members make some helpful comments.. 
 

 

 

[Karl Traae]

Thanks Benoir, will do. 

[Karl Traae]

Here’s a link to the ad, thanks again for any feedback.

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010265438779?onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=le77st&radius=1500&model=CAYMAN&make=PORSCHE&sort=distance&page=2

[zcacogp]

Hmmm. Wrong wheels (I think) and wrong steering wheel - it'll be nicer than the original but doesn't have an airbag. 

 

And there is a HELL of a lot of wear on that gearknob for 93000 miles. (May explain why the steering wheel has been changed; that Momo item will be cheaper than recovering the Porsche one.) 

 

Looks light on options, if that matters to you. But the price is good if it is as it claims to be. 

 

 

[Karl Traae]

Thanks zcacogp, I’ll have a ponder on those points

 

I’ve seen the same wheels on a couple of other 2.9s, they’re 18s so probably a little more forgiving? 

 

Im going to really drill down into the SH after I take the test drive tomorrow, it seems like good value to me but I’m new to Cayman ownership so any help here is greatly appreciated. 

 

Saw the Momo and aware that it doesn’t have an airbag, and I’m not too fussed over the options. I would’ve liked the sport and sports plus buttons (is the sport plus mainly for track days?) but I’m not sure if that was ever an option on the 2.9? 

 

and i I could always get a new gear knob...maybe a skull! ☠️

 

Thanks again 

 

 

 

[zcacogp]

Those are 17inch wheels, which are a GREAT size for 987's if you like driving! It's just that I think they aren't the pattern of 17inch wheel that was originally on that car - I think those are from a Boxster (but could be wrong). I happen to have exactly the same wheels on my 987.1 2.7. 

 

Sport/Sport Plus/Options; you pays your money and takes your choice. Finding the exact combination you want on a second hand car is always going to take time so work out what you want to compromise on and go from there. Everyone will have a different opinion about what is 'essential' and what isn't. 

 

The concern about the gearknob is more that it makes me question what sort of life the car has had and I'd certainly want to investigate the mileage. Worn gearknob and worn steering wheel usually signify very high mileage. Someone has changed the steering wheel on this one which makes me a little more suspicious still. 

 

It could be a great buy but do your homework on the car. If in doubt then walk away. 987's can produce expensive bills very quickly and there are always other cars to buy out there. 

[Karl Traae]

Great advice Zcacogp, thank you. 

 

Just heard back from the dealer and he’s swapped the steering wheel back to the Porsche one, and is going to give me the Momo as well. 

 

It it will be my daily drive so good news on the 17s

 

Its just had its MOT today and passed with no advisories, last service it had a new air oil separator, and the service before that it had new spark plugs and belt. The SH looks good with the right intervals and the last four services were done at Porsche in Portsmouth 

 

From the pics the discs and calipers look clean, no rust. 

 

Test driving it tomorrow so I’ll get a feel of what the clutch is like etc.

 

Thanks again.  👍

 

[zcacogp]

Good, that sounds promising. 

 

It's well worth booking it into a specialist for a pre-purchase inspection (PPI). The dealership selling it will tell you that this is not necessary but paying someone impartial who knows their way 'round a 987 to give an honest assessment could be money well spent. If all is well then you know you have a good 'un, if there is a list of things wrong with it then you have a good basis for bargaining a discount, or just walking away. 

 

Bills on Porsches get very big very quickly and you want to avoid them if you can. 

[Karl Traae]

Thanks once more zcacogp 

 

The car is in Derby, is there any company you'd recommend for the inspection? Or just find someone local? 

 

Really appreciating your input, 

 

K 

[zcacogp]

A bit of googling to find someone with good reviews, or post something on here asking whether there is anyone near Derby whom people recommend. Zentrum is one whom I know is mentioned often but they are in Nottingham. 

 

OR ask nicely on here if there is someone who is local and practical who would be willing to come along as a friend to have a really good look at the car. Pay them in beer vouchers and hope they know their stuff! 

[Karl Traae]

👍👍👍

[Beanoir™]

I think what’s quite interesting is the car (or at least the seller claims) that it has a full Porsche service history.  That’s a positive.  
 

Worth checking with the seller what other work has been done, brakes, rads, condensers, clutch etc.  

 

 

[Tozerman]

I live in Derby and know the area well. 

What's confusing me is that in the immediate vicinity there is  German car garage and a van sales site  🤔

I'd be careful. I use a specialist just outside Derby called Cavendish Porsche, maybe worth contacting them for an inspection. 

Good lue🤞

[Karl Traae]

Thanks Tozerman, just sent Cavendish a message re PPI. Sagitta are a fleet management co and they do vehicle sourcing, as well as selling some high end motors. I’ll be cautious, thanks for your input. 👍

[Tozerman]

No trouble mate. That area is very 'ethnic' shall we say 😁

[Karl Traae]

Thanks for all the input, 

 

Took the test drive today, it drove great and everything felt very tight, no knocks or rattles. The SH was good with six stamps in the book from Porsche Portsmouth and receipts for the last service when the air oil separator was replaced along with spark plugs.

 

Now the crap bits. Despite being advertised as immaculate by the seller there were many cosmetic niggles, really annoying. Wheel nuts were all rusty and the centre badges were in poor shape, there was paint bubbling on the front spoiler and a s**t ton of stone chips. Both fog light casings were rusty and the lamps had moisture in them, drivers side window washer wasn’t working despite it being MOT’d yesterday, and worst of all there was a big dent in the drivers side sill just behind the door which the seller claimed not to have seen. 

 

I took the the advice you guys offered yesterday and walked away, something just didn’t feel right. 

 

So now it’s onwards and upwards looking for my dream spec and motor. The good thing about doing lots of test drives in different specs is you get to know what you need and what you don’t. 

 

My ideal spec spec would be a gen 2 2.9 in guards red, sports exhaust for the noise and PASM and sports mode, but the base model was fine too, pure driving pleasure. 

 

Thanks again for welcoming me to the forum and all your input. 

 

👍👍👍

[GlosRich]

Sounds like you were right to walk away.

 

Check out all the specialists for cars for sale, as they tend to be in better condition, and they know the cars properly.

 

Remember all those little jobs are expensive on a Porsche, for example a gen2 fog lamp is approx £200. Rear LED lamps are £350 each.

 

I went through the same dilemma, I bought one requiring work, and in the end, it became too expensive, so best to get one in good condition to begin with.

 

Looking at the advert, that might even be an ex Thruxton circuit car, as they had a whole bunch of 2009 2.9 Gen2 models for their driving experiences.

 

 

[Karl Traae]

Thanks GlosRich, 

 

I live in Loughborough in Leicestershire, are there any Porsche specialists local to me that you are aware of or would recommend? I don’t mind traveling for the right car. 

 

I went through the service history but didn't think to have a good look at the V5 apart from the number of owners, so not sure if Thruxton was on there. 

 

I’m not in any tremendous rush so can afford to wait for the right one to come along. 

 

Thanks again for the info

 

Karl 

[GlosRich]

Here are some Porsche specialists, not many local to you.

911 virgin, Cridfords, Maundrells, Strasse, RPM, Revolution, Steve Bull, Ashgood, Camerons