Concerns with reliability as a weekend car...
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 775
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Rep Power: 72
Cayman is a great looking car but slow slow slow if you are coming from a turbo, fast if you are coming from a Honda Accord. I test drove a 991 S thinking I would trade the turbo and after about 3 seconds in it, it was like it had an anchor attached to it compared to my Turbo when accelerating. Still have my Turbo and it will stay for a while, the 991TT is just not worth the price compared to what I have.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 496
From: Amsterdam Area, Netherlands
Rep Power: 43
Cayman is a great looking car but slow slow slow if you are coming from a turbo, fast if you are coming from a Honda Accord. I test drove a 991 S thinking I would trade the turbo and after about 3 seconds in it, it was like it had an anchor attached to it compared to my Turbo when accelerating. Still have my Turbo and it will stay for a while, the 991TT is just not worth the price compared to what I have.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,449
Rep Power: 78
I think you should be super picky when you buy a 911, independent check by professional Porsche mechanics is well spent money. I am not sure any dealer would be considered 'pros' they do their 101-point check which seems quite pointless.
And when you testdrive one, I would make sure the car behaves well driven hard, do some redline shifts, is the power delivery smooth or not? Any smoke during acceleration etc.
Once back to the dealer (and with a hot engine) make sure there is no fluid leaks, coolant issues are not uncommon, check both under the front and rear for any leaks.
If it raining outside checking for leaks wont be possible, but leave it out and check for leaks if the car has a sunroof, there is four drains going down A and C pillars.
I have a 2007 MT, had it for 18mo, my rap sheet:
1) Coolant leaks, rear pipes going to front, rubber seals gone bad, engine had to come out.
2) Driver side door latch, bad micro switch, made window missbehave.
3) Weird noise from engine on cold start, they replaced belt, several pulleys, alternator, water pump. In the end it was the alternator that was the culprit.
All above fixed under extended warranty during 1y of ownership.
Now I have:
4) Coolant leaks from front coolers.
5) Oil seal on driver side engine head oil scavenge pump leaks.
Warranty still valid until October
So my final recommendation is get a good extended warranty, mine is through Porsche Germany (even though I am in Sweden). I got 1y with the car and added 1y myself for $2k, well worth it.
Still I think most issues are due to the car standing in a show room for over 1y, cars need to be driven regularly to stay fit.
And when you testdrive one, I would make sure the car behaves well driven hard, do some redline shifts, is the power delivery smooth or not? Any smoke during acceleration etc.
Once back to the dealer (and with a hot engine) make sure there is no fluid leaks, coolant issues are not uncommon, check both under the front and rear for any leaks.
If it raining outside checking for leaks wont be possible, but leave it out and check for leaks if the car has a sunroof, there is four drains going down A and C pillars.
I have a 2007 MT, had it for 18mo, my rap sheet:
1) Coolant leaks, rear pipes going to front, rubber seals gone bad, engine had to come out.
2) Driver side door latch, bad micro switch, made window missbehave.
3) Weird noise from engine on cold start, they replaced belt, several pulleys, alternator, water pump. In the end it was the alternator that was the culprit.
All above fixed under extended warranty during 1y of ownership.
Now I have:
4) Coolant leaks from front coolers.
5) Oil seal on driver side engine head oil scavenge pump leaks.
Warranty still valid until October
So my final recommendation is get a good extended warranty, mine is through Porsche Germany (even though I am in Sweden). I got 1y with the car and added 1y myself for $2k, well worth it.
Still I think most issues are due to the car standing in a show room for over 1y, cars need to be driven regularly to stay fit.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 775
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Rep Power: 72
I would try to find someone who actually knows a 911turbo and have him spend a few hours with it.
Though the Porsche tests where needed for the warranty so for administrative purposes it was useful.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 164
From: ATL
Rep Power: 21
I drove my friends Cayman S and I have to say it was every bit as much a "real" Porsche as my turbo and just as much fun to drive. I loved the exhaust sound and the fact that you could run it to the redline in a few gears without reaching go to jail speeds. I would still pick the turbo because I like the "king of the hill" looks, performance and reputation but for some people Im sure the Cayman would be an awesome machine.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
From: houston
Rep Power: 34
Mine has 27k...she sits on a Porsche trickle charger and gets about 1500-2500 miles a year. Has been known to sit for 1-2 months at a time...always starts, had an extended warranty since factory expired. Just replaced the TPMS sensors they have a 5-6 year life. You can get them online cheaper than factory and they are the identical part without the 997 part#.
Haven't seen any issues with this type of use........except pangs of guilt for underutilizing such an amazing car. Driven Vette's, great old school grunt....just don't have the turbo thrust.....also you see at least one at EVERY light!!!!!
Haven't seen any issues with this type of use........except pangs of guilt for underutilizing such an amazing car. Driven Vette's, great old school grunt....just don't have the turbo thrust.....also you see at least one at EVERY light!!!!!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 585
From: Knoxville, TN
Rep Power: 42
I really like my weekend turbo. I rarely drive it except on nice sunny days. With the exception of routine maintenance no real problems. Now once you get it and you read any of the forums all bets are off because then the real money starts being spent……… new wheels, tunes, clutches, brakes all in the name of faster and better.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 32
From: columbus ohio
Rep Power: 14
I have been a Vette guy for a very long time and just recently bought a 997.1. I can give you an honest opinion on the ZR1, great motor with lots of power stock, brakes are amazing but other than that it was just another Corvette plus its hood was horrible. I came out of a 11 Z06 with light mods which was great, to a 11 ZR1 but with all the problems LS7 and LS9 engines are having I traded the ZR on a Grand Sport then installed a A&A supercharger...the most fun I have had in a Corvette and its half the cost of a ZR and still has over 600 rwhp. There are very few people that would know the difference in any of the vettes I have had.
The 911 is just a totally different car from a Vette, much more refined, very well put together, excellent driver. I bought one knowing I would not mod it too much just for the cost factor vs the GS.
My advice is buy what makes you feel like it was money well spent and it makes you smile every time you drive it. I love both of my cars for different reasons.
The 911 is just a totally different car from a Vette, much more refined, very well put together, excellent driver. I bought one knowing I would not mod it too much just for the cost factor vs the GS.
My advice is buy what makes you feel like it was money well spent and it makes you smile every time you drive it. I love both of my cars for different reasons.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post