Hi,
I've just recently decided to buy a cayman as my new vehicle, and I found a 2008 cayman S online that really fits my budget. However, I was kind of wanted a new cayman, so I looked at the base model for 2012; it cost a little over my budget. So, I hesitated......I don't know if it's the my psychological barrier that's telling me a new one always better than the old one in the long run, or I just not know the cars like I supposed to be. Cars would be depreciated a lot soon after it's off the lot but I've also heard that porsches are good with holding it's values. Personally I don't see much of a difference between the two but one older upgraded model with more power and a new model with more convenience accessories. Which one should I get? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Get the new one. The HP bump brings the performance of the base gen2 close to the gen1 S. I believe you'll have better gas mileage. The interior plastics aren't as prone to peeling as they are in a gen1. Ipod, bluetooth, etc. Then there's the warranty....

 

Depends on what you want to do with it. For something that's going to see significant track time, I'll always favour a used car. This way the depreciation is already gone and the fact that my use is going to devalue it more is irrelevant.

On the other hand, if what you are looking for is a nice driver to baby and pamper, then buying a new car may be of value to you.

So, to accurately advise you, we really need to know more about you. There isn't one correct answer that fits everyone. It's a personal question.

 

well, the 2008 one has:
less than 10k milage.
Floor Mats in Interior Color
Bose High End Sound Package
Wheel Caps with Colored Crest
Heated Front Seats
Tiptronic S
19" Carrera S Wheel
Preferred Package w/Tip
Bi-Xenon Headlamp Package
Self-Dim Mirrors & Rain Sensor
the 2012 one has:
SiriusXM(TM) Sat Radio Tuner
Navigation Module for PCM
Porsche Communication Manageme
Sound Package Plus
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)
18" Cayman S II Wheel
WhlCtrsw/FullcolorPorscheCrest
Heated Seats (Front)
Infotainment Pkg wSnd Pkg Plus
The 2012 one sure has alot more options than the 2008 one, but it costs 20% more than the price of the 2008. I'd like to get the 2012 one but it surely pumps up my monthly payments. I'm not much of a car player nor I likes to test the road that much. But i don't like the high car payments either.

 

On the other hand, there are oiling issues tracking the Gen I models.

 

Okay, I guess the bottom line is that which vehicle is less for maintenance? I'm just look at the long runs like which vehicle would be good for another 4-5 years in the future.

 

Depends on if you're talking a DE car or a racecar. If you're going to DE the vehicle, I don't consider that a particularly stressed environment and don't have any concerns. If you're racing the car, you're going to install a Mantis sump and a third radiator at a minimum, regardless of generation. At least I would...

Asianporsche,
20% price difference sounds too small for me. They're asking too much for that 2008. You should have seen 20% depreciation on that car in the first two years. Now that we're on the verge of it being 4 years old, it should be another 5-10% less than that. Don't pay too much for a car.

 

So it's best for me to get the new one instead? So 50k is too much for a 2008 cayman s huh... I guess I got a lot to learn.

 

$50K is way too much for a 2008 Cayman S. You can get one with low mileage and CPO (Extended warranty and dealer inspection/rehabilitation) for less than that. I would look at a 2006 - 2007 model Cayman S. A lot of depreciation is already done and you can still find good examples with moderate miles on them - no real difference in a 2007-2007 vs. a 2008 - they are all Gen 1's. Check this one out:

http://www.parkplacetexas.com/web/us...ition_id=10426

My $0.02.

 

I think they think they can get a premium for the car because the mileage and the PDK. I suspect their price also has CPO wrapped up into it, which is not free. I'm not following the market that closely so can't advise you all that well whether or not you can find a bettter deal than that on a used Cayman. I've got a hot rodder's bias, so I am looking for something with a bit more mileage and a 6spd, and would pay less for it. For a premium car, you could end up paying a premium price.

 

well, I'm buying from a dealership. Its certified, is it the reason why it's been a little expensive？ I saw the one's that are not certified and they are pretty cheap.

 

CPO adds about 3k to the dealer asking price - it costs the dealer about 1k to 1500 in labor. If you find a used car you want at a Porsche dealer, you can ask if they'll cpo it. If the car is clean, they'll take you money and get work that into the deal. $50k is a lot for a 2008 Cayman S. Try casting a wider net in your search. Cars.com is a good place to search, and ebay is a good place to see what the market will bear - how much cars are actually sold for.
Also, gen 2 started in 2009. So, you don't have to buy a 2012 to get the gen 2 benefits.

 

I also looked at a 2010 base cayman model, it's cpo'ed and surely a little bit cheaper than the 2008 S, will that be a better deal than get the 2008 S?

 

I would get the 2010, for $50K, you can get a 2005/2006 997, something else to think about.

 

Used prices are out of control, I've been following CPO prices on KBB for '09 Cayman S with PDK, 15k miles for almost a year. They were at 59k on 10/15, dropped down to a low of $56,100 on 2/9, back up to $57k by April, down to $55,500 on 7/2, now back up to $58, 200 with same options and miles. My dealer recently got an '09 with PDK they had listed for $65k, it sold within a few weeks, I don't know for how much though.
I ended up ordering new, didn't seem like enough of a discount on the used ones.