Gen 2 Cayman 987 owner here. Mines a 2009 2.9. Only had it a few months. Really really love it.
I just read the buyers guides. I think Porsche club GB have one on their website. Second gen seemed the way to go. Make sure it's got a full expected history and had all its services and fluids done at the right point. Mine seemed fairly standard pattern of Porsche opc for first years then indi servicing. One thing if not used to Porsches is they pick up stone chips like magnets and coming from other cars felt a bit miffed at this, but since being into Porsches realised it's almost a badge of honour as they all get it (local Porsche opc showed me a 911 gt3 in their showroom with gravel rash and made me feel better ha).
People seem to say with porkers it's all about spec. But for me, I was going against that grain - I wanted one that looked right, the way I wanted, not the spec. And with 987s that seemed a lot harder than finding one that had climate control rather than basic AC. There were plenty of specced out ones but they all looked a bit, well, pedestrian for my liking.. I managed to find a cracking speed yellow one with black wheels and well looked after. It's got air con, cruise plus some other things but other than that it's engine and a steering wheel. I bought it for me not the next guy. It looks a million dollars and is my baby
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I've not owned a Porsche before and can't comment on the performance comparatively with other porsches. I owned a BMW 325i and the Porsche feels way faster to my heathen motoring judgement and handles sublime. It's just good fun. Despite "only" being a 2.9 It is nearly a 3 litre engine in quite a light little car. I went into ownership knowing you have to put your hand in your pocket from time to time to keep these up to scratch. :grin:
Go for a drive in a few. Some people (can't think why) do report occasionally they seem to be disappointment with Caymans when they have ago. Must be missed expectations. It is a little pocket rocket that you have to climb into, so if one is looking for more saloon family man practicality then i can see it would disappoint. Better off with an M3 in that case. That said, it's got loads of storage in my judgement. A very deep front boot and a decent sized rear hatch area. My misses and I got all our suitcases and paraphernalia for a weekend break in it no bother.
The other thing is I've been getting 27 -29 mpg driving locally which I'm well happy with - I owned a little 206 1.4 Peugeot as a hack about and that did 35mpg around town so the Porsche hardly needs its own oil field either.