Sports car for wife...any ideas?

[UH-60Pilot]

FWIW, my research on IMS failures put them at around 6-8%.    That's actually kind of a lot for something that will trash an engine that costs 30-40% of the price of the car.    That said, there are options to fix the issue and that issue is why that generation of Porsche is relatively cheap.   If you're comfortable spending 1000-1500 bucks and some labor to resolve it, they are pretty damn reliable afterwards.    I spent a while looking at that generation of Porsche (though I'm not a Boxster fan) a little while back.

EVERY Audi is a maintenance whore though.   Generally with nasty, engine shit that sucks to work on.    Every BMW I've owned (with a BMW engine, my MINI being a whore doesn't count, it's French) has only ever had suspension and stupid electronic issues.   Annoying, but generally cheap and pretty easy to work on.   Same with most Merc' stuff, though engine electronics are $$$ if they die.   Mercs are generally pretty good about that unless you get something high zoot (AMG) though.

Japanese stuff is generally less problem prone, though my G35X started to have some transmission misbehavior right at 100k miles.    The Miata would basically NEVER die and likely never break anything costing more than 500 bucks.

Everything you said is right on the money. I really pushed a the Miata sell hard. I had one years ago and loved it, although it was very slow. My wife said "hell NO" to the Miata.

Looking at Porsche Cayman now, and researching the IMS issue too.

[wickedrx7]

The IMS issue is really overblown and is an easy fix.  This from a friend who works at a aftermarket porshe shop.

[digitalsolo]

http://www.vertexauto.com/ShowItem/294268%20Porsche%20IMS%20Pressurized%20Oil%20Feed%20Kit.aspx

http://europeanpartssolution.com/products/ims-bearing-repair/

[WannaBeFast]

The new turbocharged 4-banger Mustang.

[quinns]

All I will say is don't buy the Audi. There are so many awesome cars in that price range I don't even know what to suggest.

[digital_hoon]

I love my Audi, but I won't argue with anybody else that they are maintenance whores. 

"German engineering" seems to translate to "make it nearly impossible to work on."

As far as the Cayman, I had a buddy that had an S for 4-5 years without major issues and loved it. Sold it and upgraded to a 911 Turbo.

[Mik3ymomo]

I will throw my vote behind the Boxster S. The car is a blast to drive. The S has adequate power for most. The open air car is nice and it's a classic design that she will enjoy driving and feel special like she is wearing a new designer pair of Clogs or whatever they wear these days...

IMS failures are few but if it worries you pick up a certified car with warranty.

Also check out the BMW leases. BMW heavily subsidizes their leases and all new cars come with free maintinence (everything but tires) and you can get her a Z4 or M235 etc for a similar payment as buying what you are looking at. Also no surprises with a warranty and free maint.

Yeah i'm leaning towards the Porsche Cayman base, although I would prefer the "S" model. My wife wont really notice the difference. I test drove one today. It was a fun car to drive. I have never driven a Porsche, now I can see why they get such reviews.

I'm trying to stay away from leasing. $3,500 due at signing and 330 buck a months for 39 months= over $16K. Just does not seem worth it.

If you turn over a car in the same amount of time then leasing makes all the sense in the world.
The payment is lower, it's always under warranty and if it's hit and repaired during your ownership you don't take the loss in residual value as an owner would take trying to trade in the car.

There is much more risk in owning a car then leasing one.

We are conditioned to believe that owning is better but the numbers do not support that.

[largeorangefont]

I will throw my vote behind the Boxster S. The car is a blast to drive. The S has adequate power for most. The open air car is nice and it's a classic design that she will enjoy driving and feel special like she is wearing a new designer pair of Clogs or whatever they wear these days...

IMS failures are few but if it worries you pick up a certified car with warranty.

Also check out the BMW leases. BMW heavily subsidizes their leases and all new cars come with free maintinence (everything but tires) and you can get her a Z4 or M235 etc for a similar payment as buying what you are looking at. Also no surprises with a warranty and free maint.

Yeah i'm leaning towards the Porsche Cayman base, although I would prefer the "S" model. My wife wont really notice the difference. I test drove one today. It was a fun car to drive. I have never driven a Porsche, now I can see why they get such reviews.

I'm trying to stay away from leasing. $3,500 due at signing and 330 buck a months for 39 months= over $16K. Just does not seem worth it.

If you turn over a car in the same amount of time then leasing makes all the sense in the world.
The payment is lower, it's always under warranty and if it's hit and repaired during your ownership you don't take the loss in residual value as an owner would take trying to trade in the car.

There is much more risk in owning a car then leasing one.

We are conditioned to believe that owning is better but the numbers do not support that.

That works until you have to give them thousands of dollars at lease sign up. For a zero down lease I agree with you if you just want a new car every 3 years.

[gadzooks]

I had to click to make sure you weren't trying to make a trade after reading the title!

[UH-60Pilot]

I had to click to make sure you weren't trying to make a trade after reading the title!

"Now that's funny right there, I don't care who you are"

[UH-60Pilot]

Well, I'm heading down to Knoxville to pick up a 2006 Cayman S with 58K miles. Paid $24,500. Its dark olive green(looks black) with tan interior. I'm sure myself, I mean, my wife will love it.

[frijolee]

Nice!  Post up the pics.

[UH-60Pilot]

Long day of driving to go get this car. My wife is out driving it right now, she might not come back.
First time I ever really drove a Porsche for more than 5 miles. it was 240 miles to get home with it. These are great cars, I might be a new Porsche lover.

[Dvous]

Porsches are great, my father is a Porsche fanatic and owned quite a few when I was younger.  They're surprisingly easy to work on.

[mattster03]

Lookin' good!