jvmax

So it is interesting how many of these are currently on the market:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...numRecords=100

One thing I found out when I was trying to sell my Spyder recently is how much the Spyder is unloved. Most dealers dont want them (including Porsche) due to the manual top. I was offered by dealers mid $40's several times for my 2000 mile 6 speed manual spyder, ended up selling it for mid $50's. What I can say is the manual top makes the car, not hard at all to put up, and most people do not know what kind of car it is. So for those looking to get into a Spyder, mid $50's is the retail price point for a low mileage example and keep in mind when negotiating most dealers do not want these cars so you can score a deal!!

Marine Blue

Not surprising at all to hear that dealers aren't giving the Spyder any love. They didn't give it any love when they were available for order and dealers did there best to trade allocations as fast as they could.

I was looking on Autotrader the other day and while there are lots of Spyders for sale it still seems that 6spd with sport buckets are in limited supply.

Alan Smithee

Porsche dealer offered me $53k for my 5k mile car two weeks ago - 80% of MSRP wholesale after 3 years is amazing - hardly the sign of an "unloved" model.

As always, demand - and therefore prices - depend on location, mileage, condition, and options. I'll bet most of those 35 cars are lacking in one or more of those areas.

f4 plt

Interesting comments, yet Porsche of San Antonio has probably sold more Spyders (new and pre owned) than any other dealer and they are getting, yes getting, well in to the 60s and higher for the last two pre owned they sold and the buyers were happy with their new finds. I think the value is still there in these unique vehicles and I'm holding on to mine as the grin is still there every time I drive it.

terbiumactivated

I'm not worried at all about the long term value of the Spyder, either you are an enthusiast of the car or you are not, it's sort of a polarizing vehicle in that regard. IMO, the interior driving noise may also turn people off along with the manual work to erect the top. In truth, I only had my electric top up in bad weather so to me it's a non issue. Traditionally, Porsche factory lightweights have done fine in long term values. The seats alone are so special they change the driving experience. Given that some do not like the new steering, start/stop or e brake, the Spyder may shine longer and brighter than some think. Many who are negative on the car have never driven one, if you do, you'll "get it" pretty quickly. In truth the Spyder still holds a slight edge in power compared to the new model, is lower and still looks cooler.

PS If you're looking to make money on an acquisition try buying a rental

perfectlap

It's a very specialized car for a very specific type of driver, at a fairly high price relative to cost of getting into a second hand, high end Carrera -- well if you're not in love with the no-frills concept.
I can see how dealers, in the age of internet buying and selling see them as as too much work or a car that doesn't walk out the door as easily as they wish.
Complicating matters is that buyers are easily distracted by all the second hand options in both mid and rear configurations. It's unavoidable but what I consider to be the last great non-electric steering, manual transmission roadster will become a screaming bargain before most of the quantities have racked up high mileage.
I also see a pattern where too many owners decide that the no-frills Porsche was fun for a year or two but its time to move on, without ever really having driven it on the track or autocross (ironically for fear of depreciating its high price, which was the whole point of the car). That type of seller is going to lead to quick sales at agressive discounting, especially if their other option, the dealer, isn't hot to make a good trade in offer. People are impatient...
I also wonder, amongst the track and autocross crowds, what the prices coming down (eventually) on the 996/997 GT3's will do to the Spyder pricing. Those GT3's will be in hot demand once they come into more affordable ranges which I think will make Cayman R's and Spyders a little less appetizing unless there's a good price gap between them and the GT3's.

stevecolletti

I've been trying to understand why the Spyder is so polarizing, and I think you've all got it right.

The Spyder 'story' reminds me of the Detomaso Pantera, which was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers in the early 1970s. It was a screaming bargain, but still an expensive toy that required compromises from its owners. Most people didn't know about the car, and the average L-M customer would have no interest in the car. Most dealers had no idea of how to sell it (or maintain it), so we ended up with a few regional dealers who became specialists in the car. To maintain inventory, they'd scavenge cars from dealers who didn't do well with them and picked up lightly used ones. They kept the flame alive and did well with the cars, which made prospective Pantera buyers even less likely to visit one of the non-specialist L-M dealers. Most buyers didn't keep the car long. Those that did were rabid fans - the very definition of a "cult classic".

The reasons may be different and the car certainly is, but it seems pretty familiar to me.

Marine Blue

I agree that the GT3 will poach on future Spyder sales, especially for those looking to track the car. But as a sports car I really can't imagine a better car. Lithe handling, plenty of power, killer looks, reliable and just pure fun. The open top is the icing on the cake here.

I wouldn't buy the GT3 to replace the Spyder since I didn't buy mine to track. I enjoy it on the street and I'm not shy about exploiting it's capabilities at the right times.

As far as pricing, I do think they will continue to come down but I don't think it will be as dramatic as a 987S

VGM911

Spyders may be said to be in short supply due to limited production numbers, but demand for these cars is also light. As a result, their retail value will decline just as it will for most other cars. At some point in time, however, depreciation will slow down from its current rate.

10 GT3

It is a specialized car for a particular driver, but there are a lot of builds that don't match that equation. Quite a few are PDK with the standard steering wheel (no paddle shift) and regular sport seats. The most expensive one advertised is one with the right options: 6-sp and sport buckets. Very few cars with 6-sp or Sport Buckets available.

Fly911

The 987 Boxster Spyder is not only the best looking of them all, itīs also the best driving and most rewarding Boxster. I had the pleaseure to ride shot gun on Texas World Speedway with a pro racer in a Spyder, and I was literally blown away! The problem though is the top. Not because itīs manual, but because it canīt cope with the carīs top speed. That is rediculous! Also, when the Spyder was on the shop floor at one of Houstonīs Porsche dealers, none of the sales people were able to get the top up (they had little clue about other Porsches too...). I believe lack of knowledge and education, combined with little enthusiasm among Porsche sales representatives, has a negative effect on sales of special cars (and all Porsches for that matter...). Shame!!!

clutchplate

Dealers don't really want the Lotus Elise either but those cars don't seem to ever go down in value.

Z356

I agree. There is something very special about the 987 Spyder and I think it will gain iconic status someday! Some here have discounted the conversation I had with Dr. Wolfgang Porsche at the '12 Parade about his immense enthusiasm for this model. He bought a 'Carrara White' one which he keeps at his Zellamsee Austrian estate. But I think it's revealing for a person in his position at Porsche AG! Same for a chat I had with Cass Whitehead, Lead Instructor of the Porsche Sport Driving School in the USA. In 2010, long before I even thought of ordering my '12 Spyder, he told me that a Spyder was the only Porsche in recent times that he had been tempted to buy with his own funds! And he had a fleet of 997's & other models that he drove all the time! Again, that also tells me something about the uniqueness & special driving characteristics of this model!

Time will tell about the place the Spyder will hold in the future. But don't sell the Spyder short...literally as well as figuratively!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Seattle

10 GT3

Don't agree it is the belt looking. I give that to the new 981. Best driving is another story. The Spyder is actually supposed to be electronically limited to less than 120 mph when the top is attached. There is also a statement in the owners manual about the car being unsafe with the top on above that speed. The problem isn't the top, it is that you have to run with it on. Without it, Spyder is good to 166 mph; plenty for the front straight at TWS.

jvmax

here's a screaming deal on a red spyder, 6mt, sport buckets, 13k mile:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Index=14&Log=0