MidEngineRules

More worth in the long run is relative. These cars depreciate pretty fast, mainly because finding brand new 2017 or 2018, and/or very slightly used CPO 2017 and 2018 cars at dealers is not uncommon, at least in the States. The more optioned, the more depreciation, and trade in values are appreciably less. To the OP, I would not buy a current model year if searching for bang for the buck.

I found my new 2017 T4S in summer of 2018 and did get a $15k discount for it being a year old (plus free Xpel), yet it has depreciated $20k retail from my purchase price ($35k trade in) since I took ownership and it only has 3k miles.

If you go to the Porsche locator you can pull up the build sheet on every used car you find so you can calculate the deal you're being offered in terms of discount from what was its original MSRP. It's enlightening.

Bob Z.

Being worth more was something I mentioned for others since the GTS will be worth more, period. But I don't care one way or the other since what I wanted was no where to be found so ordering was my only option - when I pay what I did for a car I am not settling for anything.

Jack F

Bobby 911

hbear

MidEngineRules

We're talking past each other, no big deal. Of course the used GTS should retail for more than a base, all things being equal. Not denying that elementary point.

Consider this:
Lightly optioned base Targa sells for $125k and 2 years later is worth $100k. Reasonable.
Decently optioned Targa GTS costs $165k and 2 years later is worth $120k. Reasonable.

Yes, your car will retail for more in the out years. But you lost $45k in 2 years and the owner of the base Targa lost $25k. Hence my point in that the more optioned the car, the more value it will lose.

None of which has anything to do with the perceived joy each may bring. But a GTS is not automatically more joyous to own/drive than a base. That's entirely up to the individual consumer.

Because there are so many options to consider when buying a Porsche, it's not such an easy choice, and comparing already configured cars is even harder especially for those who may have more difficulty differentiating options, let alone models.

My car's build sheet is 3 pages long. Key to why it's depreciated so much. My GT4 is also highly optioned, yet has depreciated very little. Oh Porsche, thanks for making all this so complex.

Waterloo

Icebreaker

In all fairness, you are doing really well with a discount in Canada! Canada is the cheapest country in the world to buy a 911 and when you factor in the exchange rate, you are well ahead of the US price list. The reason the prices of the used Targas are so high in Canada is that they can be delivered across the border. The same logic applies if you want to sell your car - you are getting a better deal on the front end so you will lose less in depreciation as you have the whole North American market on your side. Get the GTS if it is what you really want. But hurry! The 992 price adjustment may not be in your favour.
https://www.total911.com/ride-along-...t-laguna-seca/

mdr911

I ended up going with the base Targa 4 because I wanted to CXX several options onto the car (which even after adding to the build sheet I ended-up at $128K with a $3500 discount). If I did the same build onto the 4S I hit over $145K and the GTS landed me near $170K. I basically built a Targa 4 S without the "S" (Torque Vector, 20" Wheels, I liked the look of the quad exhaust over the sport exhaust, etc). because I knew I was going to tune the car (watching this video where the stock 4 just did a $1800 Cobb tune and clearly pulls on the 4S did it for me ). But as everyone points out the only way you can really lose is if you try and make this a game about math and how much the car will depreciate (or not) - I decided I would rather take the close to $20K difference on my build and get the 4 with all the goodies I wanted + spend the additional $20K over the next few years on Tune / Exhaust / Cats / Wheels + Tires for the track. I will soon be $145K into the car anyway and all the work I am doing will probably hurt resale value or at the least I will have to strip everything off if I plan on selling it and then lose money on installs and if I'm lucky sell of any bolt on parts for pennys on the dollar. My final though is I drove a Turbo S Cab for a weekend on both the streets, highway and on the track and I left the car completely amazed and confused - it is just so much car. There is a great thread on "When 370HP is enough and it really is esp. for street driving. Enjoy!

NNN Investment

I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt the more options you check that is almost an immediate loss when you sell. The smarter buy is either a slightly used like i just got (2018 Targa 4GTS for 147.5 which had a 175 sticker ) or a low low option targa4GTS.

Bob Z.

Skimping on options for the sake of not getting more when one sells makes no sense to me, which is why I ordered, to get what I wanted. If one is spending that much to begin with why not spend the extra coin and get what one wants?! And I can care less what someone thinks about how I spec'd my car - I did not buy it for the next owner.

NNN Investment

Some people could care less how much of a bath they take and others rather wait and save a significant amount. I know that if I was ordering a 2019 which I had an allocation for my build was going to be about 149. And basically most of that was PDK and chalk paint. I had the opportunity to buy a 2018 with 1900 miles with the 175 sticker for 147.5. So I have over $30,000 worth of options that I would have never chosen. Everybody has their own way of looking at this.

Waterloo

I have had an up and down week. The allocation I was looking at was sold while I was away. I admit I was wavering but when I finally said I wanted it it was gone! I was devastated. But today my dealer was able to trade for a May build so I am back on track!

I am sticking with my low option build. I really like the idea of a "basic" car. White, standard interior in leather, manual, LCA, RAS, heated and cooled seats and Bose. I am having a bit of trouble withe the steering wheel. I am told the GT sport steering wheel on the GTS isn't heated or multi function (I need the heat!). The US configurator shows a "heated multi function wheel" but Canada doesn't. Does anyone know if the GT is heated multi function? Or will I have to go with the Carbon Fiber wheel? I have no problem going with the carbon but I would prefer the leather.

Thanks

Stevelev

fastforddriver

To me, the best car to purchase is the one you like the best that's within your budget. Good luck to the OP! I'm in the same boat BobZ was in - I've looked everywhere and there are no cars available that are exactly what I want so I ordered one. It's a lifetime keeper for me so don't care about resale.