Agree with this. To me extensive aftermarket mods are not worth the hassle or potential headaches, not to mention voiding your warranty.

 

Porsche does not allow you to residualize the cost of options over the base model (i.e. Carrera, Carrera S, etc) which flat out makes a basic S a much smarter choice than a loaded base. Similarly, when selling a loaded car, you will not capture anything close to the additional money spent on the options, as opposed to the basic car price. I never lease a Porsche, but the math clearly shows the smartest choice. And I’ve yet to meet a successful person who was happy to waste money.

 

Is this really true? When I was considering leasing (rejected over the insanely high money factors) I was told that the residual % quoted applied to the entire MSRP, including options.

 

When figuring lease rates, Porsche uses a Maximum Residualized Value. They will figure residual value based on the MSRP or the MRM - whichever is less.

On a 2020 Carrera S, the MRM is $141,700. I know this because I talked to my sales manager about it.

Generally you'll want to build a car within striking distance of the MRM. No more than +$10k over.

I'm a fair bit north of the MRM on my car. But I wanted certain things and I got the options I like and kept it below $150k.

Another thing to keep in mind are discounts - I have an 8% discount, so my OTD ended up ~$5k below the MRM. Of course none of this is "smart" money. Smart money is not buying a Porsche.

 

You're on a 911 forum and have yet to meet a successful person who was happy to waste money? What irony.

No one SHOULD buy a 911. You buy it because you love it. Get the options that make a difference in your enjoyment of the car, don't buy a certain trim or option because maybe you'll sell it for more money. Buy the car you want to own (and can afford).

The must haves for me were; 18 way seats, some sort of leather interior, SC, SE. Those put the S out of my budget, problem solved. I guarantee I'll be happier having those options than an S trim and OP, I'd wager you'd be happier with a better optioned car over a "better residual" car.

 

I should. Hopefully within the next month.

 

That's interesting--what does MRM stand for? So, as long as the MSRP including all options is less than the MRM you can apply the full residual % to the MSRP? Why would the discount make any difference? That just applies to the capitalized cost--residuals are based on the MSRP. My C2S build was just under $140K so I guess that's why I was not informed about this. Another reason to pass on a Porsche lease--very unusual policy,

 

Maximized Residualized Value.

I'm not leasing. I'm buying. I mention it and the discount only in the context of having some sort of metric that can help define an "overbuilt" car. It's always hard to know where that line is.

May not be a perfect model, but it was one way of figuring it. My MSRP is just over $147k, which is a bit on the higher end of C2S builds, but certainly not the highest I've seen.

And you are correct in that MSRP is what's relevant in assessing residuals with a lease.

 

Folks. I'm BLOWN AWAY at all the constructive and thoughtful feedback! I've read through this thread twice in its entirety and I probably will again, then follow some of the advice and study the configurator and spec sheets a few more times before I post more questions.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for your time and consideration in your replies!

 

What is the MRM on a 2020 Carrera base?

 

With a budget of $120k, you are probably going to have to look at the base model. You could go S, but by the time you add one meaningful option such as sports package, you are at your budget. Based upon another tread currently active, seems like the least expensive base car someone has taken delivery of is around $113k after discount. That would be over $16k in options which is pretty easy to do based upon how bare bones the cars really are.

 

Sorry - I don't know. The sales manager will know - I doubt your salesperson will have any clue. If I had to guess - it's <$120k

Porsche are tricky - they price their cars and options in a strategic way. You'll option out your car the way you want it, and find that you're "only" a few thousand away from a higher trim level. Then once you're at your higher trim level, there are more compelling options available. Next thing you know, you're $10k higher than your previous build.

Ideally you come into this with a budget. Build out the best car you can with the budget at hand. If that ends up being a C2S, so be it. This isn't like the old days - aside from the smaller wheels I don't think there is s significant weight difference between a Carrera and Carrera S (though I could be wrong).

Personally, I am never happy with a stock/standard interior (though the stock 992 interior is actually really nice, IMO). But I usually like upgraded interior trim, leather, etc. I'm also a sucker for fancy lights and brakes and sports packages. We all have our thing.

 

If you have 120k budget buy a low mileage 991.1 Turbo or Turbo S with CPO warranty...over 500 hp and better low end torque..

 

Limegreen: "My opinion (likely unpopular), from someone who has owned 911's for 20+ years is that the "base 911" is actually the best 911. The base 911 is the purest form of the car, most true to the design and the best experience for 99% of the time you'll be using it."

Totally agree, which is why it is so frustrating no MT for the C2/4. And what justifies that decision? Would make an ideal car for many of us . . .

 

ultimately I think they want to maximize their revenues, they’re raising the floor of the range in terms of price by making everyone buy an automatic, then if you want a manual you have to buy it as part of a $10,000 or $15,000 option package they call the “T” or the “S”...