I'm relatively new to Rennlist, and for most of you this may be well known and understood, but what is going on with Porsche resell values? $90k depreciation in 5 years?? 07 997 GT3 in the low $70's?? I knew and could understand why the standard 996 resell prices were in the toilet (ugly, soft), but the rapid depreciation seems like it will continue through the 997's as well. Too many produced? Big problems?

While I guess I could flip my '97 C4s for just a little cash for a 996tt, I have no inclination to do so. 993 is been almost too perfect a car for me. Every once in a while I get the urge to run out and buy something different, but the 993 is like a family member to me.

LIP, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another 993 that checks out. Reading here you will know the risks, and all in all they aren't very bad. My car has been driven hard yet almost problem free since I bought it. If I was starting over, I don't know how I would decide between the 993 and a 996tt but to drive them. If I liked them both, I would have to buy the tt for all the power. I would guess (hope?) that depreciation would continue at a much slower pace for the 996tt going forward.

 

Lots of good points already made. The simplest thing to remember regarding price is what the market indicates as "average." From that point, you can determine whether paying above that is worth it to you. As you've already noticed, there is lots to consider that can justify a higher-than-average price, but that is only "worth it" if you feel it is. Some options are worth more than others. Stereo upgrades, for example, have little dollar value to me as it is just too easy an item to upgrade. A good suspension mod, OTOH, is a dollar saver as the PO had paid the full amount on installation, but now has and depreciated the cost of that upgrade; you win there. And you may also want to give yourself a financial reserve for the incidental fixes that may come up after you acquire her ...and if nothing breaks, that's mod money

As for total car depreciation, that is only a consideration if there is a chance of you selling (or trading up) later. But if it is your "dream car," depreciation is irrelevant. Good luck on the hunt! Post your progress ...and eventual success!

Edward

 

As long as Porsche keeps making new turbos, older water-cooled turbos will continue to depreciate like other new cars. While "valueable," they're not really "collectible." However, my understanding is that the 996 turbo is a very different engine (beyond the obvious) and not subject to many of the well-known 996 reliability issues.

993 is more mechanically "simple" than a 996TT. Outside of plugging in a new DME, I can't recall anyone here being stranded in their 993. I'd guess that reliability compared to 996TT is close enough to a wash to take that factor off the table for decision making.