JRW

I just got a call from my dealer saying they have a 2002 C4S available. MSRP is approx $87,300 and includes the Advanced Tech package (Bose, 6CD, bi-xenon & headlamp washers). What do you think is a realistic price for this car considering 03's are here or almost here? Car is at a San Diego dealer.

Skytop

Although there is virtually no difference between '02 and '03 besides the $800 increase, the depreciation factor far exceeds whatever the dealer will save you on the 'leftover.'

The leftover year end savings, regardless of auto brand, appeals specifically to those who must or want to save as much cash going into the purchase regardless of what the cost (extra year's depreciation loss) might be on the other resale end.
There are those old salts who keep a car 'forever' and therefore will leap at the chance to buy a brand new car at a year end savings price point.
So...if you can, go for the '03.

urbanski

Don't pay full retail. And don't even consider it unless they check it's transmission against the list of bad ones that is out now.

Seriously given the ridiculous tranny problems with the 2002s just get an '03.

DonW-Cape Cod

I agree with Skytop. Car is probably "worth" 80% of its original value going out the door. However, if you can get big bucks off the price and you keep it for several years, the difference in value between 02 and 03 will diminish.

Also if you're ordering an 03, you're probably ordering the last of the current 996 series if you can believe the rumors about the MY 04...something else to keep in mind regarding resale of even an 03. Then again the last year of a series is usually the best.

Flip a coin!
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Lucas

bought my car 02 c4s for sticker 87,300 in march. took delivery in july and went to upgrade in sept. with 2,000 miles and the showed me 67,500. Realistically, that dealer will let it go at 70,000 so bid them 68,000. You get it for 68-70 and your trade even for one year even with the 03 on the way. Depending on the longshoreman strike projected for this spring. the 02 may actually make you money.

Dave P

I think what is most important is whether the model they have is everything you want or are looking for. If not, then the discount is almost irrelevant. Get the car with what you want! Even though I suffered during the waiting period and am having my tranny replaced as soon as the new one arrived, I got exactly what I wanted and no other C4S is like my "Merlot"!

Jim Sloves

You should buy new C4S below list by a couple of grand at least.

I just sold mine with 6k mi with P04, supple leather, painted center console, lowered, Porsche crests in wheels, artic silver, black for $76k.

Great car but I want to spend my money on music and other things now. BTW...

here's a link to my long awaited CD. I ain't quittin' my day job. Check out the intro to the first song. It was the Ferrari. <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sloves" target="_blank">http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sloves</A>

AronAZ

If you plan to lease, who cares about resale? The late model depreciation schema can be over compensated by a healthy discount (have the dealer run you '02 w/ discount vs. '03 @ MSRP numbers to see) and save you significant $$.

If you plan to purchase, I have to agree with the posts. Unless it makes the difference between having it or not, you will lose at least twice as much at resale as you gain now.

Skytop

Lucus:
So basically you are saying that you held the C4S for about half a year and it cost you $20,000. You are almost making my case for buying a model year '02 996 C4S used as opposed to buying a model year '98 C4S.
I was very dissatisfied with the first year depreciation on the 996's but will now focus on finding a yearling like yours ready to be put out on the market. I can see 10K a year MAX, but no more than that. My brother is a Vette guy who always brags to me about his Vettes costing him about 3K a year to own. Even if its closer to 5K, that still light years better than the ubermeister lovely 996. Wonder why such a low production Porsche suffers from such monstrous depreciation?

TerryC4S

I looked at trading my 02 C4S with 8k mi. It was 90200 list and I paid 87500 in March. They offered me 67000! 23% depreciation in 6 months! I laughed and left. I plan to drive it into the ground. Just like I would a pos domestic. It depreciates like a pos domestic.

Terry

Skytop

So why DOES Porsche depreciate so furiously? This is a very legitimate and important question.

kyopo

It's pretty simple. The value of anything has to do with supply and demand. How many 996's is Porsche pumping out per year? What happens when the supply of new 996's in dealers' lots surpasses demand? The dealers begin selling new cars below MSRP. What does this do the market value of used cars? There has to be some sort of appreciable gap between the cost of a used car and a new one for a prospective buyer to decide to buy the used car. If new cars are readily available below MSRP, the used car better be pretty damn cheap. Makes sense, doesn't it? My gripe with Porsche is that they don't limit their production numbers enough to create exclusivity.

Ferrari, on the other hand, limits their output of cars to about 4,000 a year worldwide. And only about 1,000 of these land on US shores in one year.

I just sold my '02 360 F1 spider for $250k. The MSRP on the car was about $190k. Why is that? Because you can't walk into a Ferrari dealership and say, "Hi, I want to buy a new Modena spider for MSRP today." They'll inform you that the complete production run has been sold out and you can't even get on the waiting list, but there's a gentleman that's selling his used one for about $60k over sticker. It boggles my mind that these cars are still selling so well above sticker, but that's supply and demand for you.

Skytop

kyopo
I hear you, but consider this....

The output of Porsches is insignificant compared to that of Chevy's Bowling Green Corvette plant.
The country is awash in Vettes. Yet, my 'stingy' (frugal) good friend just paid $35,000 for a 1998 12,000 mile very clean one owner triple black Vette roadster. That car went for about $47,000 new. So a five year ownership of the super mass produced Vette cost the original owner (forgiving taxes + fees) about $2300. per year!!!! That is not a rare or unique example either. As I said, my brother swears it costs him about $3K a year to own a new Vette. Why the Vette and not the rare Porsche enjoying enviably low depreciation???

People, there is something very wrong when a Porsche owner has to take a $20K hit after owning the car for roughly half a year (see post above).
There must be much more to this question than meets the eye. Does anyone else have an idea?
I feel like starting a new post on this important subject.

drkm3

I have 3 months old 02 M3 with SMG with full options(MSRP $59K+), and I wanted trade in. Dealers offered me $48 ~ $51k..
Ouuuuch!!