Greetings everyone!

I consider this my first official post here as I have sold my 89 930 and 88 928 recently, and am seriously considering joining the elite 996TT forum. Given my current budget, I am narrowing down my search between 2001 and 2003 models only. Before I pull the trigger on one, I'd like to first seek your pricing and other pertinent advices as if you were to make the purchase yourself in today economy.

So here is the info on one of the candidates: A 2002 X50 coupe. Black on black with about 17K miles. All stock except complete Techart aerokit. Clean throughout no curb rash and/or scratch. Original paint and stock interior.

I am planning to get a PPI from one of the local P-car dealers. Other than ask for type 1 and 2 overrevs report, what other areas should I expect to review from the inspection?

So going back to my original question: what would you offer to a private seller? Is $65K a good deal?

Many thanks in advance for your help, and I look forward to read all your comments.

Cheers,
Tony

 

Tony: This is a very current subject and there's a LOT of information available on the pricing of the 01-03 TT's. I would recommend you do a search for 996TT pricing and you'll get a lot of discussions and insight.

There is also a difference of opinion about whether to get the 996TT and mod it or get the X50 with the additional horsepower and some GT2 parts in it. Prices range from the mid 40's all the way up to mid 60's....lots to pick from out there....do your homework and don't jump at the first thing you see. Everyone who finds one usually writes...."found a REALLY pristine, low mileage TT with XXX mods in really good shape and etc. etc. etc.....". Usually by then, the person has already made up his mind and is usually looking for concurrence.

Take your time...look around, there's a lot out there.

 

I used the "CPO Checklist" that dealers would use when they do a CPO inspection. (Plus the DME dump as you mentioned.)

I bought a 2004 X50 with 17k miles in Sept 07 for $77k private party. Admittedly it was an 'outlier'. But a good reference. A 2002 is two years older, about 4-5k per year, and this was almost a year ago, another 4-5k in age.

So 65k is in the range. The techart if authentic is pricey too.

GL

A

 

dupe

 

One thing I noticed that may matter to you is the diffence an ECU flash can make to the TT vs the X50. Look at the FVD site for instance, after the flash they are almost equal for $1200.00.

 

Thank you, Chuck, Adam, and Msligar...for all your quick advices.

Chuck, you are right on about me looking for this group concurrence on pricing but not necessarily the specific car. I have been looking around for close to 3 months now, and the one I have asked for everyone's comments above is in fact the best condition I have seen so far. Of course it is also the one that priced slightly above my original budget. So I am contemplating between this and other non-X50 TTs as this particular seller has not budged a dime, given our soft economy and P-car market. So I have not quite decided at this point...

Adam, CPO checklist is definitely a good starter and I did not know it existence before your post. So, thanks, again. Based on your figure, shall I expect $4-$5K depreciation from one year to another? And I was told the aerokits were Techart, so how I can tell if they are indeed authentic?

Msligar, I do not quite follow your comment between TT vs X50 after the flash, "what" are almost equal for $1.2K?? What does this $1.2K refer to? I did search at 6speedonline but did not find any relevant info. Would you mind elaborate?

 

I believe he is referring to the performance of the TT (vs X50 or S) being almost equal....which is not quite correct in terms of hp...the flashed TT will be higher hp than a non-flashed X50 or S. The $1.2K is the price of the FVD flash I believe.

 

Hi Wross996tt, thanks for your clarification. That makes sense. So from a pure cost per hp-increase perspective, a flashed non-X50 probably provides the biggest bang for the buck as compare to the additional $5-$8K premium for an X50 optioned car, at least those are the numbers I have seen so far from the Bay Area sellers. I suppose there must be other values that even a nicely modified TT do not quite compare to a factory X50 vehicle.

 

Hi:
As the owner of an '05 Turbo S I think you should look at your long term plan. If you want a car that performs without regard to the future then modified cars represent a good value. If you want to preserve the long term resale value then the fewer the mods the better. Additionally, as a trained mechanic and pilot I can tell you that Porsche takes a system approach to mods. This is key for durability. Combine this with the likely prospect of you pushing the car beyond the limits of stock are extreme at the most.

In summary, if you want a toy (and I don't mean that in a negative way) then a modified car is great fun. If you plan to sell the car at a future date, get the X50 and let the engineers earn their pay (and your resale). Everything depends upon your intentions and financial situation. As one poster put it: there are a lot of cars out there... When you sell yours in the future a differentiator like X50 can improve your competitive advantage. No offense to the guys who have recommended the other route they have valid points too. Either way you are in for a treat

Rob

 

^ Bingo.

 

And you know this how? Take a systems approach to mods.
Just curious how much resale you get for the $17500...not even close. You can do all of the upgrades that the X-50 gives you (and more) for half the price. I will never understand the strategy of buying a car for resale value...they are seldom a good investment. Buy it to enjoy it.

 

In the past two months I missed out on two different 2002 X50's with ~25K miles that were offered at $60K. One was slightly optioned and the other was heavily optioned, but neither had any aftermarket equip. Both cars sold very close to the offer price. So $65K isn't a great deal - its just fair.

For me, the main interest in the X50 is not the power that is easily replicated through a relatively inexpensive flash, but the (I thought) more durable GT2 transmission that is installed.

Unless you know for sure that you will only keep the car for a few years, then a low-mileage unmodded car will probably be your best strategy. So if you want more power, X50 is the only way to go. But if you're like me and buy cars planning to drive them until they (or you) don't run any more, then just go for the best deal within your budget.

Ed

 

Not true....ask Tom Kerr (who replaced his)....the X-50 or S has the exact same transmission as the non....

 

That brings up a question that I have never found a definitive answer for (see https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turbo-forum/387057-stock-996tt-x50-996tt.html). From my admittedly internet-only research X50 seems to mean upgraded turbos, intercoolers, and gearbox. With the turbos and intercoolers, its easy to visually confirm the part, and most threads indicate that it is the same as the GT2 variant. That leaves the mystery of the gearbox. So is it upgraded or not (most believe that it is) but then what exactly is the upgrade?

Ed

 

Tony - I think this is good deal, maybe not the screamer of the year, but a decent deal nonetheless. You could perhaps find one that's a few 1000s less, but you're likely not going to find a car like that fotr $55K. If you have the time and enjoy the chase, hunt around some more. But if this car has the options you want and checks out, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger. It probably cost >$130K new.