Macster

Thought it was clear in my earlier post. Later models are better that earlier models because of ongoing improvements made as the factory learns from ongoing testing and from feedback from cars in service.

About as soon as the 1st MY cars hit the showroom floor the TSBs start coming.

Additionally there are things like for instance in the case of my 02 base Boxster. In 02 the base's top got the same lining that was previously only available in the S model. Not a show stopper improvement but one that I every time I am in the car appreciate.

Would I out of hand shun a early example of an otherwise fine car? No. Price and condition are paramount for a used car buyer.

But in a toss up between two cars optioned the same, with the same miles, service history, etc., I'd lean towards the newer one.

When I buy a new car I try to buy towards the end of the model's life rather than at the start of it.

The one time I broke this rule the car -- a '96 Ford Mustang GT -- was in and out of the shop for things more times than it was in my driveway. Had I more sense I would have had the car declared a lemon but I let the 3 year, 36K mile warranty play out and finally the car got sorted.

In my defense the 4.6l SOHC engine used in that car had been used at least a year earlier in the new T-Bird and I thought that would be good enough to ensure the engine was sorted out. But boy was I wrong.

When I bought the Boxster it was while not the last MY of that run it was a couple of years into the model run.

Same with the 2002 Golf.

Same with the 2006 GTO. Actually the 2006 was the last model year example.

The 08 Cayman S was the last car before the model changeover.

And the 2003 Turbo was a few years into the model run rather than at at the front of the model run.

sanyata

By definition, a "bullet proof" vehicle would not be effected by be driven 1K per year. And the rest is pure speculation. Nothing wrong with speculating as that is what we all are doing when buying a car. Everybody has different metrics they use to come to their decision. Some shy away from low mile cars while others covet them. My "bread and butter dream car" was ten years old and only had 7,200 miles on it when I bought it. I've doubled those miles and with the exception of replacing the battery and ignition switch have not had one problem and/or visit to the service department. YMMV

Hope neanicu doesn't chastise us for this threads direction.... .... as we keep bumping Tom's for sale ad to the top!

leftlane

Except this isn't the classified sections and included zero info about the car.

PAULUNM

04-05 have the updated "Spanish" case, with additional reinforcement and added oiling. These will have a 996 part number rather than the eariler 964 part number of the 01-03.

ltc

Obviously due to the fact that 2001's did not have the ugly glove box, instead they can with the incredibly convenient map holder above the driver's knees.

sanyata

No glove box and no cup holders = lighter

James88

And a chassis that is 25% stiffer, now that was a major deciding factor in purchasing my 2004 model car.

You can really feel the difference with stiffer chassis when you compare them.

blockhed

Thanks paul that was my point why 04/05