LLTurbo

Hello,
I'm considering buying a 2005 Turbo S, all stock and low miles, or a 2004 Turbo Cab, with about 40K miles. The Turbo S is mid-$60s and the '05 is closer to $50K. The aspiring purist in me wants to go the Coupe route, yet the Cab is fun. They're both 6-speeds. Any thoughts on which might hold it's value better? I've seen some posts suggesting that all 996s will continue to lose value, and some who think that 996 turbos will bottom out around $50K or so. Thank you very much!

bzliteyear

depending on where you live, you gotta have a cab.
that said, if you already have a cab, then getting a "pure" sports car/coupe would make total sense.
as for prices/bottoming out, i'm not sure about the $50k figure as currently i'm seeing the 01-03 turbos go for around $35k.
therefore, better to be conservative and just assume $25k-30k as worst case.
that way, you're prepared for the downside and don't need to worry about being disappointed if it doesn't stay above $50k.
good luck!
PL
03 C4S

2K7TTMIA

Welcome LL. . one factor could be on your location. Sunny, dry climates would place a little more value on the Cab. Also, under your ownership and how well you take care of the car and fabric top will play into resale and your total cost during ownership.

Having owned a Cab in South Florida and my current Turbo being a coupe and DD, I'd go coupe first. If its not going to be a daily use car for you, then, maybe a Cab would suit you better.

First and foremost, in what condition are these two Pcars in? Colors, , options, documented maintenance, general condition and PPI results can lower the 05 Turbo S to high 50's car rather than in the 60's. same goes for the 04 Turbo Cab.

Both of these cars will surely depreciate, and I'd wager even into the mid 40's as soon as the 991 Turbos have had a chance to get into the market over the next couple of years and 997 Turbo prices start to drop. Test drive them, if possible, and post some pics, too.
They do sound like nice rides.
GL in your search .

LLTurbo

Thank you both for the very helpful considerations. I'm in California, so the Cab would definitely be well used and enjoyed. I agree that there's no reason why prices shouldn't trend downward given the number of 997s and 991s out there. Both have good PIIs from reputable shops so they look good. Will post pics, hopefully of one that I buy, soon!

"02996ttx50

some higher mileage "storied"? ( or lack thereof lol ) 96t's can be found as low as high 20's. that said, i'd wager the s coupe will be worth more over time. also bear in mind, that more and more high(er) mileage 97t's can be had in similarly priced as lower mileage 96t's, as in your example(s). it's something to think about, given many feel ( as do i ) that the 997 iteration improved the turbo model over the 996t. particularly the last of the mezger block cars eg 997.1tt.

personally, i'd rather have a 997tt for 65k than a lower mileage 996tt for the same money, or just a bit less.

LLTurbo

Yes seeing lots of storied (often hidden stories) ones out there. Will scan the 997s ... Very valid points. Thank you!

Misplacedyankee

Don't be scared of a 996TT!!! How did u go south on that so fast?

Anyway. I have a 2004 Cab that is a Turbo S. If I lived in Cali it could only be that much better. I looked at 997s TTs at same time. I liked the rawness of the 996TT better. 20K difference in the 2 did not matter. The 996 is a very well sorted car. I got low mileage. Give it time and they are out there.

So I would get a cab in Cali. Enjoy every minute of it. Life is short and have fun. Just find a well sorted P-car regardless of it being a 996 or 997. Doesn't matter the year or mileage if its beat. Best to find the right one. Good luck.

Misplacedyankee

Neither will hold value better that the other and a 997 has way more to depreciate than a 996. I bought mine without caring where it will bottom. Well sorted and maintained 996TTs will stay 45-55K. **** ones well who knows - with lots of repair potential could go really cheap. There will always be a market for 996s as last of a raw p-car. Buy what u like. Don't be concerned on depreciation. Its low on these cars on a relative basis. Cabs in Cali - silly not to do that...purist or not. I am a purist and love my cab. You can always get a hardtop. If i was to track a p-car would get a pure coupe no sunroof.

LLTurbo

Thanks, Misplacedyankee! Appreciate your refreshing advice . . . you're absolutely right about being able to enjoy it in Cali. Also, as it turns out, I went to drive the '05 S and they informed me it had sold. It was at California Motors (probably still on website). Idle for 3 months, and then someone bought it the day I was considering making an offer . . . and here I am now taking in your wisdom to buy the cab . . . obviously the '05 coupe wasn't meant to be.

The '04 996tt has 49K miles, and is serviced by a great local service center. "Raw" is the word the salesguy used . . . it's great fun, fast, and at around $53K, priced somewhat competitively. I'll give it an even closer look. Thank you!

petonic

I live in the Bay Area, and I couldn't recommend a Cab highly enough.

Plus, though the 996TT is now my primary transportation (used to be an '04 BMW motorcycle), at the end of the day, the reason I bought it was for fun.

We're blessed with awesome weather here with temperatures in the 50-70 degree range about 90% of the year, well, that means it's top down weather.

The reason why we have high taxes and some of the most expensive real estate in the US is because it's such a great place to live, and weather is a large component of that.

F the depreciation and resale value. Carpe diem. We'll all probably get hit by a bus tomorrow, anyway.

PcarDrmr

Please tell me where I can find a 01-03TT for $35k. At rock bottom, I don't think a 996tt with less than 100k miles and a clean title will go below $35k. If the 996tt hits $25-30k than the 996 mk2 will be had for $15k... Gosh I even see the c4s asking about tt prices and they have the m96 engine with the IMS issues to worry about..

GaFFLe

I'm in Atlanta and I chose an '04 996TT cab. This summer here was the rainiest summer on record, in my 44 years of living, so my cab got to sit a lot but it's getting nice now and I drive it as much as possible. I bought my cab from a guy in the Laguna Beach/Irvine, CA area and had it shipped here. I like the coupes I see rolling around here as well and feel with the words 'Turbo' on the bumper, you're winning either way.

don johnson

I have kicked around selling our 2005 X50 Turbo Black Cabrio/ Saddle interior, 6 Speed with 22,000 miles. So Cal car its entire life. It is in like new shape, all maintenance only mods are bad *** 3 piece Zone 19 wheels, UMW tune and Milltek quiet exhaust. I would not part with it for less then $65k. Has every conceivable option except PCCB. If interested email me at; donjohnson567@gmail.com

Daytonaman

Saw an 05' Guards Red 996tts the other day; Have to say, it was the best looking Porsche I have ever seen. The "S" on the rear said it all..

LLTurbo

Thank you, all . . . definitely have search fatigue setting in already ... going to pace myself and try to enjoy the process. Didn't love the Carfax I saw in the '04 996tt I drove with almost 50K miles, so will take some more time to find a lower mileage one . . .