gumanow

I've been looking for my first P-car and have so far test driven four examples of 997, and one 996, all of the C2 and C4 variety.

I'm wondering if the release of the 992 model will cause a dearth of 997 drivers to sell once, or if, they decide to move up to the 992 platform?

Right now I'm seeing prices range from $27K to $40K on 997 models based upon mileage, options, and models.

Is anyone else that is in the market for a 997 holding off on their purchase until the 992 comes out? In addition, will this further push down prices on 996 models?

Or... are these two different customer bases? People that would buy 992 have already moved off 997?

I guess this also begs the question, how many 991 cars will be coming off lease?

WantA997

No one is cross-shopping a 992 with a 997.

TheBruce

No. I think you are seeing the market for low mile 997s tighten and prices start to climb. There are half as many 997s on the market today with <50k miles than there were 2 years ago when I bought my car.

I cant speak to 996s. I think those have been rock bottom for years.

The audience that wants the "new new" already sold their 997 5+ years ago and own a 991 now. I believe the 991.1 will see the biggest depreciation hit because of the 992. You can get one of those for the same price as a 997.2 now, which just goes to show you the premium people assign to the 997 body style. I think a lot of people, particularly on this forum, see the 997 as the quintessential 911 in terms of design, size and handling, before they moved to the larger GT style with the 991 and now 992. To each his own.

Lastly, I do believe the 992 is trying to get back to the visual proportions of the 997 (and it looks gorgeous in my opinion). The 991 never did it for me. In my area its the tennis mom car.

C4SDayton

I think 997 prices will depreciate a little more slowly with the 992. The 992 price jump will help the used market some. I do not find the 992 exterior unattractive but I think it is at best a little less attractive than 991. The NSX used market strengthened with the new model arrival. For really clean lower mile example 997s I think sellers will do well enjoying their cars and if they sell, losing little value. 997s gaining value in general I would be surprised to see unless a special car.

Iceter

snethss

lock thread

ace37

Bash Hat

sandwedge

I assume the price range you're referring to apply to 997.1's. Rare to see a 997.2 in decent condition for less than $40K. 4S models with low miles are listed as high as near $70K.

As for the 997 vs. the 992, I can only speak for myself. If I wanted a 992 I would already own a 991 since based on the pictures I've seen so far, the 992 looks mostly like a tweaked 991. Don't care for either one of them for a number of reasons so I guess I'll keep the GTS until it blows up. Haven't driven a 992 but spent about 5 minutes in a 991 C2S which was all I needed. Couldn't wait to get back in my 997 GTS.

qikqbn

I will never say never to a newer 911 model. We all change over time and have different needs in the different phases of life we go through. Anyone looking at a brand new 992 is looking for something completely different than a 997. They have moved on and like new shiny/faster/gadgety things. Absolutely nothing wrong with that either. Different strokes for different folks, but for me at this moment in time and this phase of my life I am still totally obsessed with my 997 after all these years. I do not think there will be a flood of 997 owners dumping their cars for the 992. Although I am certain many of us on this forum could financially swing trading in our 997s and paying an additional $100k for a fully loaded 992.... I sure as heck would not, but some will. Sure, my 997 is graying at the temples just a bit and has a few rattles here and there because of these crappy Los Angeles roads, but the joy I get flogging it through the canyons or just putting around the neighborhood is enough for me. Enough that I don't feel the need to upgrade and spend an additional $100k for a 911 that may or may not give me slightly more joy and excitement. More comfort, safety, and speed... sure... but more joy and excitement... not so sure.

Like the ol' Porsche story goes. Every generation of 911 will have it's loyal and faithful owners. The 997 has seen it's fair share of depreciation, but the chances of it holding it's value, or maybe even increasing, seem pretty strong to me considering the "electrified" future the 992, and the whole Porsche fleet, will soon see as well. The 997 is already the last of the hydraulic steering 911's and the last to have a bit of that 911 rear end wiggle. Who knows what will happen when Porsche goes all hybrid 911s and auto pilot cruise control is their new big marketing trick . As they get further away from driver involvement my bet is that 997s will fair really well in used car market.

So if I were you and came across a really clean, low mileage, 997 that checked all your boxes... I would probably jump on that. Trying to time the market is a tough gamble.
Best of luck with your search

gumanow

Thanks for those words of encouragement. As someone that is not getting any younger, I've waited long enough to jump in.

captainbaker

No, the 991.2 will not tank 997 values. Here is why, they are two different cars. The 997 is a taught, smaller sports car while the 991.1/2 is a larger GT car. The 991 was the final departure from the true, small sports car. Some will argue the jump from air cooled to water cooled was the big leap and thats a valid claim. Unfortunately, Toyota had a hand in the building process of the 996 and the result was bland. Thus the 997 came into the fold with everything the 996 should have been. Smaller, proper shape inside and out. It struck a chord with Porsche owners despite it being water cooled. When a person sits in a 997, they know its a 911, unlike a 996 or 991.

If you go back to the original 911, there are subtle changes between models. The 996 was a huge departure in the wrong direction. The 997 was the correct evolutionary step IMHO.

gasongasoff

Dennis C

groovzilla

Being an air cooled owner for 25 years I never thought I would step up to the water cooled cars. I've done numerous trips in my 356's/911sc's/964's/993's over the years and always enjoyed the more simplistic aspects of air cooled.
But once I drove my 996 C4S I was sold - As you get older you appreciate the modern conveniences and comfort. Transmission shifting smoother in the 997

Personally I find the 997 C4S that I currently own a great design and one of the best of the Porsche models - Even more so than the 993's I've owned and much more than the 991 - I just don't like the 991's sharper lines.
It's all personal preference and I think 992 will have absolutely no impact on 997 pricing.