My 997 Dilemma
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
My 997 Dilemma
So, first world problem, but I'm on my 3rd 997 and think I am ready for a change. My first was a manual 997.1S with 14k miles. Beautiful, owned 2 years, but sold after 1st child. My second was a manual 997.2 base. Beautiful, owned 2 years but sold after 2nd child. I'm on to my third 997 and thought I would switch it up a bit so I got a 997.2 4S with PDK. Amazing car, but after owning for almost a year, I'm really missing a manual.
So why the 997? They are gorgeous, fun and don't really depreciate. I buy them outright and can only afford $50k-$60k which is why I've always stuck with the 997.
So I think it's time to get back into a manual as the PDK just doesn't do it for me. Given my price range, I feel my only options are:
- Another 997.2, manual
- 991, manual, as these have fallen into my price range
- 996 Turbo
- GT 350
- M3
I'm sure many of you have bounced between the cars listed above and have had the same dilemma so appreciate the insight and debate. Daily driver is a 2018 A4.
So why the 997? They are gorgeous, fun and don't really depreciate. I buy them outright and can only afford $50k-$60k which is why I've always stuck with the 997.
So I think it's time to get back into a manual as the PDK just doesn't do it for me. Given my price range, I feel my only options are:
- Another 997.2, manual
- 991, manual, as these have fallen into my price range
- 996 Turbo
- GT 350
- M3
I'm sure many of you have bounced between the cars listed above and have had the same dilemma so appreciate the insight and debate. Daily driver is a 2018 A4.
#2
GT350 definitely peaks my interest, I have instructed a few at the track and they are really amazing cars. I doubt they depreciate much, but neither of the cars you list would. I had a similar choice and ended up with the 997. One I have an E90 328 M-sport daily so an M3 seemed duplicative. Two I got a great deal and couldn’t have touched a GT350 for what I paid and also having a track car my “fun car” funds are sorta split between the two . If I sold the track car and needed a car to do both I would consider a GT350 as it seems a bit less expensive to track/get reliable and if it had a warranty that would be a good piece of mind.
#3
Rennlist Member
I sort of cross shopped slightly used GT350s when I bought my 997 simply from a performance/interesting V8/warrantied sports car perspective.
GT350 have already lost 10k-20k off MSRP from depreciation the used market or about 20% +/ 5%. I don't know what they sell for when new (any discounts from msrp) It's a Mustang at the end of the day, it'll hit 50% depreciation in 3-5 years. You've still got another 20 grand to lose riding that curve down.
I think you hit the nail on the head with 997 in terms of cost/value/depreciation. The only substantial depreciation many 997 models will see is mileage related at this point.
I suspect the operating costs of a GT350 are less than a 997 though if you pay for maintenance.
GT350 have already lost 10k-20k off MSRP from depreciation the used market or about 20% +/ 5%. I don't know what they sell for when new (any discounts from msrp) It's a Mustang at the end of the day, it'll hit 50% depreciation in 3-5 years. You've still got another 20 grand to lose riding that curve down.
I think you hit the nail on the head with 997 in terms of cost/value/depreciation. The only substantial depreciation many 997 models will see is mileage related at this point.
I suspect the operating costs of a GT350 are less than a 997 though if you pay for maintenance.
#4
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
The gt350s don't have the same reliability as a 997. Talk to member Para82 who has a 997.1 C2S launch car and had a gt350 for a year or so. He sold it due to too much time in the shop.
Stick with the 997.
Stick with the 997.
#5
Rennlist Member
If you don't need the rear seats, what about a C7 Grand Sport? Power, comfort, tons of mods available, and "it's a Chevy". Had one myself and sold it to get the 991, sometimes I wonder why! Have fun with your search, and my final vote goes to another 997 C2S, 6MT,
Last edited by SFZ GT3; 07-17-2019 at 01:40 PM.
#6
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I forgot to mention, I would also consider a 993, as some higher mileage/cabs have dropped into the price range. Tanks so much for your advice and responses so far!
#7
Based on the car you listed....any form of 997.2 manual. Can't go wrong. I previously thought about a 991.2 manual, but decided it wasn't that much of an upgrade for the price.