Can any of our European members comment on yesterday's Pano's (Jan 05, page 80) street news item about 997 incentives? The mag states that "Porsche is currently offering a 3000 Euro trade-in bonus on all 996 Porsches traded on 997s in Europe to boost lagging sales of new 911s."

Thanks
Jack

 

I was at the main Porsche dealer in Paris (and therefore France) a couple of weeks ago and one of the sales guys confirmed that they are offering huge rebates on new 986 Boxsters to try and sell off the ones they still have in stock now that the 987 is here. He said that noone wanted the 986s anymore, which doesn't seem surprising.

On the 997 however, he didn't mention any possibility of rebate and said there was a waiting list. As the 996s Porsche Centers still have in stock are top-of-th-range models like the 4S and the Turbo only, there's probably less overlap between the new and the old range than is the case with the Boxsters.

 

Yeah..996 C4S look is superb and defends itself [easthetically] quite well compared to the 997 type.

 

No chance of discounts in the UK, I ordered in November 04, delivery then was quoted as 12 months, "might come though sooner but don't hold your breath". I've actually fixed to a May 06 date so all you guys waiting 2 or 3 months is kids stuff.

Nick

 

I feel sorry for the UK enthusiasts...why is it taking so long for you to get the car of your dreams?
Why not buying a LHD 911 in France or Belgium and take it back to the UK? maybe LHD is too much a concern in England, but I have seen quite a few there actually.

 

Given the above, what, if anything, are we to make of the pano story?

 

for some reason i was under the impression the new 997s were selling like crazy.

could it be people are finally growing accustom to the 996?

 

I asked about this at Jack Daniels Porsche in NJ and the saleman looked at me like I had to heads. They are selling every 997 at full list.

 

I got 2k off of mine last week.........Seems like the 2 dealers here have the over optioned 997's sitting on the lot....

Who would pay 82k or 84k for a base 997 with tons of options over a 997S with a couple options?

The lower priced and few optioned 997 are selling fast here in So. Cal.

 

hmm yeah I was up at Paul Miller Porsche in North NJ the other day and they still only have 1 or 2 997s. Everyone they get in goes out the door the same day it arrives. Must be a location thing.

 

I got basically the same response from Jack Daniels back in December although they offered me a little over $2k off MSRP on a 997S cab because I was introduced by a friend of the dealership, except that the earliest build date they had available was in June. With all the Wall Street bonus money, the NY metro dealers can sell all of their allocation at MSRP. I went out to the midwest where people aren't beating down the doors to buy $90,000 cars.

 

I have see a 997 on ebay from a dealer in Kansas for 5k off. With shipping it still might be a savings of 4k.