Alan Smithee

My current market data comes three friends of mine that have been looking for used 997s in the So Cal area over the last six months. All three bought new instead because used transaction prices are so high.

bdmason

Bdmason<--was taught to buy when everyone is selling and sell when everyone is buying . Now I'm tryin to figure a way to apply that theory to this discussion . PS Seatle leads Boston 1 to 0

ltc

Under the direction of Dr W, 9x6 and 9x7 models are the 'Hondas of Porsches'. Mass produced commodities with depreciation to be expected. Also, it is part of a larger business model to overproduce/depreciate to provide an ample supply of low entry cost (CPO) Porsches for the first time Porsche buyer.......BTW, it is a very impressive Powerpoint put together by PAG marketing executives.

Exceptions to the rule are perhaps the Carrera GT (different category of car, but some would argue overproduced compared to peer cars), the GT2 and perhaps the GT3RS (supposedly to be produced in limited numbers compared to the GT3).

The 9x6 and 9x7TT models are not immune either, compared to relatively high production quantities compared to 993TT, 964TT, etc.

As was stated previously, if you buy a car to own (long term) and enjoy, then depreciation is irrelevant.

Ray S

I faced the exact same market conditions when I purchased my Boxster (new) in 2000. I looked for used model for about a year and everything I found was not a very big discount off of a new car. Not quite the same picture for my Boxster today. No big deal for me as I purchased it for enjoyment not investment. I love that car and I'll probably never sell it.

My point is that the 997 is still in the first half of it's production run. I predict the prices will soften up as lease cars become available. Prices will soften more when Porsche introduces the 998.

MrBonus

Clearly, there are three kinds of people in this world that can count; those that can and those that cannot.

OCBen

LOL ... Thanks for the laugh, Ian.

There was a similar clever saying that went something like:

"There are 10 kinds of people: Those who understand binary, and those who don't." . . . Or something like that.

Alan Smithee

We're almost three calendar years into 997 production (deliveries started in 8/04), and retail prices are still solidly in the $60-70k range for cars with MSRPs in the $75-85k range. The 996 never had that sort of value retention.

rcg412

there are many things wrong with your arguments, just a few points.

in no particular order...

1) the economy was very different during the 996 run - Go graph GDP and avg income.
2) the 996 cost less than the 997 at inception
3) What data are you using for your sample of 996s
3b) Your sample size of three friends for the 997 is too small
4) The cars available today are different today versus 98-04 (i.e. different options available)
...

Just be happy you have what you have, and sleep soundly.. you appreciate a depreciating asset. Ross

Alan Smithee

It's Porsche's depreciating asset...mine's a lease.

OCBen

Marv

The 996 is universally superior to a 70s 911S, but check out the prices of the 911S lately.

Actually, most of the Porsche models enjoy a pretty steep decline. What is new and great today will be eclipsed with a better car tomorrow.

Like many have said, Porsche is not an investment. Eventually, the 997 will go the same way that the 996 and become affordable for a new class of used car buyers who will treasure their newly acquired 997 as much as you treasured it when it was new.

Right now I don't know which models may beat the trend. Historically a few special models have retained a high asking price, but that usually takes many, many years before their prices start to climb. Today's rarer models stand to be such candidates, but it really remains to be seen what happens in 20 - 30 years. Very, very few of us will be holding onto our cars that long anyway.

Terapia

Fairly simple issue fellas...cars which are mass produced in large quantities depreciate in value. Unless the demand for such vehicles approaches or exceeds the supply, the depreciation will continue its northward trajectory. Just enjoy the 997 ride and let water seek its own level. My $0.02.

drmatara

Who cares how fast or how much they depreciate, we bought our cars to have fun, and that you can't quantify in $$$. If we wanted just a car, a Civic would do just fine, so enjoy your car, drive it hard and have a lot of fun, and spend less time worrying about how much you gonna lose when you sell...buying a Porsche is an emotional buy not a rational one...so many happy miles and smiles.

oalvarez

rennlist: 2006 c2s 12k mi..... $73k
my car 2006 997c2, 10.8k miles...$65k
car on 6speed: 2005 997c2 6k miles..$64k w/o mods

and that search only took a few seconds....my point? many IMPECCABLE cars to choose from at very low prices when compared to new/msrp.

Soulteacher

What is really puzzling me: Why is it that in this thread, so many 99-SIX owners are so very much concerned about the depreciation of a car they don't own, while so many 99-SEVEN owners could not care less? (the latter of which includes me).

ADDENDUM: Well, actually, I figure it's because of the thread title. Still beats me how you can get so emotional about this, though.