Ok, starting to have some second thoughts about going so crazy on options on my build, car is going to list at around $114k MSRP, getting $5k off from dealer. I'm thinking it may be foolish to customize this many options if I'm going to get a 997TT or GT3 in a couple years. It's a 5/27 build date so I have a short while before I have to finalize the build, and I've put $5k down to save the spot. If I start stripping options, which ones would you guys keep (listed in my sig below)? The car is going to be a DD in fair weather, I'll use my S4 in bad weather/winter.

 

Navigation would be the first thing I struck. Get a Garmin for 300 bucks (better system anyway). I would also dump the self-dimming mirrors, and the exterior-painted interior bits. Also, what are they charging for the thicker steering wheel? If it's 900 as I am remembering, I doubt you'll ever see the benefit here.

That should save you, what, $7,500 in sunk costs?

If you're planning on flipping it in a couple of years, I'd get black interior as well. It'll sell easier. Save the red for your turbo.

 

I would keep these:
Self Dimming Mirrors
Heated Front Seats
Navigation
Bose
Sport Shifter
Adapative Sport Seats
Red Taillights

I would add:
24921 Upper Dash in Deviating Color (black)

 

What about the sport chrono and PSE? Are they worth it?

 

If you're going to use your S4 in bad weather then you can save a bunch by going from C4S to C2S. You already have a sporty AWD car (I have an 04 S4) so why not mix things up a bit and go 2WD?

 

I have both and love them. Worth it? All depends on your point of view. If you will keep it then yes, if you sell, maybe not the PSE as there are so many aftermart exhaust that sound as good or better.

I missed on the center console painting and wish I did, also seatbacks as well. I did full leather in all black with yellow seatbelts since I had PCCB's installed. Wheels, well that's another option that most people change very early.

One thing that adds a little class were the lit sills when you open the door. Had them on the Lexus SC430 and glad I could add them to my build.

Regards,
Deanski

 

I wrestled with similar issues in 05 and 06. This is what I went with. I wouldn't change a thing after 22,000 miles of driving:

997 S Cabriolet 6-speed
98 Non-Metallic Paint to Sample (3AS Blue Turquoise)
06 Natural Leather Brown
CDZ Gear Lever Trim Leather
CUC Painted Model Desig Rear Lid
CUV Storage Cmpt Lid W/Model Logo
CZD Interior Light Cover Leather
M6H Brown Floor Mats
P01L Adaptive Sports Sts Lthr Int
V9 Black Top
XCZ Sport Shifter
XLF Sport Exhaust System
XMP Lthr Sun Visors Lighted Mirror
XMZ Rear Center Console - Leather
XRR 19" Carrera Sport wheel
XSB Sport Seat Backs in Leather
XTV Door Finishers Lthr
267 Self Dimming Mirrors
342 Heated Front Seats
451 Makassar Str Whl Multifctn
446 Wheel Caps w/Colored Crest
450 Ceramic Composite Brakes-PCCB
482 TPMS
498 Delete Model Designation
509 Fire Extinguisher
550 Hard Top
640 Sport Chrono Package Plus
672 Extended Nav Module
680 Bose High End Sound Package
692 Remote CD Changer
801 Makassar Package
TD5 Tourist Delivery

 

I would dump Nav and get a Garmin (better unit, more features), dump Sport Chrono and never give it a second thought and get a standard factory shifter to make sure you want a short shifter. If you decide you do, get a B&M and save yourself $500 or so. The interior painted bits can get expensive, but that is very much personal preference - how badly do you want them?

 

I wish my order would lock in already so I could stop being such a wishy washy b**ch! I'll probably end up keeping the car until the 998TTs are out, which should be around 3-4 yrs, so I think I'll just get it optioned up the way I want. I just get paranoid that the interior isn't going to come out nice, but I don't want to delay the delivery by deviating the upper dash or carpet.

 

Arun -

If you plan to keep it for a while (5'ish years for a 998TT) AND you realize you won't see much of your option money back at resale, then get it the way you want. If you want a quick resale later and minimize your depreciation/loss, then get it the way "they" want.

As a build-for-me orderer, I wanted everything and I was willing to pay for it, knowing I wouldn't get any of that money back. As a used-car-buyer, I want run of the mill. Go figure.

 

based on your list, just order the item in red, have it built the way you want it and keep it for 10 years.

 

Self Dimming Mirrors | Heated Front Seats | 19" Turbo Wheels | Sport Chrono Package Plus | Navigation | Bose | Thicker Steering Wheel-Leather | Carbon Package | Carbon Door Sill | Sport Shifter | Adapative Sport Seats | Red Taillights | Sport Exhaust | Door Finishers Painted Exterior | Rear Center Console Painted Exterior

Could easily save some money by choosing sport design wheels, taking the regular sport seats, and skipping the exhaust. My current vehicle is an SLK55, which has a fairly aggressive V8 exhaust note. Very nice to listent to with the top down, barely audible with the top up, particularly with the stereo blasting, as is usually the case. My impression is that the exhaust note is more for the guy behind you than the driver.

 

I guess everyone will have a different opinion, but here is mine:

Get the Factory Sport Shifter - I have the B&M, but the factory one is warrantied.
Leave off the Navigation, unless you can't stand having a Garmin on the Dash. I have the Garmin (From my BMW motorcycle), it is a much better unit.
Think about cleaning the Turbo wheels, and think again about the 19 Carrera Sport wheels, the later may be easier to clean, and a larger wheel than the turbo. 19x11/5 rather than 19 x 11.
Since you have Door Sill as an option, I would go with the illuminated door sills, just because trying to after market them is very expensive for the install.
I think the painted console with the Red interior will be quite stunning, and cut down some of the overall 'Red' affect inside.
And I have to agree that a C2S would be more than enough for a summer car, and the C4S if you want a winter car. I have a C2 with both summer and winter tires, and it is a lot of fun on the 295x19 winters!! I mostly drive it on non-salt days during the winter (I hate the salt that MA puts down!!). At 20 degrees and lower, the winter tires make a lot of sense. The summers begin to get hard around 50 degrees and cooler, and just ride a bit rough until warmed up.


Enjoy your choices, listening to others is great , but ordering a car is about getting what you want!

Once you pick up your car, be sure to come out to the Ft Devon Auto Cross and meet a bunch of Porsche people. Usually 2 weekends a month, one for NE and the other for North Country PCA Regions.

John

 

As much as I wanted carrera red, I am just not sure how it's going to look in person and the resale does matter to me, so I switched to black full leather and dropped the interior painted bits, that takes me to $110k. I do want a C4S as I'm going to drive it in rain and in the winter, just not when the weather gets really bad. As far as the TT, if I want it optioned the way I like it's going to be in the 140s, quite a bit more than the C4S. As this is my first Porsche, a normally aspirated one is probably more prudent before I go nuts later on. I can always pick up a used TT in a couple years if I want more power and don't want to wait for the 998s.

 

Good choices in my opinion. I am also struggling over the utility of the PSE for my upcoming build. I go back and forth just about every day. The on-off switch and the added weight are real turnoffs for me. I don't think anything on the car should even remotely feel like a gimmick.