I am an European and would like to buy a 997 in the US. The exchange rate is good nowadays and the prices are lower in the US than in Europe. Recently I've sold my restored 1965 Mercedes 230 SL and I'd like to use that money for a Porsche 997. I could afford a 2005 or 2006 manual, I do not have to have an S but do not exclude it. I have been looking at cars on Cars.com and Autotrader and also comparing the prices with Kelley BB. I'd prefer to buy from a private person but a dealer car would be ok too. Do you think I could get a nice car for about $35K? According to Kelley this is a price that buys an excellent car from a private party but the ads are usually a bit higher. Would people be willing to sell for such price?
Thanks

Muf, Prague
m@un.cz

 

Today, I think $35k would be a bit optimistic for one with a moderate amount of miles. I'm doing the same M.Y. search you are. I drove an '05 Carrera S at a dealer that had it listed for $38k but probably would have let it go for $35k. The mileage, however, was around 80k miles. It was a still a beauty on the outside and sounded wonderful. Interior looked a bit rough and had a smell I don't think I could get used to

 

adnan, was it the one of those two listed on Cars.com? A 05 S dark grey? One in Marietta, GA and one in Calabasas , CA

 

Yup, Marietta. And I may be exaggerating a bit on the interior, pretty serviceable, just didn't match up to the very clean outside.

 

At that price point you may end up with a car that will cost you more down the road. I think that mileage is not so much of an issue as long as the car has been serviced and not abused. But I would think that 35K is not going to buy you a car in top shape. It may be worth it to strecth your budget a little bit. Good luck with your search.

 

Try 45k for an '05 C2S with GOOD mileage.

 

Well, I cannot stretch the budget too much, I have what I got for that Mercedes and I need to keep something for the taxes in Europe. 35 to 40 is max. I am not too frightened of the mileage, those cars surely last long. I just want a nice, not crashed car with clean interior and regular service.

 

I agree with beachview. $45m for a '05 C2S with reasonable mileage is the going rate for a nice S.
Assume mid to high thirties for a good C2. That seemed to be the range when I was shopping about 30 days ago.

 

if 35 is all you have, it is perhaps better to wait until prices come down more. 997 is likely to bottomo out around 30-35 but it may take a while

 

There are quite many cars under 40K and they are all from dealers. Maybe somebody here could have a nice carin the 35 to 40 range...