thomapa1

Hopeful future newbie here

I am doing pricing research as I will be ready to purchase a new/used vehicle next year around this time (give or take)....<I just need to wait in order to save more for a bigger down payment and to see what my sons car needs will be, as he will have a college decision by then>

While I still need to test/decide on Boxster S or 997 Carrera - I am saving as if I will be getting a Carrera.

My preference is a 2006 model and my price target (was) $35k - not looking for bells and whistles. After looking at Edmunds, Excellence price ranges...it seemed like $35k would be a good possibility - (especially if I waited a year and the '06 model depreciated even more). However, looking at posts and maybe more realistic values...it appears that the '06 997 typically goes for @$45k today, so maybe $40k next year...certainly consistently at the high end of the various ranges given on web sites/magazines.

Why is this? I would assume mostly due to the high cost of the options that most people get and/or they still command a premuim (maybe until the next model is released). I guess an $80k car at $40k in 6 years is still a pretty good deal.

Also, is there any good source to see what prices were paid for various years/models (some car sites have a forum for people to post what they just paid as a comparison for new buyers)

thanks

billh1963

You should be able to get a base '06 Carrera with decent miles for low upper $30's to low $40's.

utkinpol

'06 C2S with NAV and CPO status get sold for under $50K - how much exactly under is a matter of luck perhaps.
Try to look for CPO cars on private sells so they would keep their CPO status, then perhaps you will be able to negotiate more than with a dealer.

ericthepilot

A 2005 C2S Dark green w Nav Bose, full leather and Telephone kit and 11k miles, just sold here for 38k.
Car needed nothing, was standing by a gas station on las Olas.

cab&coupe

I have a friend that just bought a very nice `05 C2 for $45k with 13k miles.

raspritz

I think the bottom line is that the original poster's price point is more in Boxter territory than in 997 territory. And we all know what Jeremy Clarkson said about the Boxter.

utkinpol

I would agree - it is financially risky to buy a $45K car with $35k budget.

still, I got my '06 CPO 997 C2 in 2009 for $38K when dealers would not even listen on offers lower than $50K for CPO C2S cars. everything is possible if you shop around a bit.

thomapa1

Point being that the expert valuations are low vs actual sales. I would need to be closer to $40-$45k vs $35k for a base 2006 997 next year...unless I get incredibly lucky.

petee1997

Used car valuations are much higher now than in 2009. The recession created great values for a short period of time. As the economy strengthens the price on the 06 next year may not be much different from today's price. More demand and less people bailing enhances the value of used toys.

Sane Asylum

Just paid $45K for my 2006 C2S, speedline wheels, sport chrono, sport seats and a built in detector / jammer ($2K), 34K miles.

billh1963

I think you are right. There were some unbelievable deals late 2008 through 2009 as people dumped toys.

I think prices will follow a normal depreciation curve....albeit at a slightly slower pace as we head into spring/summer.

Edgy01

I would not suggest that these cars will go down at a rate of roughly $5k a year. There is a point where they will simply bottom out, e.g., at $45K. Fortunately for the 997 crowd, there are always the 996 cars to occupy the lower end of the price range--$45K to $30K. So long as the 996's are priced there, there is no reason for the 997 prices to fall further.

What I always am concerned about is someone stretching their budget to buy a Porsche, and then things the car needs get bypassed or deleted entirely, e.g., decent tires. The only people it seems that are buying OEM supplied replacement tires are 997 owners for the most part--but by the time the car is as old as a 996, the owners are skimping on tires and buying really off brands, suggesting that they are "good enough." Much of the Porsche experience is lost by owners skimping on quality tires, or realigning their suspensions to maximize tire mileage.

The 997 line is marked by very high extremes in MSRPs. A few people ordered or purchased stripped cars. And then a few ordered highly optioned cars. Some have suggested that highly optioned cars never recoup any of that at sale time. Those cars will always be more desirable by a skilled and observant buyer. Many have settled for stripped cars because they didn't know any better--they wanted a 997 for as cheap a price as they could find, and only later discovered that for a bit more could get one with a decent options list. As a guy who has driven these things for nearly 40 years, I can tell you that the driving experience is far more enjoyable with a loaded car. But, you will have to discover that for yourself. Don't let the price be the sole factor in your purchase.

AWay

I agree, prices have certainly rebounded a bit.

If I were the OP, I'd rather get into a loaded or uniquely spec'd base car than a run of the mill stripper S model.

CodeRed

What are the preferred options on a used 997? I want to but one in Oct.

cbzzoom

Wow, great price!