USMC_DS1

Don't expect much in ROI $$$ after 5 yrs. In terms of fun it should be priceless. I spent $15K performance moding my prior car('98 M3). Sold it for $7K(market value of standard M3) after 10 yrs of ownership. My wife(an accountant) and my cars never see eye-to-eye for some reason. But I still have fond memories of all the father/son DIY shade tree work with my boys... plus it instilled that "esprit de car enthusiast" into them. All priceless in the end and when it came time to switch from an old M3 to an '08 C2S... the standard M3's sat on the lots for months - kinda sad really. I sold my car in a day... someone got a great deal but I got a 911. And without my wife(the accountant) riding me about the 6 cars on our driveway and how I had to get rid of one. Again priceless.

Like everyone has mention... if you're looking at this in terms of depreciated value in 5 yrs it will not add up financially. In terms of appreciated $miles for the next 5 yrs. WOW! Plus we want to hear more about how much you like the x51...

pissedpuppy

hells yes

number9ine

First, as another poster says, buy the right car, irrespective of the options sheet. If it speaks to you more than the other cars you drive and you can afford it, then go for it.

As far as the price difference, I assume you haven't negotiated yet. $3k on what's likely a $50k-ish purchase of the car you want might be small beans for you, but it may be small beans for the seller too, so bid low. You'll never know unless you offer.

Mark

alexb76

Is it worth it in general? YES!

Do you care about extra performance? You said no... so IS IT WORTH IT to you?

mgordon18

Probably not, when it comes right down to it.

As I said before, this will be my first Porsche - and my other car is an Audi A3 with 200hp. A 355hp S is going to blow my socks off to begin with, so I fear the horsepower gain from 355 to 381 will probably be lost on me anyway.

I'll see how this pans out. The dealer helping me find the car has to procure it first. Then we'll see how much he asks for it. He knows my top limit and has told me that this will probably be $3K higher. Once he actually gets the car I'll see if it makes sense, but I'm not holding my breath.

X51

I had it on my 996 and loved it. For $3k more, I'd do it. It's certainly more unique. That plus PSE would be a double winner.

mgordon18

Funny you should say that. I got the VIN and used AutoAtlanta's decoder to look at the options. It does have PSE. Heated sport seats too (although manually adjustable) and Bose. No sport chrono, but I think I can live with that.

X51

It's meant to be......

solidst8

That's weird, I always thought all Carrera S's came with Sport Chrono.

mgordon18

They do not all come with Sport Chrono. It's an option on the S.

And X51, it turns out that the X51 kit comes with PSE as part of the setup, so...you know... that's it.

solidst8

Yeah, you are absolutely right. I just checked my window sticker and it is listed as an option. However, I recall when shopping for my car a couple of years ago, it was very rare to see an "S" without Sport Chrono (and also Bose).

kevspada

+1 to Edgy01's comment. I have an '06 and would LOVE the x51. For $3000, I'd go for it.

Spokane5150

My S doesn't have Sport Crono.

mgordon18

Just to wrap this up...

The car went to auction at Manheim this morning and sold there for $54K. My agent was going to buy it if the price was low enough, but $54K was too high for that car in his estimation, so he passed.

He believes that the X51 kit loses a lot of value if it's not paired with sport chrono, so whomever paid $54K probably paid too much.

This doesn't bother me one bit. I'm glad I won't be busting my budget.

Thanks for all your advice.

The search continues!
- Mike

USMC_DS1

Good move. Get the car you want and not the one you feel like settling for... especially if you're stretching on price.