Max Power

I want one for MSRP, not so much because it's at MSRP as because it would be spec'ed the way I want it. I do not want a chrono on the dash, or Navigation, for example. So, for me, it's not so much the price that Porsche AG has declared to be the MSRP, as it is the fact that I wanted (and still want) one to keep for years and years. I wanted factory collection!! No chance of me getting a RS with factory collection unless I spec it myself.

There has not been a car spec'ed the way I would have done it. A few are real close. That's one reason I started keeping track of them all.

Now, if my dealer hadn't returned my deposit, and had instead said "you can spec a car, with factory collection, etc, etc... but must pay us MSRP+ $40k" ? Now that would be a difficult choice. I'd probably say yes and curse the MFers for a week and then enjoy the car for years.

dsu*

i would take one at MSRP in a heart beat. Probably even pay couple K more if I can personalise the car.

I went to porsche dealer in Taiwan yesterday and asked about the RS. They just got one in which was ordered by a friend of mine. And they have one more allocation this year. Still avaliable for buyer to personalise. The base price is about 30K more than the regular 3, but in taiwan the base price of a regular 3 is around 220K. Only MSRP, no mark up wat so ever

richk

stedge

just wondering what car you think is cooler than an RS...also wondering if you have driven one!!!

stedge

richk

nope have not driven one. don't get me wrong - i think it is a super car and would be more than happy to own one, but still wouldn't pay over msrp for one so for now it's not a car i am considering.

as for cool cars, there are tons - CGT, 993 RS (have driven a real one and loved the look and the sound and everything about it, should have bought it), other rare 993 variants, or a RUF of some sort, perhaps. Not saying one is better than another, just each appeals to me at least as much as the 997RS. A 996 GT2, though I am not a fan of 996 looks, is a lot of car for the $$ and would be fun to own and drive for a while, and the 996 GT3 is a hoot (and what I am looking at now). And though I am not a Corvette or Ferrari or Aston or Lambo guy (except for the old Muira, which is hugely cool), for those who are, the net for interesting cars can be cast far wider. I'd also like to see how the spec V GTR looks. That thing will be quick and more importantly ugly, so there is some built in cool there, too. ;-)

BobbyC

What if MSRP was $175k? How many would buy then at MSRP? Or is the reluctance to pay a premium more a case of "look those guys got for MSRP and if I pay a premium then I'm a fool" type of argument?

YA911Fan

As long as there's an MSRP, I refuse to pay a penny more. The MSRP benefits the dealers by establishing an arbitrary and artificial baseline for the price negotiation. If they're really keen on the free market, they should get rid of the concept of MSRP and sell every car at auction.

stedge

We're going to return this thread to the original poster, but suffice it to say I have never and will never pay more than MSRP for a new car. Has nothing to do with what someone else paid or will pay, because I am not looking at it as an investment. If someone pays over MSRP for something that they want and love, they're no fool if it makes them happy. I just don't want or need it enough to do that.

340Elise

I agree; I was thinking about the same. What does the MSRP have to do with anything? It is the suggested price of the car. If the current market for an RS is wholesale = MSRP and retail = MSRP + $30K, then what difference does that make?

I think it is exactly what Bobby is saying. Those of us who understand the automobile market and understand how to buy a car of whatever make at the correct market price (I would think most people on here are very good at buying cars and know how to deal), we have ingrained in our minds that only idiots pay over MSRP and that the most we would ever pay for a car is MSRP. We are also the ones who buy cars at huge discounts when the time is right because we know exactly what we are doing. We are no longer such a special bread because ever since the internet became as popular and common as television, the word has gotten out how to correctly buy a car and not get "taken" by the dealer. No one wants to get taken; not us intelligent car buying experts with our big egos (this includes me btw). Now that the invoice of cars is easy to find, and factory to dealer/customer rebates are exposed on any make and model, and if you simply click on the internet to look for a car you will be bombarded with this information. Unless you live in a cave, or you truly have a very low IQ, it is easy to buy cars today at a price that is way below MSRP and is closer to what the car is really worth.

So now we have the new GT3 RS and it is going for anywhere from MSRP to about $60K over MSRP, correct? It may be closer to $30K over at this time because the prices are slowly dropping. So what is the difference if you buy one for $160K brand new (instead of $130K) and you can turn right around and sell it for the same money after driving it for a few weeks? You might even get a little bit more for the car. How many new cars today can you buy at MSRP, or the correct discount from MSRP and then turn around after a month and recoup your money? Besides Ferrari, pretty much none!

If I could have bought an RS back in May for $30K over MSRP and be able to afford that purchase price, I would have done it (I was offered a brand new one at that price, but that is too rich for my blood). But ONLY if the current market conditions dictate that this is the going rate for the car and I know that I can recoupe my money or take a reasonable loss within a reasonable amount of time.

Colm said that he thinks someone would be stupid for buying an RS over MSRP. So let me ask you this: What if my local dealer here in Albuquerque got a surprise 2008 GT3 RS allocation and told me that they would sell it to me for $10K over MSRP, and let's say this happened around August and my delivery would be the beginning of November 2008. Based on the current market conditions at that time (or even right now), who would have taken that RS (unless you already have one or just can't afford it) or highly recommended it to a friend? Even if you already have an RS and can afford another one; who would have taken that allocation to build an RS at MSRP + $10K?

Strictly based on the market, you would be stupid not to take that car if you can afford it. Am I right?

Now if your reasoning is that you do not want to support the dealer gauging (sp?), then I understand that and respect you for that.

I would have done it, but not to resell it. I would be driving it right now and enjoying it, and I would be extras happy because my RS is actually worth more than what I paid for it; you can't beat that.

Sure the prices will come down and eventually go to MSRP and then below MSRP; the same happens with just about any car except for the garage queen Ferraris and other such rare models that retain used prices over MSRP because of Supply & Demand (interesting concept, eh?).

As for my GT3, I took delivery on December 8th and I paid MSRP for it. Based on what I am seeing, my car is probably still worth about MSRP. I am happy about this, but I also expect it to go lower as time goes by and the miles get put on.

Buying over MSRP is not stupid if the current market conditions dictate this pricing; and if you got one at MSRP, then you should really be smiling from ear to ear.

Stephen

leif997

which specs would you have chosen and which car came close?

NYC123

This all comes down to how confident you are that prices will stay high for a long time. Anybody that had a crystal ball telling them that a gt3rs would be worth 400k in 2 years would be very happy to pay 30k over sticker today. I just bought one and paid over MSRP, based upon the fact that I strongly believe the car will be worth more than MSRP for some time to come. If I sell it even with the premium I am paying I dont think I will loose more than I would on a new 997 TT at MSRP. While I dont like the dealers charging such a high price, the decision really has more to do with a buyers view of future prices, than getting caught up over how much that dealer is making on the deal

NJ-GT

Porsche did not make that many GT3 RS for US, and this is the first time Porsche brings the real deal to U.S., minus clubsport package that can be installed as bolt-on.

I think the prices will adjust this year, but not by much. I expect them to stay strong on the 155-170 range for a long time, until Porsche releases a new GT3 RS.

However, Porsche could still set the next generation RS at a way higher price, based on the lessons learned from the 7RS. In this case, I doubt the current RS would suffer on the used market.

Personally, I would rather pay $200k for a <2,000 miles F430 than $175k for a <2,000 miles GT3 RS.

OldGuy

Now that I know how good the Regular GT3 is the RS is just not worth the premium
MSRP? you bet its worht that but thats all.

Alan Smithee

Over time, given equal condition and mileage, all 2007-2008 997GT3RSs will depreciate to a level below MSRP, and be worth about the same regardless of whether you paid MSRP or $70k over...so any premium will be lost. It's not a matter of 'if', it's 'when'. Some people are obviously more sensitive to this than others.

As to 'when', a lot depends on Porsche's future model line-up, and a lot depends on the economy. Many people paid 30% over MSRP for the 1989 Speedster at the end of a surge in collector car values, expecting it to be the last Porsche Speedster made and therefore an instant collectible (sound familiar?). Guess what...Porsche made another one, arguably better. 18 years later, 1989 Speedster values are on the rise, but must have very little use and be in immaculate condition to even get the original MSRP...still a long way from covering inflation, maintenance, storage, insurance, etc...let alone a $30k mark-up in 1989 dollars. And that's for a car that is rarely enjoyed from behind the wheel.

The point is, these cars will depreciate; there is a cost to own them. Everybody has their own opinion of value.

///Mous3

Honest question. I do not know the answer...
What car in the history maintained the selling price above MSRP for, say first 5 years?

NYC123

to clarify I do not think some time to come is 5 yrs, no way. I meant if I want to sell the car in 12 months my best guess and only a guess is the loss would be similar to buying a 997 TT or a mercedes sl55, in terms of absolute $$$ I will loose even paying over MSRP