Ghost Rider

I was reading Pano the other day and they had an article on the 550 spyder anniversary edition Boxster and they made two claims that don't seem to jive to me and I'm wondering if anyone here knows whether or not the claims are true.

Claim 1: Only 500 of the 1953 cars built will come to the US

Claim 2: All the ones coming to the US will be snapped up quickly, they won't be sitting in dealer showrooms


I find Claim 1 hard to believe that only 1/4 of the cars built will come to the US since I thought the US had the strongest market for Boxsters, even in the down times.

I find Claim 2 hard to believe because I have read many reports of heavy discounting on these cars to try and move them and some dealers with multiples sitting on their lots unable to sell.

Any thoughts as to this Panorama article?

Charlie C

Regarding the 500 550's, yes I also read that in Autoweek. As far as the cars being snapped up, I can only form an opinion based on the dealers I've seen and yes they're going fast and no discount.

I got a discount because I ordered in December but the cars that were not spoken for were going for sticker. The dealer I got mine from got 5 cars allotted. I took one of the first 3. Mine had been preordered, the others went for sticker.

The remaining 2 are sold before they arrive at sticker too. I'm not saying there might be a dealer somewhere who isn't selling out, but if there is one, I don't think it's common.

You can usually get a pretty good discount if you shop in the "off season" which in the NE, is the dead of winter. Once the warm weather comes, they won't deal as much since their stock is limited. Since the 550 is limited, they can hold out for someone who wants it bad enough to pay sticker. I'm glad I got mine at a discount, but if I was shopping now, I'd try to get the best deal I could. If the only deal I could get was paying sticker, and I could afford it, I'd buy it anyway. That would go for any Porsche! It's all about supply and demand. If they are concerned they might get stuck with unsold cars, they'll deal. If they know they only have X amount of cars and there are more buyers than they can supply, they'll hold out for sticker.

Charlie

dennis a from pa

My dealer only got 2, one was ordered and one I bought. Interestingly, the ordered one had the grey interior and Black top. I understand a slight discount was offered on the ordered car and mine was.... well you know the story.

Now the 40th Ann. 911 is another story. My dealer still has one, and with a sticker of 96K I can understand. They have been slow to move.

About only 500 coming to US....well Itoo think that is off.

Also the article is full of inconsistensies. They say the liked the Brown interior when Pix show grey. The 10MM lower is in doubt too, as I'm sure it is not although my car SEEMS lower than a buddies '03 S.

....and the photos are the same that accompanied the Autoweek article???

CharlesV

My dealer has at least 3 coming in. I did manage to get a nice discount though...
Just over $60,000 out the door with Bose Highend, Painted seat backs, and a Hardtop. The list was $62,000 without the Hardtop.

Charlie C

Hardtop?? What color? Was it painted to match GT Silver?

CharlesV

Yep, GT Silver. It's coming from the Porsche factory painted. Invoice is $2400 on it. Dealers will charge bewteen $2500 and $3000.

Charlie C

Well things have changed! It wasn't even an available option when I ordered mine. Can you post some photos when you get it?
Thanks,
Charlie

Sean

My Pano has photos of the cocoa interior - it looks great!

I believe these won't sit on dealer lots for very long. Its arguably the best deal in the current Porsche lineup. My dealer had one, but now it's gone.

As for the 500 limit, I also find that surprising.

CharlesV

It wasn't an option on the car, they're ordering it from the Porsche US headquarters in Atlanta.

earlyapex

500 is the number being quoted in the U.S. car magazines. The local Porsche dealership has two sitting in the lot. I just finished a great test drive of one this morning and it was fantastic. I wish I had a bigger garage.

Bob in NY

The Boxster is selling quite well, however I saw 40th anniversary 911 for a $17,000 discount (new) at a dealer in CT. If I wanted a new coupe I would go for it.

Sean

I've been told that the 911 Anniversary editions, for whatever reason, aren't selling well. ALSO, PCNA has some sort of incentive for dealers to sell their full allotment - once sold, they get a free car (or something like that). Hence the large discounts on Anniversary 911s. I've also heard of people getting $15-20k off sticker.

I looked at one. Sticker of $96k (GT3 range)...so I'm assuming it might go for $80k or less. It was tempting, but I still find myself drawn to the 550 Boxster SE. Less power, but the drop top is a way of life. Plus, I'm a sucker for anything associated with the 550 Spyder.

But if anyone wants a new 911, great deals to be had on the Anniversary coupe (and it's a beautiful car).

Charlie C

That's unbelievable. At that discount, I might have bitten even thought it's not an open car!

Charlie

Sean

Yes. If they were offering $15k off a Boxster 550 SE, I'd be redlining all the way to my dealership.

I haven't ruled out the 911 SE. It's got plenty of goodies in the vein of the 986 SE, plus the best of all, a 345 HP 3.6L engine. And with the 997 on the way, I'd imagine that 996 deals are just getting better.

loudes13

We have both 550 and 40th 911's. I'd consider $16-17k off the 40th 911, but 550's are pretty hot right now.