I've narrowed my search. Found a very nice 84,000 mile 2005 with records that just came off extended warranty. He made one last pass through he dealership to fix the little items. Grey with black interior which I can do. Asking $20K.

Vs

2008 CTT has all the options I want incl PDCC. 92,500 miles. Grey with light grey interior. Not a fan of grey interiors, it's probably my least fav interior color. Also dealer serviced with records. Asking $28,750.

The 08 is at the top of my comfortable price range. Assuming they both have a little room to move which way would you go?

 

After reading this, I think the 2008 is the way to go.

 

Have the coolant pipes & Ts been done on the 05?

 

I would assume so, but haven't had a convo yet. I'll check before I commit.

 

I had seen that earlier and didn't stop to process what it was saying.

 

Really can't go wrong on either. Sport mode on the 2008 is tons of fun and if it has PDCC thats a real bonus. But i bought a silver on black 2005 CTT a month ago.

Both seem pretty comparable so you might want to factor in condition of tires and brakes on both and at that mileage you are at, or close to, wear items like cardan shaft, lower control arms (and possibly uppers), fuel pumps, hatch shocks and preventative items like serp belt. Fluids, plugs and coils are cheap and easy DIY.

If one of them has a bunch of the above items done you might be good to go for awhile.

Has the valve body on the 2005 been done?

 

Good advise. I may decide to do that.

The valve body is a tranny thing, right? Is it that common?

 

Before deciding on the '08, do some research on the glued in coolant pipe which blows out and requires engine removal for a proper repair. Also, the '08 still has a plastic coolant pipe in the valley which Porsche has an updated aluminum replacement.
Cracks me up how people b**ch and moan about the plastic coolant pipes on the older models which can be replaced in an afternoon but completely ignore the issues with the '08 and up models.
I would take the lower mileage '05 without giving it a second thought.

 

How about an 06 Turbo S

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...343943468.html

 

No towing package, that's a deal breaker for me.

 

I keep going back and forth. I want the nicer interior and newer tech, but this is my first bigger vehicle in a while. I spent 5 years in an e39 540/6 and the last 2 in an e90 330i. I'm thinking going for the cheaper one and moving up later. I bought the 540 when it was 10 years old, one of th best I've owned.

 

That 955 is pricey better come with free massages.

 

Yes, valve body is a tranny thing and pretty common. Most common symptom is harsh (very noticeable) down shift from 5 to 4. Lots of info on here.

I replaced mine last week with a remanufactured unit from RevMax and she shifts perfectly now. Valve body cost $719 plus a few hundred for new fluid, filter and gaskets.

2005 and 2008 interiors are essentially the same. Interiors didn't change until 2011.

 

I'm pretty new to this, what's a reasonable price? It's listed OBO so I figured he's got a couple $k of room.

 

This is something to consider, I researched these 957 issues before I bought my 08 CTT. I found them be to rare, unlike the 955 plastic coolant pipe issue that is common. In the 1 nicely documented DIY 957 case where the pipe came unglued he did the repair without pulling the motor, so resolving it looked straightforward.