Best Options

[evoke]

I read with interest some of the comments on the 'Auto Express...' thread. In particular, those comments regarding the essential options that one should specify. I have started this thread with a view to getting a definitive list of those options that are considered essential for resale value. Of course, if resale value is immaterial then there are no essential options and every option is a personal choice.

Resale value for me was fairly important so I let the salesman at OPC West London decide the minimum basic spec for my MY03 2.7. He came up with:

a) Metallic paint (silvers and greys are allegedly the best-sellers)
b) PSM (he considered this an essential option, and after having had to rely on PSM recently, I agree with him)
c) Air-conditioning (on 2.7, although he did say this was a very desirable option rather than essential)
d) Partial leather (which I eventually converted to full leather)
e) 17-inch wheels (which I eventually converted to 18-inch wheels)
f) Wind deflector (which I eventually specified with the BOSE option as a package)

He said that everything else was personal preference but did give me some pointers to 'desirable options' like the sill guards, sound upgrade, headrest crest, etc). Having used his base 'essential spec', I then added a few other bits and pieces.

What do others consider as the minimum list of 'essential options' for both the 2.7 and the 'S'?

Taz

 

[thboxster]

I will add my essentials, but I will just qualify that these are my essentials and whether they affect the resale value is anyones guess, how can you tell?

On the 2.7, in addition to those listed above (Air-con, 17 inch wheels, wind deflector), I would include:

a) Self dimming mirrors, which gives the added auto wiper sensors
b) At least the Porsche sound pack (don't know if the Bose gives much improvement).
c) On board Computer

For visual impact, I would also add the coloured wheel centres.

 

[cFirth]

Switch on rant mode:

There are two types of essentials those for the benefit of the driver and those for the benefit of the OPC.

In a list of words never heard in an OPC, "That is a great spec/colour car let me give you a larger trade in for it" must be up there amongst the least likely. The only difference between a great spec/colour and a poor one IMHO is two years of ownership.

I have a cunning plan in that if I get a good deal in 2 years then I may order the new model. If not then I will keep the car for 5 "" 6 years do about 100k miles and sell it for peanuts. This will probably result in a lesser TCO. I am defiantly not in the game of nicely having run in a car and taking a financial hit, just to benefit the next owner or OPC.

I think with options there is also the element of futures trading. Colours come and go as fashion changes; technology becomes more affordable and hence standard fit. Take for example PCM at about £2k with the phone it is not an essential IMHO so I haven't got it. However it seems competitively priced compared to other manufactures kit. Supposing over the next two years it falls in cost as other technology has done. We could be talking of £500 or less. At that price similar equipment will then be fitted as standard in mid range Mondeos. I turn up at the OPC for a trade in and the sales man will say, "no PCM, old model, and wrong colour I cant sell that"

Switch off rant mode.

 

[Guest]

In addition to the options listed by Rumba, Litronics and heated seats are worth every penny. The OBC is a waste of time and money. If you're worried about your average fuel consumption, buy a diesel.