buying a 997, a good time?

TrevS · Oct 9, 2008

Hi all

I have decided to treat myself to a new car and initally I was looking at 996 C4's. However it seems as though the 997 C2S' are coming down to closer to my budget. So would you say its a good time to buy a 997, or any porsche at all for that matter?

With the credit crunch now taking effect many second hand cars have plummeted in price but porsches seem to be holding on. Do you expect prices of 997's to come down much in the next 6-12months and will the release of the 997 gen 2 have much impact on gen 1's?

Finally I have not yet driven a 997 so am hopefully going to pop along to the OPC in sollihull this weekend to take a look at a nice looking slate grey 997 C2S they have. Having not been to an OPC before is this a good place to start looking at 997's and do they offer test drives in their second hand cars or is it just in their demonstrators? The problem Ill have is that I don't want to drive a gen 2 if I am going to buy a gen 1.

Trev

spyderman · Oct 9, 2008

From my rather limited experience (just one OPC) they don't like to give test drives in used cars unless you are pretty serious about buying. Instead, you'd more likely be offered a spin in one of their current model demonstrators.

I thinks prices have got a few months of downward movement left.

dereksharpuk · Oct 9, 2008

Firstly, who knows what is going to happen to the financial markets and hence Porsche values? We are in uncharted territory. Anything can happen. However, prices now are very low and it might be safer to put the money into a 997 rather than the bank [

]. Yes do pop along to your friendly OPC, but remember, it is a buyers market. Walk away if you don't get what you want. Additionally, try a good independant like Autobahn. They have a good reputation.

Finally, join the Club!!

pwebb · Oct 9, 2008

In common with all manufacturers there are falling residuals due to supply outstripping demand - but equally now is a good time if you're in the market, particularly for a pre owned Porsche. If this is your first 911 then my advice is to get the best, most recent model you can afford from a dealer. You should have a good experience and feel confident that the car is well prepared and have the manufacturers' warranty to fall back on.

Although the Gen2 car is mightily impressive, if you have not driven both back to back, you will be more than happy with the Gen 1, especially the 997S.

Good luck and make sure you have a good long test in the actual car you want to buy.

Peter

Jamie Garside · Oct 10, 2008

They will always depreciate in this day and age but the prices are currently very low and there are some bargains about. Waiting 6 months or a year will just drive you mad as you will start seeing some Gen2 ' s which are out of reach and start wondering about when you can buy one of them.

If you can afford to buy the car or indeed finance it, want it and will appreciate it - then it isn't a bad time to buy.

Go for it!

Dylan1 · Oct 10, 2008

its a great time trev!i was offered an unbelievable deal on a £50k 2yr old 10k miles seal grey c2s and very good part ex on the cayman.
but i want pdk[

]

daro911 · Oct 10, 2008

Keep your powder dry if you can afford to wait 6 months as the worst is yet to come according to the "experts" and we may look back in 12 months from now remembering the good old days of late 08 [

] .... Couple of recent examples I have heard of in todays market place which may not look so good after the coming winter woes have passed [&o]

997 Turbo Manual 1300 miles and 5 months old cost £106k just been sold for £76k [

]

AMV8 Roadster high spec but old 4.3L model 50 delivery miles only circa 40k below list today £65k what will that be worth with say 6k miles on the clock next year?

TrevS · Oct 10, 2008

hmm, some mixed responses so far. I guess like most of you have said the prices aren't going to go any higher and could come down further in the next 6months so I think Ill try and hold off for a bit as I am not desperate to get a car right away.

That said I am still going to go and take a look round the OPC tomorrow and check out the cars they have and see what deal they could do on one. I guess its always a case of feeling happy that you got a good deal and what you paid was right at the time, so if OPC offer could give me the car I want at the right price then who knows.

daro911 · Oct 10, 2008

ORIGINAL: TrevS

That said I am still going to go and take a look round the OPC tomorrow and check out the cars they have and see what deal they could do on one. I guess its always a case of feeling happy that you got a good deal and what you paid was right at the time, so if OPC offer could give me the car I want at the right price then who knows.

Million $$$ question what is the right price in times like these? For sure when you think you have found a deal go and offer the said car to other traders and see what they would be prepared to pay for your new find [

] Be prepared for a shock result

One final example for you Ferrari Dino GTS for sale all year at £93.5k friend offered £50k 3 months ago and was politely turned down .... fast forward and he gets following email the other day:-

You expressed an interest in our Ferrari Dino earlier in the year.

We thought you would be interested to know that the owner has revised his expectations and has reduced his reserve price quite considerably and we think a mutually acceptable deal may be possible.

Please contact us at your earliest opportunity should the car still be of interest to you.

TrevS · Oct 10, 2008

Thats a good idea. I might see what deal OPC can do tomorrow and then get a friend to pose as a potenial seller, selling an identical spec'd car [

] . That way I can see how much they pay for similar cars and how much profit they are making. Then I could use this info to potentially haggle with them on the price.

ORIGINAL: daro911

ORIGINAL: TrevS

That said I am still going to go and take a look round the OPC tomorrow and check out the cars they have and see what deal they could do on one. I guess its always a case of feeling happy that you got a good deal and what you paid was right at the time, so if OPC offer could give me the car I want at the right price then who knows.

Click to expand...

Million $$$ question what is the right price in times like these? For sure when you think you have found a deal go and offer the said car to other traders and see what they would be prepared to pay for your new find [] Be prepared for a shock result

One final example for you Ferrari Dino GTS for sale all year at £93.5k friend offered £50k 3 months ago and was politely turned down .... fast forward and he gets following email the other day:-

You expressed an interest in our Ferrari Dino earlier in the year.

We thought you would be interested to know that the owner has revised his expectations and has reduced his reserve price quite considerably and we think a mutually acceptable deal may be possible.

Please contact us at your earliest opportunity should the car still be of interest to you.

Rodney Naghar · Oct 10, 2008

No need to go to that hassle, just call a few OPCs and ask them how much they'd bid for a car with the same spec.

A friend of mine did that recently. He bought a used '07 997 C4s cab with 10k miles for £75k in April and called them 5 months later for bids. They came in around £58k!

daro911 · Oct 10, 2008

ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

A friend of mine did that recently. He bought a used '07 997 C4s cab with 10k miles for £75k in April and called them 5 months later for bids. They came in around £58k!

After todays blood bath he would be lucky to get a bid even from an OPC and then it may not even break the £50k barrier unless they had a hot to trot Billy Bunter lined up [

]

Rodney Naghar · Oct 10, 2008

ORIGINAL: daro911

After todays blood bath he would be lucky to get a bid even from an OPC and then it may not even break the £50k barrier unless they had a hot to trot Billy Bunter lined up []

Imagine that....£25k lost in 6 months...come to think of it, one of the best investment returns since April! [8D]

daro911 · Oct 10, 2008

very true

marcus a · Oct 10, 2008

just to cheer you all up, I've been offered a mid 2005 mint Vanquish S which has done 15,000 miles. The cost new was £193,000. I've offered a rather miserable £54k - trouble is he's come back and said if I get to £57k it's mine - now I'm in a right old panic and really don't know what to do !!! that's £136k loss in just over 3 years !!!

my heart is telling me to go for but my head is saying it's a very specialist car and in 12 months time I'll have lost have lost another 15k - which is unacceptable to me.

decisions decisions.....

Dylan1 · Oct 10, 2008

ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

ORIGINAL: daro911

After todays blood bath he would be lucky to get a bid even from an OPC and then it may not even break the £50k barrier unless they had a hot to trot Billy Bunter lined up []

Click to expand...

Imagine that....£25k lost in 6 months...come to think of it, one of the best investment returns since April! [8D]

better than an icelandic account certainly[

]

Rodney Naghar · Oct 10, 2008

ORIGINAL: marcus a

just to cheer you all up, I've been offered a mid 2005 mint Vanquish S which has done 15,000 miles. The cost new was £193,000. I've offered a rather miserable £54k - trouble is he's come back and said if I get to £57k it's mine - now I'm in a right old panic and really don't know what to do !!! that's £136k loss in just over 3 years !!!

Oh....my.....word!

Or to put it another way, every time he put 5k on the clock, it's as if he went out and bought a 996 GT3 and rolled it off a cliff. The mind boggles.

davidcross · Oct 11, 2008

even 993's are finally feeling the effects of current economic climate so buying any car these days is line catching a piano whfn it comes to future value. I bought my 997s from opc last year and I recon I've done an easy 20k. Thing is- 1, I got a great condition low mileage car with peace of mind. 2, I still love the car as much as I did the day I bought it and 3, if u pay up and get the right car life is too short so just enjoy a great car. You shud only ever spend what u can afford to lose. 997s are seriously cheap already

Dylan1 · Oct 11, 2008

ORIGINAL: davidcross

even 993's are finally feeling the effects of current economic climate so buying any car these days is line catching a piano whfn it comes to future value. I bought my 997s from opc last year and I recon I've done an easy 20k. Thing is- 1, I got a great condition low mileage car with peace of mind. 2, I still love the car as much as I did the day I bought it and 3, if u pay up and get the right car life is too short so just enjoy a great car. You shud only ever spend what u can afford to lose. 997s are seriously cheap already

couldnt agree more[

]
my car still feels as good as the day i took it home 21/2 yrs ago 14 k miles tight and great fun altho on paper worth 30k still feels like £54k i paid for it[

].its staying put till my son gets it!!

turbo jonny · Oct 11, 2008

I hear that dealers have more or less stopped buying now and just doing sale or return.
I wonder if auctions are the best place to shop if theres so little competition ? I could be in the
market for a bargain water pumper after Xmas.