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(1) What's the "story" behind the car? Was it a dealer demo or privately owned? If the former, do as you wish, but I wouldn't buy a demo. If the latter, why is it for sale after 4 months? Many legitimate possibilities, but I'd just like to know before dropping $65k+.
(2) Why isn't it being certified by the dealer? I don't know much about the program, maybe a nearly new car only gets the original warranty?
Regarding the price, something doesn't add up. The MSRP of a 2007 equiped as you specified is $78,780, according to Edmunds. The 2006 should be $1,100 less - with a MSRP of $77,680 and an invoice of approximately $68,000. Were there other options you didn't list?
In any event, I would hope that you could do a little better than invoice price on a 2006 that has been driven 2,000 miles. I paid 3% over invoice for my brand new 2005 in September 2005. If this car was traded in by a private owner, I doubt the dealer gave them more than invoice minus 10%. So invoice minus 5% would be what I would shoot for. Close to your offer of $65k. But we are talking a couple of thousand on a $65k+ purchase. If it's the car you really want, I wouldn't beat my head against the wall over $1-2k.
Chatting with the salesman and other dealers, you get the impression that they are comfortable to sit and wait all winter if they want to sell cars. It sounded like BS to me at first, but I spoke to other dealers who had 2005s and none of them are budging appreciably. One salesman said they don't mind holding a car all winter because demand is so high in spring that it doesn't matter.
Thanks again!
BTW, this dealer told me that Porsche does not permit them to "uncertify cars" or give two prices. In the meantime, two dealerships have done just that when I asked more info on two certified cars. Certification would be more relevant to me for an 05 with an in service date of 09/04, but for this car it's not a big deal.
Here is the question YOU need to answer, as it has some subjectiveness in it: How much do I need to save to buy a 4 month old / 2,000 mile used 2006 C2 over a brand new 2007 C2 to make it worth it?
It looks like the 2007 would carry an MSRP of $79,080 (TPMS appears to be standard). I suspect you would be able to get at least a $5k discount in my area. That means a brand new, comparably equiped 2007 911 C2 would run you $74k +/-. Saving $6.5k ($67.5k) for a lightly used 2006 isn't a bad deal, but getting it for $65k and saving $9,000 would be my minimal trigger point. On the other hand, I've never bought a used car, so I'm probably too "greedy". The 2005 (new) C2S Cab I bought last September saved me roughly $8,000 over what a new 2006 would have cost me, but I still had a brand new car that I got to break in.
As for the dealer claiming to be willing to sit on the car all winter, I think that's half true, half B.S. The reason I got such a good deal on my 2005 last September was that the selling season for 911's was running out (especially Cabs) and having a new 2005 in the spring of 2006 would have been much tougher to sell. It's now November and the car you are considering already has an "in service" clock ticking. One thing is absolutely for sure. If they hold it for another 4 months and end up selling it as an 8 month old car in March, the buyer would have to be an idiot to pay $67.5k then. And the dealer would have carried the car for 4 more months, meaning your $65k offer would have been as good of a deal. I think you are in a good bargaining position. I'd be tempted to write them a chack for $65k and dare them to actually rip it up.
A distant neighbor of ours has a very low optioned 2005 C2 and he loves it. Only options were xenons and sport chrono. He also got a great "end of year" deal last year. Had been considering an M3, but for only about $9k more, got the 911. As much as I like some of my do-dads, I greatly respect his frugality.
Good luck.
How's that?
M6A - Black Mats - Porsche lettering
801 - Makassar Package
680 - Bose High End Sound Package
670 - Navigation for PCM
C02 - U.S. Standard/Emissions
446 - Wheel Caps with Colored Crest
342 - Heated Front Seats
P15 - Power Seat Package
640 - Sport Chrono Package Plus
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My sense is that dealers think that all buyers have lots of cash at any income bracket--they want to push the cache concept to its furthest. I only went back to my local dealer after being really sure I had a good price from somewhere else, and was ok going there if necessary. Another thought: I test drove at this dealer 2 times and also put an offer in on a used car-- the salesman knew I was ready to buy. If they can really be convinced that you are really ready to buy, they take this a lot more seriously. Good luck!
Karen - can you tell me where/when this story ran? I am looking to get a 911, and it will be my only car which I will use for day-to-day commuting, etc. I'd like to see others' viewpoints. Thanks.
To add just one comment to your analysis, I've noticed that some Porsche sales guys have a born to the manor way about them. This might be helpful in dealig with what they perceive to be wannabes or arrogant MDs (I realize that this last description may be redundant to some). But I'll bet that the dealer-principal who is paying monthly juice to floor plan the cars and on his loan for the new building that Porsche made him build to their spec, knows to the penny who much it is going to cost him to keep a 997 in inventory for another four months. Maybe an email to him might do the trick?
Ever since I can remember I've wanted a new 911. The first car I bought myself was a 10 year old 928 S4, which I absolutely loved (had to sell it when I moved to the US). Owning that Porsche fuelled my desire to own a 911 even further, as did the servicing cost of the 928 (astronomical vs. a 911, but that's a different story...)
Anyway, I visited a Porsche dealer today, and he convinced me to drive a Cayman S. What a car! It was absolutely thrilling to drive. He had me convinced that this was the way to go, until I got home and configured one online - $75K for the one I'd want. Considering a 997 C2S and C4S spec'd as I'd have them top out at $92K and $98K respectively (a difference in MSRP of about $17K to $22K), a Cayman S hardly seems worth it.... I didn't drive the C2S or C4S, so I can't compare the models unfortunately.
ANYWAY, and to cut an already long story short (or at least wind it up quickly), I was hoping some of you would provide input on several fronts:
1. PRICING: What sort of discount should I expect (perhaps a range) on these 3 models, MSRP'ing at $75K, $92K and $98K respectively. Maybe the price differential will shrink even further after the discount...
2. REGRETS: I'm worried that I'd get the Cayman S, and then regret not spending a little extra to get the 911. Has anyone been in "my shoes" in this regard, and if so, what did you decide and did you regret the decision?
3. CHILD SAFETY SEATS: One potential advantage of the 911 are the rear seats (for my two v. young kids). Do car seats or booster seats actually fit into the back of a 911? My dealer seems to think that most won't, and told me that Porsche discontinued their own brand of car safety seats. Even if some brands fit - how hard is it to actually fasten a child into a rear safety seat?
4. AWD or C2S vs. C4S: Does AWD really make a significant difference in the wet, or does the car remain tail-happy? I live in an area that sees torrential rain quite often. While I want to feel safe, I don't want to go overboard and indulge in excessive options...
Thanks to everyone who read this post! Your patience is GREATLY appreciated.
2. Regrets - I had been considering a Boxster S. But after I realized the 911 could be out "family" car, I went for the extra $35k+. Worth every penny. If you ever want to put those little ones in the back seat, you only have one choice.
3. Child safety seats - don't know. My youngest was 7 and 52 lbs when we got ours. Now, at 8 & 11, they still fit well, although the 11 year old is growing quickly and is now within 1" of my 5'1" wife. I think she can grow another 3-4" before we have to cut off her food supply to keep her in the 911.
4. AWD - I went the C2S route. The Cab is already 180+/- lbs heavier than the coupe. The extra weight and drivetrain power loss of the "4" means that you basically are using the extra 30 horsepower of the "S" to make the "4S" as quick as a base "2". I have had no difficulties in an occasional heavy rain. The car is NOT tail happy unless you really push it. If you really want the extra stability of the "4", I'd consider saving the extra money for the "S". If you want maximum dry weather performance, go with the "2S".
Good luck. And remember, all of these are personal opinions. You can get any of the cars you are considering and still risk splitting your face with a wide grin.
I like to work on my own cars and the fact that you need a lift to access the engine really turned me off of the Cayman and Boxster. How is an owner supposed to do any "shade tree" maintenance?
Tell us more about the spare tire and jack you got for your 911. Cost? Can it be mounted on front and/or rear? Does it take up all of the trunk? Did you get it through a Porsche dealer or other source?
It sounds like you have already had one or more flats? I have 11,800 miles on the odometer and, knock on wood, still have good tread on both my front and rear tires. But I do get a little nervous thinking about how long it would take Porsche roadside assistance to find me on some of my longer (400 mile) road trips.
Made a call to my service manager & he offered the following:
-Inflate tires to 50 psi.
-Full tank of gas.
-Trickle charger plugged in . . came with my car.
-Park the tires on cardboard, the lime from the concrete could react with the rubber, even if the floor is heated which mine is.
Full tank of gas
Lock it up and put it to sleep!
Thanks again
One thing for sure, the C4 is out of luck. It's trunk is smaller than the C2. But, if I'm not mistaken, the 993/996 versions of the 911 carried a spare, so I think at least the 997 C2 with 18" wheels and 265 rear tires may work.
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With Porshes now standatd & error prone tire pressure monitoring system,accurate tire pressure gauges are important. One of my tires was several pounds off which set off a warning light that could not be re-set.This required a time wasting trip to the dealer to repair the re-set system. Porsche is not good with electronics. So the bottom line is to get a very accurate gauge. one option for gauges is www.aerostich.com ph:800-222-1994.Michelin has a very good gauge.Does anyone know a source for Michelin gauges? I purchased a non-electric analog Flaig gauge from aerostich. The Flaig gauge works fine.
To conclude, She is a dream to drive. She can be as fast as an F-1 or as docile as a kitten... and I can honestly say I have yet to drive or even see a car that could be considered her equal.
You must drive her to understand.
Trace
I find myself in a dilemma. I currently have a 2002 996 C4 conv. and a 2004 Cayenne S.
My problem; In the next two years I will be adding to my 911 fleet and I am in a quandary
regarding the Targa4s with the x51 pkg. or the Turbo Coupe. I realize the Targa will set me back as much as the Turbo. Hence, the dilemma, I love open motoring and find myself possibly regretting the Turbo Coupe. I am not sure in regards to having another convertible in the family. Any advice will be deeply appreciated. I know that at the time of this posting there are not many Targas on the road.