'08 C4S Cabrio?

Hi all - I'm new here, and considering buying a Porsche very soon. I was thinking the '13 Boxster with the redesign, but then I found a 2008 C4S cabrio with only 6000 miles offered as a Certified pre-owned at the dealership. It has sport exhaust , sycamore leather trim with beige interior, (not my favorite but this thing only has 6000 miles?) and a manual without sport chrono . I haven't seen the car in person yet (I'll see it in the morning) but this is really throwing me for a loop. This car is the same price point as the new '13 Boxster (after options). My last car was a 2010 Audi A5 Quattro Cabrio. I live in the Pacific Northwest with rainy roads and occasional snow (like we just had). I think the 911 C4S would be a perfect car for this area (for me) because I like to drive open air as much as possible, and the Audi was just too much of a luxo-boat. Any suggestions? :gossip: Would the upkeep of a 6000-mile 2008 C4S be a prohibitive factor compared to the upkeep of a new model Boxster? Will the warranty be expensive to continue? Am I crazy making a 2008 C4S Cabrio my first Porsche? Thanks! :cheers:

First you have to drive it and make sure it is what you want. There will be some pretty big differences between a '13 Box & '08 C4s Cab. A 5 year model diff makes a big difference in any brand. Unfortunately you can't drive the new Box yet to compare. I would very much agree though that the C4s is a better match for your location as it would be very sure footed in all weather compared to the Boxster. I don't know how much an extended warranty would be, but given it is a CPO I think you already get something in that regards anyway. I don't think that there would be much scheduled maint. difference between the two. One thing you need to check on though is insurance,....911's of any variety are more expensive to insure compared to Boxsters/ Caymans /Audis .....and no, your not crazy for making a C4S Cab your first Porsche,....great car that fits what you are looking for.

I typed a post earlier and then my laptop crapped out on me in the office! There is no right or wrong answer. The 911 will always be the icon and a C4 will always be great in wet and cold weather. The new 981 will be faster in a straight line (when rolling and maybe with PDK from a stop as well) and will be quicker round a track. There are things to love and maybe dislike or hate on both models depending on you, and I can appreciate both in different ways. Mid-engine handling is great and very sure footed, but then a 911 has a unique driving character, although a C4 is probably not as much fun until you are really pushing hard. The 997 is the last true rear engined 911 i.e. engine behind the rear axle and not on it like the 991, so it's a little more traditional than the 991 or 981 and that should not be forgotten. Less electronics to help you round the track and the simpler interior on the 997 gives a traditional Porsche feel in my eyes. Lets not forget the widebody on the C4 also looks awesome, but then so does the whole 981 (except maybe the rear spoiler... ) Again there's no right or wrong here. :cheers:

Unless flying around a corner faster then you ever thought possible while sticking to the ground like super-glue is somehow not fun... If I want to hang out the tail with the blip of the throttle I would get a Mustang or <insert your token v8 450hp muscle car here>. Nothing I have driven has been as much fun as the C4S, but that's just me

Well my salesman was not working today so I put off the C4S visit until tomorrow, as we know each other from purchasing the '10 Audi . (he knows I'm a serious buyer if the car is right) Assuming the car is well cared for and everything checks out, I would want to have some sort of upgraded music input and cell phone compatibility or bluetooth and perhaps even a more modern nav. I've seen the denison mentioned in these forums to upgrade the music input and bluetooth, went to the website of the representative here and that looks like a fine option. However if I wanted to upgrade the Nav, I am guessing that's a whole other, more distant, more complex ballpark. Perhaps not worth it, if the system in place at least works. (sorry, Audi spoiled me with the nav. tech) But that is not why I'm in the market for a Porsche, (a nav) - I've dreamed of owning a Porsche my entire life (even before Risky Business . I've always chosen the safe, sensible route..and I'm 42..and I want a quality automobile with excellent safety, wonderfully built, an engine and drivetrain to swoon over, that I can drive everyday. Now I'm curious if its possible to put the front seats (recline) them to a semi-sleeping position. (The wife just asked. If so, that might be a deal-maker between us on this for the longer trips Having you gentlemen around is definitely a plus after purchase. Thank you, very much. Again assuming this car is well maintained, its everything I could possibly ask for. This is going to be a difficult decision..we will see how flexible they are willing to be on the price. p.s. Katera, your car in the sig GORGEOUS

My seats go all the way down WITHOUT my windscreen in, and I leave my windscreen in 24/7 top up or down, just fyi. I do drive in Houston which gets 50+ inches of rain a year but I really don't plan on driving much in it. However, I will get caught sooner or later in a downpour here it's inevitable. I drove the C2 which was great, but I was just stunned by the C4's ability to handle 180 hair pin turns without getting squirrely. As I've said before, I swear I feel like I will fly out the top of my car before it breaks loose and becomes uncontrollable. It's bat crazy fun :banana: I am going to go get a few more professional shots of my car once we get some decent weather here in Houston. Btw, I priced out a loaded Z4 and 550i before I found my C4S and BOTH cars were as much or more $$$ then I paid.

That helps, thanks. Here is the vehicle that spurned this thread and I'll be test driving tomorrow: Used Porsche 911 For Sale Bellingham, WA - CarGurus btw, checked insurance with my local guy (state farm) and I was quoted just about 30 dollars more per six months than for a 2012 Boxster S.

Sharp car,....there does appear to be an error in the listing though as it states "sand beige" interior,....that is not sand beige but "natural brown leather" which pretty much covers most of the interior and was around a $4k option when new,....a definite bonus as it makes a very rich interior. The wood is a personal item, but with the white on NBL I think it looks great. Yeah, the insurance is not prohibitively expensive, but it is more than most people think it would be. Good luck with your decision.

aha! wow very good info on the interior and condition etc..much appreciated. Just asked the wife to read the thread..hehe. There is a great local indy shop named Harmony Motorworks I would use for a PPI if we get to that point. edit- also that would be great if you saw the car!!!

Ok I saw the car, it's great, really nicely taken care of. It's just beautiful. The test drive was long and g

Agree. I just saw it also - it was still out front. The sycamore looks good actually and it is a nice car in truly excellent condition. You'll have a blast with the top down when it stops raining (about another 40 days and nights to go...). Insist that they replace the clear rear stone guards which have begun to yellow. Forgot to look if it had clear side markers, make then fit those also... Go for it! :banana:

There is no going wrong with a Porsche...You may well get the first 981 in B'ham! To date, I still have the only R in town (the first one delivered went to Cantrell Motorsport where it was outfitted as a dedicated track car). Let us know the spec. you plan to order and we can pick on it. :hilarious:

I don't blame you. Don't spend that much money and get something that you have to change out a ton of parts. There are other c4s's for sale though p.s. They do stick like superglue

I slept on it overnight - The Carrera 4S is now at the Indy shop getting a Pre-Purchase Inspection....!

Had another look at it this morning while out in my CR. It is a nice car... Remember to get them to replace those stone guards!

yes indeed. My wife (bless her, I'm a lucky man) said the same thing. I mentioned it to them already. Took it out for another test drive this morning, and got a totally different vibe once I accepted the wood and appreciated it with the natural leather. It's a great car. I am still not sure I am willing to pay what they will accept, as I will need to install a navigation system, bluetooth, and backup camera. (my driveway exits on a well-used sidewalk..though if the deal goes through, the engine will hopefully help alert the pedestrian traffic) we'll see...and thanks for the help on this. If it doesn't end up with me, hope someone else can appreciate that car, if you know anyone. It deserves a good home and to be driven..well I guess, they all do edit--glad you got out your CR btw, bet that was fun It was nice this morning.

...stopped on Lakeview, waiting to turn left onto Cable Street, a blue Prius drives by with a guy in the passenger seat - it was so cool - he looked at the CR and his jaw dropped. I love that reaction. Made my day.

Well, I vanished a while on this subject as I could not come to an agreement on the price for the 2008 C4S with the local dealership. We were close, but I did not have much leverage as the car has only been on sale here a short while. Anyway, after doing a lot of research and reading countless threads from here, ********, 6speed, and teamspeed etc, found a 2009 C4S PDK (black/black) with std interior/seats. (the only part I don't like, wish it had leather and sport seats..but otherwise, the car is perfect with 6675 miles, and I think it will be fine) The 2009 C4S is in Arizona at an Audi Dealership (not a CPO) but with remaining factory warranty, I had it inspected, and will be arriving in Arizona tomorrow morning to pick up the car and drive it home with the wife <grin>. Will post x-country drive pics assuming everything checks out.

Congratulations! The seats can be replaced... Enjoy the drive back...what a great way to discover a new car! :cheers:

Well, after reading of others doing this same thing, I thought...give it a try? First time purchasing a car remotely..still expect everything to go wrong..but if this actually works..I'll be amazed. The process so far has been nothing but straightforward and no-nonsense.