Help: great deal on 02 TT x50 vs 03 C4S

I ordered a 03 C4S for October production a while back. I have been offered a great deal on a 02 TT with x50. I plan to lease either way. For a 03 C4S I was looking at a monthly lease payment of approximately $1100 a month including sales tax for a 42 month lease (zero down except lux tax). Due to the very large price discount on the TT x50, and the higher residual (67% in 3.5 years set on MSRP) the payments on the TT x50 work out at $1350 a month including sales tax (zero down except lux tax).So for only $250 a month extra I am into a seriously more expensive and fun car. The issues are as follows: At this point I am probably not a skilled enough driver to take advantage of the x50, but over 3 years I plan to get sufficiently skilled to track the car. I wanted a silver car with black interior, the TT x50 is black with savannah beige, and full carbon package. It looks awesome, but alot more hassle to look after. If I do keep the car after lease the buyout is much higher, no escaping it is a $145k MSRP car vs. a $86 MSRP car. However if I just use the car for the lease period the incremental cost is only $250 a month! Any thoughts on this quality problem appreciated.

The answer really depends on what you want to do when the lease ends. If you are not planning on keeping it, $250 more per month is not bad, like you said the TT is alot more car. But if you had thoughts of purchasing at the end of the lease, the TT with the high residual is a tough one to swallow. IMHO: Return at the end: TT Purchase st the end: C4S

Get the car you want. Affordability follows. We are, after all, talking about cars that are waaaay above the average costs. If you have no intentention of keeping the car after the lease, then get the TT. Definitely more bang for the buck. If you even think you will keep the car after the lease, then get the C4S. No offense to TT owners on this board, but I just don't think the added features of the TT are worth the $35,000 added cost over the C4S. That is why I bought the C4S. So, that's two votes for the same thing from Renato and I.

996 TT X50's are becoming plentiful. Many dealers are now offering very low pricing. I would say if you prefer the TT X50 for the price then call around as many dealers as possible and see who will give you the best deal on a pre-ordered car. Then order the TT X50 how you want it as a 2003. For 2003 the X50 is just an option and not limited so many dealers will give you a very large price break (10-15k would be my goal). The change in model year usually adds 2-4% to the residual and so you may actually get lower payments. Also if you don't take delivery until after January 1 then you don't have to pay luxury tax (By putting the saved lux tax as a down payment you would lower your payments by about $100.00/month). If you want the car immediately then check for what dealers have an X50 on the lot similar to the way you want to equip it. They may be willing to give you the same deal as your dealer. Also, if you do not plan to own the car after the lease but just use it for the lease, then a 2001 used turbo is a great value on lease. You can get them for 0 down (no lux tax) and payments between $950-$1100.00 including taxes per month for 39 months. Please reply with what leasing agency (Porsche financial?) is offering 67% residiual after 3.5 years. That's absolutely incredible. Right now turbos are losing 25-30% in one year. Whoever is offering that residual is going to get killed when the cars come off lease.

Sawmill Driver or others with '03 C4S orders...Is anyone doing better than the -2% discount off list I have been given??

I agree with what others say. If you plan to keep-then C4S but if not then TT X50 but leasing a black car-very high maintenace color. I don't know how picky the leasing company is but man when I leased the 740 IL(been with BMW from 3/5/7 series) and they knowing I'm not going to go with another BMW they reamed good for the car but if you stay with them then they probably be nice to you. Best of luck-both are great cars!!!! Regards. Mike

You know I love my C4S! but given the option of a TT with X50 for $250/month I would definitely be there. The reason is that although I love my C4S, I am already lusting after the TT. After your lease is up on the TT there will be another spectacular Porsche model for you to buy or lease in 2006! GFI! Let us know what you decide, regardless you will have a fine automobile! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Everybody thanks for the advice, will be deciding very soon. Salj my C4S discount was similar to yours, but I suspect I could do slightly better now, as I placed the order at the end of May, and when I recently called around checking for TT deals on 02s I was offered 03 TT production slots at $5k discount as the opening offer. caneaddict the lease is not Porsche Financial, much better terms available away from a major US bank, when I close up the deal I will give you the details.

There is no way your lease payment is $1350 unless you are getting a $22,000 discount off of sticker. That's the only way I figured it out with a 67% residual. What bank did they say it was through because when I did the math it was about $1900 a month at the terms you gave above. Let us know what the dealer says. If the payments were $1350 I would lease one immediately.

I took the TT X50! Picked it up Friday, details and pics to follow. The payments were as discussed. The lease was through Chase, better terms than Porsche Financial, and the MSRP discount was substantial, the dealer wanted to move the car before getting in some new 03 TTs in September.

This thread is really interesting for a UK reader. You just dont find new 996TT x50 or not sitting on forecourts. Getting a discount is almost impossible as the waiting lists are still long. Residuals are also better because of this. I just changed my 3 month old C4S for a TT and I got a �1000 discount off list. I know the US is the largest Porsche market, but it seems that you almost have a state of oversupply. I forgot to add the TT was 4 months old! Go for the TT you won't regret it.

[quote]Originally posted by riclaw: <strong>This thread is really interesting for a UK reader. You just dont find new 996TT x50 or not sitting on forecourts. Getting a discount is almost impossible as the waiting lists are still long. Residuals are also better because of this. I just changed my 3 month old C4S for a TT and I got a �1000 discount off list. I know the US is the largest Porsche market, but it seems that you almost have a state of oversupply. Go for the TT you won't regret it.</strong><hr></blockquote> Talk about a bad influence. I'm looking to test drive one!!

Riclaw your right. I've seen UK prices before and they were constantly much more then main land Europe. Palting, I know you'll trade your C4S after driving the TT, and that's why I'm not setting foot in a TT. The temptation is too great

sawmilldriver May I ask details on your lease such as money factor, residual, cap cost and month? Your deal seems so good. I am getting 03 tt with about 2% discount. By the way, good luck on your new car!!!

My lease was through Chase, 0.0024 money factor, 69% residual for 3 years and 67% residual for 3.5 years, I do not think the dealer marked up the financing, and the residuals were for an 02, should be higher for an 03 I guess. I thought the lease deal was compelling because I doubt if the car will be worth that much in 3 - 3.5 years. Another great source for lease deals is george at weleasebytel.com, [phone removed], they do a lot of Porsche leasesat better rates than Porsche Financial.

That works out to be about 5.75% APR if you where financing that amount.