996 C4S - where are prices going?

Are they also likely to attain some kind of classic status as one of the best looking modern Porsches??

I would say that they do fetch a slight premium over equivalent C2 and C4 models, because people like the widy body look. However, it will never compete against the 993 C4S for exclusivity because of the numbers produced. Good 993 C2S/C4S are fetching £30-35 and are 14 years old, whereas you can pick up an early 2002 996 C4S for £22-24. I think the 996 C4S cabriolets are holding their value well because they produced less than the coupes. But historically from a classics point of view, coupes are favoured over cabriolets and cabriolets are favoured over targas.

Hard to speculate where prices will eventually end up, but for the forseeable future I think they are only going one way - down. The 996 in general is a strange model; with 997 prices continuing to fall, 996 values will have to come down too (as no-one will buy a 996 C2 over a 997 C2, for example, surely?), and with the new 998/991 coming in the next 12-24 months that will hit values too I feel. The 996 doesn't have anything really going for it - it's not yet attained 'classic' status (a la 3.2, 930 etc.), it's not the 'last of the air-cooled / proper 911s' (a la 993), it's just the first in a succession of models which are getting better and more desirable with each iteration (eg 996.1 < 996.2 < 997.1 < 997.2), and the watercooled cars have been produced in greater numbers than the aircooled so I think the future depreciation will be more in line with mainstream manufacturers. I think in 10-15 years a tidy 996 C4S will probably be desirable, but over the next 3-5 years I would say values will just keep slowly dropping...

:worship: A sensible man has spoken. Not to mention that as the cars depreciate more, their relative insurance costs increase, making them less desirable

As do the repair and maintenance costs, which will likely be more than the insurance costs too.

I'm not sure that the story re C4S is quite so bad. When I was looking to buy this time last year prices of C4S's of a comparable age/spec etc were about £2.5k over that of a narrow body. Now a year later C2s and C4s like mine have become available for about £2k less than I paid :x - whilst prices asked for similar aged C4Ss seem to have risen slightly. The difference now would be at least £5k. imo It will take 1.5 or 2 years for a decent early 997 to fall to £25k which means that the 'best' normally aspirated 996s should stay at the price they are currently until then. Beyond that who knows? I'd be tempted to suggest that, whilst I'm not a particular fan, a good 996 C4S purchased now will be a pretty good depreciation beater for several years and along with the Turbo will be as near to a 'classic' as any 996 will ever be.

A bog standard 997 Carrera seems to have roughly the same performance as the first of the 993 Turbos. Is this relevant? Well - maybe. I think after a while you go for a 911 you want. If not buying a recent one. Shape, lights, sound, the one that was cool when you were a teenager. Maybe also the one that is practical for you. A 996 C4S has a great shape. Different to a 993 C4S - but nice ass all the same. And there weren't that many sold. So when people stop buying the 996 because it has the best bang for the buck performance and start to select them on the basis of thinking that it is the nicest one for themselves - probably based on that nice arse - they will probably get at least a minor classic status. Will still be neat low milage examples - and I think the 996 was and is used as a daily driver even more than previous generations (seems to be anyway) so the really good 996 C4S will be reasonably rare. I plan to get mine to 150K and then replace it will the 911 9993.2 GT hydrogen fuel cell as a daily driver. The one with the optional Porsche AI suspension management system. The only issue that it is a 2 seater and my polygamous marriage to both Kylie and Alyson Hannigan will mean we'll need another car as well.

I agree that it may take a year or two for 997s to dip to £25k, but the 996 will also keep falling in line with that (it would have to - as I said above, surely no-one would choose a 996 C2/4 over a 997 C2/4 if they were similarly priced?). I'm also not sure whether when 997 C4S' drop sufficiently that will hurt 996 C4S values too - the 997 C4S isn't as 'special' to the 997 range as the 996 C4S is to the 996 range, but again; would you choose a £25k 996 C4S over a £25k 997 C4S? I guess one thing we are all pretty much agreed on is that, GTs and turbo aside, the C4S is the one 996 that will be more desirable, and will retain its value better than other 'cooking' 911s, although I think this is a longer term view (say, 5+ years from now when the next-gen 998 is well established), short-term I think they'll just steadily keep falling unfortunately...

[Image-only or quote-only post; no author-written text.]

Update I've just done my weekly extensive trawl through the classifieds an am amazed at just how many C4Ss have suddenly appeared on the market. This years blip in their perceived desirability which led to an upturn in asking prices seems to have prompted many owners to attempt to 'cash in'. I'm left wondering how long the demand for them will equal the now considerable supply. The time to question whether potential purchasers will go for a late 996C4S or an early 997 seems to have become nearer as there a number of each now around at comparable prices ie £28K-£29K. The difference at the moment is purely mileage as it is higher mileage 997s competing with average mileage 996s. Interesting times. T8

Interesting thread so far...... I agree with Ant's comment re: 996 C4S vs 997 C4S. It's true, the latter is not so special to the 997 range as the former is to the 996. However, I think the 997 GTS will be the 'special one.' However, price for price, if you were to come across a £25k 996 C4S and a similarly priced 997 C4S, ceterus paribus, which one would you choose? As for a 997 having a 'bling interior' - that's the first I've heard of such being described. I have to strongly disagree with this comment (each to their own - I know, etc ). I would say that it's an improvement over the 996 interior and a shade more practical (cleaning those curved door compartments in a 996 when your interior is light grey is a pita!!) and has now made for a very pleasant interior to be inside of especially when sat in traffic jams. ~ Maxie

+1 on the 997 interior Maxie.... If I could have the 997 interior, in my 996 4S, I'd be a very happy bunny. I love the styling on the 996 4s, and just don't think the 997 4s looks as mean. it doesn't look as wide from the arse end, and doesn't look as aggresive from the front either... In fact, I think all the 997's look too soft from the front, and not 'porsche like' at all...! The only 997 I would upgrade to would be the twin turbo, or GT3RS. Sorry, but I'm not a massive fan of the 997 exterior styling at all.... I'm preparing to garage my 996 for a couple of years now anyway and keep it as a weekend/summer car, so I do hope prices start to creep up in a few years...

Ok, perhaps 'bling' was bit unkind In the same way that lovers of pre 996 cars would consider their interiors traditional and that of the 996 too modern I just think that the 997 is a bit 'space age' and more something you'd expect in a Japanese car. As a whole I love the 997. The exterior styling brings it up to date whilst broadly retaining the 911 shape. I also like the fact that it gets away from the 996 front but my preference would be to have a 996 interior in a 997. It's differing opinions that will ensure that ALL 911s will have their own particular set of fans. A lot will depend upon the age of the beholder. I'm old enough to remember how I felt when I saw every incarnation of 911 for the first time and I loved (still love) them all but I'd never want to own an old one. :friends:

Yep - the 996 C4S styling carried on the theme from the 993 C4S: turbo body with the unique nose cone, wider rear arches, Turbo brakes & suspension. The later car also had engine vents in the rear PU. The 997 C4S has none of these additions except for the wider body so I would have to agree with you a little bit.....not a lot else I could get my @r$e kicked in the 997 forum you understand...! ~ Maxie

Couldn't agree less; the 996 interior is the one that looks like something out of a Japanese car (it was in fact designed by the guy who used to design Toyota's interiors, after Porsche poached him to try and bring the 996 / 986 interiors into the modern age IIRC), the 997 has something of an Audi-esque quality and is absolutely streets ahead of the 996 IMO. Agreed. Absolutely agree; I adore 930s (I remember having a Corgi model of a green one in about 1980 as a kid), but I wouldn't want to own one now as I don't have time / space for a second car; I'd rather have a daily driver that I can enjoy, hence the 996... 8) Oh, PeterG, see what you've started here?! Happy now...?! :grin: