trying to decide - good buy on 03 C4 cab? or lease new?

New to porsche and looking for help - 2 bmws, 1 merc - was looking at c4 cab + tip/pdk for fun daily driver in chicago (snow, stop + go) and am debating lease new vs buy old saw this 03 c4 cab for 34885 in williamsburg va http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...&partner=AMB_3 i can deduct 60-70% lease for business, so it might be pretty close financially over the first 3-4 years. thoughts on the price and +/- ?

lease new and avoid all the 996 motor problems

Have you looked out for any leftover C4, 2009, 2010? You may be able to squeeze a good deal, depending on options. Try swapalease.com also...

Thanks, but the monthly payments to buy an 09/10 would be pretty stiff - assuming the car's about 75-85 k. It's more than I want to pay...I looked at swapalease and i don't think the rates are that much better for an older car vs new (10/11). is 34k a good deal on the 04 c4 cab? i'd love to get a porsche and drive it forever...

$34K for 04 Cab is an AWESOME deal in general (without knowing mileage and condition - assuming it's all good). 996 is a VERY VERY good value right now. Post pics after you buy it! Or even before you buy it - it will help us evaluate...

my mistake, its an 03 with 26k miles http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

still fantastic deal

How long will you keep the 03? If monthly financially both are close, remember that in 3 yrs you will own an 03 or just pictures of the new one... That's not the same

As stated above, the 996's are fantastic deals (and great cars!) right now.

I just went through the ad. It's VERY nice. Just as a data point, my friend bought a 02 Cab C4 with 40K miles for $34K this summer. So I think this is a pretty good deal.

These cars are not completely "bullet proof". They can have issues on occasion. If you are not interested in learning about the tricks and traits of the 1999 to 2008 model years you are better off leasing a 2009 or newer Porsche. The 2009 models had totally new engines that eliminated some of the previous issues. Now these new engines may prove not to be prefect but that is what a new car warranty is for. At the very least you would be advised to get a car with a Porsche CPO (certified pre owned warranty). Happy hunting!

A sharp CPA should be able to get a write off for you legally whether you buy or lease. The price point of these cars make it practical to finance over a short period, then you'll own it. The lease is paying a bunch up front and then a monthly rental. I've found leasing appeals to those that cannot afford to purchase or those that can afford to leave a lot of money on the table. I realize there are exceptions. I've been self employed for decades, written of business usage on one or more vehicles just as long, never been audited, do it all by the book, never leased. I'm not an expert, just throwing out ideas. GL oh, and BTW, get the Cab, and a C4S, I don't think it gets any better!

Leasing is considered a form of financing. It is designed to make more money for the leasing companies than the purchase process. There are three times a lease makes sense: - a person is so broke they can't buy a decent car and they have to fall back on a lease as the only viable financing solution, or - you're looking at a new model or new car company, you think you might have trouble selling it later (e.g., it may turn out to be so unreliable that no one wants it). You pay a little more, but a lease guarantees that you can get rid of it, -- or -- - you're in a foreign country for a few years and buying/owning/selling a car there as a foreigner is daunting. In virtually all other cases, you'll make more money through a purchase/sale.

i think it's a good buy, and i'm coming off a 535xi lease - is a c4 a reasonable DD in the winter? I think if I lease a new one I will just worry all the time...but i know that older cars will always have "issues"

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Compared to the HPFP issues of a the E60 535xi, the C4 should be 'bullet proof'

Issues are going to occur, and to save more, its the lease. Wonder if can get remote start when wanting warm her up first. Sounds like this all weather cab could be costly but fun. Regards,

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you forgot a simple one: - you like to get a new car every 2-3 years.

oh...had a lot of issues with previous 528, and some now with 535xi...it seems like porsche 2010 will be more expensive and now looking at 2003 cab vs leasing 3or 5 series

Like mentioned before, find yourself a nice 996 C4S Cab! Beautiful machine and you can find some fair prices... and it will actually be yours!

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drbones, I have both a e60 530xi and 996 C4 Cab. I really suggest you drive the 996 C4 Cab ...