Looking for '03-'04 C4S

I've begun a search for a C4S in the 2003-2004 as a replacement for my 2000 Boxster S. The biggest issue seems to be pricing as examples in above average condition seem to be priced 10% or more above a KBB/NADA listed value. In any event, I've located a reasonably low miles MY03 at a dealer in the Philly area and other than a lack of heated seats it looks pretty nice. I'm looking for any feedback on pricing and how the dealership (Porsche of Main Line) is to deal with?

I think that guides like KBB and Edmunds are accurate only so far. They probably work fine for Hondas and Toyotas. But Porsches are so relatively few in number that exact pricing for an individual car is more in the terms of an agreement between buyer and seller on any specific vehicle. The wide variety of options makes these calculations even more problematic. That said, there are definitely cars that are overpriced (usually at main dealerships), and cars that are underpriced (usually high miles/poor service records/shabby condition). As for dealer pricing - the asking prices are usually designed to maximize profit for those 'I gotta have that Porsche right now!" sort of customer. You would be surprised how many people just either don't know, or don't care, that they are paying $5,000 too much for a car. If you look at it from the dealer's point of view, why would you give up that profit opportunity? But when a savvy customer comes in, who knows what they want and how much they are willing to pay, the dealer will usually come down - sometimes quite a lot. For the dealer, ultimately the final price has little to do with blue book, black book, or the phase of the moon. It comes down to how much money they have in the car, between purchase and reconditioning, and how sales are going that week/day/month. Best advice - know exactly what you want... year range, color range, miles, and options... and then conduct a patient and thorough search across a wide geographic area. Since you are in the midwest and looking at a car in Philly it sounds like you are on the right track. Good luck!

Thanks for the well thought out reply. I'm in the habit of doing as much research as is feasible, especially if buying new. In most cases, I'm also open to just walking away from a deal that's not what meets my preset goals as there's always another car/dealer that will meet the requirements. Buying used is a bit more problematic as one can't just order the desired options. Instead, one has to weigh what the vehicles offer in the way of options & mileage against a set of somewhat vague goals. The joys of buying used As far as overpriced cars go, I've run into a couple at one of the dealers in Ohio. While I might have been willing to go a bit over due to the color combo, options and condition of the vehicle I am not willing to go $5K, or even more, over. I guess the issue right now is wondering if the market is somewhat soft or not related to a C4S and if things may be picking up price-wise based on the season. I know there's some impact on a convertible as the weather turns nice but I doubt the same impacts a coupe.

The market is so hard to judge because there are so few cars. A couple of sites I found helpful when I was searching: Sorting out option packages and such: http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...spd-manual.htm Searching Craigslist globally: http://www.searchtempest.com/

The Lapis car at Porsche of the Main Line is nice, but hardly worth anywhere near $49K!! It's an '03 with 38K miles. I sold my '04 with 3400 miles (no misprint) for thousands less privately, still under CPO. You should pay around $40K for that car if it's in perfect shape. Market is still very soft on these cars - you can do better. Main Line is a reasonable dealership - they put in my SSK and redid a portion of my clearbra. Good quality work. I've never bought from them.

Based upon my research (I just purchased an '03 C4S w/ ~20,000 miles), reasonable prices (my definition, not the industry's!) are "generally" in the $32-42,000 range depending on mileage, equipment, dealer vs. individual sale, and provenance. Anything more than that and you'll have to decide what those "extras" are worth to you. If you'd like to know a little more details, feel free to PM me and I will be happy to let you know about my experience.

Randal Boyer is a great sales rep at Porsche of the Main Line. never bought from him but I tortured him with questions over many cars and he was always polite and very professional.

I am in the market for a 2003 or 2004 C4S also.... I searched everywhere and I know about all the current ones for sale all over the states! I'm just patiently waiting for the right one to come around. I think it's cause I'm picky, but I think I have a right to paying roughly 35 grand cash. I'm taking my time and once I spot it, i'll be sure not to hesitate... I don't want to rush and settle for anything. Don't make the mistake in rushing into one and not being happy about your decision later on... Good luck in the search!

Dumb question: why '03 or '04 but not '02? The only significant difference is that the wiring on the later cars is extremely unfriendly to modern stereos (which they need badly).

Phil G. The one I was looking at had the price listed @ $43K and the eBay reserve was above $35K so I was thinking in the area of $37-$39 would be right. Alas, it doesn't have heated seats which made it a deal breaker. There's a nice Blk/Blk in CA w/43K miles for under $40K, but I'm not sure I want black again. Too many darned decisions! RallyJon No real strong reasoning other than trying to keep the miles down. I'll probably keep the car at least 5+ years and I'm currently racking up about 8K miles per year on my Boxster - which now has 75K on it. If I were to find a clean 02 w/low miles and the right colors & options it would be enticing. The miles thing is also to try and avoid a clutch change shortly after acquisition as my Boxster was replaced at 60K.

If you like the one without heated seats don't make this a deal breaker. You can add the heating for $1,000 or so. I know because I did it. Here is a link to a DIY on adding heated seats to a Boxster, just minor changes for a 996. http://www.dennisvogel.com/heatedseats/index.html

Hey Doug, I've thought about that (and even saved the link a while ago) but it does bump the price more than finding the "right" car would w/factory heating installed. While I'm not sure that the heated seats are mandatory I've sure gotten used to having them in my wife and my cars. If I was closer to Philly & could see the car first hand it might sway me a bit more, especially if it was a good deal As I've just begun the search I'll probably keep looking for a bit. Another issue is that I'm not set on a specific color combo. My Boxster is Black Metallic w/Natural Brown. Ideally I'd like either Cobalt or a dark blue with either Natural Grey, Graphite or Natural Brown. I don't mind a black interior but it's not my first choice unless it's a killer deal.

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Too bad you missed my car by around 8 months. It was absolutely flawless, beautifully equipped, 3400 miles, and essentially new inside and out. Sold in low-mid $40K's. If the one at Porsche of the Main Line is $49K, mine should have gone for $55K, and I knew it just wouldn't fetch those kind of dollars.

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Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Pretty much wraps it up Eight months ago was top down weather and I wasn't really in the market. After another Indiana winter I either need to get a 3rd car or something more suitable. A part time 3rd car seems like a waste when insurance and limited use get factored in so I began searching a couple of weeks ago. It does sound like yours was a really nice ride though. The one I was looking at was listed at only $43K and I figure could probably be had for under $40K. The heated seats thing I think was a deal killer in this case as I plan on year-round use. The local dealer got a nice 2001 Turbo in but they're asking about $10K too much based on similarly equipped cars in other parts of the country.

FYI: I just bought a 2003 C4S, grey with tan full leather with 18k miles for $38k out of FL. It is absolutely spotless, I honestly couldn't tell it had left the showroom floor. No heated seats though. It was sold CPO in 06 with 15k miles ad I'll be the 3rd owner. PPI checked out fine and all service records were available. I had been looking for 6mo or so and most of the cars I came across were around 40-50k miles and $33-35k. As for KBB value, I'm not sure that it accurately reflects the true price you'll pay for these cars. My bank looked up the value using something other than KBB when I got the loan and they had it over $40k. I figure that's probably falsely high, but I feel like I paid a fair price for the car. It's my first Porsche, actually first sports car, hopefully I'll get several years out of it. I wish you luck in your search.

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Very good price on that car. You did well - enjoy her.