'99 C2 Factory Aero car 5K miles, $50k....discuss

I've been looking on-and-off for a 99-01 Aero I car for a few months. (I'm just in love with the shape and for several reasons would rather have a pre 02 car) I recently came across this particular car within 1.5 hours of me that I'm thinking of going to look at...but I'm just not sure if it's worth the extra money for a car this fresh or not. Is it really worth 50K or close to it if the car is as pristine as they state? I was thinking more like 45 ish but who knows how much wiggle room there is on this car. Thoughts? http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=101

It is worth what you are willing to pay....I would NEVER pay that much for that car, not that it doesnt sound good, its just way over priced

The price of the car seems high but the people selling the car are good people. I know because my buddy bought a 2003 BMW 525i from them last year. We flew from Baltimore to Dayton Ohio on a Friday (partied), got picked up by Auto Livery at our Hotel, went to the dealer and got the car (it was pristine) drove back to Baltimore (they filled the gas tank BTW), made a stop in Wheeling, WV (partied) got home and the car is still runnning strong. Auto Livery was very cool and it was a great experience. Talk to them on the phone, and check eBay (they may have it for sale there too) they are good to deal with......

I agree with kilrgt. They are asking a huge premium for the low miles, and there are some on this forum who believe that some of the 996 problems can be attributed to lack of use. On the other hand if you really love the car, I can't believe that you couldn't get it for $45K. Lots of '99 low mileage 996s are selling in the upper $30s.

I agree with the others, it is way overpriced. Even if you get it for 45 it is still on the high side, as I have seen some nice ones in that area for upper 30's-low 40's. This place is known for some nice low mile cars, but FWIW, I tried to deal with these people 5 yrs ago (on a 993 that had a puddle of oil under the engine) and was told that if I didn't like the price to go somewhere else. However, I drove by the place a few days ago, and this car does look nice from the street, but I didn't get a up close look. I'm no expert (not even close) but if you want me to I could go by and look at it for you either Tues or Wed. PM me with info. I would definately get a PPI.

I wanted to post this link that I found on autotrader and also because I live about 5 minutes from this car in the ad. I know the picture does not appear, but it is what appears from the outside to be a very nice speed yellow C2. But they are asking just under the same price with about 70K more miles on it than the before mentioned car! I think this dealership is very overpriced, but just wanted to see what others thought.

Several Reason to pass: 1) WAY overpriced (by 10K easily....KBB has it listed at 39K private party) 2) Too few miles (these cars need to be driven...you are asking for leaks, etc.) 3) Says taction control in the ad yet I don't see the TC button the dash (was it even offered on 99's) 4) It's a 99 and there is quite the consensus that the 99 is one to be cautious about. 5) No factory warranty left or CPO

Like he said..

I agree that it seems overpriced, but to address some of LVDell's concerns: 1) I agree it is way overpriced. $40K seems about right. 2) I agree. Most Porsches like to be driven. 3) It is a TC car. The button is where PSM is on 2000 and later cars. In fact 1999 was the only year that it was offered. This car likely has the very rare limited slip option as well. 4) Many 1999 cars have been very reliable, and the TC, limited slip and cable throttle make them more desirable to some. Me included. 5) No warranty is an issue. If you get the car cheap enough, save your money and repair as needed with the savings. That is my $.02.

Thanks for clearing up #3 for me.

Don't pull a Bob . You're asking for trouble buying a '99 with no miles.... Buy the car then add a kit. Keep about 10K in your pocket... Unless you're tracking the **** out of your car limited slip will never come into play short of it's "traction control" function. Might as well go with PSM in a later car..

Arrgh I was so excited to add something that Dell didnt know and Patric got there first!! Do all the 99s with the TC button have an LSD?

Yes, one enables the other.

Oh wow, that's pretty cool, that's got to be a definite plus to having a 99 then, something to offset one of the numerous complaints about the 99 factor

so I got an LSD and didn't even know about it!! c2 '99 cab tip??

Update. In looking to get a feel for the car and what it would really take to buy it I politely (and with reference material) pointed out that Retail book on the car even with the mileage adjustment ($1654) was right at ~$40K. The car DOES in fact have TC and limited slip, but no leather at all and actually it's very sparcely optioned other than the limited slip which would be a bonus. Anyhow...I sent the screen shot of the Edmunds and KBB values on the car and politely stated that if the car was everything that it was sated to be that I'd consider paying MORE than stated retail book for the car...and this is the rude response that I got. "I hope you don't take a higher mileage car for the $1,654.00 less that your book value so graciously added. More like $11,654.00 would be accurate. Good luck on your search, but I suspect I paid $5,000 more than you would be willing to pay yourself for this car. I will be happy to keep you in mind if a come upon a more reasonable mileage non-aero kit car." ha...I've never seen a $11,000 swing in price due to mileage on a 7 yr old car...I mean it's not a classic muscle car at Barrett Jackson it's on a used car lot in Ohio. THEN...with no further e-mails on my part I got a second response 12 minutes later...apparently I really heated the sales person by suggesting the car wasn't worth what they were asking (isn't that part of negotiation when buying a used car) Here's the second response. "In my opinion, when trying to decide the value of buying what is basically a brand new used car, I would use the book value that you showed me, with using the average 70,000 miles as a base with $38,600 as the calculated value, and decide what a 4,900 mile car is worth to you, or anyone that you might want to resell it to, certainly quite a bit more than the $1,600..."

Just for a reference, a month ago I was looking at a 2000 C2 with 13k miles (w/o aero). They were asking $38,500 and the car sold for approx $35k. Car was mint, I was going to buy it but someone beat me to it. $50k for a 99 sounds about $15k too high!!!!

Sounds like he loves his car sooooooo much he is sleeping with it. Ask them for records of the oil changes. If I remember right the 996 requires an oil change every year regardless of miles driven. I think I read this in the manual.

Whats his email I would love to send him an email.....I think maybe he needs a price check

Sounds like he paid too much for the car and now is realizing he may end up taking it in the shorts on this car. When I bought my 1999, I could have bought a 2000 with 13K in mint condition with full leather and factory short shift for about $43K. So, there is no way with a lightly optioned car that the 1999 you are looking at is worth anywhere near $49,9K. My car(1999) came with TC, sport seats with body color backs, US M030 suspension, full carbon package(steering wheel, shift ****, e-brake handle and door thresholds), 18" wheels, hi-fi sound package and Zenith Blue(which costs more than black). My car had right at 30K miles on it in excellent condition and I paid $34.5K in September. The daeler also had the 30K maintainance including plugs, new front brake pads, a brake fluid flush and new floor mats done for me at the local Porsche dealer as part of the deal. Finally, he threw in a 17" set of 996 wheels with Conti tires for track days in for the $34.5K price also. It was a dealer that had them laying around so I asked and they tossed them in with the deal. Anyway, hopefully you see that $49K is way too high!!

I went there to test drive a car a few years ago. The salesman told me that the son of the owner had been using the car personally. Before I drove the car off the lot I handed the salesman the two empty beer cans I found behind the driver's seat.

I have to believe that salesman really hates the internet. The sales guy at that Dealership has absolutely no selling skills. Good sales people should always entertain reasonable offers.

I have access to the "auction" scene...so I know that the value of 99's are completely in the gutter right now. Problem is there isn't an abundence of 99-01 cars coming through any more and it's extermely rare to find an aero kit car coming through even the exotic sale. I don't mind paying a premium for a car like such as it will be a personal vehicle..but I thought that the dealer would be a little more rational than this on the price and negotiations. After all, 1/2 of getting the sale is getting the customer in the door to fall in love with the car. In this instance they never even got me to make the 1.5 hour drive to look at the car with that attitude.

I believe someone on this board just bought a 99 with aero and 40k miles for $34k. No way is it worth an extra $16k just because it has 35k less miles. Dealer is probably hoping someone see it off the street, falls in love with it, doesn't do their homework and just buys it off the lot. do a search on the net, I'm sure you find a few aero kit cars for a lot less money.

it's not uncommon for dealer to put a sky-high price on their 996, and hoping for someone falling love with the car, and buy it without any homework on rennlist. i came accross lots of p-car seating in dealer's lot for more than 9 month, some times more than a year. the reason the sales being rude is he realized you are not his type of "fish". he can't fool you. so he would rather keep fishing, and hoping some one will be hooked on the aero-kit.

PL is dead on. By the way - this car is on EBAY. Current bid is around 37k with 3 hours left. I guess this will give some indication of what the market will bear... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...10624468QQrdZ1

It's not the first time its run on e-bay either. I've been watching this car for awhile and finally decided to give a try on negotiations.

Do you have TC button? Check for the following codes under the front hood 220 Locking differential 224 Active Brake Differential PS. I just e-mailed the seller of the $50K gem, asking if the price or model year is infact a typo

Definitely not worth the $$$. Just bot a 99 c2 w/ 37k miles over a 99 aero C2 w/ 11k miles. All the research and anecdotal evidence pointed to buying a regularly driven car. I found the higher mileage car in better condition and $5k cheaper and CPOd. There are plenty of 996s out there and plenty of meticulous owners. Noooo need to spend $50k unless your getting an 02 C2.

Factory Aero cars are worth more money than average 996's. Everyone that keeps arguing I bought this vs that and ended up with non aero is full of crap. Partial aeros don't count......... I think the car is high too, but someone will pay a lot of extra money for a very low mileage example regardless of if it's a smart choice. Let's all be real. Most nice factory aero examples are well over $40k. Then add for low mileage. Insulting the salesman and then poking fun on a public forum is an insult to your intelligence and you come off like an *** that couldn't afford the car regardless. Stop being a jerk and move on to another car. How would you like it if someone showed up at your job, told you how to do it, told you how stupid you were, then went on to brag about the encounter to the "whole" world on a public board. YOU'RE A _ICK.

Dallas: I don't usually respond to trolls like yours but since you want numbers. I just bought my FULL FACTORY Aero kit car which is a 2001 for 41k and change. AND it has an add for low miles AND it has more options AND the sales person made a realistic assesment of the price in the market. Oh AND the paint is perfect etc. Now I just see it as bad form for you to come in and start calling people "jerks" and "_icks" and "***(s)". Not sure if you are a car sales guy or just having a bad day but you might want to re-think your message. And if you want to "fight" with me so be it. But I re-read the responses and there was nothing out of line. Especially if the beer can comment is true. If a dealer wants to do business in a world wide economy then they better be prepared for the positives and negatives to be talked about on a world wide scale. Have a good day.

That's just dallas being dallas.

Yes, me being me. And Dell, I almost made a prior reference with apology to you direct because I knew you'd comment. I've come to like you and you're full of information regardless of our differences. As for the above, most of my comments are just that, comments. I wouldn't want someone tearing me down if I didn't have a fair chance to respond. I stated the car was too high as well, however someone will most likely pay up for such a low mileage car. As for your '01, it's essentially what I stated, aero cars are typically above $40k. You are the same, thanks for pointing that out. I'm sure your mileage is more approriate as well. With all of that aside, IMO the car is worth $39k-$43k depending on condition. But that's not my point. Nor did I ask for someone to verify numbers....................

Can't belive I am doing this ( ) but I acutally am defending dallas on this one. He calls it like he sees it. Albeit sometimes a bit off or even wacky still have to respect the guy (once you understand his style). I can honestly say this since he and I had quite the back and forth in the early days, but understanding whom each of us was we understand the other much better.

Thanks Dell, I agree. I'm heading towards the light or perhaps you're drifting towards the darkside................. Where the trolls live...................

Dallas I'm sorry for any offense to anything that I have stated...but I really feel that I've done no wrong here. I've been reading this board an searching for "the right" Aero I coupe since October and think that I have a good feel for what an average Aero I coupe should sell for here in the midwest. BUT this car is unique, it's a diamond in the rough and in my first post I'm asking what fellow rennlisters thought would be a reasonable offer on the car. In my second contact with the dealer after confirming that the car was as pristine as they state I offered 45K for the car and was well prepared to pay that money for the car if it measured up when I saw it. The proceeding replies from the dealer were in an attempt to "educate" me on the value of the car and why my offer was not even close to what it would take to buy the car. When I provided materials from KBB and Edmunds showing what they value the car at and then pointing out that I was willing to pay more money than the market states maybe I did step on toes...but this was my attempt to negotiate price and back up the fact that I thought that my offer of 45K was more than fair for the car. I feel that their reponses were rude and uncalled for suggesting that I look for an average mile non-aero car for what I'm willing to pay as well as suggesting that I know nothing about the market of a 996 either. I don't proclaim to be an expert by any means but I feel they could have more appropriately declined my offer rather than attempting to "educate" me into paying more for the car. I have no doubt in my mind if it sits there long enough someone will give them way too much money for the car. I have a client that recently purchased a '00 C4 cab with 6200 miles for just under $50...buyers are out there. I just feel there were better ways for them to respond to my offer. Andy

It sounds like you're making educated offers however, if you bought much of anything, you'll realize in some situations the book is not applicable. Regarding a car with such few miles and the fact that it's a factory full aero someone will probably bite and pay or pay close to that number. Your offer of $45k, if true, is very fair and reasonable. However, you don't own the car, he does. Therefore, it's his call on what the value may be. If he's wrong, he'll sit on it for a while. If you really are comfortable with $40k-$45k for a full aero, you'll find a very nice one. Many people chimed in, indicating the car could be bought at a normal 996 price, I don't think this is the case. My point was, just because it's in a book, doesn't make it fact. Also, when you offered your advice to the seller on how to sell his car, you became the "jerk of an expert" in his mind. I'm sure you did offend him. Nobody likes being told how to do their job..................................... Anyways, move on to another car and good luck. The aero is a beautiful car and you will love it.

Well put Dell - for the people that didn't drive their car: it's their loss. Should they get a little more than normal for the car? Sure, maybe... but that's asking for WAY TOO MUCH of a premium.