Depreciation: C2 vs. Boxster S

About how much do the 1999-2001 C2's depreciate on a yearly basis? I am considering a C2 as opposed to the Boxster S because it seems that the Boxster S will depreciate quite a bit. I like the Boxster S but I don't think I can bring myself to spend money on something that losses so much of its value so fast.

I cannot give you an exact figure. Personally, I would not choose a car based on the degree of depreciation. However, if one is concerned about finance, and keep in mind I'm no whiz kid at this, I imagine the Boxster S is a smarter move than the C2. Both cars are depreciating assets. While the S might depreciate more than the C2, this could be offset by the money you save by not acquiring the more expensive C2. This extra money could then be invested in an asset more likely to appreciate as opposed to depreciate. Just my .01 (.02 adjusted for depreciation).

I think Jim's reply is accurate. Only thing I would add is that whichever model Porsche decides to revamp might cause faster depreciation. Is a new Boxster coming before the 996?

When does Porsche usually announce model changes for the next year? Waiting until the fall to order an 03 would not pose a problem. I realize I should buy what I want regardless of depreciation, but since I don't finance cars it bothers me to pay say 60K on a Boxster S and see the vaule of my car go down a good bit in 1 1/2 years. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> I am now looking at 996 coupe as they seem to hold there value a better than the Boxster S.

Would you consider a used 996? It's amazing how many you find with just 5K or 6K miles on them. I just bought a 2001 996 cab at about $10,000 less then the first owner did. And the car was less than 12 months old. That first year depreciation is the killer. Afterthat, you can figure on at least $3,000 a year, and if you put a 1000 miles on it every month, probably $5,000. As investments go, cars are one of the worst. But as they say in West Virginia, "You can sleep in your car, but you can't drive your house." (My apologies to all the West Virginians out there.)

Great line, appleads. Gotta remember that one <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Ron, you don't mention how long you intend / expect to keep your Porsche... As a cash buyer, depreciation only applies when you sell. If you don't sell for a considerable time, forget depreciation. If it is the mental drag of buying a depreciating asset, then I suggest you are "buying the deal & not the car". As they say in WVa, "a car can be a deal, but a deal can't be driven to the bank" (or to your house, or something like that).

I can speak from personal experience with a '99 C2. I put just under 15K per year on the car so I take a good mileage depreciation hit, even for SoCAL. It's my daily driver. Sticker $75K new and according to Edmunds (more accurate that Kelly IMHO) it's now worth about $45 on trade and maybe $50 on private sale, and that's on an beautifully maintained vehicle. C2's are NOT holding their value. Too many of them, concern about all the warranty issues, and I've had them all, etc. Porsche has been great about fixing all the problems and the car has been solid ever since, so I'm not concerned about long term reliability and depreciation should slow down some after the initial couple of years hit - $30K in three years for me. You should be able to pick up a good used '99-'00 for a reasonable price. Ask for all the maintenance records on the '99's and see if the main rear seal and coolant reservior have been replaced as they are now running out of their warranty period. Sorry -can't speak to Boxster depreciation. Don't be scared away from a C2 just because of this. If it's really what you want, go for it. Brent

Sorry All, Ron, 993 depreciation is pretty low now. You could consider a very late 97 model, if youre worried about fast depreciation. Regards

gotta agree with Bins on the most recent 993's. My sister-in-law has a '97 Carrera S that's worth more than my '99 996 C2 with similar mileage.