Did they over price the Anniversary

I just read the old article in Excellence and I was suprised to see that thing had $ 30k in options. With a base price of $ 89,900, it would seem there would still be options to be had and that the car could easily approach GT3 land. How much does the C4S go for? Is this reason for the big rebates on the Anniversary. Seems to me that if you are going to offer something special like and anniversary at that price, you should be a GT3 aero kit on it or something to make it really stand out more on the outside. Don't get me wrong, I like the piant, the nose, the interior and the X51, but you might as well buy a GT3 or used Turbo for that price.

Good point and that is why i am going to keep waiting til the price even drop more...what do you think???? thanks

The 40th is basically just a C2 coupe loaded with options, including the expensive X51 that not every coupe buyer may care about all that much. At prices comparable to a well equipped C4S, the C4S is probably the better choice. However, with the discounts now $17-20K off sticker, personally I think the 40th is a great package and a helluva good deal.

I bot one 2 months ago--with a deep discount but not as deep now --its a great car--truly a fast beast on the road--hind sight is 20/20 Mike

I think they overpriced it. The original owner paid 89K for my C4S, which had options on top of the C4S's extensive standard features.

I'm currently contempating a 40th Anniv. Car now or waiting for a 2006 997S. I just went to my dealer today and they have the 911 40th exactly as I want (no options except floor mats and Bose). The car is brand new with only 16 miles on the ODO. I can get the car for about $72.5k (about $19k off MSRP). Really almost bought it today but still holding back to see how the 997 makes me feel when I see it in person. But if I get the 997S, I would want to wait for the second year production due to the almost certain first year bugs (especially since the S has a new engine, variable steering, PASM, etc). The decision to buy the 40th Anniv now or wait for a 2006 997S is killing me. I think the value of the 40th at this low price should hold up pretty well next to the 996 population as it has many desirable options not to mention it's limited production and that sweet 911 tag on the rear. Also love the GT Silver color! Any help from this great group would be appreciated.

I think the 40th is a good deal. We have one here with the Bose option, and it prices out to $134,505 CDN. Just for funsies, when we spec-d this car, I priced out a regular Carrera Coupe with the same levels of equipment. Not including polished wheels or the C4S bumper, it came out to $153,000CDN. In the whole scheme of things, the 40th Edition is a pretty good deal.

I understand that the Anniversary gives you break on the options of about $ 7,900 or so (according to the article I read in Excellence). I wonder how many people would spec a standard C2 out to $ 95,000 or would just opt for a GT3, C4S, cabriolet, C4s cabriolet (which looks great) or even a used Turbo when willing to spend $ 95k or $ 100k. Those specing a C2 out to $ 90 probably have stuff like Aero package and maybe Champion 19s to make it stand out from the crowd. I think if the Anniversary had say a GT3 kit or some type of cool spoiler, it may be more enticing. There is definitely a problem somewhere though as they are apparently discounting these alot more than other cars. No big deal. I agree it may be a good deal, but there is just too many alternatives from porsche in that price range.

If they had put the Porsche exhaust on it they would have sold a lot more

Sports Exhaust? I think they just over-produced the car in a time when the 997 was on the horizon. IMO, they should have limited the car to no more than 1,000. The car is pretty special will many options that would cost much more if added to a standaerd 996. In addition, the turbo front end and the 911 badges are a nice effect. I do agree that the GT3 Aerokit would have been the icing on the cake though

Good point......but 996 units with numbered badges would have been cool......What would the 996/996 badge fetch??? Just a thought that I guess they missed?

LVDell That would have been a good number for production or even 911 units. Good point about the last number. In a lot of 1963, I don't think it is any big deal to get the last one produced. But if the total produced were in fact 996 (or 911) then getting the last number may have commanded a premium. The one I am looking at currently is in the 1500's. It's a sweet car. Keep thinking I should just do it but I don't want to regret it after seeing the 997 in person

Yeah, 2000 cars is way too many for a special eddition. You are better off specing one yourself if you want something different and out of the ordinary.

Totally agree Doug. What were they thinking producing darn near 2K of these "special" edition cars? There is a great write up in the new (Oct) issue of Excellence regarding the anniversary that pretty much sums up the debate. Either buy a speced out car, buy the GT3, or wait for the 997.

I'm very happy with my 40th and I saved a bundle of money over a equivalently optioned C2. I need a back seat so the GT3 did not fit into the equation. The 997 isn't going to be cheaper by any means when you option to the same level as the 40th. Yes, the 40th is expensive, but it is a bargain when compared to a C2 with the same options. Yes, the 40th has performance to back up its price. It has LSD and PSM which was the first time for Porsche to combine these technologies effectively in the 996 C2. Yes, I wish that Porsche came out with a C2 with GT3 suspension and minimalist interior (e.g. RS America!). I still would have bought my 40th because it combines a luxurious interior and beautiful exterior with great performance. The M030 suspension does have its weakness so I put in PSS9's and I haven't stopped smiling. There is a Porsche model for everyone's taste and pocket book. I think you're saying that many Porsche owners wished that Porsche came out with a truly unique car for the 40th anniversary of the 911 instead of a heavily optioned C2. I must agree. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying a very nice car that I got at a bargain.

I am definitely not knocking the Anniversary. I just think 2,000 models was wishful thinking and for you guys buying one, it would have been better to have a lower production number for exclusivity and resell purposes. I had a gorgeous 1988 commerative eddition carbiolet. There was only 400 of those if I remeber correctly and perhaps as few as 100 cabriolets in the Diamond Blue color. Mine had factory tubro kit so it was even more of a one off. They still did not command that much of a premium if at all, but there sure were not being discounted to try and reduce inventory. If you only had say 500 of the Anniversary cars, your cars could perhaps be somewhat of a collector car that would have held its value well. All in all, you guys are getting a very good deal and a pretty car. I am certainly not knocking your car or saying its not worth the price. I just think their supply outpaced demand for a $ 90,000 C2 so I hope you don;t think I am knocking your cars. BTW, I did total my 1988 Commerative Eddition cabriolet and it made me sick because I could not find another with low miles and the turbo spoiler package so I ended up with my 90 Ruf wanna be cabriolet.

Doug, I think you are right about Porsche making too many of the 40th cars. It was the perfect Porsche for me; I was considering a C4S or used 2003 TT X51 until I found out about the 40th and was sold instantly and that was before the big discounts. So, I'm extremely happy with mine and don't expect any sort of extra value due to the 40th badging and stuff. It was simply too good of a deal to pass up. Also, it isn't clear to me how many 40th cars are out there for the deap discount. The local dealer sold several and will sell only one at the discount. So, I'm not sure by how much Porsche overproduced them. Also, I think the Cab TT and C4S might have taken more of a bite out of the 40th sales; it seems that everyone wants a Cab these days and I bet Porsche underproduced those !!!

Doug, You're absolutely right. The 40th will never be a collector car. Produced in too high numbers and generally not enough in it to make it truly stand out from a heavily loaded C2. Thankfully, I'm not a collector Now I wish I had your problem of having too many Porsches and not enough parking spots.

It seems like every time Porsche comes out with an Annivesary Edition it is so specialized that only a select few like it AND are will to pay for it. Whether it is loaded up with Options (like the 40th) or comes with a non standard, specialized color (like the Millenium Edition) its never seems to be an 'ive got to have it at any price' model. That's what think a special edition should be. If it has to be discounted as much as I have read, the buyer profile / target was too narrow. Not the right analogy (because it is offered every year and not truely a once in a few years edition), but MB and BMW get it it right with the AMG / M5 offering...they are always the best colors/options and the performace is 100% superior to the closest model below it. Just my .02.

If I was in the market for a 996 right now, I'd definitely be considering the anniversary edition. The 40th would be a terrible deal at list price, or even invoice price, but with the big rebate it's very attractive. Many of us prefer the C2 to the C4S for all the usual reaons--it's lighter, quicker, the steering's more direct, and it's more fun hanging the tail out. The higher top speed of the C2 is not really an issue for most US buyers. So if you want a C2, the anniversary gives you a loaded up one for the price of a stripper right now. Pretty hard to pass up. (Disclaimer--I'm not trying to knock the C4S here--it has it's own advantages--they're just different than the C2's) So to me, if one wants a C2, the issue is whether to buy the very attractively priced 40th vs. getting a first model year run 997 which the dealers will undoubtedly want close to list price for, at least for awhile.