Got my finger on the trigger... (w/ More Cobalt Pix)

Went to see/drive an '02 C2 yesterday. Overall very nice. It had all the options I'm looking for -- including full leather and deviating interior combo (both of which I'm coming to believe are relatively hard to find on a C2) -- low mileage (18K), with CPO warranty through 12/07, and at a reasonable price ($49K). The _only_ thing is that it's Cobalt vs. the Lapis that I had in mind... So I'm wondering if I'm splitting hairs here as they're adjacent shades of blue... The Cobalt wouldn't have been what I would choose, but it's not even that I don't like it. The two things I'm wondering about are: 1. "Flashy-ness" -- Is the Cobalt too "in your face"? I tend to be pretty low key and understated and am not trying to attract undue attention... (to the extent that you can avoid it in a 911). 2. Resale -- I understand that blue colors are not the "hot" colors that silver, black and gray are, but will Cobalt be even more difficult in a resale than Lapis. I'm currently leaning towards pulling the trigger (assuming a PPI checks out) given that it's so close to what I'm looking for... Any advice/suggestions in general or experiences from Cobalt owners would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. BTW, here's a couple (odd angle) pics.

i've seen the colors in person myself in 996. i think all of them are quite nice. however, being in the market for a 996; i did notice a noticible difference in the price of the car. silver = black > blue > red > yellow in that following order. but i think at least for me, i'll be the person driving it and living with it so it's really a personal choice, esp if the car checks out well and the price is right.

Just curious, what color is the interior and the deviating carpeting? I have Lapis Blue with Graphite Gray interior with Metropol Blue deviating carpeting. Colbalt is a nice color. It is just a little more "electric" than Lapis.

Thanks for the replies. Tim -- I was actually taking your lead -- the interior is the same as your's -- gray leather with deviating blue carpets, but this one has full leather (and I don't think that your's does). I quite like it -- but wasn't looking for it until you responded to another of my posts with pix of your interior. Thanks for the influence! Any sense of the "in your face" character of the "electric" Cobalt? Thanks.

I don't think it would be as "in your face" as Speed Yellow or Guards Red. It is an eye catching color, and I think it is a color you would not get tired of seeing every day. If you like it now, you will like it 3 years from now, IMO.

Thanks Tim. That's what I was hoping... and, the more I'm looking at it, the more I'm liking it (although I hope that's not just my mind playing with me as this is the latest potential acquisition...)

This might kill the deal, but I really like the color. I'm not one to run with ther crowd, so anothing slightly different is good. This shade of blue is distinctive and I'd go for it.

Thanks, Oreganet. Why would that kill the deal though? I'm just not looking for "Ticket-me Blue" or "Bling-y Blue."

Oh, I was just joking that others might not agree with my taste - I tend to be adventurous, so I'll go with things that might be slightly different. As I said in the thread polling the different shades of blue, I thought that the metallic teal color I saw earlier in the week looked seriously cool on the Carrera convertible. I don't think this color will attract tickets... no more than any other p-car would - how yoou drive and the quality of your radar dfetector probably matter more. A lot of people go for black, midnight blue or silver, but to be honest everyone and their dog has Porsches that color, step out and get something different. If the color looks good you'll do okay on resale. The main thing is that you go for a color that you like, as you have to live with it day after day. When I bought mine I went to a dealership and he had a black one, a midnight blue, a white one and a silver one. He asked me which color I wanted and was shocked when I told him I didn't care and that I was looking for the car in the best condition with the best performance. He said he had never heard anyone say that before as everyone else chose based on color. I did a full inspection and test drive on all four cars I bought the white one because it was in the best condition and had the upgraded intakes and exhausts. In the end, the engine sound was the main selling point. If I were making a choice on color and it were available I might have gone with the metallic crimson... although I have to admit that I'm really liking the white... nice and clean looking all the time.

One other thing that just occurred to me. I took a disliking to tan interiors. It looks to me like it doesn't age as well as the black or grey interior. For some reason tan seems popular - to me that color just looks a little more worse for wear when it's s couple of years old. Just my $0.02

Ya, I've been looking now for a 996 for about 2 months... Through my search, I've definitely become more focused on what I've looking for... and I've looked at many cars that I've decided against. My wife calls me "particular"... So now, that I've definitely decided on blue, the current decision point is how flexible I am to move from Lapis... and I agree on the tan -- another choice that I made/changed since my search began. I'm now ideally looking for either a gray/blue combo (gray flooring is too light for me) or natural brown (but also tough to find). Thanks again and keep the comments coming...

Thats a very beautiful blue, won't stick out like a sore thumb in traffic but is still very exotic. Im with Oreganet on the tan interior, it doesn't age well. I wouldn't think a color like this blue will be hard to sell later on since a lot of people prefer porsches in blue.

Being 'particular" is good. It means you know what you want and you'll like it when you get it. I think that the cobalt blue will be a good buy for you. I'm glad others share my opinion of tan interiors. At first I thought i was being crazy, but the more I saw the more convinced I was that they didn't age well.

In my seven months of searching, it seemed to me that blue (any blue) had a good resale value. Dealers didn't want to discount a blue car. They seemed to offer me better discounts on other coloers, red, yellow, silver, black. I really wanted Lapis and that's what I got.

I like the color - throw some 18" HRE's on there, and it will be lights out. I like the idea of the blue carpet too. Sounds like a good price and a good car.

Thanks all for the posts. They've been very helpful as I'm thinking through this. I went to see the car again tonight -- WOW, does Cobalt change in different light. It was a much deeper, richer blue this evening... I might be starting to like this color I snapped a few pix that I thought I'd share. Hope you like them! Still welcoming comments.

Very nice! I see that it has the supple leather option. IMO, you will like that very much. Also noticed that the PO ordered (or replaced) the upper console horse shoe, shifter and e-brake. So when are you going to pull the trigger? Once you do, here are three simple, inexpensive mods I suggest: Clear side markers Bumperplugs and door plug Swap the black Carrera badge with a Brushed aluminum logo You can get all three of these from Eric at BumperPlugs.com. He is a Rennlist Sponsor and a good guy.

Just a great combination - love the deviating seats/carpet, and Cobalt is one Porsche's great colors. Closer to pulling the trigger?? Enjoy the hunt.

Good grief, you're almost moved into the car - just buy it!

Very nice. If you decide to pass on it let me know...I'm in the market as well! There are lots of 996's on the market. If this car is what you want, buy it! If it isn't quite what you are looking for (you seem hesitant) then continue looking. What you don't want to do is spend $49K and look at the car every day and say, "It's nice, but, I wish it was <color> and had these <options>"!

Thanks to everyone for the great replies. Very helpful. Nutbeem -- you're right -- I've almost moved in. But, I'm enjoying the view from here. The PO (present owner?) is taking the car in tomorrow for it's annual service (he's driven less than 1000 miles in the last year according to service records)... Wow. Tim -- re: mods, I've definitely got the clears in mind and the aluminum 'Carerra' badge will be done if the color is dark enough during the day... Not sure yet on the bumper plugs -- doesn't CA require front plates? The only other mods I'm thinking are aluminum gauge faces (or the whole binnicle cluster, depending on price) and a SSK. Any idea of the price/difficulty/look of these mods? The owner gets the physical title next week as he's just paid the car off... so, we've got a little time. But, I'm definitely starting to get excited... And, starting to really like Cobalt... My first P-car! Anybody know anyone that is in the market for a mint-condition 330 ZHP w/ 9K miles? Thanks again for all the help everybody! I'll keep you posted.