Opinions Needed! Trade or Sell

Opinions are like� Everyone has one. Although, in this forum, I have found that most have far more than one!! I have a 2004, Speed Yellow, C2 996. I purchased it in 2013 from a gentleman in Anaheim, CA. He had only owned it for about a year and determined that it was not practical for him as a DD (he was the second owner). At the time, it had approximately 17,600 miles and it now has around 21,100. Most everything about the car would indicate that it has been babied. When not driving it, it sits under a car cover in my garage. The car has a pretty decent list of options, including HID headlights, matching yellow seatbelts, Speed Yellow center console, yellow stitching on the seats, full leather, recaro headliner, no Bose (think this is a plus!), crests on the seats. Everything works as it should. I live in Texas and had been looking for the Speed Yellow Coupe. In terms of what I had been looking for, this was the purple unicorn (yellow in my case). I purchased it, sight unseen, but had it inspected by Doug Haydon of Haydon Brothers in Anaheim. Doug found the car to be in excellent condition, however, the rear bumper had been resprayed and Doug did not think the job was done well (it never bothered me and I never had it redone). Doug was not able to find any other body work or anything else related to this respray/ bumper. Also, no issues show up on CarFax. I had it shipped to me and I immediately had it checked out at Mayo Performance (a Porsche only shop in the DFW area). They changed the drive belt, flushed and replaced the brake fluid, and flushed and replaced the coolant. All these things had also been recommended by Doug. Everything else was found to be in excellent condition by Mayo, including a clean RMS. While the car is very nice, I do not past records for it and therefore, do not know if the IMS has been changed (the RMS is still in good shape). I have changed the oil each year with Mobil 1 and have never found any evidence of metal in the filter. I really do not want to give it up, but I have a daughter that will be getting her DL soon and only have three garage spaces and really do not want to leave a car outside. Therefore, I have to let this one go (yes, it hurts). We have looked at possibly trading it in on 1-2 year old MDX for my wife (that�s hard to type!). I have been pleasantly surprised at the trade value, however, I have never traded a car in my life, always opting for a private party sale. I welcome your opinions- trade, or sell??? I know it is not a perfect car, as it doesn�t have all records and there is the bumper thing, but overall I have found it to be a pretty fantastic car! Just not sure I want to go through the hassle of private sale this time.

Leave your daughter's car outside and teach her to wash it. If you're worried about the IMS, change it...it will cost you less than the money you will lose trading the car in. Not wanting to park one of your cars outside is not a good reason to sell a car like your 996.

If you must get rid, sell it to who ever offers the highest cash. You should get a pretty penny for such a low mileage car. Use the cash as down payment on the next car. You are not asking but IMHO I think you must be mad in the head to even consider selling or trading your car. It sounds and must look fantastic.

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sucks that you have to get rit of it, I have 4 cars and 2 park outside, one is my daily driver and the other my daughters. But well if your HOA doesn't allow cars outside that's another story. First, how much are they asking for the MDX, how many miles on it? How much are they giving you for the Porsche? Do a national search on autotrader, to have an idea of the price, same year and miles. Sent from my iPhone using Rennlistedtrtfytj

How tall is your garage? Buy a double car lift. Car sounds very unique, try to hang on to it.

I know private party sales can be a PITA but you're gonna get burned to the tune of $5k+ if you trade it in. A Porsche dealer would probably asking $30-$35k for your car. A private party sale should net you close to $30k. Unless you can get a dealer to give you reasonable money on a trade I'd sell it myself. BTW while I like Speed Yellow most dealers won't. I guess the best thing to do would be first exactly how much the dealers will be offering and then take it from there. Good Luck to you.

+1 on above post. I have been trading in and taking the hit on price recently rather than dealing with selling myself. Too many tire kickers, no-shows and these days, rip-off artists. I also am a big Speed Yellow fan so GLWS.

Personally, you're going to regret selling it. I also have two young children and one about to be driving age, but I'm going to do everything in my power to NOT be talked into selling my 911. It's my "weekend therapy" if you get my drift. Some people go hunting, some go boating, but I on the other hand, love talking rides to the mountains in my Porsche 996. It's cheaper than a psychologist! Anyway, I would encourage you to try to find a spot for your daughter's car (if she gets one) and not worry about the "third car" that's hoggin' the garage. In my opinion, your Porsche is a very exclusive (and expensive) car that is worth securing in a enclosed garage. Put her Toyota Corolla outside and she'll appreciate that fact that you're trying to protect your investment. Encourage her to help wash and maintain her new car. If she makes an reasonable effort, then why not purchase a metal shelter for her to park. Or, maybe your daily driver can be parked outside, but I wouldn't let the Porsche sit outside. I restored a classic truck and didn't have a garage to park it in and over time, the weather damaged the exterior of the vehicle. I spent thousands on that truck. Hope that gives you something to think about. A big part of marriage and family is about giving and selflessness, but when comes to something that is important to you, then encourage them to also think about things you enjoy in life. Hopefully, you'll find a compromise and make the right decision. But if you decide to sell it and don't want to the hassle selling it privately, then trade it in, but know the value and don't let the dealers play number games with you. Overall, you're better off selling it outright, then taking the cash and making offers. Cheers!

Daughter needs garage space dad gets rid of 911 to accommodate....are you drunk? Keep the 911 What did you pay for it?

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+1 Here is your solution: http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...rage-Pro-8-000 $1,995 plus shipping. Put it together yourself in one day. I have had two of these in a 3-car garage since 2008 (making it a 5 car garage). My ceilings are normal height, basically 9 feet. Once you have one, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. In addition to storage, they work great for repair work, inspections, detailing. You can put a piece of plywood between the runners and store lawnmowers, kids bikes, all of that extra crap laying around the garage. You'll need to have about 8 buddies to help you move it off the truck and into your garage. One piece weighs about 440 lbs, so you need that brute squad to move it off the truck and into position. Other than that one big piece, it's a reasonable DIY job with just you and one helper.

First, post some pics! Second, if you're going to sell it, update the IMS then put it on auction at bringatrailer. The 996's are bringing very good money there. Third, first cars are meant to be parked outside. Certainly your daughter's first car isn't going to be something super nice and/or new?

You nearly always come out ahead selling yourself. Why do you think used car dealers exist? If you are ok with taking the ~$5k hit, then trade. Which brings up another point of confusion. If you trade the car, then you are still stuck with the problem of too many cars, and not enough garage space. You aren't solving the fewer cars issue with a trade, and if you get an MDX of course - you will be permabanned from rennlist. muuaahahahhaha! j/k If it was an aero speed yellow, I'd prolly buy it from you. but - already have a red aero, so sorry...

Couple of rules for private sale. First, never give any prospective buyer directions to meet at your own home. Instead, meet at some public place. Second, don't advertise it on Craigslist. You'll get a bunch of tire kickers not serious buyers. Try the for sale section of this forum and also I've had good luck with Autotrader.com - and several others similar. Just do a search for your type of car to see what is already being offered for sale there. Yeah, private sales are a PITA - but why not put that $5k in your own pocket. There is one exception. In most states (if there is a sales tax), when you trade you save the "trade in price" vs. the new car in sales tax. Here in Wash. state, that's about 10%. So if you get, say $25k for your trade, that saves you (here) about $2500 in sales tax. So if the difference in a private sale or a trade in is, say, $4k, for the $1500 difference you may elect to trade not sell. Certainly up to you.

I agree with Porsche Mike. Don't use Craigslist if you want to avoid lots of tire kickers, telemarketers, and potential thieves. It was a headache to me... got lots of calls everyday that burned up a lot of time explaining things that were already on the listing only to have them never show up. For me, I ended up selling my truck on eBay and the buyer paid in cash. I've also had pretty good luck with AutoTrader, but you'll still get tons of dead-beat tire kickers. Re: Dealerships - The tax on trade is the same in Georgia. You basically pay the taxes on the difference, but again, it all boils down to the bottom line.

Keep the car. We're probably somewhere in the same neck of the woods, seein' as how you mentioned Mayo. I have regretted every single stinkin' time I've parted with a car that I loved. "Made sense" at the time, but it doesn't take long until you're kicking yourself. I've had a 944, Vette, RoadRunner, 'Cuda 340, Buick GS400, Duster 340, MG, and more as relaxation/hobby cars over the years. I'd give my left nut if I could have any one of them back. You WILL regret it. If you have to do so, just rent a self-storage garage for 6 months or so. Pickle the car properly (battery out, tires off the ground, etc.) and don't even look at it. See how you feel at the end of 6 months. Not to be cruel, but the daughter is a temporary situation. If she's getting a car, she'll be out of the house (hopefully at college) in 2 years. You can't wait that long?

One other option is to sell it on consignment. I used RAC in Carrolton, TX to sell my 997tt and only got charged 5%. Since their GM left (Denver, awesome guy), their rates have jumped but I think there are a few other similar places you could try. And yes, your logic for selling seems really really lame. But if you just wanted the experience of owning a 911, then check it off your list and move on. If you miss it like crazy you can always buy back in. I did.

I'm with Carl... you'll be sick to let it go. I sold one of my favorite sports cars and regret it. You might even want to make the Porsche YOUR daily driver and get rid of the "second car" and use the money towards your wife's SUV upgrade and the daughter's first car. Boy, it's hard pleasing the ladies isn't it?! Question(s): what is your wife driving now? And, what is your current "daily driver"?

Thanks for all of the replies. As I suspected, there was no shortage of opinions. I will try to reply back to as many as possible. Please feel free to keep the dialogue going as I appreciate your thoughts. Car outside is not an option. HOA won't allow it (I can hear it now, "sell the house and keep the car!"). Don't have a garage that will allow me to stack cars. Also don't have room for another garage/carport. HOA wouldn't allow a carport anyway. The IMS thing has really never bothered me much. When I talked to the guys at Mayo, they didn't seem to concerned either. My primary concern with that is if I try to sell it without that work done first. We are looking at an MDX 1-3 years old, cost somewhere in the mid to upper thirties. Looking at dealership projections online, they say I should get 29-31k in trade. I don't owe anything and would just pay the difference for the new car. I took it to CarMax the other day just for a baseline. They could find nothing wrong with my car and gave me a straight cash offer of $24k (no trade). I agree with all of the Speed Yellow lovers. I too love the color. That said, I am a private banker and that is another reason I could never get away with driving it everyday. It just does not work to show up to some meetings in a car like that- even if it is 12 years old!! Regarding the car math. My wife currently drives a minivan (gag!) We are clearing that out for the MDX (real upgrade in my mind). Daughter will get my 1994 C280 MB and I will probably buy 2006-2010 E Class. Yes, she will have Benz, but it is 22 years old, a car I have been driving for several years and something I feel comfortable with her driving. I have always enjoyed an older Benz and if I buy another, it would be my 5th. I also don't like car payments of any kind for any car. Regarding reqrets, yes, I will regret it. I have wanted to own a yellow sports car for as long as I can remember and I have always loved 911s. This car is a great merger of those two. That said, I really think I have to do it. By the way, my wife is in no way pushing me one way or the other. As soon as I mentioned a possible sale or trade, she said she did not want to be a part of the decision! It was up to me. Great wife!! I will post some pics in the next couple of days. Probably tomorrow. One other thing I forgot to mention is that it has the side skirts. Only the ones along the bottom of the doors (I prefer this over the full side skirts along the full length of the body). A couple of you brought up the sales tax thing. On a $30k+ transaction, that's real money and is not lost on me. To the one who said my logic for a sale is lame, I will say it is quite simple. I just don't have the room for 4 cars and I do not want (and can't) drive a bright yellow car as a DD. If I was retired and had no one else to answer to, it would not be an issue. The fact is, my profession will not allow it. Love the car, but just seem to be too many factors pushing me toward a sale/trade.

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A Cayenne would also be a much better option than an MDX... Acura??? Bleh!

If there's little time pressure, I'd sell privately via reenlist, PCA, pelican, or even BaT. Your car's a bit unusual in its equipment; target the broadest market liable to re$pect that fact. Then buy a seal gray 2004 C4S with a Raby 4-liter. Discreet DD that kicks asphalt on the weekends, license plate FUHOA. Just a suggestion.

Park it at work... That's what I do with extra stuff. I leave it in the garage at work. Problem solved. It does appear that all the advice to keep it was unsolicited as your thread was sell it or trade it not sell it or keep it... If money is not a driving force for you then trade it and forget the hassle of private party sale. But just know you pay for the privilege..

Rent a storage space near work. Lease a camry. Use the Porsche as a daily driver. When you have meetings trade the Porsche for the camry and go to work.

It's amazing how many responders pay zero attention to the OP's original post and what type of advise he is looking for. He needs to part ways with his 996 and is looking for opinions on whether to trade it in or attempt a private party sale. Texredr, ultimately your decision comes down to is the additional $5k you might earn by way of a private party sale worth the B.S. you might have to go thru to get it. The last time I sold a car of mine privately was when I parted ways with my 944 Turbo back in 2002 to purchase a new Honda S2000. The Honda dealer offered me $4k less than I sold it for 7 days later. Their offer was so low it was a no brainer for me at that time. My last 2 purchases I accepted the dealers offers although in hindsight know I could have netted a few thousand more in a private party sale. Why don't you test the waters first, put your 996 on the market before you buy a replacement and see how much interest it garners.

Based on the OPs post, it sounds to me that you really don't enjoy your Porsche or you would easily find a solution to your not enough room problem, and that's okay because it's your decision. Your Porsche sounds like a cream puff but for whatever reason you are trying to find reasons to either sell it or trade. I've rarely traded my vehicles and have always put more $ in my pocket by selling it my vehicles myself.GL with your decision, hope it works out for you.

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That may be true, but we've already crossed the "Trade vs. Private sell" discussion and it appears that Tex knows how to manage money and how to handle a business transaction... he's a banker for goodness sakes. I think many in the thread empathize with his appreciation for the 996 and it seems that he might be cruising down the road of potential regret later. Tex, there are always options if you seek them. If you really want to let the Porsche go... then break out the Frozen song "LET IT GO" and sing it farewell. But I see heartache in the mix. I've also dealt with Home Owner's Associations and have never heard of one not allowing you to park a car on your own freakin' driveway, that's overboard, but again, that's a HOA for you. I got another option... why not park the car in the backyard. Does your property allow easy access to the back yard? Purchase a single car enclosure and waaa laaaa.... it out of sight, and out of HOA minds. Cheers!

Keep all the cars and have your daughter park in a different neighbors driveway every night

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I'm trying to work up some sympathy, but it's just not quite happening. As for your job, I would say you're a little full of yourself there. My banker(who handles many millions in assets) drives a 928, has a 53 Merc rod, and a big Harley of some kind(I don't know Harleys). I've seen him drive the Merc to the bank and park it out front. Anyway, you are destined to sell it, so I'd say if you don't want the hassle give it to Carmax for $24k and let them make some profit I guess. You don't strike me as the DIY car sales guy.

Well, since we got yelled at by porsche951, here's some on topic advice: Sell it on Bring A Trailer. It is unique enough to get picked up on there. Anybody selling a 996 via private party sale right now would be crazy not to try to get them to auction it for you. Yesterday, a flood/salvage title 996tt from the northeast United States brought $35,500.

Give it to your daughter as her DD with the agreement that she lets you borrow it on some weekends to drive to the local C&C?

Another worthless thread - No photos, a narrow body C2 with original IMS just about at the sweet spot for IMS implosion. Some dealer whats to give you $24K for it? Take the money and run - Leave us to other more important issues current on OT forum - figuring out potential "rotted tire keychain startup business" questions and critique worthless uncreative "art posters" of dash cluster guages.

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If I have a private banker he better have a nice ride. Private banker driving a Mercury or Pontiac would concern me.

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Coincidentally, I'm taking my banker to lunch tomorrow so he can ride in my new ride. If he gets the bug I'll tell him he can buy yours for $24,100. Then we could close the thread and get back to the hot barista pics!

Carmax offered him $24k. The dealer offered him $30k in trade. That is strong money for that car. If you are set on the MDSucks then I would trade it. There are much better cool SUV's. Buy a Cayenne TT for yourself, debadge it, and let your wife drive a 2010 E class (I.e. The warm wall paper paste of MB's). Problem solved.

I always like to quote that great philosopher, Ricky Nelson (yeah, that one - the younger brother on Ozzie and Harriet): He actually developed a singing career (for those old enough to remember). In fact, he was a teen heart throb. (and I always thought a very good looking young man). At any rate, if you listen to him sing one of his most popular songs: Ricky Nelson - Garden Party - YouTube It's all right now, I learned my lesson well. See you can't please everyone so you got to please yourself. Who cares what others think about the car you drive? It's only you that has to be pleased.

If Ricky Nelson had bigger **** he would have made it big

Buy your Daughter an old POS and keep it outside!! A co-workers daughter has totaled 2 cars and wrecked 1 and she has more than 1 yr of college left. Do the math on that one.

Wrap the car in a color more tolerable for your profession and use it as a daily driver! If you move to a home that allows you another vehicle, unwrap the car and you have your yellow dream car back.

2006-2010 E-class, good choice. Get an AMG version If you do want to keep the car, rent a Public Storage 20x10 box. Should be $130/month. Park one car in the box. My Porsche lived in that box for the first 6 months. My place did not have a garage or carport, so I parked it in the box a few miles away.

A few pics. Not the best, but I'm not a photographer...

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Yes guns up! If your still in Lubbock take it to any Reagor dykes location.

No doubt! Guns Up! I still have family out there, but I live in the Metroplex now.

1) I love the car, BUT 2) SELL IT! (Don't trade!!) The car is 12 years old, AND 3) Things will go wrong with it, and you will not have the time or inclination to have them addressed, and the price will zoom downward, AND 4) There will ALWAYS be a better car down the road, and, furthermore, 5) You will eventually get tired of this car. If you're a banker, this will not be your ultimate car, so move it while you can get good $$ for it. Do not use the dealer, because what they might give you extra for your trade in, they will add to your next purchase. Always better to deal one on one with a genuine private party. That said, yes, buyers are a pain in the ****. No matter what price you list it for, a buyer will want LESS. So, make sure to factor that into your initial asking price.

That car won't be hard to sell.

I love Speed Yellow. As someone suggested earlier, put it up on Bring A Trailer. This should fetch pretty good money. Though, if you can get 30-32k in trade, that's hard to turn down too (especially when you figure in tax).