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YOUR RESEARCHAre non silver/black C4S really worth thousands more?
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Check car's pricing
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Just for laughs I checked my car's pricing on KBB.
Are non silver/black C4S really worth thousands more?
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Leading evidence: 'Check car's pricing' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'most personal choice in car purchases' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check car's pricing' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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colors are probably the most personal choice in car purchases
Are non silver/black C4S really worth thousands more?
Check other boxes better than other
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When I bought mine, I was searching for something different than grey/black, but I would have bought one of those colors if I had find one unit that would check all the other boxes better than other with a different color
Are non silver/black C4S really worth thousands more?
Clean but
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Wow that is incredible clean but that is quite the price.
Are non silver/black C4S really worth thousands more?
Repair documented since new...both had identical miles and price....guess
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100% agreement here...when I was looking (almost 8 years ago)...I wanted a silver convertible...and found it (with no history records from the owner)....at the same time I found a black convertible with every single oil change and repair documented since new...both had identical miles and price....guess which one I bought, and still own.....
Are non silver/black C4S really worth thousands more?
Check other boxes better than other
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When I bought mine, I was searching for something different than grey/black, but I would have bought one of those colors if I had find one unit that would check all the other boxes better than other with a different color
Are non silver/black C4S really worth thousands more?
Repair documented since new...both had identical miles and price....guess
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100% agreement here...when I was looking (almost 8 years ago)...I wanted a silver convertible...and found it (with no history records from the owner)....at the same time I found a black convertible with every single oil change and repair documented since new...both had identical miles and price....guess which one I bought, and still own.....
Are non silver/black C4S really worth thousands more?
Use "unique color card"
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On the other hand, Porsche did very selling lots of Artic Silver, Seal Grey, and Black 996's to fit the era of 2002-2004 and seemed to use the "unique color card" for the 996 turbo's and cabrolet's as I experienced in my 996 search FWIW.
Are non silver/black C4S really worth thousands more?
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Hey all,
I've been lurking here for a while and have been aggressively shopping for the right 996 C4S to add to my garage. I've noticed a couple things along the way and I'd love to hear input from you guys as to how it is best approached:
There are approximately a bajillion black exterior or silver exterior 996s with either all black or all grey interiors. The prices on these cars in good condition seem to range between $28000-$31000
Anybody who is selling a yellow, red, or other brightly colored C4S (cobalt blue for example) seems to think they suddenly deserve a $3-4k premium over a more common color. This places the cars in the range of $33,000-$36,000.
Are these price premiums justified in the form of being able to recoup the cost upon resale? Is it just dealer hype?
edit: I've also noticed the KBB values for C4Ss are basically useless. Every example I see has a KBB "value" of 23-25k but the asking prices are always ~$5k more than that. Any opinions on this?
Don't get me wrong I'd pay a grand or so premium for a cool color... but $4k? And a lot of these people are completely inflexible and wanna tell me that their 75,000 mile 4S is packed with "rare" options and act insulted when I try and get them close to $30k
My opinion.....KBB and other pricing guides suck for 911's.
C4S's in rare colors are like albino animals. Same guts, rare look. It's all in the eyes of the beholder and the wallet.
Depends on the combo and how much you want it. I'd pay a premium for something in Speed Yellow and if it had matching interior, etc., but nothing crazy, since those colors are actually harder to move when it's time to sell, conveniently...
Depends on what color you like and how much you are willing to pay for it. If your offer insults the current owner wish him well with his sale and walk off. Someday he/she will realize the truth or someone will pay the inflated price. Either way make yourself comfortable with your purchase. How bout this buy a silver one and have it wrapped in whatever color makes you happy.
I'm partial to Seal Grey but I am biased!
like this one that failed to meet reserve on BaT at a $30k high bid with two accidents reported, non-functioning driver mirror, old tires and repainted rear bumper? Seller is dead firm at $35k
I remember that thread. A few $K is one thing, but that was stupid money PLUS accidents reported... You could get a nice 997.1 S with the same history and color for that money on the actual market, probably.
Color is a very personal choice and people pay/charge accordingly. I'm guilty of owning and loving my arctic silver metallic/metropol blue 03 c4s. It gets many compliments from total strangers, and never has anyone said "oh, another silver Porsche". additionally, for all the talk about how many 996s Porsche produced, i rarely see any others on the roads in NJ/NY/PA other than at cars & coffees or PCA get togethers.
Now that you say that, same here, even in a market the size of Houston. Most of the time when I THINK it's an oncoming 996, it's almost always a Boxster of similar vintage as it gets closer. I too get compliments on mine especially when driving thru for coffee, even when it's dirty as hell, like now...
It's a personal choice. It's only "worth" what someone is willing to pay - everything else is meaningless. Paint to sample is a little different because of the true rareness factor (ie: "it's a one of a kind") - but even that has caveats. I wouldn't even buy a Guards Red or Speed Yellow (not that I don't think they look great, just not my style) car no less pay a $5k premium for it (unless it was a crazy good deal
).
Buff... colors are probably the most personal choice in car purchases
When I bought mine, I was searching for something different than grey/black, but I would have bought one of those colors if I had find one unit that would check all the other boxes better than other with a different color
I mean, I prefer a color different to grey or black? yes. But buying a second hand porsche is that the most important thing?... no. At least, if you have a determined budget.
I wont pay 4K plus for an specific color if you have another unit that is in the same mechanical/care shape.
LOL actually she does, she's 20 and single, so not sure if that's in your range or not haha...
I'm glad I met my wife when I did, but, more than anything I wish I'd bought a 911 the same time I bought my ex-550i for the same money. My 996 was our 'compromise' purchase, but she likes riding in it, so next time I can splurge a tad more. At least she prefers a 991 over a 997 looks-wise, so we're in agreement there!
When I was looking for my 996, I was only looking for Guards Red or Silver.
I almost bought a Guards Red one.
In fact I was a day away from buying one when I saw my Seal Grey posted for sale.
Now I would pay more for a Speed Yellow Aerokit, or a silver Aerokit.
I also really like Midnight Blue.
But no color is worth $4K to me.
That paint to sample interior looks horrible in the picture.
I hope it looks better in person.
Given three identical cars in red, yellow, and black, I'd pay $500 extra for the black one.
Given three identical black cars with red, beige, and black interiors, I'd also pay more for the black interior.
Well it would certainly be great to find a seller who feels the same way. Far as I can tell they're all convinced they've got a Honus Wagner card on their hands if it's a yellow or red one
That's a lot of red, but it doesn't offend me. i find that when i'm traveling exceptionally fast in my c4s (which is most of the time) i'm focused entirely on the road, not the internal/external color of my car. i'd drive a pink 996 with polka dots if that was my only option. It's the driving experience, not the look! Just my 2 cents.
I'm with ya, i think that interior is rad. I'd buy it and replace all grey carpet with black and, bam, it would be sick.
My guess is your lack of response is because sale is pending. The ad is visible in cars.com, but when you click on it, says "ad couldn't be found" as in he's taken it down.
If it makes you feel any better, one thing about the ad (that's still live on autotrader) gives me a bad vibe -- it has all weather tires on it. Jake Raby talks about Florida cars in one his vids stating that a lot of cars for sale in Florida were originally northern cars shipped to summer homes and that's why so many "southern" cars develop bore scoring. Apparently cars that live in cold climates are more prone to bore scoring..... so, if it is gone, justify it by thinking you dodged a bullet
Yeah I reached out directly to cars.com and they called the guy and he told them the car had already sold. I do feel less sad about it now though, thanks
Be careful probably half the cars on Autotrader or cars.com are already sold. They don�t take down the listings because they have problems getting people to advertise with them. And, guys who complain about prices of colors that are interesting and not plane jane are just mad because they are cheap. When they resell they will want a premium too. My buddy resells porsches all the time and he must get a screaming deal
to do this...guess what all of his cars are black or silver. Nobody cares about those colors. 20 years ago manufacturers did not take chances with colors
like they will today. Thats why its hard to find even red and yellow. You want a Porsche you gotta pay to play. Sounds like the little kids who complain that Tacoma's aren�t sold at kbb price. Lame
Yeah this is really kind of a ridiculous post. There is no governing body setting the market for used Porsches and they are worth exactly what the market is willing to pay for them. There�s a reason all the red and yellow 996s sit on the market for months and it seems like sellers are somewhat up their own *** about it. It�s the �I know what I got� mentality
Before I got my 996 I was trying to snag a 997.1 in Racing Yellow but it was honestly close to $7k over what it was worth. Guy wouldn't even budge. Car had been on Autotrader nearly a year. So, had to move on.
Everyone thinks the one they own is the best one on the planet. The massive oil consumption issue and the mysterious sludge in the coolant? Trivial!
Good luck finding the right one.
100% agreement here...when I was looking (almost 8 years ago)...I wanted a silver convertible...and found it (with no history records from the owner)....at the same time I found a black convertible with every single oil change and repair documented since new...both had identical miles and price....guess which one I bought, and still own.....
I once owned a artic silver '02 C4S and sold it one day because it was in excellent condition and I had all service records of my ownership after buying it used in 2004. The price I asked for it had little to do with it's color and all to its condition as perceived by buyer. As others have mentioned and I totally agree with is color. is a personal preference and if you "feel" you want a specific color then go find one as we don't ( or I don't) buy Porsche's often so treat yourself...��.. On the other hand, Porsche did very selling lots of Artic Silver, Seal Grey, and Black 996's to fit the era of 2002-2004 and seemed to use the "unique color card" for the 996 turbo's and cabrolet's as I experienced in my 996 search FWIW. Good Luck with your search!! Demosan :
It's hard to be color picky on a used car. And I don't believe the speed yellows or Orient reds have some additional value in the marketplace.
I had a few parameters when I bought mine used in 2009: Favorite color: Polar Silver, Colors I just could not accept :Arena Red (I like reds but hate the port wine colors) & Nephrite green on the interior or exterior.
And no to the old/dried looking mustard interior color as well.
Everything else was in the realm of being acceptable. I drove a beautiful Speed yellow 2002 with yellow seat backs and center console but the dealer wouldn't budge on an inflated price.
The problem with all colors - including black - is they don't STAY that color. The pink that originally-red Porsche interiors turn after 15-20 years of sun bleaching isn't my favorite hue.
I bought the my G red 4S just because I don't see many of them. Would I pay extra, nope. I almost bought a silver one a week earlier but this red one came up before the seller countered. Personally I think the silver shows the panel in the rear so much better,which is why these heavy 4S's right.
We bought our silver/black 4s in 2012. Found the same as the OP. We wanted a speed yellow but prices were higher than we were willing to pay.
We settled on the silver/black for the money.
Color is very personal. For me....it HAD to be speed yellow or I wasn't interested. Now I personally didn't pay over market for my two yellow cars but I have a buddy that very much paid over market for his two. But it's not so simple, his were both aeros one a C2 and the other an x50 Turbo....so hard to say exactly what role the color played in those prices.
Similarly, I recently bought a defender 90 NAS....AA yellow or nothing.
If I owned a lambo it certainly wouldn't be black or silver.
