'04 vs '05 - which way to go?

OK, i am a newbie to Rennlist and to soon to be to Porsche. Just sold my C5 Vette. Now its time to move up to a Porsche. Just drove a friends '99 coupe and have the bug. Now the big decision. Buy an '04 with some discount or wait and get the '05 (maybe an S with more hp). What do you guys think the pros and cons are. What kind of discounts are people getting ? Anyone order an '05 and get a discount ? Thx in advance. Looking forward to joining the club

Wait if you can stand it ... the 996 99-04 is likely to take a big depreciation hit when the 05 997 comes out. Or, try a 993 if you want some old-school Porsche feel :-) Vic 95 C2

much better to wait, although the "S" version doesnt look to be a bargain at colse to 10k more for 20hp, 19"wheels and adjut. suspesnsion

Wait for the '05. Why buy a car that is gping to be replaced within a few months?

I guess I'd say it depends on what Porsche model you intend to buy. This being the 996 portion of the board, the assumption is that you are looking at the 996/997 model. OTH, there is no "S with more HP" in this model line. The only S with more HP would be in the Boxster model line. The "S" in the 996 line stands mostly for better brakes, better suspension, wider track, bigger tires and wheels. Porsches, and all cars that are expensive, take a big hit in depreciation in the first two years. This will be true regardless of whether it is a '04 996 or an '05 997. The 997 is a disappointing evolution, IMHO. And I am not the only one who has that opinion. Given that as background, I don't believe that the 04's will take a bigger depreciation than any other year. You are out of the C5 'vette. What are you driving now? If I were in your shoes, I'd take the discounted '04 NOW.

I agree 100%. An 05 will depreciate just as quickly as an 04. If you want an S model you're looking at a 4S. I would wait for the 05 models to come out then go hunting for a left over 04 - the discount you get will offset the depreciation somewhat giving you a much better deal.

thoughts: 1)there are some 04's that i think will maintain a high degree of desirability namely the gt3! This car is held by many as the best thing to happen to the 996 series. Also the 996 turbo will likely be offered along side the 997 for 1-2 more model years...the turbo can be had for as little as 10k more than a very well equipped c4s 2)**WARNING THREAD HIGH JACK*** Palting I have heard from some that the 997 is held in low regard...why? I have been contemplating an S model in a couple 2-3 years.

To avoid a hijack, check the archives. After that, if you still have questions/opinions, resurrect one of the threads or start one .

I take it sligthly different than how some of you folks described. Instead of deciding 04/05, you should decide whether you want 996 or 997. I really believe Porsche has done an excellent job keeping each model unique. I would not call 993 an older 911. 993 is 993 not an old 911. If you want 996, you won't be able to buy a new one next year or so. What you can have will be 997. I dont suppose this makes sense to everyone. This is what makes 911 such desirble sportcars regardless of MYs. Probably this is the reason why we see people with both 993 and 996. They are different cars with different characteristics. I don't know anyone who keeps 98 and 04 Lexus LS for the same reason. Having said this, if you are in the market for a 911, since the introduction of 997 is just around the corner, it may not be a bad idea to wait and see if you like the style /performance/characteristics of 997. Who knows 997 is exactly what you want!! Anyways, I must tell you that I do enjoy my 996! It is such a practical sportscar where my 2 years old daughter can enjoy the ride in the back seat (Britax Roundabout ) Enjoy your shopping.

I recently considered waiting for 997 though really wanted out of the Boxster S and back into a 911 and to some extent couldn't wait. But I was partly swayed by (a) got a super deal on a 996 Targa ($10k off sticker), (b) wasn't sure what I might be getting with a 997 (we still aren't though there are a lot of clues now), (c) some worry about bugs with a new introduction, and (d) unlikely to be any discounts on 997's for a while. Don't know what your budget is, but the 40th and the C4S are great cars (very, very tough to decide between them), and it seems the market is getting good to pick up some major discounts, so either of those may be a great choice. They will all depreciate, but a $10k discount does soften that blow.

I would look for a sweet deal on a 40th or C4S, instead of paying sticker and waiting in line for the 997. I did that with my 996 back in '99...never again.

I just made the same decision, pick up my 40th on Friday. Why wait, the deal you can get on a 40th right now with the increased power, Nav and ALL the options included is tough to beat, plus the care ROCKS! I would not buy in the first 6-9 mos of a model year and why pay MSRP when you can be in a $94K car for $84 or lower. Just my opionion.

NEVER buy a first model year porsche--ask most 1999 996 owners. life is short -- get your c4s now!

You can keep waiting and waiting for the better looking or better performing model or you can an already excellent vehicle, the 996.

I think a 04 996 will be far more relialable than the new 997. I'd get a used, low-mileage 996 and wait until the new 997 breaks in.

Welcome to the board. Great options to have. Personally, I am always concerned about buying one of the first new models of any car. The GT3 was an exception. I would purchase a used 996 maybe a year or two old that has depreciated, and maybe in one or two years buy a new 997. Then most of the bugs are ironed out. If I was leasing the car, and it was not going to be a long term keeper and not a daily driver, I probably would opt for the 997.

I agree. I just bought my 996 C2 Cab last week, it is a 2002 with only 14K milles on it and what a sweet ride and the deal I got... I will wait for 998 then we shall see... 997 is again only going to be around for a short time...then replace by 998 in 2007 as a 2008 model... 997 exterior looks aren't that much different from a 996 except for the headlinghts imo.

I have a 99 C4 which was built almost at the end of the 99 run and have had no problems. If you want a 997, Id wait for a couple months like someone else suggested. Bobby

Doesn't anybody think the dual shaft gearbox would be worth waiting for? I havn't tried it in the Audi, but it sounds like it will be an plus. AS