Good price?

Okay Guys, I need your input on this one... My friend finally gave me a price - $55k. '01 996 Cab Dark Blue - HT - 3 spoke wheel - Tip - 18" wheel - 1 disc cd - 19K mi price is $55k Is this a good deal?

Geez..I gotta think 50-51 MAX..not a C4..any tech /comfort stuff? Xenons? 18" wheels? Which ones? PSM?

I think it is a fair price, but not a great deal from your perspective. If he can wait 6 months to sell, he might get $55K (but if the 6 mos pass, he will never get it, as these cars depreciate ~$500 / mo!) If he lists it at $49,999 I think he will have multiple serious inquiries within 2 weeks. So split the difference and move on... (note I'm driving something quite similiar to what you're looking at). -j PS My comments are based on you being in FLA, TX, CA or some other cab-friendly environment. If you're in a place where cabs can only be enjoyed 6 months / yr....take $4K off my prices above.

Here's a link to search all the used cars at Porsche dealers. http://www.porschedealer.com/poclocator/ Expect the prices you see to be quite a bit higher than private party actual sales. Most people say that the dealer used cars cost them ~$5k more than private party sales (which some will say is justified if they are Porsche certified w/ 100K mile warranty). My guesstamate is that the dealer lists the price up 5% - 10% higher than what he's willing to negotiate to.

Thansk, RedCab and Seal2CC , I really appreciate your inputs; My friend told me the price is negotiable, because he was just going to take to the dealer. I would assume the dealer is going to give him the trade-in $$ - $52.2k according to K Blue book. I will offer him $52.5K and see what happen. RedCab, I am actually in Los Angeles, where we only have two seasons - cold summer and hot summer. Cab will be a plus down here. The car is in Fremont, CA. I would like to take the car for a PDI and a warranty checkup. Since I have never own a porsche before, is this something expensive and time consumming? I was thinking of flying up and drive it down over the weekend. Do you have a good dealership you can recommend?

Just my personal preference, if it is a C2 and it doesn't have PSM, I'd pass. There are a lot of options you can add later but this is not one of them. And after having seen what it does, I wouldn't own one without it. I'd also do a lot of research on the options available. I made a very expensive mistake when I bought my first Porsche. I didn't understand the options available and got one without certain "must have's" - Personal preference. I made sure that I didn't make this same mistake twice when I bought my current Porsche. The good news is that options on a used car don't add much to the cost as opposed to the price when purchased new. Take your time. Determine what you want on the car and then go find it. There are a LOT of used Porsche's on the market. Make sure you get the one that you want.

I'm in SF Bay area, also Cab-friendly territory. They will have a slight premium at this time of year, as the weather solidifies. The dealers typically will offer $10K - $12K LESS on a trade in than they will list the car for sale -- so your best negotiation tactic with your brother's friend may be for him to take the car to a dealer to see just how low it can go. I'll bet it is < $50K. Your $52.K will seem optimistic afterwards. I think that PPI will run ~$200, only takes an hour or two, and most people think it is a drop in the bucket compared to the purchase price. I didn't do one when I bought mine because I figured that I still had 2+ years of warranty left. You have to make your own call. Since you're just a short flight away, I'd have the PPI done, and if it checks out, finalize the $, fly up here with the stated intention that the deal is done except that you have to test drive it (and you can back out without any penelty or bad feeling at that point). Your only investment is a relatively cheap plane ticket. Assuming all goes well, you can drive home that night (fast/straight on I-5 or fast/curvy on PCH). Good luck!

Thanks, Davemo and RedCab, I finally got the details of the car: 2001 Carrera Cabriolet TIP Lapis Blue Metallic Leather Seats - Graphite Grey Black soft top + Lapis Blue Metallic Hard top Comfort Package Technic Package 18" lt Alloy Wheel-turbo look 3-spoke lthr Steering Wheel Wheel caps with colored crest Porsche Stability Management Supple Leather Front and Rear Graphite Grey Floor Mats Sounds like a pretty good list of options? I am not too sure about the color. My friend first told me it is dark blue. My first preference is silver or darker color. DaveMo, Since you have the same color, how does it look in Cab? The color doesn't too well on the web site. RedCab, do you have a recommendated dealer up north (near Fremont) where I can do the PPI (Porsche P? Inspection?)? Thanks for the help?

I'm on the other side of the Bay, so I don't know what's in Fremont. I've done some service at both Carlsen and Steven's Creek. For a PPI I think you could go to any Porsche dealer.

RedCab, Do you know what is in the comfort package or where I can find options for past models? TIA,

Per Autotrader.com: Comfort Package Seat, Driver Power Lumbar Support Seats, Dual Power Adjustment Seat, Passenger Power Lumbar Support Technic Package Amplifier CD Storage Shelf Headlights, Litronic High-Intensity Discharge Premium Speaker System Radio, AM/FM ETR Stereo with CD Trip Computer Wind Deflector You can go there and get all the info/options available. That's a good price for a car with the options. The Lapis is a medium metallic blue. In bright light it has a little bit of a purple hue to it. It was actually the color I was looking for and found it back east and had it shipped to the west coast. However, now that you have found a car, I'm going to throw a couple more items at you to think about. (Just trying to make the decision a little more difficult for you!!) It's a cab like mine. One of my "must have" options was heated seats. It's a really nice feature on a chilly day to put the top down and heat up the seats. Lastly, because you are looking at an '01, have you tried to find an '02. Significant improvements to the '02 over the '01, not the least of which is an additional 20HP and a glass rear window. There were also a lot of changes to the aerodymanics of the '02. epoints - Lastly, I'm in Simi Valley. If you have an opportunity and want to see the color combo, let me know and I can give you directions to my house.' Dave

yeah, the heated seats *were* on my "must have" list, actually to please the other adult approver of the purchase. Well, the care I found had everything except heated seats, and I was able to proceed anyway. Turns out to be no big deal. Yes, I'd rather have them, but without them I just turn up the heat (to floor) and let it rip. Actually quite nice in the cab, because with the windows up and the windscreen up, there is little cold are entering the cabin, even at highway speeds.

Bought my Pepper at Michaels, Fremont (I live near SF). they had fair sale prices. Look on the Porche website & do a dealer search. Fremont is farm country (not many P dealers there). Kevin M on the Cayenne Board is from Fremont, maybe he knows a good privateer.

DaveMo, Those are tough questions. I never thought of heated seats especially in mostly "hot" L.A., but as to your question on '02, I think the prices are way up there (at least 10K more). I am reaching already with $52.5k, so i am not sure if i can afford the '02. I have been searching but i was unable to find a '01 cab with low milage (<30k) below 55K. back to your questions. How much body difference is there? I would love to pay you a visit, only if time allows. I might fly up to SF to see the car this weekend. if all things go well, I will be driving it down..maybe i will stop by... RedCab, Torag, Thanks for the input. I will check out the fremont dealer. I tried calling couple dealers regarding getting the car certified, but they have no idea what I am talking about. BH Porsche said I would have to sell the car to the dealership, get it certified, and buy it back. Huhh? They said there is no such thing as certification of a private party car. I am confused....I would like to get it certified and get the extended warranty.. or is that important?

it souds like a reasonable deal. there is more than a price. since you are buying it from your friend, you know the history of the car. i think that alone is worth extra. i just bought 1999 996 C2 Aero w/12K miles from my buddy. My case is little different than yours though. he is a very good friend and gave me a really good deal as i helped him find a 911tt he wanted to buy (silver, tip, nav)

i'd say it's worth about $51K or so at the most. the KBB trade-in prices are based on averages and don't represent the true trade-in value on 996s. for instance, i have a C4 couple with similar options and i was only offered $42K for trade-in!

DaveMo is not the first person I've heard say this, and of course, everyone's entitled to their opinion but I'm confused about this one and it doesn't jibe with my experience. I have a 2001 C2 coupe (no PSM) and after owning a series of cars with anti-skid/yaw control type features I am delighted to not have it on my P-car. We have had some incredibly torrential rain recently here in Austin, and I had a little trepidation about driving in it, but found that it performed perfectly. All that weight in the rear keeps the car glued to the pavement and there was no hint of slippage. I would point out that I have tires with only 5k miles on and they're in excellent shape and I feel this is the real secret to wet weather driving. If I lived somewhere prone to ice and snow I'd get winter tires and have no concerns about driving it. By the way, $55k is way too much for that car. When he takes it to the dealer they'll probably offer him mid 40s. ALL the online blue book pricing is high for Porsches right now. Edmunds shows the car I bought late december as being $60k for a certified car with 52 as trade. I paid 50 from a Porsche dealer and it would probably be a little cheaper now. C.

epoints - If the '01 fits your budget paramaters I would go for it. It certainly sounds like a nice car and knowing the history is worth something. I assume that you wanted a Tip and are not just getting a Tip because that's what your friend is selling. You also mentioned that you were unsure about Lapis Blue. It is a pretty unique color (my favorite) but not for everyone. If the color doesn't work for you, I wouldn't go for it. You are going to have to live with it for quite a while or end up taking a hit to get out of it. I am around this week if you want to make arrangements to see the Lapis Blue/Grey combo, but out of town on the week-end. The local PCA chapter has an overnight run to Hearst Castle this week-end. If you do get the car and decide to come home via that route, we will be around Cambria Saturday afternoon-Sunday morning and I can give you some contact info to hook up with the group. If interested, send me a PM. Good luck!! Dave

Teflon_Jones, chrisalberts, Thanks. I will try $51k to$52k since the registration is paid till next year. I actually want a tip, since i am not a true 'driver'. Besides, my wife can't drive a stick and I am not about to let her learn on a porsche. I won't be able to meet up with you, but IF i get the car, I am interested in meeting up with PCA in Cambria. I will PM you. another ? Even the seller said there is no mechanical problem, how do i know there is a RMS problem? Someone mentioned oil on the floor? I will be taking the car to dealership for an inspection. Will they see it?

Sometimes I think the opinions on this board is not representative of the market as a whole. I have been reading how soft the market is on 996's for some time now (I heard the same thing about 993�s but I managed to sell my car for a decent price). I have also been looking at 996�s from a buyers perspective for about 3 months now. From the prices on these car and some of negotiations I have done I am not sure the market is as soft as everyone wants to say it is. From my experience, the market is soft on certain cars. Things are definitely soft on the MY 99 cars (especially the C2's) and even to a certain extent C4�s. The reputation may be undeserving but it has effected the prices. The market for lightly optioned cars is also soft. There are lots of cars with very basic options available but there is are not many with lots of options. Litronics and PSM equipped cars are rather difficult to find (and both options are in demand). When they are found the prices offered are usually a couple of $k above the other cars. Modifications also effect the price of the cars. Even though many on this board are interested in things such as modified suspensions, exhaust, etc.; however, in general many 996 buyers are not and these type of modifications can have a negative effect on the price of the car or the ability to sell the car quickly (unless you can find a fellow enthusiast that wants those exact same modifications). Even as a someone interested in some light modifications (i.e. ROW M030) I am not interested in most modified cars that are for sell for various reasons, unless I can really get real comfortable with the seller and it is the exact modifications I want. Take the following for what its worth, but....I have had some access to some recent pricing at auctions in the New York/New Jersey area (April 2004). 2001 C2 coupes with mileage in the 25-40k mark with Litronics and PSM are going for the 48-51k (these are actual selling prices). With wholesale prices like this you can expect to see prices in the mid to upper 50's (figure most dealers of these cars expect to make a $4-5k profit on these cars). The market on these cars is volatile and seems to really depend on condition and options and color combos. At this point with so many cars to choose from lightly optioned cars are really selling for lower prices while cars with more options are still maintaining their value to an extent. From talking with a couple of dealer friends color combinations and options such as PSM, Litronics, 3 spoke steering wheel and a couple of other options make all the difference in the price and the ability to sell the cars. Just some thoughts, YMMV.

RE: RMS leak. If the car is leaking, the mechanic should be able to see it. However, this has been a problem on these engines and may not show up for a while. The first leak did not occur on my C4 until 27K miles. So is your car out of the woods - no. Is it going to develop a leak - there is no way to tell. It has been estimated that up to 20% of these engines develop an RMS leak but the only one who knows is Porsche and they are not releasing any stats. I agree with Brian's comments. I think it is easy to find a low optioned car at a good price, but that certain options do have a tendency to demand more. epoints - I sent you a PM with contact info. Dave

The dealer will never offer your friend KBB trade-in value. They'll probably offer him 45-47K. Tell him that you'll do him a favor and take the car off his hands for $50K.

Brian, Thanks for the info. That is good information to have. Dave, I got your email and replied. I will try to catch up with POC in Cambria.

John, makes a very good point. If your friend is going to trade the car in the dealer will definitely low ball the amount. Especially given that the Auction prices. Dealer trade-in values are usually below the wholesale values given at auctions. You are in a good position to purchase the car at a good wholesale price if you friend is impatient and just wants to bail on the car.

Good point. I will see how he responds to my offer. anyone know how much veh. registration would cost? the seller just paid it. so, that's def. to my benefit.

That will depend on your state. i.e. in Indiana it doesn't matter if someone just paid for plates for that year or not. The new owner must buy plates in his/her name. Basically the plates stay with the owner not the car. From reading here it sounds like some states have registrations that run with the car.

In CA, the registration follows the car so if the current owner just paid, you will only have to pay a transfer fee. I think it is something like $15.00. However, you will get killed on sales tax. You will have to pay the full amount on the purchase price of the car. If you lease the vehicle in CA, you only pay sales tax with each lease payment. Therefore, on a lease, if you sell/trade the car later, you never end up paying any tax on the value traded.