Need some informed advice on 03 vs 04!!... PLEASE!!

Hi, let me first say hello to everyone on this board. I have been reading this website for months and learned a great deal about options and just general Porsche 996 ownership through reading this. I finally registered yesterday, and this is my first post. I would greatly appreciate responses as this decision is a big deal to me, because Porsche has long been my favorite car, and I have owned several lesser models, but this will be my first 911(996) and it will be my first new Porsche. <img border="0" alt="[king]" title="" src="graemlins/r.gif" /> Ok, here is my situation as succintly as possible. I have just ordered an '03 Carrera Cab. I have pretty much every possible option on the car, it listed at 124K, just to give you an idea how many there are.(I know that is turbo money but I want a Cab... although the one option I am reconsidering is the x51.) So, after all this set-up, here is my dilemma. Right now, I have scheduled a Late May pick up, at the factory... a European Delivery. I planned to be there for several months and wanted to have my car while I am there... Seems like it would be a great Summer!!! <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" /> But I realize that getting the car so late, there will be another MY coming out very soon. So, even if there aren't any major changes, wouldn't I be better off waiting? I mean, aren't there always even minor improvements..for example the 03 has the PCM 2, the MOST system, and the on/off switch for the Sport Exhaust over the 02. I'm not really sure what to do, because I don't want to miss the Summer with my car...which is when it is for. I can't really ask my dealer because he will want to sell me one right now. So for those of you who have ordered early in the model year, how early does the new MY come out? Can I order in June and get an August build? Or is earlier possible? How soon can I get the order guide? Does anyone know FOR CERTAIN what changes will be in 2004? If no one knows right now, how long until I can find out for sure what the changes will be? What would you guys do? If I change, I will still do a factory pick up, just change my time in Europe. I'm confused as to what would be best. I have to make this decision quickly before my order gets submitted and I get the order confirmation back from Porsche AG, so I would GREATLY appreciate any feedback. There are so many things to be worried about in the world right now, and I know this isn't a major problem, and I feel a little guilty agonizing over this. But it is somewhat important to me and I just needed some people who have an equal love for Porsche to bounce my options off of and seek some advice. Thank you to all who read this rambling, and especially to those who respond.. <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />

Welcome to Rennlist Dameon, I'm kinda new to Rennlist myself, but I've been following Porsche for most of my life. Porsche will be introducing a completely new 911 (997), probably as a MY2005, that means the buzz for that car will start a year from now. Once the 997 is released, prices for used 996s will drop. Usually, heavily optioned Porsches lose the most value when it comes time to sell or trade-in because most options have low resale value. Also, Porsche has plans to introduce a MY2004 Turbo Cabriolet this year, and maybe a C4S Cab. In your situation I would cancel my $124k Carrera Cab order and put my name on the waiting list for the Turbo Cab that may be about the same price (without options), because next year my $124k Carrera Cab will be worth $80k.

Metal, Thanks for responding, and I thought about the turbo cab... but if I wait on rumors to pan out, I could wait for the Turbo Cab, but then as that comes to fruition, something newer and better will be on the rumor mill. I like the C4S, but I prefer the rear wheel drive over all wheel; I would only go with the Turbo because of the significant power increase. Also, I'm not willing to wait over a year for a car...I have patience...but not that much!!! ;-) I do plan on upgrading at some point, but I want to enjoy the car for awhile. I don't want to keep chasing the newest thing and lose my pure love for the cars. That said, waiting 2 months for the newer model is something I can/would do, if it is worth it. I'm just not sure if there will be an engine upgrade or something significantly better in the 2004 model year? As for losing money on the options, I know...but as I said, this is my first new one and I want it to be so personalized that mine is the only one like it.(A lot of this is you guys' fault, as you all discussed the options on your cars!!) When the time comes to trade in, I will consider the money I lose as a "rental fee" for the car. (This is my rationalization of the cost!!) Anyway, as I worked out the numbers with my dealer, assuming I trade in after 2 years, it would be, depending on the economy, my loss in value would be as if I rented or leased my porsche for 1500-2000 month. That sounds fair to me. Also, I may be so in love with the car I could just as easily decide to stay with it for 5, 6, or 7 years. I just don't know these things yet, as I don't have the car. So, what is the advice on the 03 purchase in May versus holding off for the 04 model year? Thanks again

The X51 is a limited availability package, supposedly about 110 units were made foe the US market. I don''t know if it will be made for 2004. I also don't know how many are still available. At least 3 were sold to people who post heere. When I bought my coupe in December, there was a Speed yellow cab (beautiful) at the dealer with the X51 package, don't know if it's still there. If you want more information,send me a private email, and I will give more details. I have no affiliation or financial interests.

I think in your situation, I would take delivery. Realistically you are looking at the difference of an entire summer's driving as the next model year cars don't hit the US (assuming you are in the US) until October/November. You will no doubt get hit with some sort of price increase, but that will be offset somewhat by a higher resale value because the car is a model year newer at some point when you sell it. I did the Euro delivery and the travelled Europe in my new Porsche in the fall of 1985. This remains a fond memory. Go for it!

One more thought - if you delayed your travel until August you _might_ be able to get and '04 and travel Europe in the summer. It would just be the luck of the draw that your dealer could get an early build slot and the whole thing would work out for you.

My advice is- pull the trigger. It never ceases to amaze me how much hand-wringing goes on in this forum over what is supposed to be an enjoyable event. There will always be something newer, better, different, but in the meantime, instead of driving the car and having some fun, you'll be reading this board and wishing you had something to drive. I ordered (and took delivery of in mid-November) a heavily-optioned 03 C4 Cab, which has a grand total of 550 miles on it and spends most of the time in the garage due to the weather. Some would say, gee, should have waited for spring delivery, but then someone else would say, too close to the end of the model year, think about the depreciation... if you listen to some of these guys, you'll never buy the car. There are a million reasons not to do it, all of them logical and rational, but only one really good reason to do it- it's a great car, and you'll enjoy it. So stop worrying and order the damn car. End of lecture.

1) A highly optioned '03 cab for $100-120 MSRP will bring $70K wholesale the moment you drive off the lot. 2) There is always something better around the corner 3) Who in their right minds enjoys beta testing the first year of any Porsche model ? ( see early '99 996s ) That puts you at late 2005 for 2nd year production MY 2006 997 cab - you have a nearly 3 year wait for " the next thing " .

So I guess the general idea is to just get the car and be happy. I probably will, I have already waited a very long time from researching and comparison hunting on options. I would feel more comfortable if I knew what changes will be in '04 and when the first ones will come out... Still thanks to all for responding, the feedback is exactly what I need. MRW - LOL..very blunt and practical advice - Thanks!!! ;-)

Oh one other thing would really help me out with my order - if anyone has pictures of an aluminum/leather steering wheel on a graphite grey interior, if you wouldn't mind posting the pics so I can see the contrast, it would be really helpful... Thanks again to everyone!!!

Come on guys!!!! Was my question too long? I really could use some various feedback and experiences here.... even if it is just an opinion, the rationale for the opinion will be helpful to me.

If you are putting that many options into the car you should lease it because Porsche Financial residualizes the options at the same percentage as the MSRP of the car. As others have said you will get murdered when selling a car with that many options in - you will be lucky to get 20c in the $ for the options. If you lease go ahead and get the car for the summer. In 3 or 4 years get a 997 cab.

Do you think a proud 993 owner would really look at a 996 with envy? -NOT! Do you think a proud RS owner would look at the 996 with envy? -NOT! Get the car, enjoy it. When due, change it. It's more like the analogy with 'size doesnt matter' and 'it aint the size of the ship..' \\W//

Wazz.. LOL... Good advice, great delivery...I hope it's not an envy thing...wanted to be prudent with respect to which model year. But with the advice I am getting...people seem to be leaning toward the idea that I may be overthinking this. Sawmill, I thought about leasing, but Porsche Financial won't allow a European Delivery if you lease, so I have to pay for the car outright. The other option they allow is to finance. But I figure if I am going to lose money on the options, I will save the lost money from financing!!

Kind of reminds me of a friend I have who wanted a computer but knew there would be a better model out at the same price if he waited 6 months, after watching this for a couple of years I finally gave him my old computer when I upgraded, he still has it, five years later and enjoys being on line while anticipating the "really top end" one he is going to buy in 6 months. Buy what you want for today and enjoy unless you have a friend with a used Porsche he wants to give you out of pity. A lost summer is too much to give up life is too short.

Opinion? ok... $124K is too f***king much money for a cab. Those options will not help the car hold it's value. And all those options are very high margin items. Porsche will turn a profit this year on your option list alone. Cheers, Chris

Dameon -- First, welcome to Rennlist! Second, although I'm a 993 guy, I'll throw my opinion in FWIW. My guess is that with 2004 most probably being the last MY for the 996, I think Porsche will change it very little from the 2003. Their focus is going to be on launching the 997 soon thereafter. If I was in your shoes, I would be asking myself if this is going to probbaly be the only NEW Porsche I will likely be able to purchase. If so, I would definitely be waiting for the 997. If not, then I would go ahead with the 996, especially since you have the ability to take the European delivery (I'm envious!). And if you go with the latter, as some have suggested, I would postpone delivery (and your trip timing) to snag the 2004. Besides, nothing is more beautiful than Germany/Austria/Switzerland in the autumn. Regardless, good luck. Any way you choose, you cannot go wrong. P.S. I, too, would be concerned about the very heavy optioning you are considering (massive depreciation).

I wouldn't buy either a '03 or an '04. Given that you want a cab, I'd buy a heavily optioned '02 cab. There is virtually no difference between the '02 and '03, and I agree w/Michael's logic concerning the '04. For $60K-$80K you can have your pick of a new to nearly new '02. Then get the 997 when it arrives.

get a turbo! open the windows and sunroof! $124k for a 996 cab!! c'mon what's wind in your hair when you can have a turbo that will also be fun in the winter!! <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" /> whatever you do tho, get it now--life's too short and then... <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />