Have I finally found a car? -- please help me make sure I'm not making a mistake

I've been hunting for a car for a couple of months now, and looking in earnest for a 996 for a while, but nothing has showed up. Just stumbled upon a 2004 C2 Coupe with high-ish miles (around 90K) that looks like it has been treated properly and maintained by a Porsche person. And I think it might even be a good price. But before I make an offer subject to PPI, but sight unseen, can folks confirm for me what they think a good price for this car would be??? I don't want to lose this one, but I don't want to jump too soon... 04 C2 Coupe, 90K miles, records...new clutch and brakes... (I'm not sure what was standard on the 04 cars, and seller didn't list detailed options, but it clearly has 18s and xenons)...

I'd say mid 30's if everything checks out on the PPI.

Thanks, SSST. I'm not going to mention the price, because I don't want to jinx anything - but it's lower than mid 30s.

04 c2 with 90k... I would say safely $25k. That's pretty high miles. I know it's an 04 but very similar to mkii. Which ran 02-05ish... Nothing major in terms of exterior or interior upgrades or even engine.. The plus is a new clutch so won't need to have that done. Let's hope he got the ims done at same time otherwise if you plan on doing it its gonna cost about same labor.. Good luck I'm still hunting but would like to get a little lower miles especially if I'm paying...

If the car comes back with a clean PPI, if the IMS/RMS was done with the clutch, and the car has been well cared for with lots of receipts/documentation, it's worth $28-30K IMO.

Maybe a stupid question...but what colour is it? Reselling probably isn't on your mind but the extreme colours (think nephrite green interiors and even svannah beige) are harder to sell. Have you noticed that 04 cars are actually pretty rare? I know they're all the same but I don't see many of the real late 996 models up for sale. 30 is a good number.

Thanks, everyone! I'm definitely going to check on to see if the IMS was done with the clutch. The craigslist ad didn't mention it, so I fear it was not done, and that's too bad since I'd then have to pay to have some of the same labor done to do the IMS. The car is atlas grey with black interior. I agree: I've been hunting for an 02-04 C2 coupe, and I see VERY few 04s, for whatever reason. I've told the owner I'll take the car, basically at his asking price, subject to a PPI. Still waiting to hear back...

$25K-ish is my guess. Best of luck.

Personally, I might hold out for a '02-'03 with less miles. But you have been searching, so if this is 'the one...' Does it have some good options?

Well...I emailed the seller late last night and still haven't heard a word back, so maybe this one is not to be. My top choice would be for an 02-03 with something more like 50K to 65K miles. Unfortunately finding any of those priced right is very hard to do. There are plenty of people on the board here who BOUGHT 02 cars with fairly low miles for prices in the $20K to $25k range, but there don't seem to be any selling. As for options: I still haven't seen the car in person, so don't know for sure. But the truth is that I'm not really an options guy. I would kind of like heated seats, but other than that.... What I really want is a 996!!!

Wow! I'd love to find an 02 with 50-65k miles for just $20k.. From what've found is they are going for 25ish... Even the 99 are going for $20k..

Have you tried autotrader? And you you willing to travel? Did a quick search for: 02-04 coupe, 75K miles max, $26K max and a few good ones came up. This one is a good example: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Kromdom, saw your post. Not into the tips. I was referring to op who said there was a person who got an 02 with low mileage (50-65k) for just $20k. If I could find one of those with no issues I'd be willing to drive...

Yep, I'm willing to travel as well. I'm doing national searches daily on autotrader and cars.com, and checking craigslist in a number of different regions. No tip for me, either. Even worse, my potential seller has not responded at all... It's so disheartening that I spent the last 30 minutes looking at used BMWs. You can get a CPO 2008 335i coupe (300hp twin turbo) for around $25K.... It's not a porsche, but it's tempting nonetheless...

Wayne, I actually replied to the OP Best of luck to you both. P.S. When I was looking last DEC, most of the cars priced in the low 20s tended to be in far from "decent" shape or had way too many miles....or both.

fronesis, you have been searching for a couple months right? I know I have said this before but it can take a long time to find the right 996. Many times it takes a year or longer. If this car fits what you want thats great and go for it but if you really want a car with 50 - 65k then continue to look and take your time. I was also looking all over the country and it took me 1 1/2 years when the right one finally appeared about 30 miles down the road from me. Believe me when you find the right one with no stories attached you will know it and you will be much happier and better off after you buy it. Good luck and keep the questions coming.

Fronesis47, you don't want a BMW.. Been there done that and went back to the p-car. Had a Boxster and tried an m3 only to find out I missed the p-car. Both are nice cars but nothing feels and drives like a p-car... Funny the guy I made an offer to a few weeks back for $23k on his 02 never called me and responded to my emails.. Maybe he sold his too.. I guess the search continues.. Maybe a cayman in my future but prefer the carrera..

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+1000. I started "dreaming" back in 07 and did not start looking in earnest till last OCT. Luckily for me, I found my car thru autotrader and it was the first (and only) car I checked out. Had everything I wanted (and more) plus it was only an hour away from me.

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Yes, I know you're both right about both things: it can take along time to find the right 996, and I don't really want a BMW. I owned a 2000 M coupe, and it was a fantastic car, but it took me little time to get rid of it and move FORWARD to a 1978 911 SC. But I'm not sure I have the time and patience for the 996 search, in which case I might make the leap to a Cayman. You can pick up a 50K mile 07 Cayman for around $26K-$27K, and you can get a gen 2 09 Cayman (with no IMS to fail!) for about $35K. Both of those are tempting... Other things being equal, I'd prefer the 996, but other things aren't really equal in that it's much easier to find a 3 to 5 year old cayman that's in good shape and priced right than it is to find a 9 to 12 year old 996 that fits those criteria.

The bottom of the 996 market was well over a year ago. Unfortunately many value/price opinions on this board seem stuck in 2010. I think the floor for a nice '02 with decent miles (40-70k) is now around $25k. Even if you find one for less than that, my guess is that initial maintenance will make up the difference and then some. Keep looking. Try SearchTempest for Craigslist. Good luck!

Caymans are nice but I hope you hold out for the 996.

Be patient and wait for a 911. A Cayman is just a Cayman. A 911 is a PORSCHE!

Any news or any pics of the new toy?

I finally heard back from the seller. He was very up front with me, but this meant he revealed a number of things not in the initial ad -- including a repaint. High miles plus repaint has scared me away from this one. I'm going to try to be patient and wait for the right 996 at a fair price. But the Cayman is going to be tempting. Everyday the prices seem to come down a bit. I can now buy a 2009 (IMS-less) Cayman at a Porsche dealer, with fairly low miles, for just a bit over $35K. I agree completely, it's NOT a 911. On the other hand, the dynamics of the mid-engine handling ARE impressive; the car has a lot of storage room for a two seater; the 2009 base model has plenty of HP for me; and the car is only 3 years old.... For now, I'm still looking for an 02-04 C2 Coupe with 50k-75k miles, one that has been taken car of and with an asking price that still fits in the Excellence range...

What about this Cayman S... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...item231ac8bd5e it has the 3.4 flat 6 in it. Looks real nice.

If you can't find the 'right' 996 911, then by all means look at the CaymanS or Cayman. The prices are decent and the car is great to drive. I'd be happy in either truth be told.

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Interesting. Can't quite tell if $29,900 makes the reserve price or not. There's a 2006 CS over on the planet 9 board, being sold by the original owner who picked it up in Europe. Yellow over cocoa brown leather. It's gorgeous, with only 16K miles on it, and I think he's asking something like $32K. So a very good CS can be had for around the $30K mark. That's a lot of car for the money.

I totally agree, and at that price a decent deal.