Advice

Hello All: I have a 2001 C4 996 with 11,800 miles that is coming to the end of the lease in 2/05. I was given a new end-lease purchase price of $51,000 down from $58,000. I had a RMS problem at about 5000 miles and the car has been solid otherwise. Any advice on keeping the car versus turning it in given the potential for problems out of warranty as the car moves past 12,000 miles. I like the 997, but I am concerned with the reliability of the electrical components over time. Thanks in advance, Irv

the 997 is an excellent car, and problems seem to be much less than the initial launch of the cayennes back in 03... i turn it in and lease a 997 because 52k is too high for a 2001 996 PS. (12000 miles is nothing! )

Just wonder why you are concerned about electrical problems?

IMO $51K is a slight bit high for a 2001. Then again your low miles does make it worth that value. Its up to you, but since they changed body styles and you are out of the lease I probably go for a 997. Of course I bought my car so its not a smart business decission for me to trade up. Since you have nothing invested in the car (well sort of) go for the new.

I'd keep the car, but try to negotiate down to around $47,000 or $48,000.

lease a new one.........do you really see yourself keeping it for another 3-4 years?

Why not? I've already had mine for 4 1/2 years and I'll probably have it for at least another 4. These cars last forever if you take care of them and drive them. The only reason I would sell mine is if a new model came out that I just HAD to have. That model just might be the Boxster Coupe...

I was saying that because he leased to begin with. Mine is an 00 w/20k miles and I will keep mine for 2-3 more years as well. I bought mine outright for 50k 1.5 years ago w/ 11k on th clock. It seems like he should be getting a better price on the buyout!

Tell them you're only interested at 45. They likely don't want it back and may just hit your bid. With that few miles, might be worth hanging onto for a few more years until the 998 shows up.

Thanks for your help. I guess the electrical concerns are from my old 2000 E430 and the Cayenne experience. I think I would like to keep the car based on my emotional attachment, but I wonder if any of you would have a concern in having a 996 past the warranty. I

If the car has been a pain all through its life, then when the warrantees up, its time to say goodbye. But if the cars never had any problems and the warrantee ends, whats there to worry about? And if you had a Jag XJ6 and it had constant electrical problems, does that mean your BMW or Audi or Porsche is going to have electrical problems too? If you are afraid of electrical trouble in any new car, you better go find a 50s or 60s car. Because these cars are ALL electrical. The engine, the brakes, the traction control to the wheels. You cant even ckeck trans fluid except by a reading computer. Learn to love the electronics and the electrical system. Just remember that mans the master, we built the machine and the electrics. What ever breaks, we can fix.

I kept my old 996 two years past the warranty and it mostly just required routine maintenance (and mine had a lot more miles than yours). The dealer even replaced the RMS twice (the second time out of warranty...maybe even both times, now that I think about it) at Porsche's expense. If you're happy with the car and you can keep it at a reasonable price, why not do it?