Help-Desperate

i know this topic has been beaten to death but i would appreciate your help: 997S or '04 C4S at 8k off msrp. Pls help

hmmm, that's a tough one.

c'mon kirby, give me a hand! thanks

OK, here goes....(no flames please) The first model run of most cars is sketchy at best. Since you're opting go with the S, you get the 3.8L engine, which is brand new, so you may have some issues there as well. Not sure where you live, but if you want AWD, you're not getting it with the 997. The C4S is at the end of the model, all the kinks have been worked out (minus RMS of course). AWD, turbo brakes and suspension, PSM, and other goodies standard. I'm sure there is a price differential between the 2 cars, so you should have some extra cash in your pocket if you go with the 4S, and I bet that you could squeeze a couple more grand outta them on the car. If not look around a little more, I'm sure the prices are very negotiable now... I say get the 4S, being the first kind on your block is cool, but being the guinea pig isn't! Besides you can use the extra cash for suspension mods, or a set of track wheels for the 4S. Alternatively, get a used C4S, to tide you over until the 997S has been put thru it paces, maybe a year or two, then trade it in for a 997S.

GET A SCION! I'd get a used C4S, not new at this point. Once the 997's come out no one really knows what that will do to the 996 market/value. Most people think it will lower the value of the 996 hence it doesn't make sense to buy a new one today. Once you leave the lot the car has depreciated and then when the 997's hit it could depreciate even more. No my thought would be... Get a used C4s or a new 997s. I think you can't go wrong either way.

Though the 997S would be nice the C4S is very nice too. I don't think you can go wrong either way. Regards. Mike

That's a tuffy but i'll take a shot at it. 997s: pros: increased hp., torque and improved suspension cons: possible first yr. of prodn. problms., 2 wd. and the looks ?? 996 C4S: pros: 4 wd, damn sexy and evo's pic of best sports coupe (I own one no slouch in performance. cons: older model and possible depreciation in price. As I like the 4 wd, and not mind that it's no dragster but a hell of a great performer(997s will be marginally better) and incredibly sexy i'll pick a C4S. I've got to go.

I'd say go for a used C4S. I just got one and am totally in love with it - fantastic looks and excellent performance. Get the sport exhaust too! Leave it for the people that have to have the latest and greatest to work the bugs out on the 997.

Maybe this will break the tie: 1050 mo 48mo lease , taxes down. Hard to get an '03 for that money. Thanks

I'll never pay sticker and wait in line again for any sports car. My advice, get the C4S for a nice discount then wait a couple of years when the hype has died and get a 997S with the powerkit . By that time all the speculators and posers (sp) will be onto the next car.

do you believe 8k off is fair. The msrp is $86, 500. The car is midnight blue ( what do you think of the color?) thanks

I think 8k off msrp is fair, but i am not in the market now but a few months ago you weren't getting any discounts on C4S in most areas in the US. But, whatever you get i promise you nothing can wipe that big ear to ear grin off your face once you drive it and believe me in gets a whole lot better once you put some miles in it (mine with 8k miles feels and drives a whole lot better now).

I really dislike the 997 interior. You may want to take the interior into consideration...

any thoughts on midnight blue would be greatly appreciated

my choice in colors are silver, black and midnight blue in that order. But it is really a personal preference.

Midnight blue is a really nice color. What color interior is it? I saw MB with a Cinnamon Brown interior that was AMAZING. There are probably a lot of other C4S's out there on the lot, do a little calling around before you decide to go with this one...you maybe able to get a sweeter deal... the 1k/mo for 48mos was for which car?

light grey interior. the 1025.00 per mo will be for the C4S

Because the lease residual is a factor of sticker, getting a large discount can really help out the lease payment. With a lease, you are also protected on any major declines in value if 996 prices fall after 997 is out; although you are "stuck" for 4 years riding out the lease, at the end the leasing institution is going to suffer any major hit on value. With a 997 you are not going to see any discounts soon. In addition, to get a 997 similarly eqipped to a C4S may sticker out to be quite high. The C4S is a great looking and driving car, well sorted out now without the possible early 997 problems. It sounds like you are getting a pretty good deal and the lease terms are probably pretty good with that payment. However, I have noticed very recently that there is a lot of inventory out there - my sense is PCNA has pushed out a lot of their final 04 cars into dealers hands, so I suspect now is a great time to negotiate hard on 04's - you might even squeeze a little more discount but maybe not. Good luck! Be sure to post pictures when you get your new drive, and join Rennlist!

My 2 cents: Go for the '04 C4S and wait as long as you can. Certainly if you gamble on waiting until late in the 4th quarter of the year for one off the lot, getting +$10K off MSRP is very realistic. Trust me! - Michael

If he's getting $8k off now (which might get a little better with good negotiation skills), there are two risks in waiting: (1) the lease residual will drop soon because its a year old car, raising the cost of leasing, and (2) the chances of finding color and options desired will decrease. The MSRP is $86k - this is a lightly optioned C4S - most of the inventory stock is heavily optioned and into the 90's. I would try my best for a little better deal and grab this car now.

jim: what should be the target price?

Rahul: The dealer has about 10k to work with and I don't think they will go any lower than cost now - maybe after the 997 is out. Actually, I think 8k off is already a pretty good deal at this time and you are down to splitting hairs. IF the car is your color and you like the options, I would grab it and run with the 8k discount - but no harm in messin' with them just to see if you can squeeze another $1k off (which will only decrease your lease payment by about $29/month). I have not seen many lightly optioned C4S's around, most are loaded up, so if you are looking for an affordable C4S this car also makes sense. Also, you might make sure the dealer is using the lease factor that the bank is giving, i.e. that they are not increasing it (as they can do, in which case they make more money when they sell the lease to the bank). Given the lease payment, I doubt they are making money on the lease factor, but no harm in asking, and to close a deal they might make an adjustment here more easily than further dropping the price. BTW, where are you located?

jim: the color is midnight blue/grey interior. Not my first choice but the wife like's it (very important!. As to options, i think it has all the essentials; litronics, bose, mats etc.. Pls give me your thoughts on waiting for a 997 S Finally, i am in midland, tx

rahul: color is personal. My now departed Boxster S was lapis blue with grey, which was a sweet color. Midnight blue is nice too. Arctic silver looks great on a C4S (a close friend has one). My Targa is AS and some days I like it a lot and other days I think a darker color would look richer. I went through the now or wait process 4 months ago. It was a longer wait then, I just did not want to wait, plus I knew there would be no deals on 997's for quite a while. The 997S for sure looks very interesting and the 3.8l engine and power sounds nice. I think the difference boils down mainly to money. I would guess a 997S lease payment would be close to $1,500 comparing to your C4S deal. If money is not an issue, then just follow your heart and get whatever car turns you on the most. If getting a better deal is something you should factor in, then that would lean to the C4S.

Makes sense. I am 33 and hopefully another porsche or two will be in my future. C4S seems like the way to go

Once you are hooked, there will probably be many more in your future, so don't think of this as your last!

I was looking at C4S's in stock today at Porsche of Honolulu. Damn they are nice! I would love one. I'd say go for the C4S - ultimate in it's class. The blue with light gray sounds beautiful.