How long did you guys shop around?

I've been on this board everyday lurking, checking Craigslist, Ebay, and Autotrader.com Nothing really excites me yet. Some compromises but nothing to pull my trigger. I've seen an '05 997 that almost meets my budget (40K and it was 46K). I've looked at 99s through 2002s. I'm more incline to go 2002 and newer at this point because of the glovebox and I want xenon. So the question is how long did you guys shop around before picking up your P-cars? Meanwhile, a Lotus Elise came my way and is way cheap. I really want a 911 though. Mainly for my son, I want to take him around Saturday/Sunday afternoons. Hence, the appeal of the 911 and the back seats. Since he is only a 1 month old, I figure. I can shop around for 2 years (when he is 2). I dont think I would be taking him in an Elise. Still, I need a commuter.

1 week... it was relatively quickly because I found the color that I wanted (guards red) on a very low mileage car (11k miles), MY02.

The same day I decided I wanted to get a 911. I was hunting for E46 M3's on Autotrader and I thought I would vear off into the Porsche world and low and behold, a 996 was the same price as the M. Never really considered one before. Saw it early evening on Autotrader, drove 200 miles to see it, and was driving back home that same night. Never a regret other than a lot, lighter pocket book.

about 5 months. Started with and then narrowed it down in the following order (and of course price): -996 any year/model in Silver (artic or polar) -996 02+/any model in Silver (artic or polar) -996 02+/C4S in Silver (artic or polar) -996 02+/C4S in Speed Yellow (the wife saw a silver and said,"It doesn't make my stomach flip, if you're buying a 2nd car and it's a P-car it better be bold, but not Black since you'll wash it after every drive.") I love my color. Dirt is hard to see on it.

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That's funny. I had an E46 when I test drove my current C4S after researching for a week just to finally see "what the fuss was about." That same night, I took her home.

2 weeks for me. Spent most of the time doing research and availability. Made some phonecalls on Wednesday, saw cars on Saturday, bought on Sunday.. and I bought a great car.

Around 4 months for my 993 C4S. The 40th took me about a month of earnest looking.

It took me about a year to figure out which one I could afford and be happy with. I must of driven 10 different 911's from the 70's to 90's before I bought my first one a 1995 993. After it sold I took about a month to get the one I have now because I knew exactly what I wanted.

I looked for about 4 months.

Typically my car buying experience is about 1-2 week in finding the car that I want, once I decide I will try to bring the car home the same day. However buying the Ferrari was the most fraustrating car buying experience in my life, took me a little longer than 6 month, even after the deposit I still have to wait about two weeks for the dealer to go through the car, and fight with them as they changed their mind about the price.

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That's rotten of them to have changed the mind about the price!

6 years. No joke. But it was worth it. My girl's list of factory goodies: Factory Options: 09991 EXCLUSIVE OPTIONS (manufactured from the exclusive-program) CO2 - CATALYTIC CONVERTER XAA - FACTORY INSTALLED AEROKIT CUP XRL - 18" SPORTDESIGN WHEEL 220 - LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL 40 % 222 - TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM 224 - AUTOMATIC LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL 236 - 18" TIRES 375 - SPORTSEAT, BACKREST SHELL, LEFT 378 - COMBINATION SEAT, RIGHT, ADJUSTABLE 424 - CD COMPARTMENT 436 - 3-SPOKE AIRBAG STEERING WHEEL 652 - DELETE SUNROOF 983 - SEAT COVERS FRONT, LEATHER

I walked into a dealer that had 4 Porsches - 3 of one model year and one newer. I had so little interest in one of the cars that I didn't even bother to write down the details on it prior to the visit because it just didn't sound like my car. After inspecting all of the 4 cars and driving 2 of them I bought the one car that I had no interest in when I walked through the door. ... that car I bought wasn't the color I wanted and it had higher milage than the other three cars. The dealer said that I was the first person he had ever met in his career that didn't care about the color of the car. In reality the car I bought had better options and mods, it did not have an RMS leak (the other three did!), and did not have the characteristic front end paint pitting of cars that have been tracked and thrashed to death. My car was a trade-in from a guy that bought a Turbo from the dealer. It came with full documentation from new and has an engine noise that would give Michael Schumacher goosebumps.

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It would be hard for me to believe that, if you are in the area I can give you a ride in my spider (Tubi NGT exhaust) the top down at 8500 rpm.

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Firs they said the car needed a new motor mount (at 12k miles!), and then said they need to put in new brake pads (CA law). So they asked me if I can give them another $2k to help with the cost, and when I said no they asked if I want to buy an addtional 1 year motor/tranny warranty for $5k

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Well, probably a slight overstatement, but the noise beats the pants off of a stock 996. I would love a ride in your Spider - pity that I'm at the other side of the country... now why didn't you offer 10 years ago when I lived in San Jose?!?! I would have made the drive for that offer... well, at least dropped in during one of my visits to Pasadena or San Luis Obispo.

10 years ago, I was still in my lowly 993 DX. But still sounds better than a 996.

[QUOTE=chronoguy;5438582]I've been on this board everyday lurking, checking Craigslist, Ebay, and Autotrader.com... 15.7 seconds. Don't get me wrong. I have wanted a Porsche since I was 12, but I wasn't even shopping for 1 when I happened upon this one. A friend of mine (Ex-exec with Porsche North America) retired and started selling used exotics. I heard a bell. Not just any bell. One of those gigantic, Catholics-come-to-mass, Quasimoto bells. One single ring. Hasn't faded, yet.

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Robin, since Wayne is unable to accept your offer, I will accept it for him as a proxy.

I told my wife on a Thursday evening that I thought I wanted to buy a Porsche. Went to the local dealer on Saturday - they had one and only one used 911, an 04 996 C2 with CPO I tried to resist a test drive because of the price - $53k - but salesman started the car and I heard the PSE so I test drove it. Checked with my bank and they placed the value at $58k Original sticker was $83,500 and the car had 24,200 miles on the clock Waited 10 days hoping the dealer would negotiate on price but they would not budge Took it for a 3 day test drive and bought it, the keys never left my hand. For me - I absolutely wanted a CPO car and typically for me a car either "feels right" or it doesn't. This one "felt right" out of the gate and it still does. I also test drove a new Cayman because of the price - nice car but it honestly didn't "feel right" for me. No Regrets

It took me months. There are enough of them for sale, but it's hard to find the exact right one for you with the mix of improvements, condition, miles, and price. I would encourage you to expand your geographic search area. I'm in DC and found my car in Boston.

2 months. Bought it 2 weeks ago... Test drove BMWs, Corvettes, and others becuase I knew I really wanted a Porsche all my life but I had to go through the process for peice of mind....not to mention it was fun as hell test driving Z06s and M3s! I was watching eBay daily and one popped up that was a hell of a deal ($14K below trade in value!!) After talking with the guy a couple of times, I pulled the trigger!!! I could not be happier with it!! This is one time I drove off with another car and have not felt like I got screwed by a dealer!

Short answer: about 8 months. Long answer: Started off looking for a convertible weekend toy. I didn't really have a particular car in mind. Looked at everything from Jags to Vettes to BMWs. Never considered a P-car for some strange reason even though I always loved them as a kid. One day I did a search on cars.com with "convertible" and "less than $50K" as the only parameters and all these 911s came up. Hit me like "I could have had a V8"...only it was a flat-6!!! After a few weeks of educating myself my wife, who was thoroughly sick of my new obsession by this point, drives me to the dealership to look at a car from an ad and drops me off. I asked if she was coming inside and she tells me "No, I'm leaving" As she drives off she says "you have to be at work by 2:30 so you better start negotiating fast!" Not the best bargaining position, I must admit. But, it's been a great car so I guess alls well that ends well. Now that I finally have a 911, I don't think I'll ever NOT have one again. I'm currently in the market for a newer one (either a 996TT or a 997S) but I've learned to keep my search a secret for the time being. YES, I'm now a closet P-car hunter. I think I need a 12 step program or something.

About a month, I was looking at 2000 & 2001 cars and came across a 2002 at Porsche dealer for what I thought was a great price so I snapped it up despite not really wanting a silver car but it had a nice black interior and some nice options. The silver has grown on me and I am really happy with the 02! In the past it has taken anywhere from 1 week to a year to find a Porsche I wanted. Found my old Boxster S in days after the search started.

I started shopping a few years ago, drove and negotiated on several, but never found one that did it for me, color/lack of options/price. Of course I was looking also at 993 coupes. Like the OP, I've also got 2 little kids, so it was until last fall that I got around to looking again and decided 996 for best value. It only took 2 weeks after that.

Almost two years since the day I sold my M5, took my time and waited for the right car to come along.

It took me roughly 8 mos. Ironically I work at a Porsche dealership and my heart lies deep in the bowels of all that is Bavarian (currently on my lucky 13th BMW) but I have always loved the dreaded fried egg headlight 996. I found the perfect car, for me, and I have not looked back. I tell you what, it was well worth the wait and none of my revious p-cars even come close

About a month. I found exactly what I wanted (or so I thought) at Bentley of Long Island - a 2004 C4S in precisely my color combo with 3K miles that was advertised as 'absolutely flawless.' Gave 'em a deposit and drove 2 hours to see it and finalize the deal. As it turns out, the front and rear ends had multiple paint chips, and the side quarter panel had a 3" crease at the wheel well lip that would require repaint. They claimed that must've happened in the showroom - yeah, right! So, after getting my deposit back, I was bummed. So that night, I went online and found my car in the Isringhausen inventory - pretty much the same car with 1100 miles - got tons of pics and negotiated a price in the next week. Car was shipped and delivered via enclosed trailer. A few small issues were addressed by the dealership and repaired by my local dealer at Isringhausen's expense. And for those who know my car, it's pretty close to perfect. I don't mean to beat up Bentley LI, but I obviously wouldn't recommend them. But I really love my car. BTW, the TT Roadster's in next week!! Should be a fun summer.

I had been looking for the perfect 993, mostly a C4S for months. I finally drove my first 996 because it was for sale locally near a 993 I had just driven to see. I stopped, drove the 996, and agreed to buy it that day, although I didn't take possession until after I had a PPI done. I took it to the dealer who sold the car new. Yhat could have back fired on my, but it's been a great car!

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So, are we going out to play next weekend? Are you going up to the Concours in Bethlehem next weekend?

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When's the show? Saturday or Sunday. The Hope Lodge British car show is in Fort Washington Saturday - may go to that one, unless I'm still figuring out how to get the top down on the TT. BTW, my brother sold his Dino this week! An offer just too good to refuse.

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Sold the Dino! No! Damn, he didn't offer it to me first. The show is on Sunday (June 1st). If you're going you'll need to let the RTR coordinator know (it's on the forum) so that he can arrange for you to get tickets and a parking space with the group.

1.5 years The first 996 I found was in texas and after having the PPI performed it came back RMS leak, repaint and some other issues. The search continued until I found exactly what I wanted. Take your time and make sure you have a PPI done.

Yeah, I think I'm going to take my time. Meanwhile, I can save more and possibly get a newer car. I just want black, silver or dark grey w/ 6-speed coupe. However, I'm getting a bit antsy and want something now.

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I'll see what my plans are for Sunday. As for the Dino, no offense meant, but I don't think you could afford it - let's just say he got north of what a new GT2 would run.

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Yeah, I know, but I can dream.

Spent 18 months looking for my 996. It's really nothing special but I was looking for a reliable C4 at a good price. Ended up finding exactly what I wanted just a few miles from my house after the owner listed it on eBay. I didn't do a PPI, but I did speak with the guy that maintained the car and perused the included maintenance and repair records. Couldn't be happier!

7 months Started looking for a Boxster, (still like them), but always wanted a 911. I thought I was being smart looking in winter in Chicago, joke was on me as nothing was for sale.

PHil, I'll bet it was hard for your brother to let that beautiful Dino go! However, for GT2 monry, I think I could be convinced to do so.

Short story: 6 months Long Story: I've been lurking on Rennlist for years (joined 2 years prior to my purchase)... when the lease on my Honda S2000 was coming up - I started to look casually about 6 months before end of lease to get a sense of the market. I'm a little OCD so I would check rennlist ads, autotrader, cars.com, and the 3 local (+ Austin and Dallas) dealer pages nearly every day. Once I felt I had a good feel for pricing I became more serious and test driving cars. I was pretty set on a car with ext warranty or CPO. I was literally on the way to a local dealer who had a pristine 03' 28K miles, CF interior (full), PSE, Silver/Black for 44,500 and the salesman called me to tell me it was sold by someone who just popped in and bought it... So I was back on the hunt for a silver or black car. The funny thing is that I had been seeing a lot of red S2000s lately and really liking them. Then I saw the following picture of a Rosso Vik Lambo G spyder... - and thought that was the PERFECT red. Lo and behold an Orient Red C4S happened my way. More miles than I wanted but I was seduced by the color. Not exactly Rosso Vik (my sig picture was taken in the shade), but still seemed exotic.

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Out of the country buyer, so advantageous for him to buy with with US dollars. Apparently, he got the highest price ever paid for a Dino. So, he just couldn't turn it down. Especially with a new Boxster S coming in this week! And he still has his 330GTC, so he's happy.

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Now that's a cool place to be.

Take your time. I spent three months looking before I found the "one." I had my list of "must have" options, color, etc and wasn't going to settle for less. What's amazing is that I found my previous car at a dealer on the east coast (after a 3 month search) and I live in CA and when I finally found my current one - same dealer had it.

guys, I got dealers calling me consistently. i'm holding firm. I made an lowball offer on a 2003 C4S w/ 51K miles for $38K out the door. It is nice - nav, full leather. They were asking 46 online. On the lot they were at 49K. I said WTF and whipped out the iphone. They then went 44, then 42. I know I am shooting for the moon. I tell him my options and he keeps on calling me back. Pretty much, they can't meet many of the Porsche CPO deals so I said, "why bother." I gave him my prices based on what I've seen sold/advertised on CL. If they can't come close, I have a lot of free time to shop. It is at a point of being a bit hysterical.

Total impulse buy. Three hours from the time I walked into the dealer until I was driving off the lot in my car. (Included a trip back home to drop off the motorcycle.)

When I decided to replace a 4 year old Audi TT, I went on line to shop, found a 99 996 almost immediately, and within 2 weeks of comparing prices and condition with other online Porsches, I drove and purchased that car. I never even drove another 996, and so far, almost 2 years later my Porsche has been nearly trouble free.

I spent a lot more time learning and watching than I did actually shopping, mostly about the different updates to 996 Mk1, 996 Mk2, 997 Mk1, and perceived issues with each. I immediately went out and drove each one. I zeroed in my search for Black, Grey or Silver 996 Mk2 C2, 997 C2 or 996TT, with heated seats, a rear wiper and as little else as possible. That took a month. I then started tracking prices (it's an illness I have, I still do it for all kinds of cars I like). That whole process took about 6-8 months on and off. Last fall into winter, I saw prices start to weaken on the Mk2 996 to the point where I just crossed the other two off my list, and decided I would go CPO only. From that point, I began shopping actively. I ran the porsche certified search once a week and saw a car that was exactly what I wanted, posted all the service and warranty history up here on rennlist, got opinions and tons of help from some great people here, and put in my deposit about 3 days after starting the process. I flew out two weeks later, drove it, negotiated, and drove off with it. Total time was probably 9 months from idea to ignition, but I always spend all my time in every used car purchase trying to figure out what can go wrong and what sort of third party warranty coverage is available, and wind up coming back to CPO, on MB, Audi, Porsche, etc. Once that happens I am pretty quick unless I see the market tanking the way I did for the 996 Mk2 late last year. I didn't predict the turbos softening as much as they did this year, and had I the foresight to wait another six months I probably would have gone with one, or waited a year and a 997, but then I wouldn't have six months of awesome memories in my car!

2 yrs to find the right car at the right price.