996 Prices in 2020

Hi guys - hoping for input here on what to expect on the 996 market today, as I know prices have increased a bit in the last year. I�m looking at clean 996.1s (C2 or C4) with 50-60k miles and they�re around 25k now. These are cars in well-sorted, no accident/body work, and most have the LN IMS bearing. Is this a reasonable expectation for what I need to pay to get into these cars now? second question is...it looks like 997s (2005/2006) can be had for the low $30s..is it worth it to jump up into these for another $7-9k? thanks

911's have a broad pricing spectrum no matter which way you look at it. Prices can swing ~$5k-$10k depending on what someone is willing to pay, and how much time someone cares to invest in selling. Factor in prior maintenance history, factory fitted options, and overall condition. Where an early 996.1 has pros over a 996.2 (and vice versa), these roll into 997s as well, especially early 997s. When you ask if it's worth the additional cost, that's a question to ask yourself because from a driver experience you pretty much get a nicer interior from a 997. The right car for you is different from the right car for someone else. Make a list of what's important to you, look for something well documented (within reason, many do their own oil changes so its not recorded), and stick within your planned budget. This doesn't really answer your question, but hopefully will provide a better starting point from a personal aspect.

That sounds right to me. I bought in early March before the poop really hit the fan COVID-wise. Most of the ones I was looking at were $18K-$27K. The cheaper ones were a little rougher around the edges and/or higher mileage. The more expensive ones were lower mileage, in great condition or had a bunch of mods the owner thought were worth something. Many of the ones I looked at did not have the IMSB done. I budgeted for $25K for a good car with the IMSB done. I ended up paying $23.5K for a 1999 C2 with 37K miles and the IMSB done. This is in California. 996 or 997 is a personal preference. I can't remember where the cutoff is but I know at least the later 997s have a more robust IMSB. So that shouldn't be as much of an issue as with a 2001-2004 996. Bore scoring can still be a problem with all non turbo/GT 996 and 997s. Hopefully someone else will have more clear information than I do on this. Some say the 997 feels bigger & heavier but has more modern comforts. You Tube

Prices have only gone up on the 50-60k mile cars because they are starting to become more difficult to find. And don�t forget it�s still summer. Wait until winter and see if the economy falters a bit when Covid and Influenza come back. There might be some deals out there.

That's probably about right. I bought my 00 C4 cabrio at the end of July. It was single owner, well documented and had a clean PPI, but no IMS. It had 60K miles and I paid 20K (budget 25k). Some of it is market dependent. Where I am there is not a large supply of cars but there is also not a large supply of buyers. I watched pricing for a few months before I purchased (and I probably would have waited longer if this hadn't popped up 10mi away). The used car market as a whole has increased by 15%. People are flush with cash either from the market or not having gone on any trips. They haven't taken away fun driving yet so a fun car makes sense. However, the economy tanks people will need cash and the toys will go first. What worked for me was joining PCA and using the classifieds. The examples tended to be either better kept or more realistically priced or both. If you are in a larger market like southern california there are deals to be had as the inventory is larger. 996 vs 997 is going to be personal. For me if I was going to spend more I would have upped the ante and gone 996 Turbo as that engine is more reliable (from an investment standpoint that would have been smarter). Whatever you do save up a little for unexpected expenses. These are 20 y.o cars. I've had some issues with the top and a window regulator failure since I purchased. Repairs are expensive. I've done most of the stuff myself but the parts are very expensive (however there seems to be a pretty robust rebuild market). I actually like doing the little stuff and I can teach my kids which is a plus. The car is more accessible than you might think That being said, for me, the way it moves has been worth it. M