Buying a 996 Turbo..... Maybe ;)

After 9 months of hunting, I think I've found the right car. - 2003 with 30,000 miles and completely original as it was delivered - Carrera White over Savannah Beige - Two owner, clean Carfax and a verified Porsche service history - Options include: X50, adaptive sport seats, PCCB, Bose pkg. with remote 6 disc CD and a partial maple wood package The car has documentation from owner one and it's condition is described as "Mint". The current owner is not in a hurry to sell and his asking price is $58K. Similar cars with unique color are very hard to find. I've probably looked at 2-300 cars here, on eBay, Auto Trader, Cars.Com, CarGur and 10-15 dealer sites. It seems that well equipped White, Red, Yellow and Green cars demand a premium right now. I believe a fair offer for the car is closer to $50K. Assuming the car checks out on a PPI, is a $50 to $52K buy over paying? The original MSRP was over $150K. Low $50s seems like a reasonable price point to me. I'd love to hear from current owners.

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With that mileage and rare color with x50. Probably looking at $52-55k

might help if you also post in the TURBO forum: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turbo-forum-61/

the wood does not give me wood. I am in the market and good ones are hard to find. 50 may be about right with the x50 in white with low miles. I would be sure to go over the car with a paint meter and check the computer for over revs. also appears to be missing the heated seats which would eliminate this car from my search. check the rear spoiler, measure the rotors, and check the slave. good luck

FYI, there's a white/white turbo on San Diego CL.

Nice car with good options I wouldn't pay 50k for an 03 or, but maybe an 04 or 05 turbo s. It also has high mileage for the price. I would expect 15-20k. The interior color is not the most attractive if it were black or dark brown it would be much better. Savanah looks like mustard. The sport seats are a plus, the pccb's are a plus. I think this car would sell for 46-50k. I almost bought an 02 x50 for 47 with 28k miles. With regards to colors I only think white may carry a higher price tag, green is rare, but I don't think many people like it, so it may just be that particular owners pricing. I think yellow is hard to sell in certain markets and have seen some given away. It must depend where you live (I like yellow with black). As an FYI you may be able to shave 10k+ off the price of the car if you look for vehicles with 45k-50k miles (not far off of 30k as is the subject car). Mid mileage cars have the benefit of repairs where as low mileage cars just have oil changes. After 10+ years things start to break no matter the mileage. If I were in that price range I would look for a lower mileage car and preferably a turbo s coupe. My take is that these will be the most desirable in the future if that matters to you.

That is a very nice looking TT. Im also not fan of the wood but that color combo is killer. If your heart is set on it a few grand here and there is not gona brake you or make you. I would go for it.

Isn't the 996 Turbo Forum a "Technical Discussion" forum?

Good points from everyone. Thanks! The car is scheduled for a PPI at the local dealer so all of the visual will be done and an ECU readout for the obvious (over revs, diagnostic info., etc.) will be checked along with a close look at the big dollar PCCB rotors. I'm OK with the wood and am not really a fan of it nor the Carbon, so a small package seems tolerable. Good news is it's not everywhere. Savanna Beige to me is preferable over Brown, although either color in a white car would look good. I'm happy that it's not gray, black or red. I saw the '02 White CA car FS. It's been posted a couple places and on eBay twice. Seems like a good car but at the $46+ price point with 68K miles, I prefer to pay a few grand more for an '03 with 30K miles and get the lighter color interior and the additional options (PCCB, Adaptive Sport Seats). An '05 Turbo "S" would be great. Outside the GT2 and GT3s it's probably the closest of the 996 series to someday be collectible. Most 20-30K mile cars are high $50s to mid $60s which is near 997 Turbo money and 70% of the '05 "Ss" were Cabs. Finding one of 186 cars that's affordable with color, a light interior and in the 20-40K mile range is a pretty tough task.

A white 996 TT with the PCCB option has got to be super rare. That's quite a find! I think it looks great. Good luck with your decision.

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I took a quick peek at the threads and pretty much anything & everything under the sun is covered. " I'd love to hear from current owners "....hence my suggestion to also post there since most owners hang out there. However, it is no secret that 996 land ......where razzing, drama and paranoia is never in short supply , attracts even non 996/non P-car owners

Your joking right? Way over priced for an X50 996, even at $50k. Your deep into 997 territory including some 997 TT's. I just looked at a 2008 TT with PCCB, dealer was asking $59,000. Your trying to make the car something its not. It is a well optioned 996 TT it is not a GT2.

Don't listen to this krazy fool KrazyK. He divebombs every thread with his nonsense. To the original poster - That is ONE clean unmolested rare car. If you like it, and the extra couple K isn't going to hurt you, buy it and don't look back. It's your money and your car - don't let people here derail you from enjoying what you've found and what you buy and drive.

This car is priced where it should be. This is a great car and is not a common combination. I've been looking at turbos for months and pulled the trigger on one this week, so I can tell you from my ocd searching that this is a winner.

What a beautiful car! Seriously good looking in white! Would I, and emphasis on the I, pay $50,000 for any 996? Absolutely not. Not a turbo, turbo s, gt3, gt2 or whatever. I would personally buy a nice 997.2 S manual transmission for $50,000-55,0000. But that's just me.

Beautiful turbo.... and white... I would use it as a daily driver and put 300k miles on it.

Couple of things. That is a nice looking car. My techs tell me the wood/carbon trim can deform/crack or in some way just deteriorate over time. Would I reject an otherwise "perfect" car because it had some wood trim? Probably not. Be sure you experience the car on the road. I have read reports that in some cars the lighter interior results in horrific window glare that can interfere with the driver's view out of the car. Be sure you get a test ride then a test drive in the car to ensure it has no issues. You must experience the car on the road in its natural element and for long enough the DME can flag any problems like misfires or mixture or converter issues. Also, you want to make sure the brakes exhibit no anomalous behavior and the same goes for the transmission (2nd/any gear pop out, noises) and the viscous coupling and front diff are quiet. Afterwards then give the car a thorough used car check out. Among other things check the clutch accumulator is ok, there is no clutch slave cylinder leaking, the spoiler works and the hydraulics are dry, the radiators and the engine coolant hose fittings -- in fact the entire cooling system -- is free of leak sign, the RMS is leak free, along with the tranny, rear and front diff axle flange seals, and the steering hydraulics. And I have to stress you must be sure the PCCB hardware is in good shape. A bad rotor (chipped its edge because someone got sloppy removing a wheel) or worn or heat damaged rotors or pads can have you facing a huge bill to renew the brake hardware. To really check out some of these the car will need to be lifted in the air so you and a tech can get under the car and shine light into the dark recesses of the car. Get a PPI and among other things check the over revs. Now as to the price...If the car really is in very good condition and your test ride/drive and inspection and a PPI turn up no issues, it could be worth what is being asked for the car. A low miles unmolested good condition Turbo S that is not black or grey or silver with no stories car is rare and could command a premium. However, you can argue the car is 12 years old and while it doesn't have the miles on it it still has the time on it and after a while time begins to take its toll on the car. Primarily seals and such can begin to leak. Without any market research to back my opinion up I'd say you can start out in the $50/$52K price range if you want. You have to make it clear through words and actions and body language that if you walk away from this car you are going to buy another car, your other 1st choice, that very day. The seller must believe if he lets you walk away he has lost a sure sale to another car seller.

At least my post is based on facts. Your doing the OP an injustice by spouting nonsense. Facts are: 2003 996 Turbo-S = 444 hp 2008 997 Turbo = 480 hp Both examples have PCCB brakes, so how is my comparison wrong? Always best to buy a newer model if you can.

Another proven fact. White, Yellow, Red and Green do sell for a little more $$$

It looks like a pretty good unicorn. White is awesome on the 996 WB, I may even wrap my silver TT in white at some point. If you like the interior, then all is well. The wood can actually be swapped out for not too much money in the future if it bothers you. And the carbon is worth money (and a swap for a "standard" part) if you want to get rid of it. Miles/Price is about right for an excellent condition X50 with PCCB in a desirable color with a 6 speed. Follow all of Macster's advice and get a thorough PPI from an independent Porsche specialist (not a dealer). I'd wager you can buy it for low 50's if the PPI is clean. You won't get a 997TT with 30k miles in this price range (I tried). Bought mine (pristine '02 with 16K miles and lots of upgrades) last year after quite a search. Best of luck and enjoy! These are fun, fun cars. EDIT: I cross posted this in the 996 Turbo forum for you. See https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turb...rbo-maybe.html

2002 Porsche 911 996 Turbo X50--White "Unicorn" - $47500 (no affiliation to seller) http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/4832046764.html

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Miles (and excessive mods) can be hard on 996TT resale. This Unicorn has 68K miles and Bilstein PSS9's. Having said that, I think it is a nice car and probably a good buy for a local buyer who can check it out.

Of course not but you can get close. My favorite dealer has a 2008 with PCCB @58,000 miles. Asking $59,000 but knowing them that really means @$50,000

If you could get a 997.1 TT with PCCB for under $60K, that would be a hell of a deal. You should buy it KK! Personally, I love white 911s. Here's a photo of mine from tonight, right after I got home from dinner.

As far as a turbo vs NA 996 or 997, the turbos will always hold their value better. As far as price, its seems reasonable to me. And if it is THE car then who cares about a few thousand. I have also looked at 996 and 997 turbos. The 35K turbos that I see mentioned are either high mileage, abused, or heavily modified. It still gets me that someone will pay 30K in upgrades on a 996 turbo only to have it decrease the value.

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Nice! I drove mine in the snow today as well.

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Please get me that deal and I will buy it Send me the listing for that too and your salesperson's name That's a helluva deal

Not yet. Nice guy but you really have to stick to your lower offers and let them know your serious. It helps to have your ducks in a row then make the offer for "today". Forget about a trade in because they don't want them and will offer an absurdly low amount. As it gets closer to floor plan pay time they get desperate to move their cars. I been watching the car for a little while but their not ready to move it yet. I assume your kidding about buying it.

Thanks for the on-going notes. The input and comments are very much appreciated. I'm really interested in a Turbo. The 997.1 C2S is a wonderful car but in comparison it's not AWD, nor have the Turbo rush and finding one with PCCB that falls in the $50K price point is a challenge. I though hard about the C4S but good ones are $50ish as well. I like the maple accents as long as they are not overdone, so for now they will stay. If they present any lifting or fit issues, I'll go back to the stock beige pieces. The steering wheel will stay for now and if it cracks as some do or I decide the maple has to go, I'll replace it. An offer has been made, we're negotiating and close to a number I can live with that may be a tad over typical asking prices. The car is not local so I've got a visit planned an a PPI scheduled. If it is what it is represented as, I hope to have the deal done in the next 30 days.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but there was a Panorama article in the November 2014 issue that said, in a nutshell, to think hard and think twice about buying a car with the PCCBs. The jist of the article was that non-PCCBs work darn near as well and won't cost $8,000 or more to replace. Even though they were designed to last forever, in practical usage, they oftentimes do need to be replaced. I have no firsthand knowledge, just passing on that you might end up regretting the PCCBs. The article name was "Life With (and After) PCCB" by Joe Kou.

Having just purchased a car with PCCBs, I have to say that I'm thrilled with them. The "bite" and performance is noticeably better than my old 996 C4S and better than other 997s I've driven with steel rotors. You can also tell that there's a weight reduction, although it's subtle. Another benefit is that there's no black brake dust on the wheels. Don't get me wrong, I think that standard Porsche brakes are excellent. I just feel from my personal experience that the article is a little bit misleading. I plan to insist on PCCBs on all my future Porsches. Obviously you have to be careful not to chip a rotor when removing a wheel. There are specific ways to accomplish this, but I wouldn't trust too many shops to do it. You need to have cars with PCCBs fixed at a dealer or a qualified Porsche mechanic. I wouldn't let the guys at a national chain tire store remove my wheels... The rotors should last for the life of the car, especially for a car that's primarily driven on the street. They will not last forever with heavy track use. The pads do wear, and if they are changed when necessary, the rotors should last the life of the car. The pads are a little bit more expensive than standard pads, but they last much longer. Worst case scenario, the PCCBs can be replaced with steel rotors and standard pads. You aren't absolutely required to replace them with another set of PCCBs.

I just bought a 996 Turbo S in December. The key is the mechanicals and if you like the car. Unless I'm planning on selling soon I could care less about what color is popular and what someone else might want. 30k miles is not very many. I think a low to mid 50's price is in the ball park +/- a couple thousand. $58k is a bit optimistic. When you start looking at older cars in this price range, I would not let $2k either way stand in the way of my decision. But that's just me. It's your call. But l don't want to look back and think what could have been. I've seen buyers pass on $300k houses because the owner wouldn't leave a refrigerator. Everyone wants the best deal but if you're off a thousand or two on this deal, make it up on the next. At least you can drive a low mileage turbo to the next deal. If you can get him down to $54k or so, I'd pull the trigger. I had the choice of going 996 or 997 and I went with the 996 because it had the Mezger engine and looks a bit more aggressive than the 997 in my opinion. This does carry some weight with some, me included. Others could care less.

I think some on this forum has a little distorted view on realistic values, in that 996�s are $10-12k every day and 996TTs are $30k. Yes you can get them for that but they generally are not the best examples. If you like the car and it is close to you then $2-3k on the price is nothing, yes there are other cars you may find across the US cheaper, but you won�t be saving so much when you have to ship it to your address, or you can buy unseen, get a budget airline one way flight and have a mega road trip 

Sweet looking car and you could wrap the wood with Carbon film but agree with others a bit high$. For what it's worth I sold my seal gray (tracked) for $40k last year... I'd buy it back if I could!

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59k for a 08 TT? How many miles did it have, or how many accidents?

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Here is the cheapest '08 TT on Cars.com $59,950 http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...7679/overview/ 58K miles, Tiptronic. No accidents on Carfax http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...AD29908S783195 "PRICED TO SELL QUICKLY! Research suggests it will not be available for long. *Low Miles* *This 2008 Porsche 911 TURBO TIPTRONIC,PCCB CERAMIC BRAKES,ADAPTIVE SPORT SEATS,BOSE* *Leather Seats* *This 911 has a very popular Basalt Black Metallic exterior color with a Black interior that looks fantastic!* " It is in TX so I think it is the same one noted above.

That's the TT I was referring to. I like this dealership and they are good reasonable people to buy from. They were honest and more reputable to me than a Houston Porsche dealer was. If someone is patient, they can get this car from them much cheaper as floor plan will be called due soon.

This car '08 TT is at a local dealer and I'm familiar with the dealer and have seen the car. I do agree, this dealer (Texas Import Sales) seems to be a straight shooter. I've looked at two cars there and they have been very accommodating. This may be a nice buy for the right person if they can buy it right and it looks like they may have an offer on it now. It's an auction car, originally from CT and it shows much better in the on-line pictures than in person. The few issues I saw are things that indicated the car may not have been cared for as well as you would hope for. There is no history of the 30K major services being done and it's just a few miles away from the 60K service so factor that in as $2K minimum and maybe much more. I passed on it and a manual, green/beige '09 Cab. at RAC. $67,990 with 66k miles and some paintwork and an issue with the clutch. I'm on a red-eye flight this Wed. and should see the white 996 by mid-day. The CO agreed to a price I'm comfortable with so a PPI is scheduled for the following day. As they say, the hunt is the fun part.

whenever i buy a porsche i always consider/factor in resale value. you need to decide how long you will keep it and how many miles you will put on it - if you plan to hang onto it and put less than 15K miles on it so it has under 50K when selling, then a mid-high $40K range is reasonable. just remember if you go over 50K miles and plan to sell it, most turbo's selling at premium levels don't exceed 50K miles. also realize not too many turbo owners(future buyers) are into the wood steering wheel and wood trim package. it's not a mercedes it's a porsche. as a matter of fact the wood trim decreases the value for most turbo's. enjoy the hunt!!

The car passed the CPO level PPI with one hit on the battery, and the PO resolved that without. In person the car is stunning and shows great care has been taken for having three previous owners. It was pretty easy to pull the trigger and I have been very pleased with the car so far. The performance is amazing and the creature comforts are a big plus. Quite the step up from the 70s/80s period Porsche engineering that I'm most familiar with. 1600+ miles passed enjoyably in the car over the last 4 days. My treck took me from central MN to IA, IL, MO and OK to get back here to Texas. So far the honeymoon has been wonderful! Porsche Bonding..... Thanks to each of you for the input and advice.

Congrats!! She is a beauty! enjoy in good health!

Fantastic example you have there! I really like the white wheels - very unusual. Are you near the Dallas area? There seem to be quite a few Rennlisters around here.

I have a twin to the OP's car. It is indeed stunning in Carrera White/Savannah Beige with Burl Maple. For me ... the wood was a very big plus. The standard interior is too plain for my liking. To each their own in this case. Priced about right in the current market for an unmolested unicorn.

Congrats and enjoy the new toy! Looks like you found a very clean 996tt.

Nice car, love the white on white. Just picked one up a few days ago, and I go out to the garage a lot just to stare at it.

Questions is what did you end up getting her for? Were our prices on point or did you get the amazing deal KrazyK was speaking of?