996 Prices dropping?

Was in the dealer today getting an appraisal on my 996 and overheard the sales manager/dealer telling another guy on the phone that they were not looking for any early model 996's at this time to purchase since they had about a dozen of them on the lot from lease turn ins and trades on 997 and Cayman's yesterday. Surprised me but sounds reasonable. I guess since I am on the East Coast...lots of 996's for sale it seems...and I've heard rumors of decreasing values lately a bit). My 99 996 coupe manual with aftermarket stereo and original wheels w/new rubber, full leather, but otherwise pretty base got quoted a trade price of $27-29k range and retail buy low to mid $30's. Anyone found similiar or heard similiar re: 996 prices? I guess maybe the new 997, Boxster, Cayman and Cayman S are biting into the pre-owned 996 sales/prices huh?

they are getting old.....and the 997 is dropping nicely, so a lot of 996 owner might take the step to an almost 2 year old 997....this is why when I bought my 99 cab..I decided to convert the front to the 02 version with a turbo front and rear bumper and keep it until it fals apart!! Maybe (if finances allows me) buy a C4S coupe or a 997 coupe...so I have the best of both worlds. I just can't stomach loosing so much money on trading mine in after all the mods!! About the cayman..I like it and it has great handling...so if you don't need rear seats and don't feel tha the 911 is the only real P....it is a great sports car!!

I guess I don't see the big deal, mass production cars depreciate over time especially when the newer model becomes available.

There are two ways to value the car. 1) Current Market Value (hat you'd get for an outright sale) 2) The feeling you get as you drive it on a long, wide-open road, listening to that flat-6 howling at your back. If the market $$ seems to be dropping, don't sweat it - you bought the car to enjoy, not as an investment.

I never get too worked up over such a thing. I buy a car, drive it until it either costs me more to fix it than to get a new one, or I just get sick of it. Don't worry about the depreciation. It is a car that is what happens.

In the October issue of Excellence, they list a price range of $30,444 to $34,614 for a 2000 996 in good condition. They also stated that the values for early 996s seem to be dropping rapidly. The prices quoted by your Dealer seems to be in line with prices listed in Excellence.

I look at expenditures for non-eseentials from a price / pleasure perspective. I generally don't lease cars, but one of the big advantages of a lease is that you can make that price calculation up-front, and then determine if it's a worthwhile expenditure for you. If the car depreciates faster than exxpected, it won't cost you anything extra, but if the car retains its value better than estimated, you can always take advantage of that by selling the car yourself.

This is sound thinking, and almost acts like a "put" option on your car. If there's positeve equity at the end of your lease you sell it, if there's not you give it to the dealer. I've been toying with the idea of leasing myself lately for this very reason.

How many miles on your 99 coupe mdrob? I might be interested in buying your car this winter/ early spring 07. Send me some pics when you get a chance

The big issue with older 996's for trade at a dealer is the warranty, not the particular resale. It is easier for them to move cars with warranties. Keep in mind the Porsche dealers normally have the highest prices for used Porsches. They can't CPO the car if it is out of warranty. In fact, one of my local Porsche dealers would take the trade; but never put it on the lot. They would just wholesale the car out. Hence why the trade-in would be so low. There are other options like an in-and-out that would get you a better resale, but still the tax advantages on a trade.

One problem I have with leases is they hide a ridiculous amount of interest charges in the payment (usually equivalent to 14%-16% apr) and the residual is always much lower than you could get if selling or trading at the end of lease. But, if the lower net payment is worth it, go for it.

An avg 95-97 993 will sell for more than an avg 99-00 996 Why you ask? Is all about supply and demand

What will the floor be, though?

Not true. When purchasing my CPO car, the factory warranty had been expired by ~18 months.

I don't agree with this statement based off local prices. I do solidly believe 97-98 993's in similar condition (partcularly C4's and C2S' models) will sell for more than a comparable 99-00'. 95's (pre-varioram) go for a peak of $35K. Most are high $20's to low $30's. 96' Varioram cars are typically in the mid $30's. Comparable 00' cars can be in the upper $30's.

I'd say they are dropping... I've been offering my 2004 40th Anniversary for what I think is a steal of a price at $59K and cannot seem to move it. It is sad.

I got the dealer to move off the price of the 05 997 I am looking at am he's now around $29k for my 996 which I think is good since it is out of warranty and all. Also I spent about $3k upgrading the stereo with an aftermarket DVD NAV and BSW 18" wheels. I have 49k miles so I think I am in the ballpark. Of course I'd get $2k maybe even $4k on a person to person trade but there is the time issue and the fact that this is th cleanest CPO 997 I've found in like 500mile area at that price and with the options I would want. So its all good. Still funny how the 996 values seem to be dropping. I paid $38500 for it in 2004 so to get $10k less seems to be okay.