I was talking to someone the other day who said they would never buy a car that comes out mid-model year, for example the Cayman coming out in January as a 2006 model, meaning you get about 6 months as a new model as opposed to a full year. Their point was accelerated depreciation and that they would wait for the first full model year.
Any thoughts or concerns along those lines among early Cayman buyers?
The safest bet is probably a 2007: fewer first year niggles, only 6 months later, a year's less depreciation, more options.
BUT, I want one now.
If your going to keep it.... Who cares
Every car will depriciate. Most cars are not an investment. Just drive and have fun.
I waited until 99 before buying a Boxster because the 97s really were new and there were bound to be problems. I just don't see that problem with the Cayman. Neither the chasis nor the engine are the product of new technology or a new assembly line. The plant in Finland has been running for years.Any individual car can be a loser for any of a number of reasons at any time inthe production history. Not sure where the 6 month/12 month model year is any different. The depreciation begins the moment you drive off the lot. Expensive sports cars (any make, excluding true antiques or those with historical significance) are not investment instruments, period.There's a lot of rationalization that goes on to justify the expense (Porsches
are
expensive), but that's all it is.
I like the way you think ......... like the man said you can't take it with so why get what you want now !!
PLUS ......... I like being the first kid on the block to have one /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/drive.gif
So you guys don't expect your cars to be demanding a premium for the first few months after release?
In the UK the expectation with this type of low volume/high demand car is that it should at very least maintain list price for the first 6-8 months after release. A well specced and looked aftre car can be pretty much free motoring (bar fuel, insurance) if you can get in early.
Example: place an order today in any OPC (Official Porsche Centre) in the UK and you won't see delivery for 12 months. It was exactly the same with the new SLK 200-upto-55 models.
This phenomenon is expected to be further exaggerated with the Cayman if it really is as good as everyone reckons it's going to be.
JackWood -I really hope you're right about UK residuals but apparently that's not what's being whispered on other car enthusiast sites in the UK....OPCs having problems selling their allocations, known customers being offered early/launch cars at a discount..../fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/omg_smile.gif
I'm quite high up on my UK dealer's list but I don't want the car before March 06...for the new registration plate plus the small matter of saving up the cash!
I think JackWood is right. The fact that there are none instock at the dealer keeps used prices high, look at 997s.... still at sticker for a used one, unless it's hammered.
I was wondering how much demand there was here in the UK - though I got my order in early for a Dec / Jan build. So I rang Chiswick OPC today as a new customer and was told that if I order now I'll get a January or February build (depending on full spec) !
They expect an increase in demand after the Frankfurt launch next week, and are then expecting (or hoping ?) for big sales once they get their showroom cars at the end of November. I tend to agree with Stuntman, that the demand here has not been as expected, but I do think that once folks can see / drive the Cayman sales will surge, and hopefully the residuals will stay high for the first twelve months.
As always alot will depend on the press response when they start reviewing the cars properly.
Tonse
It will be interesting to see the response after Frankfurt, but I think the car is priced rather high for thosecontemplating an entry 987, and those wanting a
911
(996,997,998whatever's in the showroom)are not likely to be disuaded.As such I think the Cayman Swill remain rather a niche car for those who are looking for mid-engine Porsche performance in a coupe. I'm not sure I see this car stealing too many sales from Audi, Mercedes, or Nissan just because a $60-70K price is quite a bit more than what those competitors offer that is supposedly 'comprable' in concept. Some 987S and some base 997 sales may be cannabilized because there are other like ourselves that have rather well focused and thought through reasons why we wantthis particular sports car. Not sure about resale value being any better than the other Porsches (which isaverage, but average isn't good)because the US market is so huge and Porsche's production volume is not really a limiting factor. It may be different in other parts of the world.
