Residual Values of 996

Are the relatively cheap prices of 996s due to the fact that they were replaced by the 997s and seen as 'not keeping up with the Joneses' sort of thing or is it because of the engine probems reported - and has Porsche issued any statement or statistics on this? I've a soft spot for cars that get knocked - how cheap have good examples been going for?

You should check out pistonheads, there are dozens of threads about this. Given the current economic climate, boys toys tend to be one of the first things to go. There is also the basic issue of supply and demand. I suppose it depends on what you mean by the relatively cheap price of the 996. My car is 7 years old but similar cars are being retailed by specialists for over £25k. By contrast, my daily driver is an 8 year old BMW 5 series which is tidy enough but worth about £3500. The BMW was nearly half as expensive as the Porsche when new. That makes the 996 relatively expensive in comparison! I think the 996s are holding up pretty well compared to many other vehicles, including the 997 - you could currently buy a very nice 996 for the price of the first year's depreciation on pretty much any 997. The oldest 996s are over 10 years old now and youngest Carrera is getting on for 5 and that is bound to have an effect. In a direct comparison with the 997, it would be pretty hard to argue convincingly that, model for model, there is anything better about the 996 - Porsche didn't spend millions developing the 997 to make a worse car. Comparing an older 996 Turbo with a 997 Carrera is a whole different argument. Similarly, (good) 993s hold their value relative to the 996 as they will always be seen as the engineering pinnacle of the air cooled cars. Outside of specialist circles such as this forum, I'm not sure how widely known the "engine issues" are with the 996. Again, look on pistonheads for statistics about this but the actual percentage of total failures (like mine) is microscopic given the number of cars sold.

Thanks Rob. I take your point about the 997 but I liked the response I got once from a chap at a meet who had both a 996 and 997. Although the 997 has quicker performance figures I asked him 'what feels quicker?'. He couldn't say that the 997 feels quicker. Haven't been in either car but the 993 for example certainly felt quick when I tried one. I like cars that lets one feel the acceleration.

go for a 996 TT then[ ]

I don't think you need a turbo to feel the acceleration in a 996. It's just that you would feel a lot more in a turbo! I know what you mean about the 997, I drove a new 4S Tip Cab a few months ago and whilst it was a lovely car, it cost over £90000 - way beyond my means. I didn't feel disappointed when I got back in my own car and fundementally, the driving experience is very similar. To date, I haven't driven a 996 turbo as I suspect that would lead to me changing my car!

youre not alone rob ! [ ]

If I distract Barry at the next meeting, you could get his keys...

No, it certainly has little to do with the 997. I happened to be in a well known indie Porsche garage today and the proprietor said that nothing was moving, not 997's, not 996's and not earlier cars either. Yes the fact that the 993 was the last of the air cooled 911s has given it somewhat of an iconic status and that did affect the relative values of 993s v 996s but there's no question that the 996 is a better car. There were some 996s with engine problems but in the view of the indie dealer, this was much overstated and it is not limited to 996s. He has a 997 for sale which had an engine replaced at 20k miles. Incidentally this 997 has depreciated £45k in 18 months (ouch!). The values of all cars, not only Porsches, are sliding badly but IMHO this is not necessarily a bad thing because the values of newer more expensive cars are falling in £ terms even more than older cars so that move from a 996 to a 997 may be more affordable now than it was a few months ago

I have to say getting my car back after the 997 I had, my 996 felt much lighter and faster and all together better. Whether thats familiarity I don't know I can't explain it. In my mind the 997 should be better as its newer but I certainly don't yearn for a 997 which I was worried I might. (And one of the reasons why I haven't driven a 996TT..............Yet[ ]) I prefer the look of the 997 vs. 996 though. I like the look of the 993 but the interior is horribly dated.

Thats intresting i was dreading the day that my opc loaned me a 997 in case it made my 996 feel to dated. I did have a Cayman for over a week i liked it a lot but it didnt make me want to trade my 996 in for 1. I have been taking a longer view on this and am happy to keep my car for a few more years, i would like a GT or a Turbo but dont have the Budget for a good one so would rather keep my old girl which i know well for a while longer my car has taken a hit in the four years i have had it but its all very relative. Phil

Not necessarily? Surely as they add weight in luxuries and electronic trickery in every generation, then add power to make headline figures despite the weight, it all gets less relevant if you want to drive it around British roads in the 21st century? The Veyron is the pinnacle of pointlessness in the real world. Commendable for it's vision, as was the Mclaren F1, but would you really enjoy driving one today? To me, living in a speed-camera infested, traffic congested outer suburb of London but with great driving roads within reach I am becoming more and more convinced that a lightweight, cheap, frill-free car is actually more fun than modern beasts. Every day I see Astons and AMG Mercs in queues of traffic looking increasingly irrelevant off a track. I reckon you could work backwards through the 911 range now, and have more excitement at legal, safe and achievable speeds as you go back in time. Progress isn't always better.

my old frogeye sprite felt a lot quicker than the cayman ,30 yrs ago but would i want to go back?? not b likely[ ]

I had one of those! Thought I was the bees knees at 18 year old with a 'sports' car! That was until both front wishbones collapsed at speed. Never again!