What to I tell my client, advice needed....

[adamred]

Need some Porsche buying advice. But its sticky because my client (worth around $6mil to my company) is the one looking for advice.

He has a leased 2001 Boxster that is going back in August. It has only 8000 miles and would cost him $29K to buy it. He has a kid and I'm sure will have more so he's not anxious to have no back seats.

He's thinking he might want to get into a 2000 or 01 911. I told him that might be a good idea as prices are falling and he could probably get into a nice coupe for the low 40's. I also mentioned that the new ones are coming out next year and that prices will probably nose dive in the next year.

Am I giving good advice? Right now I'm steering him away from the 993s because I'm not sure he has the commitment to maintenance, etc....A couple of years of warrantee life is what he needs...

When are the new 997s coming out? Will we see a gradual reduction in prices or will the bottom just fall out?

Anyone ever give this sort of advice? If he were looking for early cars I'd be a bit more in my element but this is harder for me...

Saw this car on ebay and man it was pretty tempting for me...oooops did I say that...


2001 C4 on ebay

Thanks
Adam

[oldE]

Ha! Adam, posting that question on this board is probably going to draw some flame from the "If it doesn't have an air cooled engine we don't like it crowd" Having said that, aside from pricing of used 996s in your market, I think you are steering your client in the right direction. Personally, I would love to be in a position to take delivery of a water pumper. Warrenty? Whats that? Yeah, I could like that. Hey, if nothing else, maybe in 15 years, I could afford this guy's used ride.
Les

[makaio]

I would love to have a 996 C4. Maybe in another year.

The only thing I don't like about the e-bay car is the colour. I just don't care for dark green metalics. Now if it was Viper Green, then It would be bad a$$.

[adamred]

So when does the 997 make its US debut?

Agreed with the sentiment, I would love a warrantee as well and if I were to ever buy a water pumper it would have to be a wide body "s" type...the narrow lines of the regular 996 just don't do it for me...but this is about the client....

[wm711]

Im an old school guy...reformed. Ive owned so many air cooled cars Ive lost count, love them all. Bought a 996 Coupe last Feb-sold it, bought a boxster last summer, sold it, bought a 996 cab...time of your life, eh Joel. I built a Cobra clone a few yeays ago, and have never had so many people want to discuss cars at the gas pump or car wash as with the 996. They are so nice. I know tons of the air cooled guys dont care for the new cars, I hope they will eventually just try one, they are wonderful. I was right there with them a couple years ago. Feel free in recommending. He will not regret. The 996 is much different than a Boxster. Both are excellent in different ways-Bill

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by makaio
I would love to have a 996 C4. Maybe in another year.

The only thing I don't like about the e-bay car is the colour. I just don't care for dark green metalics. Now if it was Viper Green, then It would be bad a$$.

Matt...that Redding heat must have cooked your gray matter...you don't like dark green? I'm hurt! On the other hand, yeah...count me among those who don't like waterpumpers!

[nostatic]

If he can get an extended warranty, I'd say a 996 would be fine. I think the 997 will "officially" debut this summer, but my guess is that sales of 996s are already in the dumps. There will probably be a dip when they come out, but I don't know how significant it will be. No matter when he buys he'll still be in depreciation land with the car though.

[pwd72s]

Yep, but if he's a 6 mill per year "client", why should he care?

[SpeedracerIndy]

You don't like dark green? Try this then:

[epbrown]

Originally posted by adamred
So when does the 997 make its US debut?

Should be September of this year. I agree that the new model will push prices down on the 996, though I think the 993 will hold. How much 996 prices go down will depend on how well received the 997 is. It's the hatred and calumny heaped on the 996 that's kept 993 prices firm. If people loathe the 997 as much, the 996 prices might bounce back up a bit.

Emanuel

[KobaltBlau]

Originally posted by CDiercks
You don't like dark green? Try this then:

That's what I'm TALKIN 'BOUT!

[wm711]

is there so much hatred for 996based cars?

[wm711]

or is it a little like Penis envy?

[nostatic]

Originally posted by wm711
is there so much hatred for 996based cars?

if you have to ask...

Reason #1: They are water cooled. Many here believe this to be heresey. ymmv.

Reason #2: They are ugly orbs. Subjective opinion, but the stock coupe is a bit too rounded for many's taste, and the rear end is weak (except for the S and Turbos perhaps).

Reason #3: They are heavier and more luxurious. Some believe in stripped down cars that preserve the "driving experience." While the 996 is fast, it isn't as visceral as an earlier car.

Reason #4: No dry sump. No self-respecting car that aspires to "race on sunday, drive to work on monday" would have a wet sump motor.

[nostatic]

almost forgot:

Reason #5: It has a cupholder.

[adamred]

As the thread starter let me just chime in that while I prefer the aircooled models far and away over the newer versions both for stylistic and mechanical reasons that Nostatic has so finely explained...I can still appreciate a P-car wearing the badge, 928, 944, 996, etc.

But this is about my client and friend who really doesn't have the interest in the classic porsche, just wants a fun weekend car that for now he can have serviced by a dealer with a heritage and lineage that we can all appreciate...

[pwd72s]

Suggest a Cayenne? I'm serious here...sounds like he could very well be who Porsche targeted when they designed it...

[adamred]

I actually did think of it but his wife already has an SUV....funny though when I asked if his boxster was manual or tip he actually got a bit insulted that I even asked....

[wm711]

set him up with a 69S, and a mechanic who knows MFI, he will soon do 12M in biz with you. or he might just chuck it all and spend his days running to red-line all day...its a sickness that he sounds like he just might be succeptable to

[Stuttgart951]

Nothing wrong with recommending a 996... some of the early 3.4L cars with the factory Aerokit are becoming temping.

If you can approach them unbiasedly and take an honest test drive youll be amazed at what they can do - lightyears ahead of our cars in terms of performance - and with working AC too!