[Dottore]

In this town there seems to be a disproportionately large market for very lightly used Porsches (and other high end cars) with less than 10,000 kilometers (6,000 miles) on the clock.

The dealer tells me that this is because of "impulse buys". Some guy buys a new Porsche and then realizes he cannot afford it, or the wife gives him hell or his buddies with Corvettes disown him etc.

These cars, often the most recent model year, can be had here for a 15% - 20% discount - which is quite amazing value. I looked at 997S with 6,000km (undamaged) for 20% off sticker last week. Great value.

And I don't know what it is like elsewhere - but 996's are being given away here. They are definately the dog of the 911 vintages. Not a good investment. To me they have always looked ridiculous.

During a recent interview with Wendelin Wiedeking in the German press he indicated that future iterations of the 911 would again become leaner and more sporting. The grand-touring role in the line-up would be assumed by the four-door model that is in the works. This is good news for most - but bad news for 996 owners.