[racer]

I think you are still 5 years away from $10k 996's. Heck, 1997 Boxsters are only now getting to 10K (for high mileage, rattier examples)

I thought I had noticed a bit of a bottoming out already on the 996s, in part because 993 prices could be viewed as artificially high. I haven't seen any '99 996's for under $20K (I am not including any auction prices here).. Most are low to mid 20's for higher mileage examples.

With 997's so expensive I think there is still a chance for 996's to recover a bit from the initial price drops. By 2002/3 they seemed to have been better sorted out, better equiped and better preserved than the 3.4l cars.

I would argue that the 928=996 comparison a bad one as the 996 IS a 911 and the 997 improves upon the basic style and performance that the 996.

It is unclear why people say the new cars are not designed for "longevity". Heck the 996 was produced for 7 years (3.2l carerras for only 5) and in fairly large numbers. I admit there are components known to fail (rms and coolant tanks come quick to mind) and "electronic" components do fail with age, but I can't think of ANY Porsche that can't last 10-15 years or 200,000 properly maintained miles.

Heck, some argue its much nicer being able to purchase a "crate" motor than having to rebuild one.