I don't think of it as "the bottom falling out", so much as that they will continue to depreciate like any other 15 year old luxury car that has not bottomed-out yet. They are decent cars and definitely the cheapest of all 911 variants right now, but they will never have any type of collector appeal and when 997s, (and eventually 991s), get cheap, the 996s will have no value at all. I think that 996 turbos will be different because of performance and they are much better cars built in relatively small numbers but they will continue to depreciate as well.

The bottom line is that you can't get hurt too badly buying a $15k car. It's not like it can depreciate $100k. :cool:

Early Boxsters have been $8 - $10K for several years. Early 996's have been $15 - $20K for several years. Of course there are some above and some below, but there's nothing to indicate values are currently in any kind of rapid decline. Anyone who predicts future values or trends is using fairy dust farted by rainbow colored unicorns. This thread alone, shows the lowly 996 is becoming a more popular car but I'll stop short of telling anyone what will happen to the prices.

If you want one, buy smart and enjoy the hobby. When I bought mine, I mentally wrote off the purchase as a loss and drive the crap out of her.

And just think - I drove her from Seattle back to Dallas and didn't have to stop and replace the motor even one time!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1384516882.jpg

That is a great color.

"In an accident, don't have time for cosmetics". Yikes, I'm betting salvage title.

With the 3.4 they are just the cheapest of the cheap. 99-01 all go for el cheapo usually 02 and above go for a little more.

Cheap 99 almost in my area
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=93035&endYear=2014&modelC ode1=911&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=0& startYear=1981&makeCode1=POR&searchRadius=500&show caseListingId=0&mmt=[POR[911[]][]]&listingId=359124745&Log=0

and on the plus side if/when the engine does blow up you can feel fine about shoving something else in knowing it will never be a collectors car.

****ing a, talking about jet focking black

For someone looking for the lowest entry $$ point then the car linked by LSA looks pretty darn good. Drop the pan or at minimum change & inspect oil filter for metal. I would not be afraid of a high mile car - especially if you intend to drive it.

Sort of a tangent here - it's been discussed plenty on other threads. IMO the biggest attraction to a 911 is the motor. Swapping in something other than a flat 6 would pretty much kill my desire to own/drive the car. Perhaps not the most cost effective stance but well there it is. YMMV.

I can predict that a $15k car cannot depreciate more than $15k and be pretty safe. If someone wants to buy one, I endorse it full-heartedly. If a blown engine would ruin someone financially, they have no business in the Porsche hobby. These are disposable cars in the scheme of any collector or performance car world, plus they are fantastic rides if they do not grenade! :)

Yours looks great. I had a positive ownership experience with mine, in fact it was one of the best cars I've ever owned. It had already had at least one engine replacement, though. I did not get records with it.

They are dropping a little in price lately and should continue unless people who wear bow ties in England start snatching them up in the U.S.A., which I highly freaking doubt. Almost every used car is depreciating, it's a non-factor unless it's precipitous and that's not what's happening here. :cool:

Ditto. The sound and character of the flat-six is what makes the car for me. If I want a LS series motor I'll go buy a Z06, which are another smoking sports car deal.

Tried PM but your message box is full.

I think this car looks nice - has the trip auto that you are looking for. Not sure if black is what you like. It's not anywhere TX but would make a fun road trip home :)

Asking is unreasonably high but given time that could change.

2004 996 - black

Others

1999 Carrera - IMS

Carrera coupe

Carrera in Chino

OK - cleaned out some messages...

If this had an aerokit I would jump on it ;)

Mike - Find a solid car first. Aero can be added later if that's what floats ur boats.

How much would it cost to add on an aerokit? Just thinking aloud. Admittedly maybe not worth it on a car costing $15-20K. Then again, doesn't stop guys sticking them onto $2000 not-so-late-model Japanese cars.

heh heh. "It has all of the base features:"

I looked at it again...looks nice huh?

The thing is, I may have the op to bust into a Twin if a few things drop into place in the next several weeks. That said, I may actually be looking to get a 996 Twin Turbo...

Mike, if you want to spend $30k don't get a turbo. You can get a top notch 996.2 and a pretty good 996S for that money. I've even seen 997s dipping below $30k.

Yup. A $30K TT is gonna hurt you. Go for quality and not bottom dollar.

Which means an early 996 is in the $17-20K range. :)

1999 C2 with updates

Mike - $30K buys a lot of good cars. Be patient.

Unless I am mistaken a 996S is just some additional body work and mass. Actually a tick slower than the stock 996?

From Mike's (M.D.) post I gathered that his original price was 30K but now might inflate enough to look at a TT. If so then I would suggest going that direction Mike. The TT has few faults and is a more robust package all around.

Here's the mk2 aero kit, which looks like a GT3: 996 Coupe Aerokit II:Porsche Parts & Porsche Accessories - Wholesale Porsche Parts & Tequipment

Add on paint and install and you're at $7k pretty quickly.