2009 Cayman ($22k, 47k miles, minor accident) vs. 2011 Cayman ($31k, 27k miles)

[teampxy]

Which one should I pick and why? I’d be using it as a daily driver - but I work at home and drive an average of 50 miles a week. So really it is a half-time fun car, half-time garage queen. I definitely like the specs on the 2011 better, including the color. Which one has the better resale potential in 3-4 years? Overall, which one is the better value?

1)
2011 Cayman Base (non porsche dealership)
$31k (KBB private party is $32k, dealer is $35k)
28k miles
Aqua Blue Metallic
Sand Beige Standard Leather (great condition)
PDKicon
Multi-stage Heating System
Standard Seats
18" Cayman S II Wheel with Full-color Porsche Crest
Sound Package Plus, Universal Audio Interfaceicon, Bluetooth
Seat Ventilation Front
Interior Design Package Painted in Exterior Color, Rear Section of Center Console in Exterior Color
Convenience Package (xenons, embossed headrests, auto air, auto dim mirrors)

This 2011 is at a non-porsche dealership. They bought it locally from a lady. They aren't retailing it and were going to sell it to a wholesaler for 31k - they are willing to give me the same price. They showed me the Mannheim post sales report to confirm that these are going for about 31k or more. Everything checked out on their PPI and they are willing to bring it to a Porsche dealer for a PPI. They are going to get a bumper expert to take care of some scuffs and chips on the bumpers with the purchase of the car. In most of my searches (I’ve looked at dozens of Caymans online) the cars selling closer to 20k sell a lot faster than those close to 30k, even if both are priced at KBB.


2)
2009 Cayman Base (private seller)
~$22k - 23k
47k miles
Macadamia Metallic (my number 2 choice in color behind Aqua Blue)
Sand Beige Standard Leather (great condition)
PDK
18" Cayman S II wheel
Automatic Climate Control
Base radio (4 speakers), Universal Audio Interface
Auto-Dim Mirrors & Rain Sensor

I actually was talking to the first owner of this car when the current owner beat me to the punch. I know the person bought it for $21,250, because the person who sold him the car told me. This 2009 has a minor accident on the carfax. I have seen the shop receipt) and it was a right rear panel parking scrape that was fully repaired at a cost of $1,700. I assume that the person will sell for some slight profit considering that there are no 2009s in great condition going for so little.

Advantages of the 2011 car:
Better color (aqua blue)
Newer year, lower mileage
More desirable features (bi-xenons, interior package in exterior color, color crests, ventilation, etc.)
I can get it for wholesale price ($1000 less than private party on KBB)

Disadvantages of the 2011 car:
More money invested. I have the money, and I know resale will be good, but still would prefer to put less into a car.
Some depreciation still to be had before flatlining? Will I get as much back at resale?

Advantages of the 2009 car:
Macadamia is a close second choice after blue
Cheaper (22k vs 31k), which means more money for mods and driving events

Disadvantages of the 2009 car:
Accident on carfax (though I suspect private resale should hold up, but certainly not worthwhile to sell to any dealerships)
Bare bones. Less desirable features (base audio, no xenons, no heat/ventilation)

So which one is the better value and why?

[Rick Brooklyn]

Resale will be good, says who?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

[dwelle]

i've been looking at these lately.

i would take slightly higher miles if needed to stay in a budget and get the additional power of the S.

you shouldn't buy one of these on any sort of resale basis. it's going to depreciate, but on a $30k car that's 6-8 years old, it's not so bad...

[Matt Monson]

How long do you own cars for? If you take either on track and admit it expect a major value ding. If you don't admit it expect one of the many experts on the internet to publicly rip your FS ad apart, and price ding it AND call you dishonest. Track rats get traded in because of this dealer wholesale buy is usually more than track rat ding.

Also PDKs run really hot on track. Budget supplemental gearbox cooling in your mod budget and a proper lsd unless you want to buy Brembo stock. The nannies cook the rear brakes.

If you own cars for a long consider my 18 yo base 986 is worth about $10k. Expect either car you are considering to be similar even if you don't track it.

If it were me I would buy the 09. It is not a great condition car. But I would track such a car and drive it hard. Knowing what that does to paint and chassis I would pick the cheaper car, mod it appropriately, and drive the wheels off it.

You come across a 6spd base 09 in that price range shoot me the listing of you don't buy it. I need a test mule for some development work.

[teampxy]

Thanks Folks - here's the thing. If I like the 2011 better AND I can get it for wholesale (auction price) - seems like a no-brainer, right? So even if the 2009 is 10k cheaper, that is coming at a cost of lower specs, more miles, older car, and a price that is probably more than wholesale because of the accident.

I know these cars will depreciate, just want to make sure that I am not going to be hosed. For example, I bought my 2004 miata in 2012 for 10k and can now sell it for 7.5k pretty easy. 2.5k of depreciation over 5 years is good to me

[teampxy]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

How long do you own cars for? If you take either on track and admit it expect a major value ding. If you don't admit it expect one of the many experts on the internet to publicly rip your FS ad apart, and price ding it AND call you dishonest. Track rats get traded in because of this dealer wholesale buy is usually more than track rat ding.

Also PDKs run really hot on track. Budget supplemental gearbox cooling in your mod budget and a proper lsd unless you want to buy Brembo stock. The nannies cook the rear brakes.

If you own cars for a long consider my 18 yo base 986 is worth about $10k. Expect either car you are considering to be similar even if you don't track it.

If it were me I would buy the 09. It is not a great condition car. But I would track such a car and drive it hard. Knowing what that does to paint and chassis I would pick the cheaper car, mod it appropriately, and drive the wheels off it.

You come across a 6spd base 09 in that price range shoot me the listing of you don't buy it. I need a test mule for some development work.

I am not going to race it - but am going to do a high perf driving clinic and a driver's event (does that count?) I will send you some links to cars I found recently.