I agree offer 47k

 

And you wouldn't have to spend 10K on mods for the 997? Given your math, you'd be at 85k vs. 65k. Is the 997 that much better? Just askin'....

 

Doug,when i started my search for a 996 TT,the first question i asked was ; Do you sit on the seat or do yiou sit in the seat in a 996 TT ? Most asnwered on...
Well as you know i went out and test drove a 996 TT and though the seating position was fine but some how i just wasn't convinced.
I was still going for a 996 until i test drove a 997 TT locally here in Louisville.
Here is what i thought were the convincing points:

Exterior styling:
997 TT seems wider and sits lower than a 996 TT.

Interior:
997 TT has mostly leather interior with bit wider seats and has more shoulder room for the driver and the passenger. 996 TT feels quite a bit narrow as compare to the 997.

Driving:
Stock 997 TT felt lot more smoother and powerful than a stock 996 TT. I mean it's hard to explain but it felt like a complete car.

Yes i would still have to lower the car and get the exhaust and the tune but for me if it was a 996 TT than it had to be a TTS with all leather interior and i can not find a TTS under $70,000

Don't get me wrong,996 TT are still tempting as they are great cars and can be had for good value. However knowing myself, i will be selling the 996 in a year or two and upgrading to 997 so why not just go for it now

If you get a chance go and test drive one yourself and you will know what i am talking about.

 

I just purchased from a non-Porsche dealer, a single-owner '01 Seal Gray (holla!) Tip w/ 26k for $41.5k. All service records. New tires and brakes. Not too much done to it (painted rear console, body color guages, CD changer, "hi-fi" audio system (yeah, riiiiight)). Had to replace spoiler hydraulics ($750) and driver window regulator ($400). So call it ~$42.5k for a pristine sample. PPI done at my Porsche mechanic and came back flawless. I had to have a Tip (traffic/wife) and not many out there in pristine shape/low miles. Definitely would have liked to pay closer to $41k all-in, but feel I got a good enough deal to walk away happy.

As for the comment about the 996 vs. 997, would I enjoy a 997TT? Sure. But I didn't have an extra $40k lying around for a similar mile/condition 997.1 that is also out (or about to be out) of warranty. Pretty much a no-brainer for me.

 

def good deals to be had on tips auto trans out there...buddy said it best when he was negotiating a deal on a tip, same reason as you (wife/traffic) so he was driving the deal down as much as he could, he's a salesman also so he knew how to work it lol ...he told the other salesman at the dealer "c'mon man you and I both know getting this car in a tip is like having a hot looking gf who won't f**k you, give me a deal on it and I'll walk out of here with the keys!!" .... the guys jaw dropped and hit the floor ...two hours later he got the 3 grand off the price he wanted and put the car in Drive and peeled outta the lot hahaha!!!

 

proving the point that pricing on our cars is all over the place, i've found a well cared for and nicely ( cargraphic mostly ) modded 03 for 42k from a fellow sixspeeder, which i'll be getting this weekend. so my insurance co pays me off at a value of 58k! for my 02 and i find an 03 at fair market value for 42k. go figure!

in loving memory of my 02 x50 i shall keep my screen name.