I think you have to be patient. It never fails - when one is ready to buy, there are no cars that fit one's requirements - but when we are not looking, suddenly all these great cars seem to pop up!

Part of what you have experienced is probably people that really and truly love their cars and are probably turned off by someone talking about the price from the get-go.

When I sold my 2 Vipers and even my Carrera 4, the amount of people that would emailed me or send messages negotiating from the get-go without having had asked about the history of the car, records, etc...was unbelievable. Every single one of those cars was in 9.9/10 condition and they were offering me prices that would rival what other cars sold for BUT with more miles, in not so good condition, etc.

That being said, I sold every single one of those cars for asking price BUT to the first person that took the time and initiative to come and look at the cars in person. If someone is not willing to come and look at the car or if someone is negotiating the price in the first email they send, then frankly, it is probably not worth the time to mess with.

Good luck in your quest - when you find the right car all the work will pay off.

 

Thank you. Also, for clarification, the first questions I have been asking have been about the service history of the car, and NOT price. So I am asking the proper questions so that an offer can be made on a car taking its condition into account.

As for patience, I am pretty patient in my search, which is why I will not bend on certain details of what the car must have. The weather is crap right now in the midwest anyway, so I have plenty of time.

 

My 996tt buying experience has been a pain in the *** too. Although not quite the same as yours, it has been a painful process none-the-less. Take a look at my detailed thread here:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...e-welcome.html

Why is it so hard reel one in?

 

The issue finding a nice used 996TT involves several factors. Although Turbos had historically been limited production, the advent of the 996 N/A motor left Porsche with over capacity in building split case motors hence they built lots of 996TT GT3, and GT2 compared to the 993 and prior years. The second problem is with the massive increase production, coupled with a booming economy, everybody that dreamed of having a Turbo could now go out and buy/lease a new one. Hence a alot of people that had no idea about owning a Porsche leased them and then flooded the market with lease returns a few year later. Lease cars just aren't taken care of as well as owned cars. The used market tanked and everyone got into the game of owning a 996TT. Then they started to realized just because the bought a car for $40K they had the maintenance of a car that cost $120,000. So they just cheaped out on the maintenance and dumped the cars once more. With many of the cars nearing 10 years old the disparity in condition is great and hence pricing. However everyone wants the "perfect" 996TT, one owner, low miles, no accidents, no mods, perfect maintance records, perfect PPI and they want to pay $35k for it which in more indicative of a car that may have been whored around quite a bit. So you call the guy who has the perfect car and low ball him and he doesn't want to give you the time of day because he knows (and can prove) the condition of his car. In the long run an abused 996TT with no documentation is not going to be worth the money you save in the purchase price.

 

That is the problem that I see with prices at the moment. Cars that have been well taken care of with lower miles are still going to fetch $50k plus ....... at least they should. Ask anyone, minus a few lucky ones, that has purchased a "bargain" car if they haven't had to put their share of money into the car post purchase. I bet 8 out of 10 would say they have ........ I think Duane nailed it. Alot of people got into turbos because the cost of admission dropped so low. Many of those people have been unable to maintain the car properly and did what they had to to squeak by.

 

Amen brother!! Couldn't have said it any better. I currently have the "perfect" 996TT for sale but will not let it go for a whored out price.

 

I'd say some of that is true about lower priced ones, but not completely...I took really good care of my old one, but traded it for 35k when I got my Lambo...and that was back in 2008...so thinking that you can get a good one now into 2012 for <40k if you look around for a while. That being said, I'd be ready to throw down 45 for a good pick.

That being said, I kinda want another one - so if anyone knows of a nice black one floating around, let me know No huge rush...I'd like to be in another one by Feb sometime if possible.

 

Im in the same boat! I have been trolling this board for 60 days learning as much as I can and still feel like there is so much more to learn when searching for a 996tt. I have almost exactly the same guidelines as Meeyatch1 and search auto trader, global, here, and cars.com daily cause who's kidding who..the hunt is part of the fun right?

btw Meeyatch1, in fort wayne... small world

My question is besides the 2nd gear pop out in year 2001, and concerns with 2002-2004 years that need to be considered? transmission at certain miles? is 50K too much?

I have noticed though, 45-50K seems to be the number as many cars pop up at that price range and some even with the X50 kit.

for those that have been looking for a while, does it get better or worse for buyers as we roll into the spring and summer months? just wondering

good hunting to those looking!

(meeyatch1, tried to pm but don't have enough post... i wish they allowed us to pay a fee to join...I would pay!)

 

Second gear pop out affects all years.

Little remembered fact is that there are two causes of this- one was a factory assembly error, the other is a lack of gear width/ engagement on second gear making it susceptible to abuse from a missed shift. This latter issue affects all MYs.

These all get lumped into one 'bin'

FYI

A

PS IMO Best time is fall/winter...as spring comes around more buyers.

 

You are dead-on Duane!! So I believe you will need to budget 50K PLUS for the right 996T, I am thinking that the cars prior to build year 2002 will always be a bit cheaper ( no-glovebox models) and that well optioned specimen for the build year 2003 will remain above 50K, the 2004 models 55K and above. I also think we have seen the bottom and the real Porsche folks are now buying these cars with the intention of keeping them (week-end car) and maintaining and modding them. I believe that a new market is being formed whereby tasteful modded and souped-up cars will get a premium based on low mileage / records and condition. Not too many cars out there have racing engines that can be easily pushed to 600 Hp without affecting longevity(too much). The 996T will be the new 993 Turbo and will become a classic and scarce. The 997.2 and 991 engines are really no longer meant to be hot-rodded and those engines are still unproven in serious racing by privateers. Give it 5 years and you're happy you hung on to your 996T. Keep spit-polishing!!