I've got a lead on two cabriolets and would like your input. The cars are the same price. I'm doing PPIs on both but by all indications so far these cars are very clean and in comparable condition (one has 3 ignitions in Range 2, the other has 0 in Range 2).

'04 Turbo with X50
$158K MSRP
30K miles
Blue with Gray Full Leather and a Blue Top
Hardtop
18" Sport Techno Wheel
One owner
Clean CarFax
ALL SERVICE RECORDS from the last 11 years

'05 Turbo S
32K miles
Silver with Black Full Leather and Black Top
PCCB
Thicker Steering Wheel
Sport Seats w/Full Leather Int
Sport Shifter
Rear Ctr Cons Painted Extr Clr
Sport Seats Painted To Match
3 owners
Clean CarFax
Some service records:
-15K done at 13K
-30K done
-Clutch accumulator replaced recently

I don't have a strong color preference as I'm color blind

The '05 is better equipped (despite having a lower MSRP), but the history on the '04 is compelling. The real mechanical difference between the two cars is that the '05 has the PCCB and the '04 doesn't.

Intended use: The car will not be raced, but may see some HPDEs as I live very close to MSR Houston. I'm getting a 911 over a 427 Cobra as I have a 2.5 year old and I'd love to put her in the back seat, so this is probably going to be a cruiser 99% of the time. I have no intention to modify the car, but may do a tune and exhaust in the future.

I will probably not own the car forever, so resale value is a consideration but not a primary motivator.

Your input is most welcome.

 

From description you can't go wrong with either one= go with the car your gut says to buy. Personally like the blue color of 04 but 05 has nicer options.

 

i'd opt for the 05S as there were less made? and in spite of the 3 owner history at 30k miles the motor has just been broken in and in both cars, babied.

only downside for a streetcar is the 05 has the carbon brakes and when the rotors needs changing, ugh.

but they look pretty equal so get the one you enjoy driving the most, as all else appears fairly equal. GL w the purchase!

 

'05, no contest!

A year newer car is always good, everything else being equal. The '05 looks to have some nice stuff. Better for you to enjoy and better come resale time. There is a reason so many P cars are silver and black. Ask your bank what these are worth retail, then compare.

 

I like the way your question was presented, the options and the intended usage . . .

Personally, for me, it would be the 04, yellow brakes are ridiculous cool . . . until you have to replace them. That would be a detractor for me, especially since this car will be a cruiser. KH

 

buy a set of steel rotors for the 05 place the pccb in hiding for resale and get the 05

 

I personally I like the blue over the silver. Too many silver Porsches out there. But with the 05, I think you get 6 pot front calipers, which IMHO is a nice upgrade. As 32Krazy says, sell the carbon rotors and get steel. I think in the long run, a Turbo S will carry more value as it's a total package and only 1 year made. Plus, as many say, buy the newest you can afford. Keep us posted on your decision.

 

Thanks for the input, everyone! I'll keep you abreast of the decision. Both cars are out of state and will take a little while to get sorted between PPI and shipping, but I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Blue is nice but not a fan of the light interior personally. 05 is newer and 'S' likely to hold value better all other things aside.

 

When you say the 05 is "Silver with Black Full Leather and Black Top" I assume you mean that it's a cabriolet?

If so, many clubs require that you have a roll cage installed if you're going to do HPDE's with a cabriolet, this may sway your opinion to the 04. If this isn't an issue or it's a coupe I'd personally go with the 05 simply because of the rarity of the 05 Turbo S, even though I slightly prefer blue over silver.

Edit: Actually I take that back, it seems that the 911's rollover protection system meets the requirements of PCA and I think Audi club, and I'd think others allow it too. So I'd go with the 05 due to rarity, even if it is a cabriolet. Plus I'm sure you'd make good use of the cabriolet in Texas. Also, I'm not sure what can be impressive about service records for a car with 30K miles, as long as the 15k a 30k maintenance has been done, yearly oil changes, and the PPI checks out I wouldn't be worried.

 

05 S for sure it will appreciate more and may even be a collectors item down the line. VERY limited numbers of 2005 Turbo S's were made. I think like just over 100.

 

I would buy the 05 as it is much better optioned and probably more sought after. Don't worry about the carbon brakes you can always change to steel rotors.

 

There wasn't that many X50's made either and most guys looking at Turbos realize the X50 is the S option so that shouldn't matter much. With that said I'd get the newer car and put on steel rotors.

So many turbos have been modded (especially the 996TT) that I think a nice, clean, stock turbo will at some point be highly sought after, similar to the E30 M3. They all ended up as modded out track cars so a nice stock one is fairly rare.

 

2005 S all day!