Speaking as an "outsider" I have noticed a trend in the pricing of 996TT's.
Back in February/March, I was in the market for a new (to me) toy and was seriously shopping for a 2001-2002 996TT. At the time my wife and I were expecting our first child in July, so after much thought, we gave up the search for a P-car and decided the best compromise would be a Mercedes-Benz E55 (supercharged).
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my E55. It's roomy, has a huge trunk, and is fast enough for my standards. However, I recently came to the conclusion that we never really use the car as often as I hoped, due to the fact that my wife and I have our respective daily drivers. So realizing that I can afford to have an impractical "toy" I began investigate the possibility of getting a 996TT to replace the E55.
My recent searches have brought me to the conclusion that asking prices have not really dropped since the beginning of the year. The type of cars I had looked at seem to have strongly held their ground. I don't know how auction prices are currently, but judging from autotrader, ebay, etc. it appears the market has stabilized for these cars.
Thoughts/comments?

 

Having just done some shopping myself, I'd say the 01-02 have stablized. 03's are coming down, 04-05 sinking fast. Cabs are still fairly strong.

I think it will hold until the 997 turbo hits the ground. Then you'll see a flood of 996 TT's being flipped for 997's and all the prices will take a big hit, with a more narrow gap from 01-04 models. So if you can wait 10-12 months, you'll save another $10k easy.

$0.02

 

Look in the for sale section there is a 01 for $63K...You will have a hard time finding one lower then that!
Good luck!

 

Agreed, i have a hard time believing they are going to be going lower than 60k, its insane if they do quite honestly! There are 01's with 40k miles on up in upper60's low 70's right now

 

I agree, once the 997 TT hits the street, the current TT's will take a good hit and I think it will stabilize from there. But, the 01's have depreciated so much already, it can't go that much lower. I don't think you will see a decent TT go for lower than 50k for a long time. For ref, I saw a 01 TT with 31k miles selling for 60k right now in Los Angeles.

 

I agree with some of these comments. Not every TT is constant. Many have better options, colors, mods warranty etc. The lower mileage nicer optioned TT's will hold on OK from here. I don't see too many people punting in the 60's or 70's to run out and but a new one for 145 plus tax. Not to mention a modded TT will probably still outrun the new one. I could be wrong but if you budget is 60 to 85 you can not beat a well kept used TT. They rock. Remeber this can is a lot more than just straight line fast. Almost any boob can go fast in a TT and live to tell about it. Do what most suggest on here and get the nicest one you can afford and pay attention to maintence records. I understand cool down of the turbos is not as common as it should be. This should be done religiuosly!!!! Motor is fine and drivetrain is solid but turbos will ruin if not treated properly. These cars are awesome and you will enjoy owning one. Good luck!

 

Not necessarily...(since we are just speculating)...the 997TT may invigorate the 911 Turbo market. There will be an increased interest in the 996TT by those who want the 997TT but can't (or won't) pay the price. When there are more 996TT buyers than there are cars, the price goes back up (to where it should be!). A principle reason the prices have been lower than "book value" is because there are more used 996TTs for sale than people to buy them. Supply vs. demand, Economics 101.

 

I agree with that statement. We are just speculating right now, I think that we will no more when everyone gets more info on the new Turbo ie. price. If you want one what are you waiting for, cars are not investments, they are to be used for simple enjoyment.

 

It can only go down so far before demand hits supply and I don't think the 997TT will hurt it too bad. Different markets with the majority of the 996TTs sitting in the 70k to 90k range. Unless the 997TT looks different than the 997 or has a substantial boost in hp, I doubt I will go there. This is from someone who bought 3 996TTs and 2 996 NAs in the last 5 years. A 997TT with a CGT front end, large intakes behind the rear doors and 500+ hp would win me over. Otherwise, I am sticking with my 996TT cab and will continue buying more Italians as my weekend rides.

 

Agreed. So far, it appears the 997TT is not much of change from the 996TT as the 996TT was from the 993TT. They don't need to do very much as the 996TT is so well done.

 

Your right

 

Is there any significant difference in price between 6MT and Tip trannies?

 

I'd say 997 TT will have almost zero impact on 996 TT due to already major depreciation and the unlikely "flood" of 996 TT owners looking to dump their cars and throw close to 100K in for one that's not likely to be that much better. The Turbo market will likely never be the same since most of these cars are at stratospheric levels of performance already. If anything, the market is ripe for a Lexus/Infinity/Acura type scene like we saw in the early 90's. That was a time where BMW & Mercedes pricing was getting out of control and new players with good/great product brought them back to reality. If Porsche starts prices on the new Turbo at more than $130 ish, there might be a problem. As we've seen with CGT, Ford GT, SLR and some other highly priced exotics, the market isn't dumb even for a great car.

 

Chebby's new Z06 is a prime example and is actually priced similarly to the average pre-owned 2002 996TT.

 

I disagree to the extent that the core market for new Porsche Turbos are generally unlikely to opt for a Vette instead of a Porsche turbo. I also do not believe that Vette prices will have that great of an impact on used turbo prices. This website is perhaps more performance oriented or driven than the general public. I think most individuals in the turbo market are more than happy with the performance offered by the turbo and are buying it because they want a Porsche turbo.

In general, I think the core market for turbos and new turbos will be more tempted by falling 360 prices, 430s, Gallardos, and other exotics that can now be driven more frequently. I know I am whereas I remained with Porsche for so long because the Italians were a bit suspect when it came to frequent use. I am now rotating between two Italians for most of my daily driving without maintenance issues.

Porsches biggest challenge will not be outpacing American muscles. Gieven a decent economy, the turbo buyers will be looking to move up, not laterally or back. I think the flood of Italian cars in the $ 130 to $ 170 range have tempted die hard turbo buyers. The other factor is the seemingly high production numbers and large quantity of newer turbos, 360s, 550s, and Gallardos for sale. I think the turbo can tolerate a price increase provided the car receieves a substantial face lift and a susbstantial boost in performance.