Im still trying to convince my wife to let me buy the porsche. She keeps putting up roadblocks.

So question for you guy. What do most of you pay to register your cars in California. I want to buy a 2002-2004, so those of the figures Im looking for specifically.

Thanks,
John

 

02 c4s $454

 

04 C4S $660, roughly 2% of the wholesale KBB, up this year from 1% and sales tax is 8.75% of price on bill of sale. Thank you Terminator!

 

Now, let's discuss the wife. I have had my C4S for 4 years and my wife is still not to keen on the idea, she just knows that it is here to stay. Depending on what you are looking for, if your looking for 996 Carrera plan on $20K to 40K. There are really no cars, new or used, out there for that money, that will give you the kind of enjoyment that a Porsche will give you. You get some nice Japanese cars (Infinity G37, Nissan 375 etc and Bimmers) but there are literally thousands of those on the road. Porsches are very distinctive, and you will rarely see one that is exactly the same. I got a Tiptronic, that she will drive and she enjoys it with her only complaint is that it is too loud (Fabspeed Sport Mufflers and CAI), But living in So Cal and the mountains and beaches so close, we take rides thru Big Bear, to San Diego, Malibu,with the top down and it is a really enjoyable experience for the both of us. We make a day of it stopping for lunch and walking on the beach or short hikes in the mountains. This is the kind of stuf you wouldn't do driving around in a plain coupe or sedan. We are also members of the local Porsche CLub and often go on the weekend or daily trips planned by the club.

 

The cost of plates is only the tip of the iceberg.

 

Buy a warranty.

 

$380 for a 99 this year I think(?)....

 

+1 to MeanRob's post.

Registration should be the last thing that worries you. Its part of owning any car. Plus you live in CA where youll get ripped off anyway!

If you know what you are getting into youll be fine. Best advice- even if you get the car for $30k give or take its still roughly a 80k plus car, goes for most high end german stuff.

 

Remember it's not just the registration which is annual but you will have to pay tax on the purchase price so add 10% for the first registration. Best car to drive I've ever had. Pure enjoyment. Used P-cars 996 are way less than the purchase price of most new cars.

 

If you can do the maintenance yourself the cost is a fraction of what dealers charge. Also, most indy's will charge far less than a dealer. An example, I just did an oil change with Syntech 5W-40 (10 quarts for less than $70 at Autozone, with 2 filters for my other cars) and an OEM Filter bought on-line. total cost for parts, less than $90, took me less than 45 minutes.

As for 45,000 mile service, you should go through the list on your car, but most of these types of service on any car is really paying the dealer to look for problems they can them sell you additional service for.

All this said, these are not "cheap" cars to drive so you should take that into account.