The 997 model line was launched in late august 04 (as an 05 model) . As we are now half through model year 10 and most of the models have been refreshed I wonder what to think of the Turbo S and upcoming Gt2 . How long after these cars are launched will the 997 remain in production before a redesign ? With price on the move upwards I also wonder how the new car will impact the value of its predecessor.

In the past it's gone either way . The 993 was such a success that the prices rose when the 996 came out. The 993 Turbo still remains a high priced car. The 996 on the other hand softened a bit but held on failr well, However a 996 Turbo NEW cost as much as a 997S in todays market and a Turbo S NEW costs as much as 1.5 996 Turbo cars. In short .. the price climb is steep in contrast to time. I even feel that Porsche has priced itself out of the market with the 997S cars and that was revealed in the 09 discounts where the cars sold AFTER the lower pricing was a possibility.

The Turbo market is a bit different . Most Turbo shoppers aren't bargain hunting but the idea of paying 180+k to see a completely new body style and engine within a year sounds over the top to me.

The same can be said of the Gt3 where it almost seems like 2010 cars were quite heavily produced and with the PDK being the new gadget du jour and a residesign drawing nearer .. will this once price resillient car hold its value.

The 997 is a tough act to follow. It truly is a beautiful car . It retained traditional styling and offered a lot of modern components . The new car will have a big task at hand .

I ask these questions because i do have TWO 997 cars .. and I like to look ahead but i also like to keep my eyes peeled on the value of the cars I am holding too.

Any ideas ? Thoughts? Anyone simply waiting for the next car ?

 

I was pretty sure I wanted the 2010 turbo, and was casually shopping for one. I decide not to move ahead because of the reason you stated above. I know it might be three years before the next turbo, but I am looking forward to the next generation Porsche.

 

I think you would be better off buying the first of a new model than the last of an old one.

On the other hand there is always a better and faster car on the drawing board somewhere.

 

I feel the last of a current generation are better than the first year of a new generation. Everything has been worked out, and there are many changes that occur over a lifespan of a model. The 2003 M5, 2006 e55 were both great cars. My first year 2001 z06 had ring issues that were worked out, my 2003 m3 had the bearing recall, etc... The 997 gt1 platform is tried and true, the new engine and pdk may have some issues. Only time will tell.

 

Interesting. Not discounting your opinion but it's always been my opinion to buy the second to last year of a model rather than the first year of a new model. By the time a car is "late" in it's model life all of the bugs should be worked out, kinda like the philosophy of never buying a piece of furniture made on a Monday or Friday.

Of course I've never actually owned a Porsche ( someday! ) where QC doesn't appear to ever be an issue. Most of my transportation has been much more pedestrian like Mustangs and the such and I'm usually in for the long haul of at least 5+ years so immediate depreciation isn't an issue.

 

It will be interesting to see how many turbo in the showroom in a few months, including the turbo S. All the dealer I saw has 5 to 6 Panamera, and the 2010 turbo.

 

I think the answer to this question depends how badly you want a Turbo. If a new model Carrera S will scratch your itch just as well, you should wait. If only a Turbo (or GT3 etc) will do, you might as well buy now. The 991/998 shape might be just around the corner, but a new Turbo version is some way off surely.

 

I think the redesign will be great. More current technology and since Audi uses B&O for their upper end audio package, maybe we'll see the B&O in the next 911 interation.

Could the next model actually be cheaper? Maybe not in actual dollars (but that too is a possibility) but in comparison to present valuation of whatever MSRP is?

I agree that last model year should be pretty reliable but I would suggest not stopping by a dealer when the new model comes out because for some more $ you could have had the newer model (and its potential lack of reliability/kinks that need to be worked out)

 

I saw a 2010.2 Turbo at the dealership today. I was amazed the base price was the same as when I bought mine new in 2002. (~162K C$) The new car definitely has more bang for the buck... but it isn't proven yet. How durable is the new engine? How much torque can the new PDK tranny hold? I'd wait until the answers to these questions are revealed. Perhaps PDK will never be an option if you're planning on adding GT30's. Time will tell. None the less, what a cool car! 3.8 direct injection GT2 with PDK & GT30s would be quite a machine, if it would hold together.

 

[QUOTEInteresting. Not discounting your opinion but it's always been my opinion to buy the second to last year of a model rather than the first year of a new model.][/QUOTE]

Normally I woild agree with this but i feel Porsche took a lot of risks with the .2 refresh cars . Both the 997S and Turbo got a DFi engine and one point noted on the normally aspirated forum is the increase of oil consumption . Plus there are so many new gadgets .. that its almost like a new car in the old body style.

When it finally gets the new body, and PDK evolves, and the technology updates . the 180K car will seem dated. That's the big problem BMW ran into with technology .. the gadgets changed at a pace more rapidly than the engine and styling so an older car may look very similar but have archaic components.

It;s actually one of my fears with my PDK car . If PDK changes for the better .. my entire car will become dated even if it looks the same as a 2011 model.

 

the 996 cars died in resale due to massive production numbers vs the 993.
the 997 cars are headed down the very same road.
i see, for example, the 997gt3 as perhaps the best loved 911 since the 993tt. but it didnt maintain its value. why??? its the production numbers, off course.

 

There are lots of variables in this matter, but my first observation is that it is very unlikely we will see a repeat of the 993 value stability in the 997 cars. New Porsches drop major $$ in the first few years and thereafter continue to decline, albeit more slowly. The higher an initial MSRP the greater the losses...sometimes $30-50k in the first year for a loaded out TT.

Values can be helped by low miles, desirable colors/options etc. however keeping the miles down means you are not driving the car(s) that you are paying big money for every month. There is also the maintenance isssue. These cars can cost a lot if there is a problem so most folks want a warranty which pushes buyers to the new cars or at least newer cars covered by a cpo. Finally, the world economy is going to hell and I wonder where all the buyers for expensive used sports cars are going to come from.

 

997 may be stable if the wet sump direct engine has issues. The GT1 dry sump engine has it's merits for tunability, and may hold value for this.

 

I think the original 997 Turbo will hold it's value better in the long run due to the superior dry sump engine. As the 993 Turbo was the last of the air cooled turbos, the 997.1 will always be the last of the true dry sump powered turbos.

 

Fingers crossed on that....im hopin your right! I doubt 997 will be a repeat of 996 where poor resale was concerned. 997 is second generation water cooled and has a far better body shape and more true to design, has more competant engines (thats not discounting 996tt cars which are endowed with the wide body and go factor) .

There is no escaping the numbers produced on both 996 and 997 and that probably wont change on the 991. I think it all gets down to the desirability of the model in the used market place. Sure there is a global downturn but used porsche 911's are still a good property in comparison to other marques even in these gloomier times.

For me I think my next look in will be when 991tt hits and even then it may be wise not to jump straight in .