Hello everyone! I'm a new member in need of help! Two questions: 1.) I am buying an '09 Carrera S and was wondering what % off retail you guys think is a good deal? I have purchased 4 cars in the last 4 years from them (3 of them this past quarter)! 2.) I currently have an '08 BMW M3 (paid MSRP of $67,650 in March). What do you think is a fair price off MSRP for this car? Also, test drove the '08 Carrera S and the engine didn't have enough punch for me. Do you think the '09 (with it's 385 horses and 310 lbs. of torque) will have the "punch" I'm looking for (i.e. closer to the M3's power)? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also, love the site! There's tons of useful info. here! Keep up the good work!

 

Guys, am I doing something wrong here? I've had 36 views to my question but no replies? Any thoughts?

 

any more?

 

Thanks. I really appreciate the input.

 

Going into the launch of the 09 it may be tough to get more than 3-5 percent off (depending on region) . Why are you giving up the M3? As for resale on the M3 --that's going to be tough . Dealerships are facing atough time moving those cars. On roadfly.com in the M3 section there are post about how new cars are getting discounts .

Resale would depend on how many miles and condition of the car . Under 5K miles and no issues you can ask 63900 and close on 59.5 IMO.

 

Probably because you made reference to the M3 being more powerful than the 997.

 

It is more powerful in a straight line .

Exibit A -- https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...e92-story.html

Exibit B- Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isBoU_Is24g&feature=user

 

IIRC the M3 has 420HP and similar 0-60 times to the 08 997S so I would assume that if a 355 HP 08 997 S did not give enough kick, then I doubt that 385 will do it for you, if that is your main criteria for selecting a car then Porsche is probably not really the car for you unless you go for a Turbo or maybe the GT2! You are probably well aware of other cars that would deliver an incredible shove in the rear when pushed (e.g., Corvette ZR1) maybe you need to consider them as well.

I bought the 977 because I wanted the complete Porsche experience, the 0-60 time was one thing I looked at but it was only part of what I was looking for (I even bought a cab for more $ than a coupe and it is slower!), you really need to take a Pcar out on some twisty back roads or a track to appreciate it, once you do you will understand why I spend my money on a Porsche, YMMV enjoy the search.

The 09s are new this year and the US car allocation is down so dealers will want to extract every $ they can for these cars, but you might be able to get one for 3% to 5% of depending on your location and the options on the car.

 

You really need to go thoroughly test drive both of these cars and see which one talks to you. A Porsche is a much different driving experience than an M3.

Either one is a blast - good luck with your search!

 

Thanks again for the input. The '08 Carrera S felt fantastic on the twisty test drive. It just didn't put me into the seat when I floored it in 1st gear. I think I just have to get over it and accept the "whole package " of the Porsche and not just the acceleration. My local dealership offered me $53,000 for my M3 trade. It's a perfect car which I just bought for $67,650 at the end of March! Plus, it was the 3rd BMW I had bought from them in the past 3 months! That kind of a lowball figure pisses me off! I understand I'm going to lose money, but give me a break!

 

Thanks again for the input. The '08 Carrera S felt fantastic on the twisty test drive. It just didn't put me into the seat when I floored it in 1st gear. I think I just have to get over it and accept the "whole package " of the Porsche and not just the acceleration. My local dealership offered me $53,000 for my M3 trade. It's a perfect car which I just bought for $67,650 at the end of March! Plus, it was the 3rd BMW I had bought from them in the past 3 months! That kind of a lowball figure pisses me off! I understand I'm going to lose money, but give me a break!

 

The big loss on the M3 adds to the cost of whether buying the new Porsche makes any sense . I have an M3 and a 997 Turbo . I had a 997S .

If one trades a Porsche for a new Porsche the negotiation leverage is better . BMW's are notorious for first year depreciation . Add to the mix that had yoir M3 been equipped with basic options it would price in the low 60's new . Keep in mind that the 53K would also include the tax credit on the trade making aprivate sale have to beat $56710 . You might get 59.5 if the car is impeccable but the car just isn't selling well.

Below the M3 is the 335 which is has been a sucessful value car. BMW leasing on the 335i is priced to attract a huge market and with the M3 it's a different ball game . In fact cars like the M5 and M6 are facing huge discounts and even the lease program on an M6 pits that much more expensive BMW in direct pricing with M3 leasing . There are so many leased BMW's on the road but not the M3.

My advice would be to keep the M3 unless the mighty Porsche bug makes the loss worth it to you .

If you MUST go Porsche-- In my opinion your best way to hedge this is to buy a used Turbo . It depreciated in line with that M3 price and not only has more power but can be modified to make that M3 seem more like a family car .

Caveat - The stock 997 turbo will have lag (easily corrected) and will not have that cool sounding V8 BUT in every other category it is leaps and bounds above that M3.

 

Great input. What would your feeling be on the reliability of the turbo? Turbos have always made me uneasy in that dept. What do you think?

 

The Gt1 engine is amazing but that's just one man's opinion and my car is modified to 700 Hp . One year , 5700 miles , and not even a cough !
There have been isolated posts of problems but that is also the case on any auto forum (even the M3) .

6speed does have a Turbo forum which gives you the chance to get multiple opinions and car experiences.

 

It may be in a quarter mile race, but last week I was flying buy them on the track in the front straight as I was able to carry more speed in the corners. M3's are nice, but not as nice a 997.