What are you guys thoughts on an 09 versus an 08 right now? Looking at a C4 or C4S...I have seen new 08s for almost 18% off MSRP (initial asking price) versus likely an 09 for a negotiated 10%. Then again, you can get an 07 C4S for mid 60s pretty easily. Question is - is the 09 worth paying up for given the model changes or would you guys get a slightly used 07 (under 10k miles) for mid 60s or a brand new 08 for high 70s?

 

Depends. Here's my thoughts. I bought my Porsche with the intention of keeping it indefinately. It's a dream car for me, so it was worth the extra money to have a car that was new...nobody has driven it except for me, I broke it in, I know where it's been and everything about it. I will put the first scratches in it, etc. If you don't intend on keeping it, or it's just another car for you...not that special, in other words, pick up a barely used '05-'08 and save alot. If you do decide to buy new, I would go for the '08. You will save a bundle and still have all the benifits of buying a new car and not a used one. The sole reason I wouldn't buy an '09 is because I don't buy any car on it's first model year. Too much chance of bugs, problems, re-calls, etc. Wait until the second or third year...especially for a car with a brand new engine. The '08 has 4 years under it's belt for the 997 body style, and 10 years on the engine, etc. Thats's just my opinion and how I feel about it.

J

 

Excellent opinion, I could not agree more.

For me, I purchased a 2006 C2S Cab w/ 2,300 miles and near perfect condition. Since I'm only keeping this car maybe 1 year, going used, but being patient for the right car, was the way to go for me.

 

I considered all the same options you just stated as well, except I wanted a C2S. The '09 car is very nice, but for me to buy a new car I'd want to spec and order it which would make it tougher to get 10% off. I looked at the inventory of all the left over '08 C2S's in the Southeast and found 5 or 6. I spoke with all the dealers and found the price discounts to run from 13% for a no option car to almost 20% for a car with a sticker of $96.5. When I compared that with what I could get a '07 car for it made my choice simple. I ended up buying at mint condition CPO '07 C2S with 11,500 miles for $20k less than a similar equipped '08 and $30k less than an '09. I couldn't be happier with my choice and feel very satisfied with the price and not having to absorb the major hit in depreciation which would come with buying an '08 or '09.

 

If it has to be new, then I would go for the 09. I think the difference would be worth it. If you want a slightly used one, just like new, then you can find even better discounts. I would visit a porsche dealership and look at some pre-owned and see that some of them are just like new; therefore, you can't take advantage of the economy. After your visit to the dealership, then I would decide what is important about this purchase.

 

I agree with this one. If you choose to buy new, go all the way and get an '09. The differences are more significant than the specs let on. I had the same situation about 4 months back and the '09 cost me $37k more than a lightly used 07 with 4k miles sitting at a BMW dealer that I test drove twice (well, to be fair the 07 was a C2S and I got an '09 C4S). I also got 10% off the sticker back in december on the 09 brand new. The differences were immediately noticed, and for the couple of extra hundered bucks a month in lease payment I don't regret the decision one bit.

 

I really think the updates on the 09 are worth it if you can afford it. Otherwise, the 08 version is more than adequate. I'd like to get an 09 C4 or C4s but am waiting for used ones to hit the market or buy a leftover 09 when the 10s come out.

 

Unless you want PDK and you can get an 08 close to the way you want it, go with the 08.

 

I had the same dilemma and decided to custom order for the reasons listed by Ghotiman above and the other people recommending the new DFI engine, etc. I also wanted a car with VERY FEW of the expensive options that I consider kinda ridiculous, like rear parking sensors and swiveling headlights. There are several threads comparing the two 997 models you can search.

However. . .

Once upon a Sunday, on suggestion of one of the posters here, I looked through autotrader.com, and discovered that some Porsche dealerships are burying their discount prices in fine print. One dealer in the Bay Area currently has two new 08 C2S cabrios for $25K off MSRP.

But you wouldn't know it from looking at their "official" website. Had to read the fine print on autotrader.com, then go to the dealership's unofficial website to find the same discount, again buried in a pop-up type thingy.

Just so happens those cars were the colors I was considering for my C2S cabrio (CW and AS). That $25K would have bought a lot of mods! But no regrets; my car arrives any day and -- what do they say? It's all good.

 

I have an 06 911S and had been waiting since mid 2007 for the tip replacement and DI. When the 09's came out I speced and shopped and had the 'perfect' car (I even have the sheet from the dealer framed). Then as I dawdled you all know what happened to the market plus my trade value crashed; my car + $35k went to my car + $52K. End result was I kept mine, did about $9k in performance mods, so I'm driving a "new" car and I'm happy as hell. The last two months I've actually had calls from both dealers offering to sweeten the deal on vehicles they have in stock but I love my mods!

 

The 09 C4S is avery different car. It has limited slip differential (standard) and a complete body style revision compared to the old model . The question is would you pay over 120 K for a when an 07 costs in the 60s ? Add to the mix that a Turbo can be bought for 90. That's REALLY the car to buy in the AWD category .

So what would I suggest factoring in price to value . In order ...
1) a Used Turbo
2) An 07 C2s (CPO)
3) An 09 C2s --if cost is a must and spec the car . If you can wait for 2010 --even better . We are almost there .
4) An 09 C4s

I would not buy a C2 or a C4 . The "S" should have been the only car .

 

Congratulations and good for you. Maybe you ought to post this on some of the other threads where we got guys officiously insisting that there are no significant deals available.

 

When you buy a new car it has a lot less unknown history and you do pay for that . However -no matter what car you buy when you are sitting in front of sales with a checkbook and are ready to write ... the dymanics are much different than a leisure shopping informal test drive and chat .

I have gotten to the point after years of bargain hunting when younger that buying the car now is more of an experience . I have grown up with the guys at the local dealerships and watched them grow up with me . If I know a guy 20 years he'll give me a fair price but I also don't mind that if he needs a profit too to feed his kids I want him to have that too . I won't nickel and dime for that reason . With time we become like a family and the mutual respect closes a deal that we both can be happy with.

 

I'd have to agree, a used Turbo is probably your best option if awd is something you must have.

 

All great points and I agree if were to pay 85k or so its a much better deal to go with a slightly used 07 Turbo than a 08 C4S...