Seems to be a big differential between the pricing of 2006 and 2005, much bigger than the difference between a 2006 and 2007. I know the cardinal rule is to buy as much as you can afford.
The 2006's look to be mid to high 50's. 2005's are often CPO'd at dealers and can be in the low 50's or less. Even with the same mileage. 2005 was the first year of the 997, so I know there are sometimes issues with new model launches, but that doesn't seem to impact the 997 so much. I'd rather have a couple of extra bucks for wheels/suspension/exhaust, etc., but I also want to have at least a couple of years of trouble free ownership.
I could just look at a 2007 C2, but I'm hooked on getting an S...
Thoughts?

 

Two months ago I purchased a 05 Carrera S that was CPO with 37,000 mile for $47K. Could not be more pleased. Probably paid too much because of the mileage but the car was in immaculate condition.

 

Interesting, thanks. They all seem to be in immaculate condition! Besides the usual bodywork inspections, seems that the official DME scan is crucial. Clutch is the only other critical surprise item, seems to me. Seals would be covered by CPO, I expect but will need to double check.

 

It's that 50 to 70 K range which has most buyers in stress mode . Does one spend high 40's/50 and take some risk or 70 and get an 08 new ? My feeling is the best way to hedge the cost is right out of the gate on day one . Once you have the car then with time you can splurge . So you have to consider yoir spending limit then add 8 grand to it .. that's a good first Porsche.

 

JFling- Did you buy your car at Autobahn? If it is, I am the previous owner.

 

Yes, bought at Autobahn. But I think the car was initially sold by Park Place in Dallas.

 

Now that's funny - how much did you trade it in for??
True about that range. A friend told me, why get a new M3 when you can get a C2S and the hunt was on.
Did you really mean consider your spending limit and subtract $8k from it?? I can see a clutch, but what about that bulletproof reliability?

 

I bought the car at Parkplace, but traded it at Autobahn. I think I got 44k for it.

 

You took excellent care of this car. Thanks. ( I assume no know problems!)

 

Nope, no known problem. You'll enjoy it!

 

I like and respect your attitude; I think that too many of us worry about squeezing the last grand out of a dealer rather than enjoying our new toy.

 

One could also buy a used M3 for the price of a 335. One could buy a Turbo for the price of a C2S . There's always going to be used to new comparison .

I say add the 8 grand . I have yet to walk awy from a car without paying more for that extra something that it may offer. I am not saying that you ought to over pay for a car but I am saying that there may be an option overlooked or a low mileage higher priced car that places you over allotment .

It's better to spend the money going in because if you long for that missing option or spend your days in repairs there is no going back . The worst case (IMO) is to buy the wrong car and have both a financial and emotional pitfall .

You only have one chance to get it right on the day you drive off .

 

I have not heard of any major issues with any of the 997's. If it were up to me I would buy the one with the most warranty remaining.

 

Got that right. That would be buying a C2 instead of a C2S for me. I still wonder now about an '05 for 50k versus an '06 for 55k. Get either one with the minimum 2yr CPO warranty. Any major things or issues and it would be covered. If I really don't like it, then I get out of it before the warranty expires.

Some '06's still have some factory warranty if they were actually delivered in '06 so there is a chance of a 3 year warranty with a CPO car. No problems with your '06 even with some track time?

 

My 06 has another year and a bit of warranty left, adding a CPO to it would be great, buy one if you can find/afford it.

I have almost 20 track days in the last year and a bit on my car, I haven't made a warranty claim yet. It seems the harder I drive it the happier it is. The brakes and tires might disagree, but they are easy to change.