i took the advice of many on these boards and waited patiently for the right 997 to come around... i am really in no rush to pick up a car... experience has taught me that patience will pay off...

recently, however i see threads of people's journeys, decisions and purchases of 997's... i feel left out in the cold... well, not actually, it's quite warm here in california (and that's perfect driving weather!) i've seen some really good deals, i mean some really good deals...

in any event, i have decided to really make a push to find the right car and welcome any input, both positive and negative...

first, i've done aloooooooooooooot of research on the cars...

if i had my choice, i would pick up a 2006 997 C2S in a heart beat... but at the going rate of $52-56K here in los angeles/ orange county, it is out of my budget. my budget is around $42,000 for a standard carrerra, and i could be convinced to spend about $47-48 for a carrerra S. again, 2006. realistic? i don't care. based on my research and personal constraints, this is what i am willing to spend.

ok, let's not get into the arguments about what marginal amount justifies a larger purchase, or what % of your gross income is ok to spend on a car, or how much cash in the bank you have to have before considering such a purchase. my decision and budget have been carefully thought out, and the numbers are what they are...

i've thrown offers out there to dealerships and private parties. as people have said, if people didn't want to budge, i just walked. The closest i ever got was $52 and change on a 2006. I mean, there are cheaper ones out there, but i would like <30K miles on the clock... so i told myself... "just wait, the deals will come"...

right now, i am ready to consider alternatives... (mind you that my DREAM is the 2006 997 C2S)... the alternatives are:

2006 C2... there are several cars out there wear people are asking for high 40Ks... i think i can get them to the 42K-44K range...

2005 C2... higher mileage cars out there... this is a really economical option as cars are getting down into the 30's (wow!)...

2005 C2S... to me, this seemed like the most attractive alternative... first, because i love all the extra options the S has to offer... these cars start in the high 40's... i would not be willing to pay $48K for an 2005 S, but what is a good price? 44? 45?...

the reason why i want a 2006. i dont care if i am right or wrong, but i am generally uneasy about the first model year of a car. 2006 just seems like a better year... you get a more recent RMS (i think it's been upgraded several times over the years)... you get the IMS update (which i believe started with '06 models)... etc.... also, most of the '05s out the were really 2004 cars, so they are approaching the 5 year mark... even after all these reasons, i think i can be convinced that a 2005 may be ok for me... especially given my budgetary constraints...

should i look into the 2005s? if so? what do you guys think about launch cars? these are REALLY early production vehicles that would make me feel a bit uneasy purchasing... should i just go the cheapest route and find a 2005 C2 for around $40K??? i see a lot of back and forth on the forums, some say 2005 cars are perfectly fine, some people say go with 2006 for sure... like i said, i prefer 2006, but maybe i need to be realistic. perhaps prices bottomed out a couple of months ago, and i will never my car for my price... so i should just make a concession....

if you read this and think i am not making sense, i dont... i am drowning in my own thoughts as to what to do at this point... any help would be appreciated...

 

I think the prices have about bottomed with the economy. Don't think the deals will get much better. I think your price on a low miles '06 C2S is unrealistic. Sorry. But, how about finding a 40K miles '06 to get into your price range and then just get a 3rd party warranty?

 

Single data point but I have a 2005 997S (cab).
Bought it used with 34K miles.
It has had one problem that was fixed by the dealer under warranty.
Otherwise bulletproof (knocking on wood).
I hear what you're saying about first MY, but I'd do it again.

 

Would you stretch into the mid 50's for a 06 C4S CPO car ? I know one.

 

You can save a little more and get a brand new E92 M3. Flame war is optional.

 

[duck mode on]

 

Different car but if he's trying to save money the free service also adds a twist. It won't be a Porsche 911 though and his desire for the car will not go away. He has to get it right and this is the time to do it.

 

You could always sell a kidney to come up with a little more for the car.

 

Damn! - just found you one but it is sold... Listed on the Porsche website as avaialable (Used inventory)

I checked the dealers site and it listed as SOLD... but that means there are some out there :-)

http://porschedallas.parkplacetexas....ition_id=10426

2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S, $ 45,900


Car data
Displacement: 3.8 liters
Power Output: 355 HP
Drive Type: 2-WD
Transmission: Manual
Fuel: Petrol
Color: Lapis Blue Metallic

Vehicle Ident Number: WP0AB29986S743594
Color (Interior): Sand Beige Standard Leather
Mileage: 45,092 Miles
Year: 2006
Price: $ 45,900
Installed Options
19" Carrera Sport Wheel
Bose High End Sound Package
Footrest in Aluminum
Heated Seats
Porsche Crest in Headrests

Self Dimming Mirrors
Sport Chrono Package Plus
Sport shifter
Sports exhaust system
Wheel Caps with Colored Crest
Contact details Request more information
USA
0653 - Park Place Porsche
6113 Lemmon Avenue

75209 Dallas
Phone: +1-214-224-1964
Fax: +1-214-224-1994

View dealership's CPO inventory
Directions to Porsche Centre

 

How about this one.... 2005 CPO - 26K miles???

http://ucl.porsche.de/ucl/plsql/usa/...&pnr_=3&lnr_=7

2005 Porsche 911 Carrera, $ 45,990
Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
Save vehicle

Car data
Displacement: 3.6 liters
Power Output: 325 HP
Drive Type: 2-WD
Transmission: Manual
Fuel: Petrol
Color: Arctic Silver Metallic

Vehicle Ident Number: WP0AA29975S715979
Color (Interior): Standard leather seats in black
Mileage: 26,181 Miles
Year: 2005
Price: $ 45,990
Installed Options
19 inch Sport Design wheel
BOSE Surround Sound System
Bi-Xenon lighting system
CDC-4 six disc CD autochanger

Electrically adjustable seats
Heated seats
Sport Chrono Package Plus
Wheel center set
Contact details Request more information
USA
0746 - Porsche of Chattanooga

 

Even better... 2006 C2 CPO - $46,750.

http://ucl.porsche.de/ucl/plsql/usa/...&pnr_=4&lnr_=2

2006 Porsche 911 Carrera, $ 46,750
Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
Save vehicle

Car data
Displacement: 3.6 liters
Power Output: 325 HP
Drive Type: 2-WD
Transmission: Manual
Fuel: Petrol
Color: Black

Vehicle Ident Number: WP0AA29996S716665
Color (Interior): Black Standard Leather
Mileage: 30,694 Miles
Year: 2006
Price: $ 46,750
Installed Options
18" Carrera III Wheel
BOSE High End Sound Package
Bi-Xenon Lighting System

Heated Seats
Power Seat Package
Wheel Caps with Colored Crest
Contact details Request more information
USA
1528 - Paul Miller Porsche
250 Route 46 West

 

akim47,

I think you can make it happen for you. As you stated, it may take some patience. However, one thing that I think will be important for you is the willingness to look beyond your local market (just mentioning this as you stated, "but at the going rate of $52-56K here in los angeles/ orange county"). 997xpress has found a few cars that may fit your bill so just be prepared to either jump a plane to look/buy the car and drive/ship it home, or but it sight unseen (a little more scary). I found my car in Northern California for a great deal so I know it can be done in California, you may just have to look futher North.

 

i dont mind looking up north (norcal). while shopping for cars, ive had people express concern in other areas... for example, i found a car in chicago... but does the winter salt in the roads effect the car? i dont know, but for some reason i've been sticking to CA cars... but ppl make good points, i probably should expand my search to other states. how does the registration work? do i have to pay sales tax in other state and then again in CA when i reg the car? intuitively i would think not, but who knows...

 

also, i'm 35 yrs old and have had 11 cars... i'm just trying to be patient to get this one right... my wife is annoyed at me because im on my 5th car since we've been together (4+ years)...

 

This sounds very familiar...I've been with my wife 5 years now and I have gone through seven cars. Couldn't be happier with the current one that I just got 3 weeks ago.....'05 997S launch with 25k miles for $48.5K