I'd love to get some 6speeders opinions here. I'm looking at a used 2006 C2S with 28K miles, Sport Chrono, Nav, heated seats, full leather, sport shifter. Very good condition but not perfect (some nicks on exterior, minor curb rash etc.) Clean carfax and looks to have no paintwork or accidents.

I want to pay a fair price on this car, but at the same time I've been looking for a while and know this is a hard car to find (esp. in the color and options I want).

Keeping in mind this is the SoCal market, what would you guys say is a great price, a fair price, and a (too) high price? I have numbers I've been thinking about but would really like to hear opinions. Thanks in advance!

 

47-52K depending on whether the car is sold at an authorized dealership vs private sale vs independent lot .

 

Yrralis1- thanks! This is a private party sale and I'm trying to land in the high 40s with the seller. This makes me feel a little better, as I've read some posts on here about people getting similar cars in the low 40s. Last year I looked at a 2006 c2s with 26k miles, sport chrono, nav, pse, short shifter, painted coated carrera sport wheels, in excellent condition (pca member owner, always garaged) and he wouldn't budge at $53k. I passed but regret it now, that car really was immaculate. I haven't found another example in the 4 months since- the reality is that the car I want doesn't come along everyday on the used market.

The car I'm looking at now is not in as good condition, but if I can get the asking price down a bit I'll probably go ahead with it.

 

I find that the best way to determine the right price range is to search nation wide on Autotrader and Cars.com and track pricing for a month or so. What someone else paid sometime in the past year is often misleading, because the market varies constantly due to numerous factors. But when you see what you believe is a good deal, act on it or else you'll likely lose it to someone else. Good luck.

 

A dealer told me today that used ones are going to get more expensive because sales in 2008 were low and hence fewer cars coming off lease. Just last week a 2008 S went for 68K at an auction, according to him. Good luck with your search.

 

around 50k sounds right. in my experience (also in socal), it seems like the private sellers typically want more for their cars. not sure why, but the ex-lease cars and such you'll find at dealers and lots sell for a bit less.

at the end of the day though, if you find that perfect car you like, i don't think a few thousand will make that big of a difference. just remember that, if it's worth it to you, then that's all that matters.

btw, be sure to get a prepurchase inspection at a dealership before you buy!! good luck

 

$68k for an 08 S at auction makes you wonder what the purchaser plans to do with the car. A private buyer may have had someone buy the car. I saw a private sale on an 09 S with PDK go for $69k. I think that was a good buy.

Back to the OP. I think you should be able to find you car for under $50k on a private sale. Have you considered looking into the Midwest/East? It might be worth it.

 

Ask him for proof and wish him the best of luck with the car his dealership now owns . If the car has the most expensive options and low miles (ie .. X50 and ceramics to name a few) then it may have auctioned high and priced itself out of the market .

 

[quote][What someone else paid sometime in the past year is often misleading, because the market varies constantly due to numerous factors/QUOTE]

This is very true . My formula for price speculation is not too simple though . I think of all the cars I traded in , look at what's on the market, talk to both the dealerships and read what foks here post , factor in the economy which can vary by the region , even consider the stock market levels (most won't buy a Porsche when they see a lower portfolio value ) , glance at autotrader etc, kbb etc..

and then I take a good guess !!!!!
There's no exact science to figuring out what to pay but i do think that a lot of used car buyers and sellers don't give enough thought to it all.

 

Drifter,

I have an immaculate 06 C2S Factory Aero 15K miles..... if your interested, PM me.

Jason

 

Keep in mind that a private party sale often means that the owner might have mixed feelings about selling his car (like the guy who stuck at 53).

In this case the owner drove it for 4+years and even though he wants to sell it if you knock the price down and criticize the car in the process it can blow the sale ( for both of you ).
My advice would be ... make the offer as a final offer and keep looking (if he's not interested ).

 

Just sold similar car except a cab and 12kmiles for $50,500 and I'm in SoCal. if this helps.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...id=AT-1174563a

 

53k is way too high, tell him good luck. Especially when there's a silver 05 S CPO, Nav, short shifter, sport chrono, power/heat seats, bose, same mileage at Porsche of Long Beach listed at $50k.

 

All- Thanks for all the additional comments and feedback. Right now its a negotiation game with the seller, I'm willing to go up from my 45k budget a bit, while he's sticking to 50k. The front and rear ends have some nicks and stone chips and will need detailing, so hopefully we find a good middle ground. The car has the thicker XPA steering wheel which is a nice bonus (the steering wheel's center piece (with porsche logo on it) looks like it's finished in leather also?)

It also has the XCZ sport shifter. Can someone verify if this option is the OEM short shift kit from Porsche?

Thanks!

 

marsfire- thanks. do you happen to know of a good dealer or Indy I can trust to do a PPI and DME scan?