How do you buy a car and not pay sales tax ? Is that something that's unique to Arizona ? In all the places I have lived you pay the tax to the State when you register the car under the new title. What gives in Arizona ?

 

I suggest buying used and driving the hell out of it. Get involved with PCA and attend DE's and other driving events. Learn what a Porsche can really do.

 

The answer to this dilemma depends largely on two things..... how much cash do you care to lose and how long you wish to own the car. I bought a 2007 911 Turbo 1.5 years ago with an MSRP of 156k for 84 grand certified (found a great deal on consignment and went through a dealer for CPO). I bought that car with 8,000 miles drove that car for a year and 10,000 miles, then sold it for 2 grand more than I paid. I lost some money on sales tax no doubt, but I came out of the car fairly unscathed. I recently picked up a cherry 2005 C2S (MSRP 99k) for 51.5k with 13,000 miles, and feel that I could get out of this car fairly easily if I needed to without taking a big hit.

I tend to have a hard time keeping cars for very long and if I was perpetually taking the big hit in depreciation of a new car it would be very taxing financially. I have no problems driving a used car as long as it has been cared for, and I am meticulous about getting a good PPI, paint meter, etc. done before buying a car. Eventually I may find that special car that I will marry for life, but I am skeptical.

Granted I am 35 years old and still in the wealth building phase of my life, and I am by no means exorbitantly wealthy (I am an ER doc.). It is hard for me to swallow the fact that I may see a car depreciate as much as 50 grand in a few short years. However, if I am a 65 year old with a huge pile of cash in the bank and very little monthly expenditures, than I could certainly take a devil may care attitude towards purchasing the exact car I want, knowing that there is some pleasure in being the first to own a product. However, at this time I have 3 kids who will likely want to attend college, and are currenlty in private schools (grrrr.)

Best of luck in your hunt, and enjoy as there really is no wrong choice with this brand.