Many thanks Mark, I've been following all the Bay Area CL listings as well and the green one isn't what I'm looking for.. very kind of you to lend a hand with the suggestions however!

 

Thanks so much scopeit!! That's where KBB looks to have it at Private Party for and CPO at ~$76K , nice loaded one!

 

...daberlin, you're not helping here with my drool factor (while exerting patience to find the right 997) that is one heck-of-a deal for a helluva' car!!

Since I have the same basic criteria as you did in my current search- PDK, NAV (preferably Artic Silver)..what would you think a fair price for one here in Nor-Cali like yours would be at currently July-October 2012, CPO?

I'm just not confident buying out of state and transporting back here, just something about having to see it/ drive it (and believe it)..before I buy it instinct sort of speak (when paying that much for a car).

 

Good luck to you in your hunt. My hunt recently ended with a purchase of a 2008 C2 (non-S), i originally wanted an S and at a lower price than I paid for my C2. At the end of the day we are all tempted to increase our budgets.......I crept up over the past year from an early 997.1 with 50k miles to a late 997.1 with very low miles for example.

When i saw the car with 6700mls, dealer modified and maintained and the look i wanted (GT3 kit, white, some mods) that fact it was not an S didn't matter. In fact i expect my car is as quick as an S now (of that matters?).

Lets face it, if you've dreamed of a Porsche for years, you'll find one you love and you'll be very happy. I would recommend going for the interior features and exterior features (look, color etc) you like and forget about the S / Non-S thing (save the 10k).......normal mortals won't use the car to its fullest anyway, at least not unless its on a track every few months.

Whatever you buy, i guarantee you'll be looking in the garage every night before you go to bed, just to check she's OK and to give yourself a little 'pat on the back'.

Best wishes.

 

+1. Well said.

 

Many thanks again Cas9, daberlin, and everyone for the insights, education, and motivation in my hunt

 

I don't blame you a bit for how you feel about an out of state purchase.

I believe I saved roughly $5K - $7K on a car you can find all over SoCal. I took a gamble that most folks would not have done (to your point - too risky and stressful). For me, I was VERY confident (maybe overly so?) that I was dealing with an honest seller, an enthusiast, and on a car that had little to no risk as it had 3 years/80K left on a CPO. However, it was a complete pain in the *** - I had to raid pretty much every nickel in my piggybank to scrape together $70K in cash to wire transfer the seller, get the car here, smog and title it, before the bank would give me a loan for the car. As I was only going to put $30K down, I'm sure Auto Gallery and my bank would have made this process alot easier had it been a Cali car.

As others have mentioned regarding selling any luxury vehicle, the key is putting the price fair enough that you would attract a wide array of buyers. I believe the prior owner did just that. At the price I paid, the car would not have lasted 30 seconds on a Porsche lot here in SoCal or NoCal. However, the market for high end cars in Mississippi isn't like California, and the seller obviously was aware of that fact. He advertised the car competitively and he sold it easily.

Just checking ebay today (I still love looking for nice cars) you can get into a nicely equipped SoCal PDK low mileage '09 997.2 C2 coupe for $65K, and the same C2S for about $71K. Take a quick trip to SAN or LAX, and drive up PCH back home. What a wonderful way to spend a weekend and celebrate your new purchase.

 

By the way, vg247, one more piece of advice. If (or when) you go to the Cali DMV to title your new Porsche, Do NOT forget your checkbook in lieu of a Debit Card to pay your license fees and taxes. I very rarely use my Debit Card, and figured I'd use that instead of my Check Book. It's the same thing, right? Well, to my surprise, most banks will only authorize a single day purchase on a Debit Card of $5K.

After my Debit Card was declined twice, I had a complete meltdown at Chase Manhattan Bank on my cell phone in front of the teller having waited two hours in line. I had more than enough $ in my checking account, but knew nothing of this $5K rule. Well, thankfully, after enough screaming and threats, Chase gave me a 'one day' limit increase to $8K which allowed me to pay all the taxes and fees to title the car. Ugh. That one sucked too.

 

ahhh..that's a great point- fly down and cruise back on the PCH, what a better way than this! I guess it's continued patience time..to find the right' beauty with right package. Thanks d'- I will keep my searches throughout the state and see where the patience leads me

 

Thanks so much, this IS definitely a most valuable advice..the DMV phase of reg and paying taxes is the last place I want to have a meltdown with the new baby in my lap (keys in hand) -it's already a madhouse as is in there.

 

So far this week searches show many "black" 997's fully loaded low miles at $65k CPO..now if only a few loaded "Artic Silver" PDK comes in loaded like the black ones I've seen...patience, patience..

 

Wow, this thread has provided great information. I also wouldn't have thought about the debit card limit. I'm debating a CPO 09' C2S listed as 68K which has everything I need but was hoping for less miles (has almost 33K). While that's not a lot, I figure if I'm buying this car I want to drive it for a good 8 years which would put it over 100K and probably more maintenance costs. Hoping to luck out on a car with 15K or less on it. Currently out of my budget since they're all close to 80K. I was hoping the arrival of the new 911 would result in a dramatic drop in these used prices but doesn't seem to be the case.

 

OC, I'm totally a newby here and with Porsche's..Everyone here has been the best I've learned so much and have become much more confident in what to look for on my 09' 997.2 quest because of everyone here.

If you're not in a rush I think, like myself waiting on the right "Silver" one, a nice low mileage one will come your way..Just a rookie hunch but I also think (and hope) the 09 prices will start to dip somewhat towards the 4th quarter of this year as the new 911 picks up sales and popularity.

 

So, I finally went and drove a C2 991 this weekend. It was very nice - the non sport exhaust and the PDK are definite improvements over the base exhaust and PDK in the 997 as others have said. Shocked about a few things - the 2012 does NOT have the upgraded Nav that the 2013 Boxster has (I was told the 2013 991 will most likely have it), and a base C2 PDK coupe (non S!) with Auto Seats, Bose, 20" wheels and Sport Chrono is $98K. $110K with tax and tags on the road here in LA. Point is, my 997.2 CPO C2 with 20K miles on her and $10K more in options than the above 991 was purchased for $40K less than that basic 991. Base car to Base car.

I simply wouldn't buy the new car over my 997.2 - which very much surprised me after the test drive - I was honestly concerned that after driving the 991, I'd be trading in my 997. If I WAS in the market for a new 911, I'd buy a 2012 GTS over the 991 because the potential for greater new car discounts and the performance gains the GTS has. As for my '09 PDK, it simply has too many upgrades that makes it $ for $ better than a base 991. Though the prices are dropping slightly on '09 cars since August brings a new model year, I just wouldn't count on the 997.2 dropping substantially in price over the next year since the cost to go from the 997.2 to the 991 is extremely high, and frankly for me, I don't think it's worth it for what you get. Wait for a 991.2? Well, we'll assess that when it comes out in 2015.

 

daberlin: you're having too much fun in SoCal Appreciate the review on the new 991. A price drop due to it's release would be great for me, however, if not substantial..my sights are locked on the 997.2. Special thanks to you and everyone, I will be making a very informed' purchase when that right one hits the lot

Before I make the move, perhaps I can post the car here and pricing for feedback before the ink is signed