We Are First Settlers!

I have gone through a myriad of pros and cons in regard to the following, but thought I would ask the forum.

I currently have an 08 Boxster, but want a 911 cab - not need just want. I am looking at two different cars and am unsure what would be the biggest bang for my buck.

The first is a 2008 cab. fully loaded (and I think that is relative), has 19,800 miles on it. It is white with blue interior and a blue top.

the second is a 2009 cab S. fully loaded with 115 miles on it. It is straight black. At this time without further negotiation on the 09, they are about $18K apart. However, since I am spending a nice chunk of change what I want is the best value for my dollar.


Any suggestions, ideas and or advice?

TIA

Based on the technology changes from 08 to 09 alone, I would go for the 2009 model. The 2009 models have the direct fuel injection (DFI) which makes the engine more efficient and clean.
Also with the 2009 cab S you are getting the 3.8L engine vice the 3.6L on the 2008 cab, that is 385HP on the cab S and 345 on the cab.
Last is the mileage on the 2008, a bit high for an 08.
After all is said and done, you would be happier with the S (IMHO).

Just my 0.02

Good Luck with your Cab, whichever one you choose.

Always buy the newest model you could afford.
All previous defects are continually debuged.
I just dont like how hard it is to maintain black paint scratch free looking. Swirl marks are so easily seen.

Hi Susan,

Clearly, your preference works in at some point, but assuming you are serious about either model, here's my two cents. To amplify Marco's comments on one more level, you can never go wrong with an S model. More horsepower, better suspension and brakes, and more spirited response all make the S a more attractive model. An argument can be made that the S is actually priced less expensively the the standard cab as well. Why? Because the S is 1 year newer with almost 20k less on the clock. Moreover, the S is newer technology (as Marco has already noted), and the S was already base priced $10,000 or so more than its standard cab counterpart. And as one of my best friends likes to say, you never regret buying technology. So even though they're $18k apart, I'd say the 2009 S is a much better bang for your buck.

And although I'm sure you're planning to keep the car for a long time, a potential buyer 5 years down the road would probably see things the same way. You can never go wrong by buying the S in terms of resale value.

Good luck & happy motoring!

Kevin

Thank you all so much for the advice. My boss told me the same thing, but who listens to their boss?

Since the car I own now is black on black, I am partial to the color although I never can keep it as clean as it should be. I am not sure if I really like the white. Being a bit on the snobbish side when it comes to my car, I want it to scream expensive.

For further information on the car it includes,

541 - Seat Ventilation
870 - Universal Audio Interface
810 - Floor Mats in Interior Color
686 - XM Radio
680 - Bose High End Sound Package
672 - Navigation Module for PCM
P15 - Pwr Comfort Seats w/Driver Mem
619 - Bluetooth Phone Interface
446 - Wheel Caps with Colored Crest
342 - Heated Front Seats
267 - Self Dimming Mirrors
640 - Sport Chrono Package Plus (which I have never used and won't use because I no longer time trial)

Now the price. I have been pricing cars for about a month plus. The prices especially for the 09s are being slashed (a relative term). I know the dealership has a one for one replacement car (meaning one 09 for one 11), and this dealership has a lot of 09s. Their internet price was 91K, they lowered it to $88K yesterday and told me this evening they would take $87250. I still think they could go lower (I work them hard). They cite the MSRP price from last year and go from there. Although this car has never been driven, it is still a 'used' car as far as trade in value goes. So how low can I go? I am not afraid of 'offending' them because there are so many choices available. I am doing my best not to get emotionally involved with the car so I can wield a better deal.

I have gone through Edmunds and Blue Book, and it is difficult to come up with a good TMV price. I have learned there is very little on the options that actually give a value when trading in, therefore the reason there are so few options listed on Edmunds.

Of course the sales person used the old, we are lowering the price and will be sure to sell it this week-end. Yeah sure. This isn't a Ford I am talking about. If a person is willing to drive to get their car, there are plenty of dealers within four states to choose, so if this one sells there are many more.

Hopefully this car will be it. Since 2005 I have had two new Porsches . I am a dealerships dream owner.

Susan,

If I had to guess, $87,250 sounds like a solid purchase price. The car sounds wonderful, and I'd have a tough time not getting attached to B on B...a classic. MSRP on this model sounds like it was probably around $102k? Not sure. Either way, Porsche doesn't publish their invoice prices to my knowledge. Sounds like you won't get too much more off the car at this point based on their coming down from $91k to $88k, then finally $87,250. The drops have gotten much smaller, and the dealer already seems motivated to sell.

So...you're probably at or very near the bottom line purchase price. Just don't kick yourself later for letting it get away! If you input all of the optional equipment and mileage into Edmunds assuming it's a used car, it prices out at approximately $89k retail. So the dealer appears to be fairly priced based on Edmunds as well. The private party value is around $83k...and we both know you won't find an actual used car via private party with these exact options in as-new condition. You can try to meet the dealer in the middle at approximately $86k, but if they don't budge, I wouldn't hesitate to settle on their offer of $87,250. Sounds fair to me.


Good luck!

Kevin

So Susan,

Did you get the car?

Bret

Bret. Not yet. I was waiting for a funds transfer and as much as the dealership said the car would be sold, it still sits on their lot. It just gives me a little more negotiating room. They also continually email me for a 'follow-up'. This dealership has at least ten 09s and I know they need to get rid of them in order to get an 2011. Porsche has a one for one 'trade' on cars, meaning they sell an 09/10 they can get an 11.

I have also found a couple of 2010s that are selling at rock bottom prices. Porsche dealers are hurting. One dealership in Roanoke is offering life time service in addition to the 100K warranty. If anyone is looking for an automatic, there is a huge glut on the market. I have found some beautiful cars in colors I would prefer, jam packed with options, great prices but they are automatic. I am not at that point where I could even consider one.

The 09 is still a better value than the 10s. The depreciation is done. I have found the dealers like to quote the 09 MSRP insinuating you are getting a great deal. I am not the best negotiator in the world, but when it comes to their games I am well versed.

I have to stop looking at other cars though because it adds to the confusion as to what I want. I still like the look of the 08, but I know the better deal is the 09. The color is black on black which I have now and when it is clean, it is gorgeous, but I don't wash it as much as some Porsche/car fanatics would. I know it is a sin, but.....

I currently own an 08 Boxster (base), black on black and will be using it for my trade in. There is nothing wrong with it and except for not washing it as much as I should, take extremely good care of it. I was considering selling it myself, but am unsure about that. I wanted a 911 when I purchased the Boxster new, but the dealership manager and I couldn't come to an agreement. The dealership at the time thought I should be honored to buy a car from them, and therefore set their prices and negotiations at that level. - and they wonder why people stopped purchasing cars from them. The local PCA people talk and unfortunately the dealership attitude was chasing people away. However I digress.

Susan,

Sounds like you are truly "in the driver's seat" on this deal. Hope you get what you are looking for. I was in a similar position last August when I got my Cayman and it's a nice feeling to be holding the cards. 6 year / 100K warranty...sweeeeet!

Glad to hear you are flying the manual transmission flag; although, I have heard nothing bad from PDK owners so far. some of them very experienced drivers too.

Bret

Everyone...last year, I went to Porsche Sport Driving School at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. The instructors were pretty high on the PDK...one of them, in his thick Brazilian accent, called the PDK, "Pretty Darn Kwik". He was right...I could NEVER shift that fast, up or down, but especially not into a lower gear. I've heard reports of 60% faster shifts. Best part? It won't allow you to blow up the engine by selecting the wrong gear in a quick downshift. Is it "purist?" Well, it all hinges on what one defines as pure. I believe, as I've already accepted the paradigm shift, that PDK is pure Porsche. Plenty of guys on the track are driving water-cooled 996's & 997's...once scathed as "impure". Time marches on, however, and the time for Porsche to introduce a track-ready automatic has come. And since I'm a huge fan of taking my car to the track now, I'm thrilled that Porsche has introduced a transmission that will allow me to sit in tunnel traffic in auto mode Monday through Friday, and will just as easily allow me to head to VIR for a scream of a weekend. I'm a big fan of the PDK...just wish they'd reverse the paddles, so I can "pull" an upshift instead of pushing it. Otherwise, after having had the opportunity to drive three different PDK's now, I can honestly say, for the first time, I have an "automatic" (if you must call it that) in my future.