I took a drive to see a C4S cab that I found about an hour away today. I asked for input last week because it had some paint work. Well, the car was not in great shape. Actually, the paint looked decent but there were a lot of things that made me question the car. While I was in the area, I drove to the Porsche dealership and found an '06 C2S cab with 13k miles that had everything the C4S had except full leather (which, BTW, I REALLY like).

Anyway, the C2S is listed at $66k+ and he came down to $62,800 (CPO'd). After searching cars.com, autotrader, and ebay there are only a handful of cars East of Texas that seemed like they could be better deals. I know some of you have lucked out (Joe Shark seemed to have found a great car) but I've heard some bad stories of people that buy sight unseen.

Here are my questions:
* The C2S was not detailed and there were some blemishes on the dash and console, as well as the roof. Most can probably be taken care of but the roof (basic wear) could not. What would you offer?
* Since I saw the full leather, should I hold out to try to find a car with full leather or realize that it might be like finding a needle in a haystack?
* I have a trade ('06 Cayman S). The dealer offered $34k...seems reasonable. If I targeted a car in say Texas, would a dealership work a trade into the deal? And if so, what would shipping both ways go for?

I like the car...it's not perfect (I might have felt different if it was detailed when I saw it) but the pros are that it's close, I can deal the Cayman, and I can enjoy the rest of the summer. The cons are that I think the price could drop a few thousand, I'm not sure what if the dash blemishes can be fixed, and it doesn't have full leather.

Sorry for the long winded story but since I'm so close, I want to get your thoughts. Larry, do you have any input on the pricing?

Thanks, guys.

 

It is a buyers market, if you aren't 100% certain then it probably isn't the car for you.

I say find the one that you really want and is in the condition that you are happy with.

 

This is the exact time I bought my 06 c4s last year..I had to have it for the rest of the summer and got a great deal.but bought it for the summer and by feb I was already looking for the car I really wanted..the turbo. Needles to say I might as well of waited because I sold it last month and am looking again.

Anyway, if you are not 100% sure of the car..after summer fades you most likely fall out of love with it in 6 months time. IMHO you have to get it right or you are going to be trading the car a lot sooner than you think.

 

I hear both of you and I think it's wise advice. The only reason I'm not jumping up and down is that it turned me off that it wasn't detailed. Because this is the first used car I've bought since I was very young, I also wonder if my expectations are too high. Maybe I'm expecting a new car with used car pricing. My budget isn't going to grow for this kind of toy so I won't be looking to upgrade in the near future. However, I will probably get the mod-bug like many of you and work in things like alcantara, GT3 front bumper, etc at some point (not in the first 6-12 months).

 

You could trade your car in anywhere . The 34K also includes the tax credit into the trade making it another 2+K so you's have to get 36K or more via private sale which is doable but a headache (but worth it if you have to go out of region).

Joe Shark's car was private sale .

If you can't find your car locally it may be worth it to sell your Cayman S . How many miles and options/ color on that car .

Once that car is not in the deal you have all the fredom you need to go outside yoir region .

If you want me to look at cars in your region just point me to what part of Texas (It's a big state --lots of dealerships too .) .

Pricing on an 06 cab ought to be what an 07 coupe goes for --CPO -55-62K . Target price 58.5 .
An 07 Cab ought to go in thev low to mid 60's . Target price 63.5.
What color are yout looking for . There were two private sale cars in Florida that caught my eye but you'd have to pin down the color as well as vote out what colors or options are dealbreakers .

 

This might give you a bit of reference for pricing. I looked at it a couple of months ago from a dealer and almost bought it.

Here's a car that is very similar to what you are looking it. It's a 2006 C2S Cabriolet in triple black that has full leather and only had 2,600 miles. It also has a GT3 front bumper and GP7 wheels (similar to Champion 171's and cost about $5,000 new). It was NOT a CPO car. I could have picked it up for $62k.

 

I started the process of selling the Cayman outright (did cars.com, autotrader, took it to my buddy who owns a Hyundai dealership to retail it, and almost had him bring it to auction but he didn't think I'd get more than $32k for it). Anyway, the tax credit is a big reason why a NYS trade would be nice. I'm in New York, not Texas - I just threw that out there based on my question on shipping trades.

It seems like this C2S is on the high side of your range for an '06 and if I could get him down to $59 or $60 it might be a win-win.

I don't have any specific color interests but the silvers, greys and guards red are probably higher than the darker colors (black, etc) just due to maintenance.

Larry, thanks for your insight. Given all of these variables...what do you think?

 

Hey, I'm in your area and I ended up getting a car in PA. It was well worth it. Try Princeton as well, they really price their cars to move and seem to have a stream of them coming in.
I got a car with full leather, but wasn't really looking for it. After looking for several months, full leather is a pretty rare option. If you really like it, it may take a bit of time to find one. But hey, you will be looking at that dash every time you get in the car, you don't want to be regretting not getting the full leather.
I definitely noticed that the supply in the '05-'07 range is getting thin in our area. Might be worth checking out inventory in PA, NJ and even DC. Just my thoughts. Tough timing now, of course. Great to have a cab now, but if you can wait until the fall, you'll find a much better deal.

 

Rye that's why Florida or Cal might work best for him . Cab season in the northeast is a hard time to buy . Fl and So cal it's cab season all year so any time is a good time .

I thought about your cayman S too . Have you asked an independent lot if they would outbid your dealership . I sold two of my cars to an independent lot in Miami who offered more than trade in but less than private sale . They cut me a check right on the spot for my 05 launch car.

I have never bought a car from an indy lot . They look nice .. just prefer new or CPO .

 

wait until you find the perfect car, don't settle

 

Nthusiast -- you posted at the same time I did . Since guards red is on your this car caught my eye . Notice it's a full leather low mi mature driver in a region with low traffic congestion . Plus it has 5K Champion wheels. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Here's another but its a dark color . It has a 4K Tubi exhaust. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

As for your Cayman . Theres at least five independent lots in South Florida . Maybe a few calls can pin a sell price . It has to beat 36K to equal the dealership offer if you can't do a private sale.

 

J,
Larry is correct.........its worth the stretch and drive when u find it. BTW larry, I ended up forgoin the 550 07 and found a 535xi 2008 4400 miles cpo'd 4 wife DD same dealer. Contacting intercity 4 shipment. No hyjack intended OP. Dump that ***** (cayman) and move on!

Jim

 

Congrats on the car !! 535Xi is a very nice car and the lower miles gives both of you more time, warranty, free maintenance etc.. Good going Jim.

 

yes, definitely drive or pay a little more for the right car.