Not sure of appropriate protocol, but I was hoping someone in Northeast Ohio area may have some info on the 2008 C4S (unusual red color) at Porsche Beachwood
(VIN # WP0AB29908S732477). Dealer is asking $62400, but it has been on the market for 155 days. Hmmm... Thanks for the help.

 

http://www.porschebeachwood.com/deta...d-7685974.html

It's a Ruby Red Metallic 6 speed with 30,800 miles on it. Not sure you found their website link. If not, I included it.

 

Thanks.

Checked out the website. I guess the color is a matter of taste. Not sure I like it. The car has some unusual options, like the sycamore wood package. Not sure I like that either.

I've read several of the "how to buy" threads, but this is still a daunting task. How did you find your 997.2?

 

I found my 997.2 on Ebay and it really was a great buying experience. It was stressful to say the least, as it was an out of state buy - and a private seller (the highest risk approach i'd say), but I would do it again for the right car, the right price, and an honest seller. The seller was an honest-as-they-come kinda guy, and we were easily able to work together on all of the details of the sale. Lots of phone conversations, text messages, emails, etc. I arranged for the 20K mile service at his local dealer in Mississippi, I arranged for the covered car carrier to arrive at his house, etc. He took tons of hi res photos, provided me the full service history and more of the car. I received a print out of the details of the car from my local dealership - confirming everything the seller was saying. I felt confident in what I was buying.

As for narrowing down my decision on this car, I first drove several cars at my local dealer in the San Fernando Valley including a 997.2 Carrera Convertible and Carrera S Coupe. After simply being blown away by the PDK transmission, I decided I wanted either a 2009 or 2010 997.2 due to a balance of price vs performance/options. My 'budget' was $70,000 or less (preferably less!) and I was insistent on three things - CPO, Navigation, and PDK. All other options including a Convertible, S, etc. I was willing to trade off with a lower cost and or lower mileage car. At that point, I simply just started looking on Ebay and Cars.com to see what the prices of these cars were going for. After about 5 months, I was getting a good idea that I was going to be right on the edge of my budget, when I discovered.....it.

I felt the 997 was very competitively priced. It had low mileage, had all the features I wanted...and most importantly - it had a significant amount of high priced options that made the car more appealing to me. On top of this, it was priced roughly $10K less than my 'budget', and I was not entirely eager to take on a Convertible or an S (both due to ridiculous California insurance rates), so I simply thought this car had a perfect balance for me. I knew going in a C2 is not as 'desirable' as a TT or S, but I simply felt most comfortable with the balance of cost and options in this vehicle. And so far, I think I made the perfect decision. Not 1 SECOND of buyers remorse. I'm just blown away by how much of everything this car has on it that makes me smile. By far, I'm most impressed with the 19" BBS wheels, the lowered Sport Springs, Chrono, and the PSE - the sound is just awesome. The funny thing is, these are four options I never really felt that bothered about (as compared to price), but in reality they all transform this car into so much more than a straight stick base C2. They really make this car stand out in looks, performance, sound, and cornering. Honesty, I could just blab about this car for hours, but my only advice to you is just keep looking and decide on all the options that you simply can't live without.

Good luck.

David

 

PDK is the way to go if you are in the market now. Unless you are dead set on a manual, get a 997.2. I found my car simply by frequenting my local dealer. They had just got the car the day before off a regional auction and had not even put it on the website. My wife took one look at it and said THAT ONE! I made a fairly low offer <it was the very end of the year>, they took it and the rest is history. I looked HARD for almost 6 months. My car has cpo warranty until 2016 and I got it with 5700 miles on it. You just have to keep looking and be ready to pull the trigger. The good ones will not last long.

 

Thanks to David and Katera for your stories and advice. It seems we are/were looking for about the same thing. I would prefer a low miles 997.2, if I can find the right one I like the wide-bodies particularly.

I have never driven a PDK; so I don't know what to think about that as an alternative to the usual manual transmission. Katera, why do you feel so strongly that the PDK is the way to go?

 

David, it seems your budget was about like mine. I am fine with the C2 or C4 as well and an '09 would be perfect. It seems I will just have to keep looking until the "right one" pops up and hope I find it before someone else does. Because I do usually suffer from huge buyer's remorse, it would be hard for me to jump on something quickly though. You like the PDK too? Why?

Thanks.
Randy

 

I got my 07 C4S with 18k on the odometer, Arctic Silver Blk Leather, PASM, 6 Speed, Navi, BOSE, B-Xenon etc, and I only paid 61k for mine in Jan of 2011. I purchased from a dealer and I did trust the dealer about the car and it's mechanics. I didn't do a DME report which I know now is the thing to do. Looking at the pics, the engine bay looks dirty...why would the dealer put this out for sale looking like that!!! Motor looks like it was driven on a dirt road...they may have detailed the interior, but why not clean the engine....

Get a DME on the engine, is this a CPO or are they offering to CPO the car?

If you can get a lower mileage car for the same price...I would go there....something is not right IMHO....good luck.

 

Hi Randy - If you risk suffering from buyer's remorse, you MUST get a CPO car. This is piece of mind that will put your wallet at ease. This isn't to say you won't be faced with expensive consumables costs, but at least you know (in theory) it will come progressively and not immediately after having sunk so much money into the car up front. I am happy I purchased a CPO car.

As for PDK - two things. I live in LA, thus the traffic on a good day sucks a**. I love manual transmission cars - I've owned many over the years. However, this is a balance of two competing priorities. Two hours sitting on the 405 freeway shifting between 1st and 2nd gear against being somewhat removed from the driving experience. In my opinion, PDK offers me the PERFECT balance between these two competing priorities. Responsive throttle control with the PDK steering wheel paddles and rapid gear shifts (made even better with Sport Chrono for excellent engine mapping) for those fun days on the track or the canyon roads. If you are dead set on a 6 speed, then no other transmission such as PDK will do. I totally respect that. However, in my situation - generally indifferent about a 6 speed, you'll immediately be impressed with the PDK.

David

 

David...you are so right about that LA Traffic. I'm in NorCal, however it's not as bad as LA but bad non the less. I don't drive my 4S everyday...it's a fun toy for me, but after driving a 2012 991 w/ PDK, I will pick that next time..if there is a next time. It's fast as hell and still provides a good driving experiance because your not "slowed" down by shifting.

Enjoy that traffic bro!!

 

Price isn't horrible, but I'm sure it's negotiable. My biggest fault with the car is that it does not have Sport Chrono. I know there are aftermarket add-ons now, but it was the first thing I used to filter out cars. Even if you never track the car, the ability to adjust your throttle and suspension settings makes a big difference to me. I don't mind the exterior color actually, but I don't like the light interior. If YOU like the car, drive it and see if you like it then and go from there

 

Thanks for all the great info. I definitely intend to find a certified car if I buy from a dealer. Given my anxiety about this, I probably will use a dealer. I have heard great things about the PDK but would have to drive it first. I drove my wife's Boxster S for three hours the other day, and my left foot hurt for two days! So, maybe the PDK is a good idea.

THanks for the advice Hawkeye1. I think I like the color, but I'm not sure about the combo with the tan interior. The car is CPO, and the dealer rep has been very helpful. DME looks very good with very few overrev ignition cycles, about 100 in range 1 and only 15 in range 2. None above that.

THanks RaidersR1. I hear you on the sports chronometer. It's probably a must for enthusiasts.Car looks good in close-up photos sent from the dealer. It is CPO and has a very good DME.

 

Based on the comments it seems I should expect to find a C4 or C4S with fewer miles at a similar price. Would that be accurate from your perspective?

 

To be honest, I get all the merits of PDK. It's fantastic for what it is. But I was not enamoured with it during my test drive. I personally enjoy the depressing of the clutch and rowing the gears. So for my first Porsche, that is the way I went. I plan to keep this car and possibly add another Porsche to the mix, that one stands a good chance of being a PDK car. I would consider a PDK on the second car as I'd like to get something more track focused where PDK can contribute to the lap time.

 

If you are unsure, don't settle. Wait till the right one comes along, it will.

Drive various model years and differently optioned cars. I took out a 09 C2S PDK, 08 C4S, 09 Turbo, 11 C4S. I had gone in thinking the wide body was what I wanted, but maybe thought to compromise. After take a hard look at the cars I realized I should stick to my original thought and it'd work out.

Keep an open mind only to consider the possibilities, but I found that it'll also help narrow down the choices.