westlake10

Hey all,

I've been lurking here for a while and have been aggressively shopping for the right 996 C4S to add to my garage. I've noticed a couple things along the way and I'd love to hear input from you guys as to how it is best approached:

1. There are approximately a bajillion black exterior or silver exterior 996s with either all black or all grey interiors. The prices on these cars in good condition seem to range between $28000-$31000
2. Anybody who is selling a yellow, red, or other brightly colored C4S (cobalt blue for example) seems to think they suddenly deserve a $3-4k premium over a more common color. This places the cars in the range of $33,000-$36,000.

Are these price premiums justified in the form of being able to recoup the cost upon resale? Is it just dealer hype?

edit: I've also noticed the KBB values for C4Ss are basically useless. Every example I see has a KBB "value" of 23-25k but the asking prices are always ~$5k more than that. Any opinions on this?

808Bill

No, not to most.

westlake10

Don't get me wrong I'd pay a grand or so premium for a cool color... but $4k? And a lot of these people are completely inflexible and wanna tell me that their 75,000 mile 4S is packed with "rare" options and act insulted when I try and get them close to $30k

Mbren1979

My opinion.....KBB and other pricing guides suck for 911's.
C4S's in rare colors are like albino animals. Same guts, rare look. It's all in the eyes of the beholder and the wallet.

RSBro

Depends on the combo and how much you want it. I'd pay a premium for something in Speed Yellow and if it had matching interior, etc., but nothing crazy, since those colors are actually harder to move when it's time to sell, conveniently...

wildbilly32

Depends on what color you like and how much you are willing to pay for it. If your offer insults the current owner wish him well with his sale and walk off. Someday he/she will realize the truth or someone will pay the inflated price. Either way make yourself comfortable with your purchase. How bout this buy a silver one and have it wrapped in whatever color makes you happy.

I'm partial to Seal Grey but I am biased!

westlake10

like this one that failed to meet reserve on BaT at a $30k high bid with two accidents reported, non-functioning driver mirror, old tires and repainted rear bumper? Seller is dead firm at $35k

RSBro

I remember that thread. A few $K is one thing, but that was stupid money PLUS accidents reported... You could get a nice 997.1 S with the same history and color for that money on the actual market, probably.

Optionman1

Color is a very personal choice and people pay/charge accordingly. I'm guilty of owning and loving my arctic silver metallic/metropol blue 03 c4s. It gets many compliments from total strangers, and never has anyone said "oh, another silver Porsche". additionally, for all the talk about how many 996s Porsche produced, i rarely see any others on the roads in NJ/NY/PA other than at cars & coffees or PCA get togethers.

westlake10

How about this red/tan 87k mile example? Outrageous or reasonable?

RSBro

Now that you say that, same here, even in a market the size of Houston. Most of the time when I THINK it's an oncoming 996, it's almost always a Boxster of similar vintage as it gets closer. I too get compliments on mine especially when driving thru for coffee, even when it's dirty as hell, like now...

wyovino

Just for laughs I checked my car's pricing on KBB. They subtracted $500 because it's Rainforest Green Metallic, which was a $4000 option.

RSBro

My wife said she's more inclined for me to spend more on my next 911 if it's Guard Red/tan interior- who am I to argue that!

westlake10

Sounds like a deal to me haha. I'm a single guy at the moment so at least in the near-term I have to make these important decisions for myself

wyovino

Maybe RSBro's wife has a sister.