Why does the rare headlight design not drive up value?
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Astro (03-01-2020)
03-01-2020, 08:54 PM
#17
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The base 996 reminds me a lot of the E36 3 Series. It was the first model that broke away from the older models in terms of design and performance.
They sold a lot of them, so they will never be collector cars but there will be a growing number of people looking for a well-taken-care-of lower mileage E36 and willing to pay more for it.
I think the prices for base 996s will stay fairly low but the ones that have been taken care of will sell for $10k+ more than the rest. Especially ones that aren't silver or gray. Lol
They sold a lot of them, so they will never be collector cars but there will be a growing number of people looking for a well-taken-care-of lower mileage E36 and willing to pay more for it.
I think the prices for base 996s will stay fairly low but the ones that have been taken care of will sell for $10k+ more than the rest. Especially ones that aren't silver or gray. Lol
03-01-2020, 08:56 PM
#18
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In the early 911s, they offered the Sportomatic transmission. Quite rare, not very many were built with it, but that doesn't make it more valuable.
There were about 12,000 968s built, about 1/2 came to the US. With only 6,000 they are getting rare, but that doesn't make them worth more than the closest cousin, the 944 Turbo which with time will probably go for more.
The 931 (924 Turbo) was quite rare, that that doesn't make them worth very much. Some people may fine them nostalgic, but that doesn't help.
There were about 12,000 968s built, about 1/2 came to the US. With only 6,000 they are getting rare, but that doesn't make them worth more than the closest cousin, the 944 Turbo which with time will probably go for more.
The 931 (924 Turbo) was quite rare, that that doesn't make them worth very much. Some people may fine them nostalgic, but that doesn't help.
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03-02-2020, 10:22 AM
#20
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Rarity in Porsche world doesn't mean increase in value.
I used to have a 1991 944 S2 Cabrio. In terms of sheer numbers it was one of very few in the country but in the end it wasn't worth all that much.
I've had my 996 for over 10 years so even if it's only worth $50 I got my money out of it!
I used to have a 1991 944 S2 Cabrio. In terms of sheer numbers it was one of very few in the country but in the end it wasn't worth all that much.
I've had my 996 for over 10 years so even if it's only worth $50 I got my money out of it!
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03-02-2020, 10:25 AM
#21
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^^^ Mine's worth at least $55... ^^^ 
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fpena944 (03-02-2020)
03-02-2020, 02:03 PM
#22
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It's neat to see how trends change over the years.
For the 996, the most desired will be the GTX, turbos, and C4Ss. After that it will be unique color/option configurations and low-mileage cars.
03-02-2020, 02:40 PM
#23
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but that was 10+ years ago; I guess times have changed.
03-02-2020, 02:50 PM
#24
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Having purchased a new 996 and now a 991.2 I can tell you that the two cars are worlds apart. The 996 was great for its generation, but in my opinion the headlight design simply hasn't aged well. The design was bold for the time and much different than any of the other headlights these cars have had since or before. It'll be interesting to see how they fair in the next 20 years.
03-02-2020, 03:03 PM
#25
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^^^ No such thing as a 996 GTX... where did you get that from?
03-02-2020, 03:17 PM
#26
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GTx where x = 2 or 3
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Gingerman (03-02-2020)
03-02-2020, 05:38 PM
#27
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The best comparison I can make for the headlights and what MIGHT happen down the road is with respect to the 1972-only external oil filler, which had a bucket/flap like a gas filler.
The 72 911 was reviled by some back in the day on a basis of looks and/or, more commonly, the dangers of the wrong things going into the oil vs. gas tanks. However, as a past owner of several 72s, I can say firsthand that that feature is in fact is quite benign. It now arguably makes 72 911s among the most desirable of the early cars.
The 996's headlights are completely benign and, as someone else pointed out, more or less ignored by the non-hardcore folks. So it is plausible that once the numbers still on the road come down (perhaps many years from now), the headlights could provide a similar draw for the collector type looking for a "unique" 911.
Personally, I dig the headlights. Good enough for the GT1, good enough for the road-going 911.
The 72 911 was reviled by some back in the day on a basis of looks and/or, more commonly, the dangers of the wrong things going into the oil vs. gas tanks. However, as a past owner of several 72s, I can say firsthand that that feature is in fact is quite benign. It now arguably makes 72 911s among the most desirable of the early cars.
The 996's headlights are completely benign and, as someone else pointed out, more or less ignored by the non-hardcore folks. So it is plausible that once the numbers still on the road come down (perhaps many years from now), the headlights could provide a similar draw for the collector type looking for a "unique" 911.
Personally, I dig the headlights. Good enough for the GT1, good enough for the road-going 911.
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03-02-2020, 08:33 PM
#28
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E30s definitely have gone up in value over the past 5 years. E36s are creeping up as well. I've never experienced so many of my friends who now say they would love to find a nice condition non-M3 E36. Most want a sedan now as well. In the past, it was all about coupes, and it being an M3.
It's neat to see how trends change over the years.
For the 996, the most desired will be the GTX, turbos, and C4Ss. After that it will be unique color/option configurations and low-mileage cars.
It's neat to see how trends change over the years.
For the 996, the most desired will be the GTX, turbos, and C4Ss. After that it will be unique color/option configurations and low-mileage cars.
03-02-2020, 08:36 PM
#29
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Thread Starter
The best comparison I can make for the headlights and what MIGHT happen down the road is with respect to the 1972-only external oil filler, which had a bucket/flap like a gas filler.
The 72 911 was reviled by some back in the day on a basis of looks and/or, more commonly, the dangers of the wrong things going into the oil vs. gas tanks. However, as a past owner of several 72s, I can say firsthand that that feature is in fact is quite benign. It now arguably makes 72 911s among the most desirable of the early cars.
The 996's headlights are completely benign and, as someone else pointed out, more or less ignored by the non-hardcore folks. So it is plausible that once the numbers still on the road come down (perhaps many years from now), the headlights could provide a similar draw for the collector type looking for a "unique" 911.
Personally, I dig the headlights. Good enough for the GT1, good enough for the road-going 911.
The 72 911 was reviled by some back in the day on a basis of looks and/or, more commonly, the dangers of the wrong things going into the oil vs. gas tanks. However, as a past owner of several 72s, I can say firsthand that that feature is in fact is quite benign. It now arguably makes 72 911s among the most desirable of the early cars.
The 996's headlights are completely benign and, as someone else pointed out, more or less ignored by the non-hardcore folks. So it is plausible that once the numbers still on the road come down (perhaps many years from now), the headlights could provide a similar draw for the collector type looking for a "unique" 911.
Personally, I dig the headlights. Good enough for the GT1, good enough for the road-going 911.
The oldest or first clay pot in existence was probably never considered a collectible until thousands of years had passed. Who’s going to wait that long on the 996, lol.
03-03-2020, 06:49 AM
#30
I used to think the 996 headlights were ugly (before I owned a Porsche myself), but over the years the design really has grown on me and now I find that I prefer the 996.1 headlights to the 996.2 and the 997. Overall the entire 996 design is aging really nicely because it is so elegant and restrained. The 997 and 991 are more shouty. But I may be biased due to owning one now myself. 
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