996TT Cab => 997TT Cab

So my dad bought an '05 911 Turbo Cab last October, and he loves it. He just got an offer for a 997 Turbo Cab from a local Porsche dealership, with March delivery. Has anyone here driven both a 996 and 997 Turbo? I told him I don't think it would be worth the price difference: he could maybe get ~90k for his, and the new one would cost 150-160k. That's one helluva trade-up cost. But he has realized that he is never going to get an F430 Spider because he refuses to pay over MSRP and the local dealership has sold off his spot in line, so he's itching to buy something new.
I recommended he call Steve Barney at SportAuto (great guy, great dealership!) about a Gallardo Spyder. It would be a lot like his 911: fast, AWD, German motor . Anyone have another idea? He says a 575SA is too expensive, if that gives a perspective as to the price range. It's also going to be his daily driver, and he's 50 now, so no GT3RSs or whatnot.

 

I haven't driven either TT Cab, so I can't give you any useful advice there.

But for $160K he could probably find a certified pre-owned 360 Spider that looks basically new and has very low mileage, and which most people can't tell apart from an F430 anyway. And which has already depreciated precipitously.

I'm sure the 997TT is a great car. It's just that I can think of better things to do with my car money than piss away $50K-$60K in depreciation for yet another water-cooled 911 that may be incrementally better but isn't going to change your world. Porsche comes out with a new 911 variant once a week. Turbo. Turbo cab. GT3. GT3-RS. Soon the GT2.

If it was my money, I'd wait a year and pick up a perfect used one. If it's not a daily driver, I'd look into a Ferrari.

 

His other daily driver is an '02 360 Spider. He loves it, but wants an F430: just not THAT bad to pay 250+ for one.

 

If he's considering changing to a 07 Turbo Cab, which will be ~$60k up from his 996, why not combine all efforts/cars into a F430 Spider Fund!

05 Turbo Cab @ $90k + 02 360 Spider @ $140k + $60k extra cost of 997 Turbo Cab = $290,000 = F430 Spider!

 

Just because he has money doesn't mean he wants to waste it.

 

Buying new Porsches is a sure fire guaranteed way to experience jaw dropping depreciation in 24 months.

He should keep his 05 Turbo cab for 2 more years IMHO.

 

I have owned alot of Porsches (39 in all) and have owned a 996tt, (I hate AWD sports cars) and have driven a 997tt. I currently own a very moded (even the steering wheel is not stock) 06 997S cab that is quicker than a stock 996tt. The 997 is a much better car than the 996, though I can not argue that you will take a hit. I have 3 year old twin boys and bought this car for them. I had 2 360's a coupe and a convertable, and for the the money he would pay for a 997tt cab he could certainly get a 360. I happen to think that the difference between the 996 and the 997 is alot like the difference between the 360 and the 430, at least that was how I felt the first time I drove my 430. Well I am 50 too but that does not mean to still do not want the thrill.

 

Drop $10-15k on mods on the 996tt cab and blow all those other cars away. And still have a tame, reliable daily driver.

 

What you pay for your car does not reflect the cost. A "cheaper" car may lead to more waste than a pricier car. What I mean by that is - if you pay $160K for a new 997TT - you will lose $60K in depreciation over 2-3 years. Almost guaranteed. A 430 will likely lose less over the same period of time. So which is the bigger wate? But if you put 20K miles on a 430 over 3 years, as a DD, you may take an equivalent hit.

If he has a convertible why not just ditch the 996TT and get a 2005 430 coupe with 10k miles. Do all his cars need to be drop tops? In the US there is a big premium for verts.

 

Amen, brother