Am I missing something here?

[OCG911T]

Is anyone else having trouble understanding what is going on with the used Porsche market these days?

A friend of mine asked me to help him find a used Porsche 911 (he is looking for something relatively modern, preferably manual transmission with all wheel drive... he is not a car guy and is definitely not an early air cooled guy). He know it is my passion and asked that I look around to see if I can find something for him. He is not looking for a "blue chip" investment or to "add to his portfolio" but wants something that he can have fun with and keep for the long run and won't be a nightmare to own.

I personally am not very interested in anything past 1973 models, only with the occasional pipe dream to one day pick up a nice 83' SC or 87' G50 Carrera to drive around with the kids, so I never pay attention to the used market of the "newer" cars.... but good God was I shocked.

I can't find anything remotely reasonable for him! I see a used 2018 GTS for 168k and a smattering of 05' Carreras for like 48k to 60k!?!?!?! What the heck is happening!?!? These prices are insane. Is Porsche trying to elbow their way into the Lamborghini and Ferrari market or something like that?

Can anyone shed some light on this phenomenon?

[71gold]

The trend has been going on for several years now especially for SC’s and Carreras.
It really has been increasing steadily and rightfully so.
Your deals are in the 996 category which by the way they are also increasing.

[gled49]

U might look a little further back. An 18 GTS is a hot item. Start at 09 or newer, that keeps u out of M96 intermediate shaft engines.

[OCG911T]

I realize these are all great cars, especially the early models, but a 15 year old 911 going for 45k to 60k doesn't seem right to me. I remember passing on a 90' Carrera 2 with a manual transmission and well cared for 17k about ten years ago.... now they are asking 55k for a P.O.S. Targa with a tiptronic!

[OCG911T]

I will suggest this. He is looking in the 40-50k range and I figure I may be able to find him a nice 04-10 C4S. Something that he can just get in and drive and not worry too much about. Thanks for the advice.

[Bullethead]

As mentioned it's the 996 models that are still reasonably priced, several in the low $20s on fleabay right now. They're out there.

Decent looking car a little south of your location, $22,500: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Porsch...oAAOSwaRFgUMep

[karlusmagnus]

Unless he wants to spend more money post purchase, he might try to look at lower mileage models (the 996 reference above has 120k miles). Why not remove the AWD filter from his search, as well as the 911, and try a 981 boxster or cayman (no IMS issues). Buy some cheap rims for winter, a good set of winter tires, and he should be find 'down east', if that's where he's located. I had a 964 C2, with dedicated winter rims/winter tires, and it was a trooper in winter.

[71gold]

At times all Porsche have mechanical issues .
Too big a deal is made of IMS ,last year I bought an 02 C4S with 38k miles for $28,500 and spent $3,100 for the IMS and rear main seal repairs . Drove it from Texas to Chicago and it was a blast .
Let’s remember the 993 engine issues , Porsche paid $10k for worn valves that kept giving me check engine light.
Also think the 2nd generation 996 headlight design are a great design.

[raspritz]

I would not buy a 996, as they and the first-year 997s were subject to IMS failure. By 2006, I believe, the IMS had been redesigned and was no longer an issue. Many consider the 997.1 and 997.2 to be the best of the water-cooled Porsches, and I can attest to the 997.1 being absolutely fantastic. They are priced in the $40K range these days. The 997 is a physically smaller car than those that came later, and has somewhat more of the old-school 911 feel. That said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the 991 (I haven't driven a 992).

[OCG911T]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I showed him the different 996-997 models and he appears to like the 997 C4S.