It's not clear whether d_le is looking at a new one or used one. If it's new, he's got the right idea. He eliminates a lot of the depreciation by purchasing a leftover and he gets a new car with the assurance that it hasn't been abused (assuming it comes with the expected as-new mileage). When I ordered mine in March 2005, I though the car would be in such demand that there wouldn't be any suitable models on the lot by July or August. It turns out there were plenty and I could have knocked a few thousand dollars off my purchase price, with the possibility of gaining additional options at the same time.
I've also bought certified cars to knock off depreciation, but never a sports car. I know a lot of people here have bought used Boxsters and have enjoyed them withour problems. Still, I think you automatically have to assume a used sports car has been driven aggressively -- or worse. True, you avoid depreciation, but you're also involved in a crapshoot as to whether the car is mechanically sound and whether a PPI is thorough enough to pick up any serious problems.
I'm keeping the 987S for at least 10 years, so depreciation isn't a worry. I bought my 968 new in 1995 and depreciation averaged about $2400 a year over the decade that I owned it. You get some of the depreciation back at the end by being the original owner, keeping the car in good shape and producing all the service records.
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