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Originally Posted by longislander1
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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Hi,
In general, for the average Buyer, I would agree with you on the pitfalls of buying Used. But, if you do your homework, have some passing knowledge of Cars and Mechanics in general, and can keep
Objectivity at the forefront, then you can get some very good Used Cars.
I have owned 39 Cars in my lifetime, I own 5 right now (+ my FV Racer) and only 5 of these Cars were purchased new. I have never had a significant Failure in any of them, except in one of the new ones - go figure.
I have a bit of a reputation for buying excellent used Cars. So much so, that I have been enlisted to find Cars for Family, Friends, even two past Bosses. They usually say "I don't know how you do it". What they don't realize are the literally dozens of Cars I pass on. Even on the
Blind Squirrel theory, if you keep doing this, the right Car eventually turns up.
Too many people get emotional about a Car they see. This emotion often leads them to lose Objectivity and perhaps even overlook some flaws. They don't realize that the Manufacturers grind these things out like
Link Sausages. That you don't have to take the first thing which comes along, or even the
27th.
You may have to wait a little longer to find the Car, but eventually you find what you want. You also get better at spotting the issues as you go along. It all goes back to the old addage that you get out of it what you put into it. Really work and expend effort to find the right Car and you'll be rewarded in the end...
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99