[Perfectlap]

The 986 has "negative publicity"? Last I recall it was at or near the top of every roadster list, which the 987/981 have continued..

Prices have fallen because of excessive supply, the double-edged sword of a successful sports car.
Pure supply and demand economics. There are simply not enough buyers in the second-hand Porsche world to sustain prices with that much water-cooled inventory..

If you're referring to the negative publicity of the m96 engine among the enthusisasts, the average first time Porsche buyer knows little about it, has never heard of an IMS nor cracked heads, d-chunk, etc. And I'm not sure that most current m96 car owners are anymore informed on these issues. I would wager most only hear of the IMS issue when they go in for clutch job and their mechanic sells them on what it is and why they should upgrade.