The really controversial point is where (and when) the gen 1 and gen 2 prices intersect. It's actially very hard to choose and although the conventional wisdom is to always go for a gen 2, there are now some gen 1 cars which are commanding higher prices than the later cars. Looking at the 996 there are some specific examples of early cars surpassing the later models price wise. These will be better condition and perhaps lower mileage but a whole lot older. Many similar arguments could be made about buying a known entity 997.1 (with a rebuild for example) versus a newer but perhaps less cherished 997.2. Both are coming up to a decade old and will have the potential to hand out large bills completely unrelated to the engine. An early 997.1 with a full rebuild might have already had the suspension refreshed whereas an early 997.2 might still be on original parts.
On reflection I suffered with budget creep as I was originally after a 996 C4S, but with the prices beginning to overlap decent 997s I upped the budget a little as I felt it would be madness to go for the older car. I figured I had already missed the 'investment" potential of the 996 anyway. The bottom line is that any 911 Carrera won't offer a real investment opportunity unless you dry store it for at least a decade (perhaps 2) and make a significant investment returning it to concourse condition. What they do offer is extremely low depreciation extremely fun motoring.
Buy the best one you can afford now and enjoy driving it!
On reflection I suffered with budget creep as I was originally after a 996 C4S, but with the prices beginning to overlap decent 997s I upped the budget a little as I felt it would be madness to go for the older car. I figured I had already missed the 'investment" potential of the 996 anyway. The bottom line is that any 911 Carrera won't offer a real investment opportunity unless you dry store it for at least a decade (perhaps 2) and make a significant investment returning it to concourse condition. What they do offer is extremely low depreciation extremely fun motoring.
Buy the best one you can afford now and enjoy driving it!
