Options can make or break a Porsche. I looked at a new 718 Cayman GT4 a few weeks ago that literally had no options but was marked up $15,000 over sticker from a private seller. Surprise, surprise, the car is still for sale, but now only $10,000 over MSRP. Add in tax and some other bogus fees, and I’m willing to bet that the seller of that car is right at break-even point if he wants to get out of the car. I’m not surprised; people who buy expensive special cars want their cake and to eat it too. Paying over MSPR for a car with zero options while there are plenty of new other cars sitting at dealers offered for sticker isn’t something that is likely to happen.
However, on to today’s car and a slightly older 2008 911 Carrera S. On the outside, looks like a pretty standard example in Carrara White with 19″ Carrera Sport wheels. However, open the doors and things really get interesting. And expensive.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S on eBay
Year: 2008
Model: 911 Carrera S
VIN: WP0AB29958S732040
Engine: 3.8 liter flat-6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 44,256
Location: Costa Mesa, California
Price: $59,995 Buy It Now
YEAR
MAKE
MODEL
MILEAGE2008
Porsche
911 Carrera S
44,256
EXTERIOR
INTERIOR
STOCK #
VINCarrara White
Special Leather Cocoa
B5042
WP0AB29958S732040
ENGINE3.8L HO DOHC 24v 6-Cyl Engine
A special-order Cocoa brown leather cabin with the rare sport bucket seats. These were “only” a $3,125 option when new, but as the years go on, they are proving to be much more valuable. Strange thing is, there aren’t a ton of more options on top of the seats. Other than Bose audio and the sport exhaust, that is about it. I would assume that that this one was spec’d by an enthusiast given the sport seats and exhaust, but not much else. Personally, I love it. I want it. Problem is, the price.
$60,000 is a lot. A similar comp sold recently for about $10,000 less, but yes, without the seats. Does the math make sense here? Maybe. If you are hunting for a special 997.1 with the sport seats optioned from new, you don’t have many other choices, if any. I think this dealer is fully aware of that as well. Problem is, $60,000 will get you into a bunch of 997.2 cars. So basically it all comes down to have bad you want those carbon buckets? If you do, go for it. If they don’t do anything for you, then obviously this is a crazy price.
– Andrew
Unless I missed it, the item description was basically whatever the computer churned out: no romance of the seats nor special leather chosen, no lovingly maintained nothing or any bragging about it’s care and feeding. In other words, 72 photos of the seats to justify the price is either lazy, misguided or both. Good catch on spying this car. Special as it may be, the seller leaves you hanging.
Living in Houston, just looking at those seats hurt my back.
Seats or no seats no one is paying $60k for a 997.1 with these miles. That is a 997.2 or 991.1 price. Dealer will be very lucky to get $50k. Without the buckets this is closer to a low $40s 997. Everyone is aware of the bore scoring and IMSB issues that plague these otherwise great cars, and that keeps many buyers away.
I love 911s of all stripes, but this car is meh. The bucket seats are cool, but I’d never take a non-sport chrono car with buckets over a sport chrono car with standard seats. Never mind how expensive (read overpriced) this thing is.
Only a fool would pay that price for a 997.1, bucket seats or not and 44K miles. You can buy a low miles 997.2S for less than that. I dont think this will crack $50K if they actually want to sell it.
$60k for a 12 year old 911? No thanks. Private collection tends to over price some of their inventory.