996 911 vs Cayman, regarding resale value.

[NickKantikas]

Hello all,

I'd like to say right away that this topic may sound repeated but I've seen others and I'd like up to date opinions on this specific doubt I'm having. If possible.

I'm a absolute porsche fan but Ive never owned one. Now I'm about to buy either a 2006 Cayman S or a 996 911. Car wise I know they're totally different machines and etc, etc... But I'd be happy with either of them. Although of course the 911 is THE dream.

Anyways, my situation is: I'm in greece now and the options are very few and pricey, I'm going to buy the car and it wont be my daily drive so it would be okay having an older 911. I found a very good cayman S 2006 with all maint. Done at porsche centers and etc. AND I found a 996 2003 targa which looks very solid and the owner is ok with taking it for a 100point check at porsche, but it has 146k km and it looks like it has this km, looks fairly used. What I have in mind is to keep the car for a few years and that is where my biggest concern comes. I think that the cayman will lose its value and I'll probably lose too much money just to own it and drive a few km's whereas the 911 wont depreciate that much and I could even sell it for what i bought if i kept it longer. What do you guys think? Also about the 911 having this high KM and being a Targa... could I have some experienced opinions?

Im sorry for the long post but ive been thinking about this and reading for a long time and I seem to change my mind about what to do every day.

Thaanks a lot for your time!

[dporto]

Hmmm...I don't know very much about the '06 Caman, so I can't comment on it's re-sale value. What I can say regarding both cars is this: Your best bet (unless you're buying a collectible car - neither of which these are - yet) is to get the best example possible for the best price possible. Along with this you must take the Latin "caveat emptor" into due consideration. In other words, you're buying the car to drive it and enjoy it - not as an investment (neither car afaik is an investment grade vehicle, though if you keep it long enough, who knows?). The better you take care of it, the more of your purchase price you'll get back should you ever decide to sell it...