Sales debate
What’s the future of the 997.2 Carrera?
It’s no secret we’re huge fans of the 997.2 Carrera generation here at Total 911 – we view it as something of a sweet spot in terms of relatively modern performance and technology in a quintessentially classic 911 shell. Even better, as values of the 991.1-generation Carrera after it have depreciated, that’s pushed prices of the 997.2 down too, and you can now pick up an entry-level Carrera for £35k, with a Carrera S starting at £40k. We think that’s incredible value given the GTS, at the top of the 997.2 Carrera range, is still commanding a price tag of £60,000. But what do our experts think? Does the entry-level 997.2 Carrera represent a good buy right now, or is there better value out there for a semi-modern, daily driver 911?
Jamie Tyler, sales consultant at renowned specialists Paragon Porsche, says the company shares Total 911’s passion for the 997.2. “I think the 997.2 is a great buy. In my view they are the last of the right size, exciting-feeling 911s and I think they [Porsche] got the styling and shape just perfect. Personally I can always see them being a collectible 911 with good residuals,” he comments.
Karl Meyer, proprietor at fellow UK Porsche sales specialists 2911, also thinks the 997.2 is a wise buy at present. “The market data is doing all the talking on this one: 996s remain the entry-level 911 and prices have remained rock solid in that £13-20k bracket despite the economic unrest in the UK, so it’s a car finding its true value. Contrast that with the 997 GTS which has continued to rise, and a market that continues to hail the mechanical, smaller 911s of days gone by… all conditions are in place for a great couple of years for 997 sales and prices to nudge up. Here at 2911 we buy all Porsche for a number of Porsche Centres and specialists, and we have consistently been told by these guys the demand for good-quality 997s has strongly increased.”
So it seems there’s a lot of love floating around the industry for the 997.2 Carrera at present, both for its ownership experience and for its favourable position in the marketplace currently. The only problem is that you won’t find too many floating around: the 997.2 was in production during the last global financial meltdown, and so the generation unquestionably took a hit in terms of build numbers as a result. If you can find one, you’d be urged to buy it…