997.2 Carrera residual values

[londonninja]

Hello,

I have a Cayman 987.2 which I’ve owned for about 7 years and I’m considering upgrading in the new year.

I’m looking at upgrading to a base model 997.2 Carrera and wondered what the general feeling is from the community as to how likely it is for this model to retain its value over the next 5 years or so.

My initial research suggests that values have been creeping up over the last year or so which leads me to assume that these models are becoming more desirable and will therefore hold their value.

Can anyone share any insights which are more informed than my Google search?

Thanks

[MDL111]

I personally think a 997.2 manual coupe will at minimum remain stable and might even increase. I'd rather have one of those than a 991 or later car. I doubt they will increase substantially, but I'd be comfortable assuming stable.

[therams]

I went to buy a 2011 4s from a opc back in 2019. I think it was £40k (I bought a 991.1 instead)

If I look on Autotrader now, similar 997.2 cars are £40k

I wouldn’t worry about the residuals…..

[16610LV]

I'd recommend buying a 2s or 4s for best residuals. Manual or PDK is up to you. Make sure it's been 'enthusiast owned' and serviced annually. Ideally lowish number of owners but do NOT be worried about high mileage cars as long as its been annually serviced by a Specialist and had all the usual wear & tear items replaced over the years as and when required. These cars need to be driven so be wary of expensive 'garage queens'. Buying private is always the way to go if the car has been looked after well (unless your buying from a dealer who provides a bullet-proof warranty - but then the car will be at least £5k more than buying privately). The usual 'after-market' used car warranties are not worth the cloud band-width the emails occupy.

Good luck! I bought my 997.2 C4S PDK over a year ago (privately) and it's an amazing car - feels almost 'old-school' 911 before the 991 and 992 'Panameraisation'.

[maz8062]

My view is that the “market” is gunning for these cars, and the 991.1. There have been a few forum posts and YouTube video scaremongering about engine issues, bore scoring, so i’d suggest treading carefully if you’re looking at a ROI.

Some engine shops have invested heavily on a solution for the DFI engine, so going with your eyes wide open.

A 7.1 with an engine rebuild from a reputable engine builder, with less than 100k miles, is the way to go.

[Ed.Neumann]

maz8062 said:

A 7.1 with an engine rebuild from a reputable engine builder, with less than 100k miles, is the way to go.

Agreed. But only if you want a manual.


But also make sure the big jobs have been done.

Suspension.
Cooling system.
Clutch.
Starter, alternator and Y Cable all getting old.
Fuel pump.
Water Pump.

I have had all that done in the last 3 years. Cost around £10,000 and that was while the engine was out having a rebuild.
Another £13k or so.

I would have either, but if going MA1 I would prefer a Carrera over the S, and definitely not get one with the X51 pack. They seem to be having 'scoring like' issues more than any.

I know it is not the same scoring, but as an end user if it happens to you then you really don't give two hoots about semantics of wording.

A manual 997.2 which is factory fresh is now £45k and you could (I doubt it though) end up with engine issues like any car. You could buy a nice 997.1 manual for £20k, spend £15k getting a Hartech rebuild and then spend £7k getting Tractive suspension fitted and having a car that I think will be very desirable.


No right or wrong, but consider all options.

[c3m]

therams said:

I went to buy a 2011 4s from a opc back in 2019. I think it was £40k (I bought a 991.1 instead)

If I look on Autotrader now, similar 997.2 cars are £40k

I wouldn t worry about the residuals ..

Except £40k in 2019 is £51.7k in Nov 2025 (29% inflation). So, the OP would most likely lose 2x margin (buy + sell) + cumulative inflation if the price stays the same in nominal terms.

[Grantstown]

It’s clear that depreciation isn’t going to be huge. As pointed out, inflation will occur and spoil the party (but only if you allow it to in your head).

I wouldn’t expect to just survive on routine servicing though. They’re at an age where some investment is going to be required.

Happy hunting!

[Ed.Neumann]

That was the point I was trying to make, these cars are at a funny price point currently.

Many have had £15k of work done recently and are being sold for a reasonable price, others have not had any of the bits done yet and are asking the same money if not more.


You need one with full history, showing exactly what has been done so far as they hit 15 years old and need loads replacing.

You can easily be into £400 a month over 3 or 4 years in upkeep if that work has not been done already.

Let's not pretend these are going to be anything other than expensive if you keep it feeling factory fresh, or just running.

Control arms and bushes £3-4k.
Dampers and top mounts £2-6k
Clutch £1000
Engine mounts, transmission mounts, subframe bushes etc. £2k
Coolant system, pips and expansion tank £1500-2000.
Starter, alternator, Y cable £2500


And they are getting to the age where things are seizing, exhaust system starting to corrode, electrical niggles from aging relays or corroding ground points under the car etc.

Half the 997.2 cars out there should be £30-35, or if they are asking £45-55k they need £15-20k of prep work to justify that asking price.


So make sure you know what you are getting for your money.

Great cars, but some crap examples out there when you dig down on the details.

[stuckmojo]

Ed.Neumann said:

That was the point I was trying to make, these cars are at a funny price point currently.

Many have had £15k of work done recently and are being sold for a reasonable price, others have not had any of the bits done yet and are asking the same money if not more.


You need one with full history, showing exactly what has been done so far as they hit 15 years old and need loads replacing.

You can easily be into £400 a month over 3 or 4 years in upkeep if that work has not been done already.

Let's not pretend these are going to be anything other than expensive if you keep it feeling factory fresh, or just running.

Control arms and bushes £3-4k.
Dampers and top mounts £2-6k
Clutch £1000
Engine mounts, transmission mounts, subframe bushes etc. £2k
Coolant system, pips and expansion tank £1500-2000.
Starter, alternator, Y cable £2500


And they are getting to the age where things are seizing, exhaust system starting to corrode, electrical niggles from aging relays or corroding ground points under the car etc.

Half the 997.2 cars out there should be £30-35, or if they are asking £45-55k they need £15-20k of prep work to justify that asking price.


So make sure you know what you are getting for your money.

Great cars, but some crap examples out there when you dig down on the details.

these prices seem a bit extreme. Are those OPC quoted prices?

[MDL111]

c3m said:

therams said:

I went to buy a 2011 4s from a opc back in 2019. I think it was £40k (I bought a 991.1 instead)

If I look on Autotrader now, similar 997.2 cars are £40k

I wouldn t worry about the residuals ..

Except £40k in 2019 is £51.7k in Nov 2025 (29% inflation). So, the OP would most likely lose 2x margin (buy + sell) + cumulative inflation if the price stays the same in nominal terms.

but that is the same for any car (plus servicing, insurance and petrol). A car is not an investment, so in my opinion you can't really look at it that way. What you can do is say "had you bought car A instead of car B in 2019, then the difference would be x". If car A is a 997.2 and car B is a BMW M at a comparable price point, then car A probably looks quite good today.

[WombleCate]

I swapped a 986.1 for a 996.1 a few years ago. Loved both of them, but, the rear engine and coupe made a worthwhile difference. That said, IMO a 987.2 Cayman is close to peak Porsche.

I believe a 997.2 C2 Manual in a popular colour will be seen by many as peak water-cooled 911 and will be relatively depreciation proof, but, not an investment.

I’ve never added up the running costs of my cars. If we we’re honest about running costs, I suspect there are very very few investment grade cars (aside from a couple of Fords/ 250 GTO and F1 between ‘05 & ‘20).

[c3m]

MDL111 said:

but that is the same for any car (plus servicing, insurance and petrol). A car is not an investment, so in my opinion you can't really look at it that way.

I don't quite agree for two main reasons:

• I've commonly seen people say "I got back what I paid for it" completely ignoring the fact that we're in a different inflation environment today vs the 2010s. People just got used to practically no inflation, it takes some time for this mentality to change.
• Opportunity cost - no one needs a Porsche. If you put £40k in the S&P500 in 2019, today you would have £92k (non-inflation adjusted). If you put it in gold, you would have £115k (non-inflation adjusted).

MDL111 said:

What you can do is say "had you bought car A instead of car B in 2019, then the difference would be x". If car A is a 997.2 and car B is a BMW M at a comparable price point, then car A probably looks quite good today.

Yeah, if someone is already committed to spending £40k on a sports car, then I agree the only thing that matters is a comparison of overall cost of ownership (servicing, warranty, insurance, consumables, etc).

[Hereandthere]

I bought a 2009 model 997.2 4S with 7000 miles on the clock in 2012 for just under £54K from an Independent dealer and sold it back to the same dealer 2 years later with it having covered 11000 miles for £47000. I note that today the same car is still selling for over £45K. So, it certainly retains its value.

Edited to note that the car was a manual.

[housemouse]

WombleCate said:

I ve never added up the running costs of my cars. If we we re honest about running costs, I suspect there are very very few investment grade cars (aside from a couple of Fords/ 250 GTO and F1 between 05 & 20).

That's usually true over really long periods of time. But of late there have certainly been short term value spikes where appreciation will have far outstripped running costs over a couple of years.

Certain air-cooled 911s really jumped up between, I dunno, roughly 2014 and 2020? I think if you'd had a decent one stored properly during that period you'd have beaten inflation by a decent margin. Of course, in the time since, you probably wouldn't have actually made mode, net of costs etc.

[MDL111]

c3m said:

MDL111 said:

but that is the same for any car (plus servicing, insurance and petrol). A car is not an investment, so in my opinion you can't really look at it that way.

I don't quite agree for two main reasons:

• I've commonly seen people say "I got back what I paid for it" completely ignoring the fact that we're in a different inflation environment today vs the 2010s. People just got used to practically no inflation, it takes some time for this mentality to change.
• Opportunity cost - no one needs a Porsche. If you put £40k in the S&P500 in 2019, today you would have £92k (non-inflation adjusted). If you put it in gold, you would have £115k (non-inflation adjusted).

MDL111 said:

What you can do is say "had you bought car A instead of car B in 2019, then the difference would be x". If car A is a 997.2 and car B is a BMW M at a comparable price point, then car A probably looks quite good today.

Yeah, if someone is already committed to spending £40k on a sports car, then I agree the only thing that matters is a comparison of overall cost of ownership (servicing, warranty, insurance, consumables, etc).

I get what you are saying, but as said I see a car not as something you compare with financial investments. Same as if you look at the value of a primary home - you made the decision you want to own the house you live in, so if the S&P performed better, then so be it - you wanted to own the house same as you wanted to own a 911 for pleasure. It is consumption not investment - you can make smarter or less smart consumption decisions in terms of what exactly you buy to minimize potential cost (and if you are lucky make money on your consumption choices).
If you look at it purely from a return on my money perspective, then you should lease a cheap (preferably new) car and invest the money (and then hope you get old enough to actually benefit from your investment at some point in the future).

[MDL111]

Hereandthere said:

I bought a 2009 model 997.2 4S with 7000 miles on the clock in 2012 for just under £54K from an Independent dealer and sold it back to the same dealer 2 years later with it having covered 11000 miles for £47000. I note that today the same car is still selling for over £45K. So, it certainly retains its value.

Edited to note that the car was a manual.

A friend of mine sold his 2009/2010 997.2 S with really good spec and less than 10k on the clock for I think 44k (might have been a little more or less, can't remember) in 2012 or 2013.
Edit to add: He bought the car when it war new (200 miles on the clock) from an OPC as the original owner did not want it for I think something like 60-65k, basically with a healthy discount on list price.

Edited by MDL111 on Thursday 25th December 08:29

[Wills2]

My old 2009 997.2 manual C2S was sold by Cridfords for £39.500 back in 2013 it had 55k on the clock, it was a nice spec with PSE/Sports seats and short shift kit fitted (the kind I would imagine would be sought after now)

[Cheib]

RWD Manual Coupe will be the best performer from a residual perspective.

I bought a 997.2 GTS for £60k in 2016, sold it for £77k two years ago. More than one person said “you did well there”….think I maybe broke even assuming I’d have had the money in the bank and not invested…which I wouldn’t.

[andyglos]

MDL111 said:

I get what you are saying, but as said I see a car not as something you compare with financial investments. Same as if you look at the value of a primary home - you made the decision you want to own the house you live in, so if the S&P performed better, then so be it - you wanted to own the house same as you wanted to own a 911 for pleasure. It is consumption not investment - you can make smarter or less smart consumption decisions in terms of what exactly you buy to minimize potential cost (and if you are lucky make money on your consumption choices).
If you look at it purely from a return on my money perspective, then you should lease a cheap (preferably new) car and invest the money (and then hope you get old enough to actually benefit from your investment at some point in the future).

Definitely this. £40k in Rolls Royce shares in October 2021 would be worth around £365k today……. Whilst I kid myself that my 997 turbo is worth more than I paid for it in 2013, once inflation and maintenance is added to the equation it blows my man maths apart……