650S Spider or my 996GT3RS...???

[OllieW]

After owning my 2004 GT3RS for 6 years and seeing its value rise considerably I'm at a bit of a crossroads as if I move the car on it makes the step up to something like the 650S far more realistic than it would normally be, and in that lies the dilema.

I've found a Spider that I am very interested in so have started to give some thought to putting the RS (and a 2013 Boxster S) up for sale and consolidating two cars into one. Only problem is the voice in the back of my mind saying that I'd be stupid for letting the RS go as not only it is an appreciating car, its also pretty rare and good ones are getting hard to find.

I'd never normally consider spending the best part of £190k on a car but with the growth in the RS it is a real consideration, but then is the possibility of seeing some of that cash disappear each year in depreciation. I'm not used to that really as most of my cars have always made me money during my ownership.

The Spider is a 2015 car with a couple of thousand miles on it, do any owners have an insight into the potential depreciation curve over say a 5 year period or should I just accept it is what it is and enjoy owning something like the 650...

Any owners input/thoughts would be greatly appreciated... Thanks

[Jappo]

OllieW said:

After owning my 2004 GT3RS for 6 years and seeing its value rise considerably I'm at a bit of a crossroads as if I move the car on it makes the step up to something like the 650S far more realistic than it would normally be, and in that lies the dilema.

I've found a Spider that I am very interested in so have started to give some thought to putting the RS (and a 2013 Boxster S) up for sale and consolidating two cars into one. Only problem is the voice in the back of my mind saying that I'd be stupid for letting the RS go as not only it is an appreciating car, its also pretty rare and good ones are getting hard to find.

I'd never normally consider spending the best part of £190k on a car but with the growth in the RS it is a real consideration, but then is the possibility of seeing some of that cash disappear each year in depreciation. I'm not used to that really as most of my cars have always made me money during my ownership.

The Spider is a 2015 car with a couple of thousand miles on it, do any owners have an insight into the potential depreciation curve over say a 5 year period or should I just accept it is what it is and enjoy owning something like the 650...

Any owners input/thoughts would be greatly appreciated... Thanks

Watch this, then make a decision https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58j0Mmj41m0

[TISPKJ]

For me the problem with the Mclaren brand at the moment is that prices are a bit all over the place, and about to be confused further by the new 570.
A 12c is apparently a totally different car to a 650, I cant see it £50k more personally but it is what it is.
If I were you I would switch into a 2012 12c for circa 120k, keep the extra cash safe and see what happens with the market, 12c cant go any lower and will give you a chance to try the supercar thing.
Or option 2 buy a Strad or Scud or 599 and continue to see it increase in or hold value.

[Davey S2]

What's it going to be used for?

Is the RS now too valuable to track?

If it's as a road / Euro trip car then I'd go 650 as it seems to be a brilliant all rounder.

If it's just for the occasional blat then keep the 996.

[isaldiri]

Would keep the 6RS as far as possible as long as you still enjoy driving/using it (and having kept it for 6 years I'll assume you do). Absolutely would not sell it for a 650 personally.

[TP321]

You would be nuts to sell the RS - prices can only go up further, whilst the 650s is only going down. As someone else has said, at least hedge your bet with a 12C which cant really drop any further. Sell the 2013 boxter, buy a 12c on a ballon finance and see how you go over the next 6 months - you might like it or you might not. But keep the RS as it will continue appreciating with this crazy classic car market.

[RamboLambo]

650S is terrific value for money at the moment IMHO and prices may firm up and depreciation slow and who knows long term (10 years ) like the 96RS prices may appreciate on early (low production volumes ) McLaren models.

12C prices have stabilised and will always underpin 650S values by a good £20k ( extra spec, better, newer car ) IMHO so with 2013 12c spiders at sub £150k you can probably do the maths for the first 2 to 3 years and speculate on a rebound

[aztec]

I also think 650s models are sencible value right now, £180's for a 2015 model for me looks like a very good buy, they are a stonking car, very different to a 996RS though, Also bank some profit, it's likes shares, people get greedy and think they will go up and up, usually they don't and they overshoot fair value and the bubble bursts

[Gandahar]

I guess the question is whether the RS is being driven as intended now or is the ££ mean you are driving it like a Nissan Micra. If the latter then I'd sell and upgrade.

The upgrade choices are interesting , the 12C does look a better bet. But how about a 3rd McLaren option. You sell the RS, sit on the money, keep the Boxster and then buy a 2nd hand 570S when they are £100k £120k. You then get what appears to be a cracking drivers car which is an upgrade over the RS (at least in figures) and still have the Boxster or some extra cash.

It' a nice problem to have to worry about.

[cayman-black]

I sold my 6RS and i still regret it to this day. If i was in your position now i would hang on to it .
Its a great investment and imo the best RS.

[NickOrangeCars]

I firmly believe the McLaren brand will long term become very strong, the cars for all the negative journalists who complain for lack of 'passion' cannot ignore the cars are a technological marvel and faster/better than their rivals, and that will make a difference in the end. We have to remember that McLaren is not making any more cars than Ferrari - they will become collectable long term.

Above said - be wary of the market, overall financial markets are weakening, I work in the venture capital area and money is becoming less easy to get - and it is always a early signal against the overall market, if the financial markets 'correct' - (i.e. probably drop 30%) then cars will do the same, as there will suddenly be lesser buyers + less pressure to keep prices up.

I would myself take advantage of the fact the car has appreciated so much - and convert that money into buying a supercar, which one is up to you, but for myself I would rather have the best technology money can buy right now - because depreciation is going to affect all cars (including Ferraris)

[f1ten]

ask yourself this... would you pay what the 6RS is worth now to buy... I think not.
pricing has doubled and its now collector money which means adding mileage is almost out of the question. If you are a collector with several toys then that's fine... if you need to use the car 4000 miles a year then its problem.

I personally think 6Gt3's and 7GT3's and RS have topped out... we are close to the top of the asset bubble inflation... perhaps it goes up another 10 percent but unless you are a holder for life then there will be another trough coming... it always does with classic cars... mainly because of holding/ maintenance costs... versus say a commercial property which actually has income to live off.
I see gt3's coming back down by 20% in value... don't forget its not a racing car with a history and trophies to back up its record... its just a road car in limited numbers...
I also agree a 12c Mac at £110k is a solid place to park money for at least 2 years... 650s not so regardless of how good it is, it will depreciate.

[isaldiri]

f1ten said:

ask yourself this... would you pay what the 6RS is worth now to buy... I think not.
pricing has doubled and its now collector money which means adding mileage is almost out of the question. If you are a collector with several toys then that's fine... if you need to use the car 4000 miles a year then its problem.

I personally think 6Gt3's and 7GT3's and RS have topped out... we are close to the top of the asset bubble inflation... perhaps it goes up another 10 percent but unless you are a holder for life then there will be another trough coming... it always does with classic cars... mainly because of holding/ maintenance costs... versus say a commercial property which actually has income to live off.
I see gt3's coming back down by 20% in value... don't forget its not a racing car with a history and trophies to back up its record... its just a road car in limited numbers...
I also agree a 12c Mac at £110k is a solid place to park money for at least 2 years... 650s not so regardless of how good it is, it will depreciate.

But you can also ask yourself this - What else is there today that gives the same or similar experience as driving the 6RS? The 650 is a massively quick and capable car but it is but one of a bunch of fairly similar cars (12c/458/488/huracan). The 6RS is the last of the type of car Porsche will never make again, even more so than the 7RS and while I agree I would hesitate to pay the amount required to buy one now, equally I'd be hard put to sell one if I had one as it becomes increasingly difficult to find good examples of those cars. Perhaps if it's simply a case of parking money short term (and I'd park it in a bank really rather than a car) the 12c is the better choice but longer term in terms of 'specialness' for lack of a better word I would keep the 6RS everytime over a 650 or a 12c.

[f1ten]

lets not get too emotional about this. I don't have a crystal ball and McLaren might continue to bring out 10 different special editions over the next 5 years so in 15 years time no one will know what is a good Mac to put away... albeit the 12c will be the first of the bunch

I just to see the 6gt3 or rs or 7gt3's as special enough.
Looks wise they don't cut it. If you look at classic car values, looks is a big reason or values. Then the magic question about rarity. RS can play this card to be fair. Porsches are collectable so it can tick that box as well. But generally there is now too much super car choice and I think this will restrict values in the future. Then of course once we all run out of petrol or licences to have them on the road, what will they be worth then?!

[squirejo]

I have done pretty much this, a 25k mile 996gt3.2 -> 12C spider. Well, that's the theory underpinning but I now own both. The gt3 (in its track geo setup) was a poor road car and great track far, it's main purpose. The 12C seems to be excellent at both. All that technology and a carbon fibre tub. The safety aspect of that not lost on me vs. a 10yr old car. I am very pleased with the decision.

[mattf93]

OllieW said:

After owning my 2004 GT3RS for 6 years and seeing its value rise considerably I'm at a bit of a crossroads as if I move the car on it makes the step up to something like the 650S far more realistic than it would normally be, and in that lies the dilema.

I've found a Spider that I am very interested in so have started to give some thought to putting the RS (and a 2013 Boxster S) up for sale and consolidating two cars into one. Only problem is the voice in the back of my mind saying that I'd be stupid for letting the RS go as not only it is an appreciating car, its also pretty rare and good ones are getting hard to find.

I'd never normally consider spending the best part of £190k on a car but with the growth in the RS it is a real consideration, but then is the possibility of seeing some of that cash disappear each year in depreciation. I'm not used to that really as most of my cars have always made me money during my ownership.

The Spider is a 2015 car with a couple of thousand miles on it, do any owners have an insight into the potential depreciation curve over say a 5 year period or should I just accept it is what it is and enjoy owning something like the 650...

Any owners input/thoughts would be greatly appreciated... Thanks

Without trying to put it too simply id say you only live once. And the fact you're vocally considering it I think tells us that you're ready to move the RS on - see what the Hartleys and a specialist would offer you for it? Top555 rather like special Pork. (not sure how good an offer they'd give you mind you).

Id say move them both on and get either a 12c spider or 650s spider. I think a 12c will be almost depreciation free for a couple of years, after that Im not sure where values will go. I can't see the point unless you're dead set on wanting a 650s spider of spending £50k or more on a car that will shed more money?

Do you not fancy putting your money into a 458 spider or does the 12c/650s spider more take your fancy?

My advice is get a good price and get them both gone - you won't look back! You may hold fond memories of the 6 RS but it sounds like its time for someone else to experience and treasure it