Skip The Line: Jumping The Queue And Securing An Allocation For A Brand-New 911

Getting your hands on a limited-run model or a track-bred 911 is easier said than done, but there may be a workaround

by Khris Bharath on August 29, 2024, 10:00

Look, I’m not gonna lie. My heart aches a little when I think about the Porsche 911 these days. That sleek, timeless silhouette, the soundtrack from a flat-six (okay maybe just the naturally aspirated ones), the quality, and the ballistic speed, – it’s the full package, that some might call automotive nirvana. Remember back in the day? You could (almost) walk into a Porsche dealership with a wad of cash and snag yourself a brand-new 911. Sure, it was never cheap, but it at least felt attainable. Now? Forget it. Those days are long gone. Forget about showing up with a briefcase full of benjamins – they’re playing a whole different game at Porsche dealerships these days. Recent trends indicate a shift towards scarcity and acquiring a new 911, is more challenging than ever. But in 2024, prospective buyers face extensive waitlists for not only high-performance models like the 911 GT3 but also entry-level trims like the Carrera and GTS.

The Porsche 911 Market In 2024

Unveiling the Reality of Porsche GT Allocations by IgnitionOnTheLeft

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olMEtOmaucI

The big issue? Scarcity. Not because Porsche isn’t building them (they cranked out a whopping 50,146 units of just the 911, in 2023,which is a lot more than all of Ferrari’s 13,663 vehicles last year), but because they’re playing favorites with allocations. Apparently, loyalty is the new black. You have to be a long-time customer, have a service history, and be prepared to wait – and wait some more. And that’s just the start. Even if you manage to snag an allocation, the sticker price is just a fantasy. Markups are the norm. Strangely enough, even a long-term 911 owner had a tough time securing an allocation for a 992.1 Turbo S.

Also, the MSRP for a base 2025 Carrera is up to a cool $120,100 (up from $116,050 last year). Let’s face it, on an average American salary ($63,795), that’s enough to make your wallet cry. Porsche has basically created a velvet rope situation, where only the chosen few get to experience the thrill of a new 911. It’s a strategy straight out of the Ferrari playbook, where brand loyalty and fat wallets are the keys to unlocking the Prancing Horse. Remember why Jay Leno ditched them? Yeah, same reason.

So, the used market has become a haven for 911 hopefuls. Listings on Bring a Trailer are overflowing with 911s, but even there, the prices are simply bananas. Air-cooled models from the 80s and 90s, those analog beauties, are becoming collector’s items, driving their value through the roof. Even more recent 992 generation examples are routinely selling for more than MSRP, at auction. It seems everyone wants a piece of the 911 pie, and they’re willing to pay a premium for it.

Brokers like Bespoke Imports with "connections" specializing in acquiring more enthusiast-centric GT and limited-run models like the 911 Dakar, can nudge Porsche to give you an allocation. They can leverage their network to help buyers secure a brand-new Porsche at a fair market price.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the 911 is a phenomenal sports car and it certainly deserves all the love and hype. But this whole exclusivity thing? It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The 911 has gone from a dream car to an investment vehicle, and frankly, it stings. It feels like Porsche caters more to investors and hype-chasers than true enthusiasts who used to be the lifeblood of the brand.

Look, all I’m saying is, that I miss the days when Porsche cared about selling cars to people who genuinely loved them, not just those with the biggest bank accounts. Folks like Magnus Walker for instance got into Porsches back in the 1990s, because of the value proposition they offered, despite being thoroughly used high-mileage examples. Maybe I’m just being nostalgic, but man, wouldn’t it be nice if the thrill of the hunt was about driving a Porsche, not securing an allocation?

Khris Bharath

Khris is a Mechanical Engineer and a classic car aficionado, who adores his Jags, Alfas, and old-school American muscle cars. He keeps tabs on everything from super exotics like an old EB 110 to the latest from Lucid and geeks out on three-row family haulers. Formula One remains very close to his heart, and he diligently makes time to tune in for the Grand Prix on Sundays. Khris also loves his road trips and he prefers a stick shift over an auto. Read full bio