Should I buy a used Taycan before the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve collapses?

[Rob Scott]

Young professional in America with decent savings and no debt but an ICE car (paid off), should I buy a used Taycan ASAP before the strategic reserve collapses and used EV prices skyrocket? Can comfortably buy lowest spec high mileage Taycans in full but the ones with decent options will need financing.

Of course I could buy any other cheaper EV but I really like the Taycan.

Maybe there’s other things to be worrying about than buying an EV if the strategic reserve actually collapses?

Hi Eric, my two cents here. I bought a 2021 CPO RWD model with one owner and 13,000 miles on it 15 months ago. It was a one-owner garage queen, and all I had to do was get the windows tinted and put ceramic coating on it. The car has been perfect for me with no issues so far. The first owner took all of the depreciation and my car is currently worth more today than what I paid for it. It took me five months worth of daily searches on my Porsche app and four of the largest online car dealers to find the exact spec I was looking for, and I bought the car the minute I found it so it would not be sold out from under me. If you go the lease route, it is extremely expensive as you are taking on all the depreciation of a new car as part of your lease payments. Not something I wanted to do. That said, as many owners will tell you, the Taycan is not a car you want to own outside of factory, CPO, or extended Porsche warranty. I hope these comments are helpful and good luck with your decision. I love my Taycan and consider it my favorite car of all time.

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[SergeyIndy]

Appreciate the answers, just gonna put it out there that I know buying a luxury ev isn’t economical or a good investment, even if used and depreciated a bunch. I’m just worried that if I drag my heels in this market looking for a good deal I’ll potentially pay a massive premium when the strategic reserves dry up and there’s bedlam in the used ev lots (also in the rest of the country).

For context I’ve been looking at Taycans for 2 months, and seriously shopping around dealerships for a few weeks.

Let's get down to business and you share the examples with full spec and price that you are considering so we can help you with what it takes to buy and own one.

I would be the last one to know about the economics of Porsches as I pay for them in smiles per mile, but I would self proclaim to know a lot about maintenance, tech, and options for them as I have helped my dealer (earning a private jet trip to new Atlanta track) and many owners as I am always learning when something new comes out, but not without the help of having access to some internal docs.

 

[Flying ace]

chances are the true answer is "no". If you're this sensitive to fuel price increases (long commute?), then you should be thinking of buying a significantly cheaper EV. I would target a preowned EV6 or Tesla or something. Use these guides: https://www.motortrend.com/features/best-used-electric-vehicle-ev

Most people whom are the most sensitive to fuel prices are lower income people, and given your budget is in the $70ks...the impression I'm getting is that you're not sensitive but that you've made a decision to have an EV as a long term car. Given this latter assumption, search, research and shop for the Taycan with the options you want.

This is an expensive car, and being stuck with a high dollar depreciating asset is not a great feeling. The Taycan is a niche category with many drawbacks that is ONLY made up with its performance car driving experience. Buy the Taycan because you WANT the car, not bc you NEED it. If you need an EV, buy a cheaper EV.


Lastly, the Taycan being near the top of pricing range for EVs (along its niche features/drawbacks) will be the last and least effected from a pending price increase. Drawing from the last time commodities went up during Covid, people bought the cheapest EVs first (think Teslas, Bolts and Kias), and this time around, there are even more varieties of entry level EVs to choose from. This is due to the different consumer behaviors in the K-shaped economy. Those with money behave differently.

 

[daveo4EV]

Young professional in America with decent savings and no debt but an ICE car (paid off), should I buy a used Taycan ASAP before the strategic reserve collapses and used EV prices skyrocket? Can comfortably buy lowest spec high mileage Taycans in full but the ones with decent options will need financing.

Of course I could buy any other cheaper EV but I really like the Taycan.

Maybe there’s other things to be worrying about than buying an EV if the strategic reserve actually collapses?

yes - the Taycan will ruin you for other car's ICE or otherwise…there is a certain emotional satisfaction in avoiding the need to visit gas stations that simply can not be represented on a spreadsheet as a cost benefit analysis…

Taycan
Macan 4S, GTS, Turbo
Model 3 Performance
BMW iX products

get an EV and don't look back…

 

[mystermykee]

Do it. Don't look back. Stay off the forums--it's going to make you want to throw away more money to get a newer one or make you cry about how about cheap Taycans are getting.

 

[refazi]

Leasing is great for buyers with bad credit, and are risk-adverse

I’m not sure what this is based on, PFS do not lease cars to people with bad credit.

On my end after owning two and realizing the depreciation, lease makes much more sense as at the end of the lease it seems that my total pay is lower then if I would buy the car and sale it after the term (my term is usually 12-24 months)

 

[mkg3]

Sometimes, well all the time, the media make things far worse than it is. It grabs headline attention and those who live by soundbites interpret the headline as the truth.

The country (US) operates without the use of SPR and has historically. Given that we are net exporter of oil and natural gas, IF gas supply was at risk for the nation, the exports will simply shift to domestic supply. The bigger issue is the refinery capacity and throughput than SPR.

When buying/leasing a luxury vehicle, even if the acquisition cost is within reach, its the recurring costs that must also be considered. Generically, EVs have much higher auto insurance rate than a similar ICE vehicle, and any luxury vehicle has higher premium to start with. I recall reading somewhere that both Taycan and e-Tron GT both have one of the highest insurance rates compared to similar class vehicles.

If I was getting a new EV for daily driver, Taycan included, I would absolutely lease it (assuming that one can manage the annual milage limit). If preowned, purchase makes sense used vehicle lease money factor runs too high and sometimes higher than a new vehicle.

 

[CoolDadLo]

There will be a ton of worthwhile outlooks here. But you sound maybe a lil like myself (in some ways.) Let’s stick to the young profession aspect of it.
I just financed a 2026 GTS. Goal was to keep long term and use as a daily. For whatever your situation, you mentioned could go either way and you do well for yourself. Before I started my Taycan mindset, I was like ok. Do I need it!? Maybe, want it yes, fits a need..yes. In some ways is it saving me money(maybe fuel related/ saving miles on my ICE suv) is it self justified…the list goes on. After 1.5 years I got it after being in your very position. There was no rush, but it was in my budget for all that time prior to me even getting it, so in essence it made no difference to me day to day, month to month.
Sounds like you don’t really need it, but hey is the 401k maxed out, IRA, HSA, a few investments since you’re a young professional, house situation good. If it’s a yes to those and other areas in your life then pull the trigger and autopay it out and don’t think about it. Not sound advice but just things I asked myself at 40 years old. I don’t care so much about depreciation like others as I didn’t go it aiming to sell it in a few years. Side note, I was totally logical and didn’t want the 911 despite paying 911 $$ I wanted a darn daily commuter car. For the first time I did get 911/ Taycan shade… classic

Anyways I’d go 2nd gen and really know your why behind it vs. maybe just wanting it. Live it up as a young owner!

 

[erictayf]

Let's get down to business and you share the examples with full spec and price that you are considering so we can help you with what it takes to buy and own one.

I would be the last one to know about the economics of Porsches as I pay for them in smiles per mile, but I would self proclaim to know a lot about maintenance, tech, and options for them as I have helped my dealer (earning a private jet trip to new Atlanta track) and many owners as I am always learning when something new comes out, but not without the help of having access to some internal docs.

Here’s one CPO that I looked at, I inquired about the multiple instances of damage and they assured me that it was all superficial damage that didn’t affect its CPO-worthiness (could be bsing). I made it clear I was still in the window-shopping phase and this Taycan was too high up in the depreciation curve for me, but they still invited me over for a few quick test drives in various RWD and 4Ses (including this one) after work near closing. I accepted since at that point I hadn’t test driven any Taycans yet.

At the end I once again reiterated that I was looking for more depreciated models and that Taycans in the $50-low 60k range were the most attractive to me, and right before I left they asked if I would take it for $65k. I said I’d consider it, but since I wasn’t seriously preparing to buy at the time I’d have to sit on that offer. Not sure how good that offer is, considering that it’s a 4S with low mileage, Sport Chrono (which to me really distinguishes the interior from other minimalist EV interiors), PB+, but so few luxury options on it, it’s super barebones compared to most other Taycans.

Also should note that in the ~2 weeks between now and when I test drove it, they quietly lowered the price by $1k.

Would any of you have taken that offer or negotiated, or are the options really just too lacking to justify that price ballpark?

 

[Dee]

On my end after owning two and realizing the depreciation, lease makes much more sense as at the end of the lease it seems that my total pay is lower then if I would buy the car and sale it after the term (my term is usually 12-24 months)

You're still paying for depreciation if you lease and besides that, you don't own a Porsche anymore after the lease.
So you lost money and a car, how's that better??

 

[refazi]

You're still paying for depreciation if you lease and besides that, you don't own a Porsche anymore after the lease.
So you lost money and a car, how's that better??

Because I get a newer car after that.
The depreciation I pay for on the deals I get is usually half of the depreciation that the finance company realizes after selling the car to the next buyer.
These leases were very easy to get around 23-25 but that is not the case anymore, these deals with 15-22k cash on the hood are gone.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Here’s one CPO that I looked at, I inquired about the multiple instances of damage and they assured me that it was all superficial damage that didn’t affect its CPO-worthiness (could be bsing). I made it clear I was still in the window-shopping phase and this Taycan was too high up in the depreciation curve for me, but they still invited me over for a few quick test drives in various RWD and 4Ses (including this one) after work near closing. I accepted since at that point I hadn’t test driven any Taycans yet.

At the end I once again reiterated that I was looking for more depreciated models and that Taycans in the $50-low 60k range were the most attractive to me, and right before I left they asked if I would take it for $65k. I said I’d consider it, but since I wasn’t seriously preparing to buy at the time I’d have to sit on that offer. Not sure how good that offer is, considering that it’s a 4S with low mileage, Sport Chrono (which to me really distinguishes the interior from other minimalist EV interiors), PB+, but so few luxury options on it, it’s super barebones compared to most other Taycans.

Also should note that in the ~2 weeks between now and when I test drove it, they quietly lowered the price by $1k.

Would any of you have taken that offer or negotiated, or are the options really just too lacking to justify that price ballpark?

This is still not enough info to provide feedback. We need a copy of the full sticker and miles so we can chime in to establish a baseline for you so you can compare to other examples. You can redact all other info if concerned such as location, VIN, etc.

For example, 22kW option is failure prone so I would skip all those, but 150kW 400V option is highly desirable to charge fast at Tesla chargers.

 

[Mikegrr]

Taycans depreciated by almost Half. You can buy a used one for half the price of A New one and get a Premium sports car. Porsche owners take care of their cars. Seems like a no brainer to me. I bought one full price and when I traded it in it was almost half the price. get a good one and go for it. May cost a little more than a model Y tesla, which i also own And it’s a great car, but not a Porsche.
EV’s are the future and it’s good to get in now.

 

[Flying ace]

You're still paying for depreciation if you lease and besides that, you don't own a Porsche anymore after the lease.
So you lost money and a car, how's that better??

The principal is that no one ever owns a car forever, so leasing versus ownership is when you account for depreciation cost. With ownership the moment you sell the car you realized (accounted for/booked) depreciation whereas leasing is the concept of booking depreciation upon every payment versus for ownership booking depreciation upon the sale.

Now with leasing there are other additional unique costs, for example you are technically also borrowing against an asset value so there is financing cost (interest/money factor), in addition to documentation fees. Obviously there are also lease specific conditions related to mileage vehicle upkeep etc. Sales tax is also unique as you're only paying the sales tax at a prorated amounts based on the total value of the use of the asset not the full value of asset. (Whereas in a purchase you pay taxes on the full value of the asset up front)

So what he is saying is the lease has a stated residual value which is the value of the car the depreciation is computed against during the lease term In many situations with EVs, the residual value is over estimated based on actual values of the car so therefore you are paying less depreciation in a lease and likely less overall costs when you consider all associated lease costs over ownership.

I myself chose ownership for only two reasons:
1. I was able to negotiate the price more advantageous for me such that I'm able to beat the lease residual

2. I have a 4-5 year ownership horizon.

 

[MoniqueDenver]

If you're looking at used, that makes the most sense. In December 2024 I purchased CT non-CPO with 8,000 miles on it. I effectively got a new car for half off. 18 months later it has nearly 30,000 mi on it. I absolutely love this car!!

I wanted an EV station wagon and this was my only option. I did look around at other cars but this car had everything I wanted. I'm a skier and near the national parks of Utah, so the off-road capabilities were amazing. The capabilities in Winter are amazing. And driving in mountain passes or on highways is amazing. No other car could do that.

I purchased it from a well-respected dealer that specialized in second hand luxury cars. They took it to the local Porsche dealership and effectively got my CPO without paying for it.

When I first bought it, my insurance was surprisingly low. Only slightly more than my 20-year-old car. The next year it doubled!!

I decided to save the ~$5,000 On the extended warranty and put that money in savings and roll the dice. I'm almost a year off warranty (So 25% of the time that the extended warranty would have been) So far I've had no issues that weren't covered by an extended warranty. I also decided to get PPF as I take it all off-road.

As for your justification. I made a bet a long time ago that electricity was going to go up and continue to go up. It happened a little faster than I expected with the Iran war. Regardless, I'm certainly not saving any money, but the time saving is immense. I don't have to take my car to the gas station every week. I charge it at home, I don't have to take it in for maintenance things like oil changes ,etc.

I will likely run her in the ground like I've done with every other car I've had.

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