Porsche 911 S/T to Be Rented to Purchasers Initially in a Move to Discourage Scalpers

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The upcoming 2024 Porsche 911 S/T is practically designed to attract resellers. Those looking to flip the car might not be interested in its 9,000-rpm flat-six engine or its close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox, but rather in the limited production of only 1,963 units. However, Porsche anticipated this behavior and included a clause in the 911 S/T sales contracts to deter resellers, ensuring that legal ownership wouldn’t be granted until at least a year post-delivery.

The reasoning behind this protective measure was shared by Porsche’s head of the 911 and 718 model ranges, Frank Moser, during the recent Rennsport Reunion 7 event.

“The announcement of the 911 S/T, which commemorates 60 years of the 911, sparked an unprecedented level of interest in the car, exceeding the allocated numbers for the U.S. market,” Moser revealed during a media discussion. “Our goal is to ensure that these cars reach genuine enthusiasts who will drive and appreciate them for years to come. Hence, those who secure a 911 S/T in the U.S. will need to commit to a specified minimum ownership duration of one year.”

“Practically, this will involve initial leasing of cars in the U.S. for this period, followed by the actual transfer of ownership,” Moser elaborated. “This particular process is exclusive to the 911 S/T at present, with the first batch of cars expected to reach the U.S. in Spring 2024.”

The challenge of flipping first emerged for Porsche after the 911 R, a manual variant of the 991 GT3 RS. To counter this trend, Porsche introduced the GT3 Touring, another manual GT3 that saturated the market rapidly. Various automakers have devised different solutions to this issue, such as General Motors voiding warranties on Z06s and banning resale, or imposing a two-year no-resale clause on the Ford GT. Not even the renowned wrestler John Cena could overpower Ford in court.

Admittedly, a one-year lease preceding ownership may provide limited effectiveness, merely postponing the entry of the S/Ts into the secondhand market. Subsequently, buyers will be free to resell without constraints. Nonetheless, perhaps this year will reduce the hype that drives individuals to overpay just to possess the newest Porsche model. Because once the 911 S/T loses its novelty, its resale value might not remain as high. Possibly.

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