older and wiser heads - help pls

gavinlit · 10:43 PM

As a single guy, my car lineup has always consisted of two forms of transport. Something reliable (currently the suby wagon) and something fun, impractical and draining on the wallet (currently the c3). With my work situation as it is at the moment the draining car is a tax write off so I get some of the money back at the end of the financial year.

I'm no longer a single guy and while one practical car is sufficient at the moment, there is the possibility that some time in the next 24 months two daily drivers will be necessary.

Naturally the prettier half feels the c3 should go (too noisy, hot, expensive etc). I'm not so sure as I enjoy the car but certainly don't fit into the 'wanted a porsche since a child' obsession type picture. So I've basically got three options:
1) Sell the c3 & buy another fun car but suitable for daily driving (hot hatch or sti or whatever).
2) Rebuild the c3 and make it my daily driver when the need arises (scared of ding potential & other peak hour driving issues) & just enjoy driving the snot out of it.
3) Keep the current lineup and add a beater when necessary.

I see the 1st as being the most practical and maintenance/rebuild funds could be directed towards future larger house purchase. Then there's the constant depreciation vs maintenance issues with new vs old cars however a 15k dollar engine rebuild takes care of a couple of years depreciation.

The second option could work but I don't know about the practical side of driving a 28yr old car to work on a daily basis, particularly with associated maintenance costs of high mileage (I'd be looking at 20k miles a year).

The third option could work although financially it makes no sense whatsoever (correct me if I'm wrong as some of you have a quiver of cars). All the current expenses plus more $ a week for another set of car maintenance.

There's also the lingering thought in the back of the mind that keeping the car is not a relationship breaker or stresser by any means but there's no doubting what the other half would like me to do. And yet there's the other nagging voice saying 'ah yes but once it's sold & you buy a second daily driver there's no turning back' - setting a precedent etc.

All these thoughts have just come up since the rebuild quote so obviously the impetus is financial. I could fairly easily cover the rebuild cost in the first few months of next year by doing a bit of casual teaching along with my current home/internet work but it just feels strange sinking that much money into a car that's only worth 40k ish anyway. Maybe it's a commitment phobia but I know if I rebuild the engine I really have to keep it for some lenght of time or cop a hip pocket beating.

As you can probably tell, I've been talking myself around in circles with this for some time & seem to be able to justify any choice depending on my mood. It's getting a bit old arguing with myself for hours every day so it's time for a fresh perspective or dozen - fire away!

Dantilla · 12-11-2005, 03:33 PM

My wife is fine with me buying and selling cars without consulting her first, because she knows she is more important to me than any car. She always has a spot in "my" garage to park, even if I cram five cars into my 3-car garage (three Porsches, her Jeep, and a Miata).

Make sure she feels secure, then do whatever.

Jeff Higgins · 12-11-2005, 03:43 PM

As a 45 year old with two boys and a wife of 20 years, let me offer my perspective. Simply put, keep the C3 and buy a commuter beater. This has been my approach and has worked well for me. I see many of my friends from my younger hot-rodding and biking days that did the "responsible" thing when we were all getting married and "settling down" (more like "house broken" in my case, but I digress...) and selling off their cars and bikes. Most of them, though they remain enthisiasts, live it vicariously through car mags or me. They never did get back into it after they lost their earlier momentum, so to speak. Now they have the added negative pressure of it appearing a mid-life crisis issue, rather than a return to their enthusiast roots. If it is a "part of you" that still interests you, and you can afford that interest, she should be happy to allow you to keep it.

Victor · 12-11-2005, 03:54 PM

I faced the same dilemma as you recently. Whilst an old 911 is an awful pretty ornament, I couldn't stand it any longer (7 years) as daily transport - it's not fair on the car either. So personally, I opted for your "Option 1".

The pain of 911 seperation lasted about 20 minutes - I honestly thought withdrawal symptoms would be far worse.

gavinlit · 12-11-2005, 03:54 PM

Thanks Jeff & Dantilla. Have either of you used the 911 as a semi daily at any point or stricty as a fun track/nice day kind of car?

gavinlit · 12-11-2005, 03:57 PM

Were you doing a peak hour crawl in the 911 victor? If so - is that why you feel it wasn't fair on the car or other issues (commuter dings etc).

Jeff Higgins · 12-11-2005, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gavinlit
Thanks Jeff & Dantilla. Have either of you used the 911 as a semi daily at any point or stricty as a fun track/nice day kind of car?

I used my current '72 "T" as daily transport for over two years at the last stretch. I had given my latest commuter beater to my oldest son when he got his license. At varoius times in my past I have used old Beetles (still do), various "classic" Harley-Davidsons, and even a semi-dedicated drag racing car (when gas was cheaper) as daily drivers. The 911 was by far the most reliable and pleasant, even stripped of all sound insulation, equiped with a sport muffler, and a very low, very stiff track oriented suspension. I rolled up almost 35k miles on its clock in two years, pretty much to work and back, weekend fun, and track days. Definitely not for eceryone, but a sacrifice in practicality I made to hang on to the car.

The only downside to using the fun car in that way is that you do "get" to drive it every day. It takes some of the sparkle away from the fun drives on the weekends when you are in it every day anyway. Now that I have a new daily beater ('70 Beetle), the anticipation of the weekends with my toy car has returned. It's from that perspective that I chose your option three.

gavinlit · 12-11-2005, 04:18 PM

ok -cheers. I've thought about the old beetle option as I've heard nothing but good feeback from people who have them & there's a pretty good vw specialist place close to where I live.

Victor · 12-11-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gavinlit
Were you doing a peak hour crawl in the 911 victor? If so - is that why you feel it wasn't fair on the car or other issues (commuter dings etc).

Yes - only live about 10ks from the office but being in sales there are quite a few customer trips etc. - usually with a passenger. Anything over a 25 degree day would send us into a sweaty heap by the time we arrived to the meeting. My 911 was in almost perfect nick (see below) - no dings what so ever. I was afraid to leave it anywhere and started to feel guilty doing track days in it. For me a car is about being able to run it hard from time to time and to expect a ~15 year old car to hold up and be used as daily transport for me is just not realistic. Unless of course your finances can afford a grand or so per month on repairs.

Similar to yourself, I also need to fund a car for the wife to drive the kid to school in etc. so running costs for 2 daily drivers AND an old 911 where just not justifiable. So the WRX does it all. Everything from track days (a lot quicker around the track than the 3.2 also), client meetings, shopping and of course - driving in comfort. As an added bonus, the WRX club structure is much better than PCV also - standard class means a STANDARD car..........so you can measure your ability rather than your cheque book at track days.

No, it does not have the "mystique" or teutonic heritage of the 911 but if image is your thing (as it is for a lot of Porsche owners), I'm not sure if an old 911 cuts it now days anyhow.

The above being said, I do aim to buy a 993 Twin at some stage of my life.

gavinlit · 12-11-2005, 05:52 PM

Sent you a pm regarding your maintenance over the 7yr ownership as I feel I'm operating in a similar manner.

Joeaksa · 07:03 PM

I did a daily commute in my 911 for 8 years and there were times that I really wanted a "normal" car. Lived in Dallas at that time and summers while stuck in a traffic jam were murder. 100 degrees and 95% humidity.

Bought a 1991 Honda Accord wagon and love it. I drive it to get me there and to haul things in, then have the other cars "for fun" so to speak. Cost me $2500 and I paid cash for it. Hate payments for anything and its repaid me many times over.

Personally I would get a later model (95 or newer) for the wife so its reliable and good looking, and keep the fun car for yourself.

JoeA

livi · 12-12-2005, 06:20 AM

How much difference does the key sentence - your spouse want the Porsche to go - represent in your decision making ?

I am not implying non symmetrical power balance in your house hold. Merely comparing with mine. I feel I am being bullied out of control by my spouse. Any and all of my needs are worth exactly zero to her and therefore should not be aloud (in spite the fact that I pay for it myself).

Sorry for hijacking.

KNS · 12-12-2005, 08:35 AM

livi,
That's certainly not an enviable position to be in. It's difficult to express to some women what these cars mean to us. You need to somehow make that clear to her. Show her this board (for example) and explain that there are a lot of guys and gals who have the same passion, that it's more than just a hobby.
Hope it turns around.

Sorry, did not mean to hijack the thread.

gavinlit · 12-12-2005, 01:36 PM

No probs re hijack. It's more a financial decision than a keep the other half happy decision. We will need two daily driver cars so it's a question of a three car household or a two car household. Anyway, took a drive yesterday & looked at some nice houses along the coast, came home & drew up a 7 yr spreadsheet. Easy decision - the c3 is going. Sad but it's the right decision for the current situation. Can always buy another later.

Dantilla · 12-12-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gavinlit
Can always buy another later.

Yup.

Victor · 12-12-2005, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by livi
I feel I am being bullied out of control by my spouse. Any and all of my needs are worth exactly zero to her and ........

Life is too short man, move on!