Hey guys,

I appreciate all the posts and advice you have given. I was initially worried most of you would be against me purchasing the car, but I am happy that at least a few of you are for it.

It's not the money I'm worried about (purchase price, I mean.) It's how I'm going to convince my parents to let me have it. I haven't talked with them yet about it for fear of major disappointment (I think it will probably be along the lines of "no, no, and no") :(

So with that in mind, I have devised a sort of bargaining negotiation with them. Let me know what you think.

I have transferred to a new college, and for the first time in awhile am actually trying to do well; I want to do well, to make my parents proud of me, and to feel proud of myself...to show responsibility and maturity which will make them pleaseed, and to bring home grades we all can be proud of.

Things are looking good so far, so here's the propsal: If they agree to letting my grandma buy the car, it will be my responsibility, and as long as I'm making good grades (preferrably no C's) and doing my homework, etc at school, the car stays. But if I bring home any bad grades (either a C or below a C), the car will be sold. I know, it's a lot more than just that statement when it comes to selling a car, but I honestly cannot think of a better incentive for me to be focused to get good grades than the idea that my beloved will be sold. (Not even money is as important to me as a bribe)...

As I said, I haven't talked to them about it but in the meantime, I've been trying to be on my best behavior this weekend, for obvious reasons. The last thing I want is for them to get mad at me about something...

Anyway, that's my thinking on the subject. Of course, I still have to consider insurance, how much that would cost (for me being <25 with a P-car, vs my dad being 52 with a P-car), as well as figuring out things like title and registration, etc.

I have a garage I can put it in where it will be fully covered from the weather, etc.

Early Porsche,
Two years ago I took my grandmother (82 at the time) for a spirited drive in my Carrera (within reason and safety--she has severe osteoarthitis). She went from pure excitement to fear and back to general amazement that a car could be so "glued" to the road. Again, this was a short spin around some back roads and I wasn't even close to pushing the car--she had just never been in a sports car let alone a Porsche. She still talks about that day. When she got back to her home she told her MD she could now understand why he had kept his "Porsh" all those years and he must have a lot of fun with it--he bought a 87 Carrera targa new, and has owned many different Porsche's (914, 928, 911's). Ownership of our cars is an experience that words really cannot describe. I still have not driven a car that has that feeling like my 911 does and I will try to always have at least one Porsche from now on out.

Tell your parents you are pregnant with the twins of a Nigerian scam artist. Thow in Lesbian & multi-racial too if that will help set them off. Wait a few hours and then tell them no that wasn't it at all -- you just want to buy a car.

This sort of thing used to work wonders for me a few decades ago...

I would just wait until your are finished with schooled before pursuing a long-hood to concentrate on good grades instead of worrying about maintenance, repairs, insurance, paying back the loan etc.

Maybe you could take your grandmother for a spin in the Porsche so you have a genera idea how it drives.

Porschegirl, you seem like a nice girl, but definitely spoiled. I get this from "I have transferred to a new college, and for the first time in awhile am actually trying to do well; I want to do well, to make my parents proud of me, and to feel proud of myself...to show responsibility and maturity which will make them pleaseed, and to bring home grades we all can be proud of.
Things are looking good so far, so here's the propsal: If they agree to letting my grandma buy the car, it will be my responsibility, and as long as I'm making good grades (preferrably no C's) and doing my homework, etc at school, the car stays. But if I bring home any bad grades (either a C or below a C), the car will be sold. I know, it's a lot more than just that statement when it comes to selling a car, but I honestly cannot think of a better incentive for me to be focused to get good grades than the idea that my beloved will be sold. (Not even money is as important to me as a bribe)..."

You shouldn't have to be bribed to get good grades. How about you do well in school, show some maturity and then discuss this with your parents? It is not like you don't have a decent vehicle to drive ('99 Cherokee)

The 911 will be that much sweeter when you have earned it. Show some restraint (particularly with this 911, sounds like it will cost you $20K) in the end. Drive your dad's 911 when you have the chance.

spoiled is harsh, and all relative.

its easy to point, until you look at yourself.

if her parents buy her things, good for them. whats the point in life if not to make it easier for your kids, to raise your kids to be respectful and respected, and to pursue happiness.

now i'm not saying every parent should treat his kid(s) like paris hilton....but theres no need to make encouragement sound like a bad idea.

external motivation is the first step towards self-motivation. Once you have the feeling your earning your stay there will no need for incentives...

lets see some pictures of the car, and keep the opinions and advice limited to our cars.

cheers
Nick

Thanks Nick

I think all of you have forgotten what it's like to be her age. No concept yet of the "real world" and the realities of it. Also, young people never listen to older, more experienced people. She has made up her mind and nothing anyone says will change that. I remember buying cars because I "had to have it" and regretted it 6 months later only to dive into another one. On one hand I say buy it and hopefully you can afford to properly own it and enjoy it as a young women. On the other hand I worry about you getting in over your head. I'm concerned that you need a car to motivate good grades. The fact that you don't have the personal desire and the character to do it for your own sake disturbs me and makes me wonder how you will apply yourself to proper maintenance of this car. What "bribery" will it take to keep the car in good running condition. Regardless, you won't listen to what I've just said (written) any more than any other person so do what you will. I truly hope you can make the right decision and be happy with it. Patience is a virtue and one of life's most important lessons.

LOL....gotta love the pelican board ...good (life) lessons on every page!

Interestingly, I am not her age, but still don't listen to my elders all the time. ;) And sometimes I'm right not to, because it's not always about the answer, sometimes it's about the journey, and the learning experience getting there....

So, my advice (worth 2 cents, at best, ;) ) is to make sure nobody gets hurt in this deal, and if anyone does, it should be the person benefitting....that's you.

In a way, this is a deal with the devil, and if your parents agree, I hope you bend over backwards and hold up your end... no matter what....and not because of the consequences (of losing the car), but as a matter of honor. It could be a good life lesson....

And you guys think Katie's grandma wouldn't want to get her grand aughter something that will actually last and remembered? In my opinion, a rusty longhood (depends on the severity, but in most cases) isn't something that fits the description. Just like any other Porsche purchase, perhaps more importantly in this situation, you should take your time to shop around and find the best example.

"you can always just sell it"?!?! What would the grandma think of that idea?

Katie
first of all you are not spoiled... I think you have a great relationship with your parents... Your job is to get good grades at school. I think your deal with them is a great idea...

About the car now.... it has rust, the wrong motor, faded paint, gold 15" BBS and it's a targa....

But it's really cool... I see it nearly every day from the road and I always want to stop and spend a little more time with it... It is probably a 20/20 car... but so what...

It's nice and it runs... As long as you take this attitude that it will never be a concourse car, that it can break down any day and that unless you start spending money on it it will degrade then....

I mean if you can afford to buy, insure it and drive it until something goes wrong and have another car to drive around in that situyation... then do it.

The worst case scenario is that you'll end up parting it out... 1.5k for the fenders, 3k for the engine, 1k for the tranny, $300 for the wheels, $300 for the seats, 1k for misc, 1.5k for the tub and u lost $3k... Plus he's been thinking of selling it for 2 yrs... I think you can pay less than 12k

My way of life is better to have guilty feelings than regrets...

But prepare yourself to a bumpy ride...

Katie, your signature says it's a '73S... did you verify it's an S with the VIN??
Not to assume you don't know this, but the numbers would have to read 911330XXXX if it's a real 73S coupe (decklid badges are meaningless). If the 5th digit is a 2 it's an E, a 1 is a T.

Could be a steal if it's a real S, and the rust is minor (which is unlikely if you can see it... usually means there's more where you can't see). My advice: don't get too attached until you get a PPI or have someone who knows early cars look at it. Could be a *REAL* money pit - we need pics and a VIN to give any opinions worth a flying fuch.
Would love to see you in a longhood though!!

:)

PS - if it has a whale tail / tea tray - tell him to deduct $1k on the spot for principle alone!!

I'm sorry for repeating myself but she wouldn't lose $3k, her grandma would, and left with a gift that got parted out. Maybe she can keep the wheels as a souvenir.

I understand the deals with the parents, but have you talked about it with your grandma? Not just the nice parts, but all the possibilities of:
1) car continuing to deteriorate until you pour money into it to fix the rust,
2) parting it out
3) selling it because you don't like it anymore

which are pretty much what people who's giving you their support are basing their opinions on.

So here it is real easy.

Figure out what you want first- then go buy it. You want a 73? Go get one. You want a turbo? Go get one. You want a restoration? Go get one.

But for the sake of all that is holy do not buy a 911 with someone else's money just to buy a 911. Your grandma probably dealt with the Depressoin and WWII. She probably knows how hard it is to earn and save money. Make her gift to you worth it by using it to buy (or partially buy) a car that is worth it.


Take some great advice from others here (this is why you posted in the first place right?) and have someone who has no stake in buying the car look at it for you or do a ppi. Get some objective information to go along with your emotions. If the two fit the go for it.

With rust expect the worst- do not hope for the best.

Not spoiled? Are you kidding?

To me, this is a perfect commentary on the way us baby boomers are raising our kids. Many of us worked our tails off for our first, and every car we've owned. Made a few mistakes along the way, but the risk was not mom and dads, and certainly not grandmas. That's how you learn to take responsibility for yourself...and its the only way.

I hope I never read a thread like this posted by any of my kids.

We learned recently that your SC is not, in fact, your SC. That's good news. You have a nicer dad than I am, that's for sure.

Here's some more advice you should at least consider:

Grow up. Study hard. Graduate with honors. Get a good job. Buy your car. Get on with life. In that order. Don't even think of taking an elderly relative's money on the false pretense that it's a smart thing to do.

Sorry for being a bit harsh. This isn't what you wanted to hear, and in the end, it's your money...er, wait...no it's not. It's your conscience. If you exercise some maturity and restraint now, you won't regret it. I promise.

Well when that time comes, chocoholic, you be sure to find me an Aubergine 1973 911S coupe. It's posts like yours that make me regret even posting this thread in the first place. How silly of me. What was I thinking? I'll be sure to never make the same mistake again.

The other guy who has seen the car says above that it is a targa, not a coupe. And what makes you think it is (was) an "S"? Even if the VIN makes it a real "S", the engine was the only thing that made a 911 an "S" and it's long gone on this heap.

I'm sorry, but a rusty '73 targa w/ the wrong motor is not a $12k car. Not even close. It sounds more like a collection of 911 parts that are bolted to each other, and not $12k worth. Whoever made the parts price list above neglected the fact that rusty body parts are worth nil.

I know all about making emotional purchases, (boy do I ever), but I also know that buying the wrong 911 is like that old joke about boats, ie. the 2nd happiest day in your life, etc...

As they say; "Just stand in an ice-cold shower tearing up C-notes and hitting yourself in the face w/ a tire iron. Same effect". ;)

It's bad enough to throw your own $$ away on an unwise purchase, but if it's your Grandma's you will feel horrible. I would anyways. You need someone who knows these cars to lay eyes and hands on this thing, it sounds like you are going by some 100% emotional response to a color or an idea of what is cool, (the car that Steve McQ. drove), and not really approaching it from a sober, mature perspective. I get emotionally involved w/ cars myself, (and I have driven Steve's 911S), and I have to tell you that car purchases require the cold scientific eye of a surgeon. A cancer surgeon. Who knows when something is terminal and has the spine to say so. That takes maturity.

The thing that you learn the hard way from a life with cars is that it is retarded to buy rust buckets. By the time they are repaired properly, you could have bought a nice dry car that is actually worth something. Sorry to be harsh, but this is what you need to hear. As opposed to what you want to hear. :)

porsche911girl,
I was a high school teacher for 32 years and believe me when I say that, "I've seen it all" when it comes to mature and immature, responsible and spoiled. I might suggest that you show your maturity by ignoring some of the replies to your posts and continue asking questions on this forum.
I admire you for asking what other's think and the sign of a mature person is someone who is not not affraid to fail or be told is wrong.

The best advice I can give you is this. Jump off the cliff and free-fall for awhile. It's uncomfortable and a little dangerous, but you will learn things on the way down. This is only a metaphor now, don't go jump off a real cliff!!!!!
You are young and what better time to do this than now. I waited for 30 years to buy one of these great cars and I regret that I didn't do it when I was in my 20s instead of my 50's!
If you fail, so what? The best teacher in the world is failure. You won't always succeed at everything you do and that's OK. Safe, is not a very good teacher. A ship never discovered anything tied to the dock!
If you want to do this, and you can, DO IT! Take Grandma for the ride of her life! You will remember that for the rest of your life and smile and wave at your grandchildren someday from the inside of your Porsche 3000 911 Raptor.
The best of luck to you! Get those pictures on Monday!!!
Jerry

lets see some PICTURES!!!

i think a turbo longhood sounds like bags of fun...not every purchase in life need to be made on the idea of making money...


so tomorrow (sunday) go take as many pictures as you can.