RANT "We have too many cars!!!"

[Rob Channell]

I have 5 cars. Yes, I may be over the top just a little. But they are not very expensive cars.

We have:
1997 GMC Suburban (wife's car and family carrier)
1993 Chevy Pickup Ext cab truck(wife's backup car and my parts carrier, but broken A/C and now leaky power steering)
1979 911SC(track car, several mods, my baby since 1989, pre-marriage, the one I planned to keep till I'm dead)
1972 911T Targa(a driver with RS flares and a 2.7 with Webers, the one I hoped to sell for garage construction down payment)
1990 Miata(OK, it's a girly car, but it's cheap and gets decent mpg)

Before the Suburban.......In 2000 when we were expecting child number 3, my wife decided that the 1993 pickup was too small. She HAD to have a truck with the 3rd door. We had talked Suburban before, but she decided that the 1999 Silverado would do and she would be happy.

After child number 3 she decided she HAD to get a Suburban so I traded in the 1999 Silverado on a used 1997 Suburban with the Southern Comfort package. I really lost my shirt on the 1999 Silverado, but figured if it would make her happy.....

Now it's 2007 (5 children now. No we are not catholic. Yes we are done)and the Suburban has 170k miles. We have had several problems this year. So far I have replaced the brake rotors and drums with brand new, fixed the leaking intake manifold problem common to the Vortec engines, and replaced the entire air conditioning system with brand new components. The engine still runs strong and doesn't leak. We have replaced the cable from the battery to the starter. To be fair it has had several issues this year, all major.

Wednesday she said the transmission started slipping on the way home. I test drove it and it was slipping so bad I wasn't sure I'd make it the 3 blocks back to my house. I had it towed to a reputable transmission shop and the guy will rebuild it totally for $1050(including R&R). The GMC dealer wanted over $2k. Now I know I have spent a pile of money on it this year, but we really didn't have many expenses at all from 2001 to now. I am thinking that we have fixed everything major but the engine and it is running fine. It's got brand new brakes, brand new A/C. She thinks we should get rid of it and get a 2002 or 2003 Suburban with 80-90k miles to replace it. The transmission guy says they tend to last 130-160k miles so the 2002-2003 might need a transmission in as little as 2 years. It just seems to me that the vehicle we have now is likely to be much cheaper to operate and own for the next 2-3 years at least. Plus we have no car payment.

Should I keep it because I've fixed all the major possible problems (except the engine which is running great)? Or should I sell it and buy something newer that is going to require these kinds of repairs in the future? We do need something large like a Suburban with our family and she cannot stand minivans(neither can I). I am thinking it's probably pretty good for another 80k miles or so and think maybe we should drive it another 60k miles (2 years +) while putting some money back for another vehicle. The we buy her something newer and sell the old one.

Now the kicker.....I get the "We've just got TOO MANY CARS!!" crap thrown in my face yet again. I try to explain that it's because I like having older cars that are cheaper and like having a spare around for when problems arise, but it seems to fall on deaf ears.
Then there is the "At least you have your precious race cars, even though the family car keeps breaking" line followed by "Somebody has their priorities screwed up." I'm just stressed beyond all manner of understanding. When my car has a problem that is going to cost some money it gets put in the garage until I can find the cash to get it fixed. Hers will get fixed regardless, no questions asked. I have missed many driving events due to either not having my car ready or choosing to be with my family instead simply because they want me home.

It's not like I'm having to make car payments on anything (YET). They've all been paid for for a few years now. The last car payment I had was the Suburban. The previous car payment was for the 1999 Silverado for her...... I REALLLY REALLY REALLY do not want another car payment yet.

First one here with a $25k check can have BOTH the Porsches and all my spare parts....... I'm sick of having them thrown in my face. Aaaaaaaaaagh!!!!!!

Maybe I'll cool off in a week or so and come to my senses........
rant mode off for now.............

[Chocaholic]

Who is this?

[MotoSook]

I have 7 vehicles in my name, and she has 1. We have 8 vehicles on the property, plus a race car trailer. I think I know what you are talking about. I have offered to sell all but one Porsche, but she knows that if we do that, I will just go out and buy a new sports car. I threaten her with an $80K sports car. That usually cools her. Even the kis have commented about why mom has to drive around in her old car, while have all the toys and keep buying cars. But all of my cars are paid for and like you, I don't HAVE to fix anyone of them when they break.

We're in the market for a new car now, and that's only because we're planning on a larger family and we can't fit everyone in any single car. So we're buying her an 8 passenger Saturn Outlook. She seems to be happy with that, but she's disappointed she isn't getting her fun car, which I promised her would be a convertible (Boxster, 996 cab or BMW 3-series conv.). She'll be content with the new vehicle for a while, but if I go out and buy another vehicle, it'll all start up again.

I know what you're going through. But don't sell your 911's. It'll bad for your marriage. You'll resent her and you won't be happy until you get another 911. You'll be better off getting her a new vehicle if she won't accept the, "all the problems are now fixed on the Suburban" line.

Take her shopping for a new sports car, and let her see what they cost. She might have second thoughts about you selling your old, paid for 911s.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

So?

Here's my list:
'85/1 944
'85/2 944
'01 Mercedes SLK
'02 Toyota Solara
'99 Suzuki Katana Motorcycle
'86 951
'73 914 (buying soon - in negotiations)

All for my wife and I. Life is good.

There's a guy I know locally that has at last count FOURTEEN (count 'em) 944s, a 951, a couple of BMWs, a minivan, a diesel bus with a racecar trailer, a couple of Mustangs and about 4 or 5 motorcycles. Him, his wife and now they've got a kid - three people though.

I'm starting to seriously think you can't have too many.

[ckissick]

A guy named Harrah had a lot of cars once. So do some guys named Leno and Seinfeld. You don't have a lot of cars.

I've got my cars, the newest one being 18 years old, and I couldn't be happier. My wife thinks it's great. The next car will be a MB 280SL for her. We're also saving up for a 4-car garage. Yes, it's a sickness.

Would a new van to replace the Suburban for the wife and all those kids help? My wife drives the only new car, a 2007 Passat wagon. It helps to have one new car for her.

And sell the Miata!

[Zeke]

I have 5 at any given time. It's not cheap.

[Rob Channell]

Originally posted by Chocaholic
Who is this?

Just a local frustrated individual that probably should have just sucked it up and not aired my dirty laundry rather than blathering on......I've owned my 911 since 1989 and have been to many driving events with the Alabama region and several with the Peachstate region over the years. I had a year of travel where I also did several events with the POC in California. As my family has grown, I have become less active and don't do as many driving events, but I still enjoy going and driving and instructing.

Here's me doing what I love to do......of course it's now been over ten years since I did any wheel to wheel.


Charlie and Jeff,
I don,t think I own too many cars. It just seems to come up whenever there is any kind of problem with her car. If I had the room I would probably have dozens of cars, parts cars, and projects going in a large garage. My stance before has been I would sell all the cars except for the 1979 911 if it would make her happy. She hasn't taken me up on it so far. And she's not really the part of the evil nagging wife. It just seems to have been a stressful week.

Souk,
You may be the most like me so far. Maybe it will be better to give in a little to let her get something else to make her happy. Of course a new sports car for me would be laughable. She wouldn't even take me seriously. If anything I'd just take the money from the other car sales and put it towards building up my next engine or fixing up the car I have now. I've learned after my 1972 project car. First do the engine and then find the car to put it in. Seems like it would be easier that way. There are 3.6's and turbos and EFI systems and......and.....

I appreciate you guys listening to my bellyachin'.

later,

[Jims5543]

6 here.

2 - 2006 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 work trucks. 1 kept at office other driven to employees house at night.

1 -2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, I bought it for me then my wife took it because she likes driving it better than the Audi.

1 - 2005 Audi A6 Quattro was my wifes car but now I daily drive it.

1 - Porsche 911 Targa, drive it on weekends, it spends July-Nov in North Carolina and winters in Florida, no A/C in it.

1 - 1987 Mazda RX7, street legal track monster. I have so much money tied up in this car its just wrong. What I have in this car + what I paid for my 911 = a used GT3. No Joke. I have had this car since 2000 so the "investment" has been made over 7 years.

Plus a car trailer, plus a storage space to house the RX7 and then 2 racing Karts.

My wife never says a word. Thats one of the many reasons I love her.

[many944s]

First off, there is no such thing as too many cars...
Unless you don't have someplace to put them

Try telling your wife she has too many clothes or too many shoes and see how that goes over!

There are people out there who still have the entire collection of G.I Joe figures, Barbie collections, etc... (not to knock them) But cars are timeless. The number of times I have been to a car show with the '55, and people say "I had one of those in high school, I wish I still had it today" I can't even count. I myself never want to have to say... "I had one of those.." Cars are just who I am.

-Nick

[Tobra]

If you sell your cars you will resent her for it until you divorce.

They are your hobby and your therapy. Some guys chase skirts, some drink, some collect stamps. You dig old cars, BFD, long as you got room for them.

[911boost]

To be honest, buy her a newer Suburban. She is obviously not happy, and might have lost confidence in the 97. Older cars can be great until they start eating you alive with maintenance. It doesn't sound to me like the 911's are costing you much, and the pickup isn't as a spare vehicle, so why not put some $$ into the cars that your wife and kids are driving.

I hate to be a minorty here, but even though you've dumped a bunch of $$ into the 97, it is just $$ and just a car keeping your wife happy (to a certain extent) and providing a vehicle that she can trust to get her and 5 kids from point A to point B is more important. I think it might be time to get her something newer.

Like you I have a lot of cars:

1966 Mustang (had since High school, isn't not going anywhere)
2001 Tahoe (tows the camper and my winter car)
1992 911 Turbo (no explanation needed)
2006 Volvo XC90 (my wifes car, she loves, and she picked it out)

I also have 2.5 motorcycles, so yeah, I have a lot of toys. I never get the we have too many cars speach, because she is happy with hers.

Ok hopefully that didn't bore you to death.

Bill

[the]

A lot of you boys need to move to quality over quantity.

[Moses]

Five kids? Honestly you NEED a minivan. Give the Honda a look. Far more functional and reliable than what you are considering.

If you would choose another Suburban over a minivan because of "image", I have no sympathy for you.

[VINMAN]

Originally posted by many944s
First off, there is no such thing as too many cars...
Unless you don't have someplace to put them

Try telling your wife she has too many clothes or too many shoes and see how that goes over!
-Nick

Mines has 138 pairs of shoes as of the last count...

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally posted by Rob Channell
Now the kicker.....I get the "We've just got TOO MANY CARS!!" crap thrown in my face yet again.

Perpetual bachelor for this very reason. I have 8 cars/trucks and no DFW is going to tell me I can't. PLUS, the warehouse I purchased to keep them in cost more than the cars combined...

[on2wheels52]

Rob
Hat's off for for having five kids and no car payments, a distinct minority position. You put me in no position to crow about my batch of vehicles.
Re the quality vs quantity argument, true in some cases but I can think of many I'd rather have the numbers.
Jim

[competentone]

Originally posted by Rob Channell
....5 children now..... and she cannot stand minivans(neither can I).... "Somebody has their priorities screwed up."

You both have your priorities screwed up.

You're both concerned about having something "cool" to drive; I hate to break the news to you, but with 5 kids in tow, no matter what you're driving, you won't be looking "cool."

If you can get rid of the "image" thing, you'd both realize a minivan is your most practical solution.

[Tim Hancock]

4 P-cars, 1 Audi, 1 BMW, 1 Tacoma, 1 Chevelle, 2 street bikes, 4 motocross bikes, 2 vintage scooters, 2 airplanes, two classic Honda minis, a snowmobile, a jetski, a skid loader, two mowers, a forklift, an ATV and probably a few things I am forgetting. I FEEL YOUR PAIN!

We don't owe a dime on any of them as they were all mostly bought used and in need of work, which the wife kind of appreciates. What she does not appreciate is the time I spend fidgeting with them along with insurance and registration fees.

The beauty of her being accustomed to this is that when she got nervous driving the 200k mileage BMW, I was able to pick up a 100k Audi which she felt was like having a new car! Don't cave in, you will regret it later.

[DanielDudley]

I recently sold my 633 CSI. Who's sorry now ?

[Racerbvd]

OK, maybe I don't have a problem

71 911 Toad Hall clone (next on the list to build)

74 914-6GT clone

76 914 2.0

78 911SC coupe

83 911SC cab

85.5 944 track car (for sale)

87 924S

88 911 Carrera (the only Stock car in the group)

90 Toyota pick up (with 16" Porsche rims )

99 Chevy Suburban 2500 (parts & track car hauler)

98 Jaguar XJR (company/work car with 390hp )

This doesn't include the Porsches (other than the 944) that I'm selling to thin my heard, just what I'm trying to get it down too