thinking of getting out of the porsche Game
 

I have owned porsches for the last 20 years and dreamed of owning my own previous to that when my dad had all those 912's and 356's but I suppose I am now having a midlife crisis and want something different. I have a fox body mustang 5.0 that we have been working on for a few years and really enjoy the car but I have never driven it more then 400 feet as I just got it running a couple weeks back and now doing some welding and stripping the paint to bare metal. What I like about this car is how cheap it is to repair (it is also not german built so it is cheaply constructed as well and dont like that part)

for example:

brake calipers $11
gas tank $80
Fuel pump $20
gasket set $45
etc

Now I have no illusions that a mustang is even close in build quality, handling,etc as porsche what I am experiencing is these are budget cars and I kind of like it

My 964 for example had new tail lights and rear reflector that I just put on for the price tag of approx 1K

Trust me not porsche bashing but kind explaining my reasoning ogf my thinking. So On my short list of cars this is what I am thinking with a budget of 12k max

late 90's early 2000 Trans am with a 6 speed
early 90's mustang convertable (5.0)
possible early 70's trans am or formula or even camaro


I am thinking I only live once and want to try a few other cars. I am sure I will be back to a porsche someday but want to experience some other things. below is the link to my car tell me I am crazy tell me your thoughts . talk me out of it

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/686811-1990-964-c2.html

I don't think you are crazy at all, there are many wonderful cars out there and all offer different owning/driving experiences. I couldn't drive only porsche.

Eeh- it's a different experience- like pizza VS. Sushi. domestics are fun but you will get tired of the quirks and perks there after awhile as well. I speak from experience

You WILL miss the almost antiseptic nature and build quality and tossability of the 911- or any german car.

I'd find a way to keep the 911 and buy a cheap domestic to build- they are so many domestic projects out there at every price range it's almost a non issue.

I'll always have a German car in the stable - when I'm feeling serious about no BS and quality that's what I turn to.

I might play with the others, but I wouldn't sell the 911 to do it....

If you do sell the 911, I predict you are back in a few years.... ;)

Do you want to tinker more, or drive more? If you want to drive, the cars you listed aren't going to captivate you. You can tinker with anything though - so why not a car with 1/10 the parts cost of a Porsche...can't knock your thinking there.

Like I always say, you don't know what you have got until it is gone! Like the above poster says, keep the Porsche while u try something else. Be careful what u wish for:eek::eek:

Ben,

We were talking about this over on RL.. What about an E36 M3? Fantastic handling, german build quality and cheaper than a 911 (but a bit more than American iron).

I suppose it really depends on what you mean by "quality". The overall quality and fit and finish of the interior of my 911 is among the cheapest of any car I've owned. And let's not even get started with the train-wreck of the ergonomics, especially the HVAC and dash control layout. And the other German car I've owned had persistent reliability issues. I also think it's amusing that you think the domestics have quirks, but the German car do not? :D By far my German cars have been the quirkiest of any cars I've owned...

Is my 911 fun? Yes. Would I call the car itself "quality"? I'm not so sure....

Keep the Porsche, buy a motorcycle. Life will be complete. :)

mb911 are you confused yet? Thank goodness it is almost happy hour!:):)

A 911 sure it's spartan, quirky and in some cases (like the AC) wholly ineffective but it (whole car) stays together as intended. No rattles either.

Look at the leather on any domestic car after 5 years especially in a hot climate- all looks like wrinkled crap..

Porsche is quality. My 911 was as tight as the day it left the factory almost 30 years later.

I'm no domestic fan...don't get me wrong (we don't own any). I was just pointing out that my 911 is more quirky and has some questionable ergonomic and design decision in it. Ditto my other German car.

My Japanese cars seemed to be the best made and engineered car's I've owned thus far. By far.

The trans ams of the newer are pretty reliable from the research I have done.

also I could have multiple cars and infact do right now I am in a simplify mode right now and want to have a ma investment of 12k in a hobby car.

My 964 is nice and needs a couple things to be near perfect which would cost another 2k or so just not sure I want to do that.

as to coming back to a p-car there is no doubt I will be back but want to try many other things. I also owned american muscle in the past and it was fun so I am making full circle I guess.

Currently we own the following and the domestic daily driver is very good

1986 mustang gt 5.0 (project )
1990 964
2007 suburban LTZ
2009 4 door Tacoma
1975 Cushman golfster chore vehicle (does that count?)


My favorite vehicle for ease of function is the Burb and versitility the mustang looks like an old school atari blew up in it but sounds so sweet not much beets that 302 HO blowing through some flowmasters. The toyota is very nice but is much tinnier then any of the other cars (door shutting) and has carry over switches from the 90's camery's but build quaility is awesome.

Your 964 looks like a great car. Unfortunately, I have about payments left on my truck.

I am sure we could work something out;)

The original post had some conflicting issues.
Spending $1K for new tail lights, willingly, and then noting the price difference for 5-10 year maintenance parts is two different things.

It sounds more like a need for change, and a cheap hobby project that is expendable and/or customizable.
That doesn't necessarily mean giving up the p-car.

I know probably right but I just posted it for sale on autotrader. We will see

Ben, keep in mind that only Porsche owners get avocado shipments from Supertec. SmileWavy

you don't know what you have got until it is gone!
http://www.onfish.info/h.jpghttp://www.onfish.info/d.jpg

Just sell everything and buy a 458 spider, you'll be glad you did :D

It's moments like this that I find You Tube properly conveys my thoughts.......

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ugki4_e4NP8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

:p:p:p

Yep, I enjoy my GTA and the AC is colder than the AC in my Carrera..
But I'm looking to trade it off as I'm not driving as much right now and looking to change things up & thin out the heard a bit..

Well, Ben, you and I have been acquainted for many years now. I still have that spool of stainless MIG wire you sent me. We shared a lot of thoughts on the '77. I moved on and don't have an inkling of a regret. I, too, moved from an early car to a heavier car. At one time I thought I wanted a 964. I think the heavy cars eventually kill the spirit.

Whatever you do, you will have some fun. Things just don't last forever for everyone. Die hards are the exception.

That's why we have a name for them.

Those early Mustang's fron the late 90"s are a blast, both to drive and work on. I'd like to have a 5.0 mustang to have fun with and not have to worry about those little German things.

Oh yeah and if you get some aftermarket suspension goodies they can cut some laps.

you can think about-but you can't do it!!!SmileWavy

The main issue with selling the 911 is that you may find yourself priced out of the market down the line. I have noticed that all air cooled cars have really pulled up in price, especially a decent 964 isn't as cheap as it used to be. That said, your asking price seems pretty steep, so that may solve the issue for you, unless you will take considerably less. ;)

I used to tinker with a lot of domestic cars and cheap projects. I have started to value my time however and don't want to throw my labor after a $2k car that's going to be a $2k car at best down the line. On a 911, the effort is much better spent IMHO.

G

My dad still has his so does that count?

Yeah asking price is just that asking you never know unless you ask I am very motivated to sell so all offers are considered

I have thoughts of getting out of the game but most of my friends are PCA folks from the track and such. I dont think i could sell my 911...there's really nothing similar i could deal with since i dont weld. The 944 would be easier to let go, but thats the one i use more/at the track.

Good.luck with your decision

mb911-
My goodness, I would keep some sort of Porsche in the stable, but to get thru the crisis, prep it for storage and cover it. Pick up some Stang', Vette', vintage Mopar, whatever and live with it for as long as you can take. For sure get one of those Camaro's or TA with matching interior of puke. Really beat that mofo too! The day will come, you'll uncover that Porsche and be cured. It worked for me.

What do most of you feel would be a realistic price for the 964? I searched and found wide ranges of 32k-18k and felt mine was on the lower part of that but a very solid car none the less.

With the wheels and the dash cracks I think $20-22k would be more reasonable.

Yeah Defiantly what I am thinking as well. I have listed for 24k and thought someone would offer 20-22 so we are right on. now gotta find the buyer. Interesting you dont care for the wheels? the car came that way and really grew on me.

The wheels are a little blingy for my tastes, and while they might grow on me as well, a potential buyer may not want to wait for the "growth".

Ben,

Your 964 looks too much like a fixer. Maybe you are just more honest than the average seller, but I'd fix the oil leak and the fender. I would also look into the dash crack - a used dash may be reasonably priced for the 964, I am not sure.

Of course, you may be ready to move on and not work on the 964 any more at all. That's fine, but I don't think that's a $22k car right now. I may be off, however, I am a little out of touch with the market.

Good Luck whatever you decide to go for and do stick around (PPOT has large fraction of former Porsche owners!)

George

In many states it's written into the law that 1990s Firebird/Camaro owners either wear mullets, chew tobacco or support the University of Alabama. Wisconsin may have similar laws- might want to check.

George I think its a little of both I am trying to be as upfront as possible so there are no surprises . I may have the fender fixed as I dont have time. I do have someone real interested that is looking for a driver. he just bought an F430 and does not consider that a driver car.

Well that is a problem I have no hair:D