I'm having a bad idea...talk me out of it...
 

Nope, it's not bamboo :)...

Just kicking the idea around regarding letting my 911 go....I just don't drive her anymore for numerous reasons. Have no idea what she's worth, doesn't really matter but...

I'm hoping this will pass...I've gotten rid of a couple of other "toys" that I haven't been using the past few years too (bass boat and HD), and have no regrets about them.....but this is different. Anyone with similar experiences, regrets, etc.? Help me....

NOOOOOOO!

I was in the garage tinkering with my 85 911 earlier today. I had to replace the hood struts. The passenger side is super easy. The driver's side, not so much. It is done and I no longer get conked on the head when I open the trunk. :D

I "HAD" to take it for a short test drive to see if the trunk would stay up after driving it.

The old hood struts were only 5 years old. :(

I don't know why we can't get struts that last.

I've gotten rid of my 356s for the same reasons as you, possible: "Didn't drive it anymore for various reasons." I could kick myself now... The problem with this market is that it is a lottery right now, if you sell it and regret it a year or 2 from now, it may cost the same, way more, slightly less, no telling... Either way you may not be enclined to spend that $$$$ on a toy anymore... It was one thing to sell/buy a $15-20K 911, now it's financially bigger decision...

If I'm honest I currently have LOTS more fun with my 1973 2002 than my 911. Less valuable, no worries parking anywhere, fun at low speeds... But I'm not selling the 911 because I'm remembering the lesson from selling the 356 ! I'm sort of ignoring it until the tingle returns...

I'll join in your thread, if you don't mind! I'm in the same boat. I've put probably 200 miles on my G50 Carrera in the past 4 years.

Like you, for a bunch of reasons I just don't drive it. (There's many reasons, but one is, like Deschodt, I have other cars that are more fun to me).

I've kept it because (1) I've always had a 911, for 25 years, (2) I have safe, dry storage for it, (3) collector insurance is cheap, (4) a yearly oil and filter change is cheap, (5) it had been going up in value every year (I don't think that's happening anymore, though) and (6) I do occasionally tinker with/clean/drive it (just not very often).

Basically, all in all kept it because there hasn't been a really good reason not to. And because I know if I sell it, I would likely never have another one (To me they aren't worth the prices they get these days).

I was in your shoes a few years ago; I sold and now I regret it. To pour salt in the would, I sold pretty much at the bottom of the market, and I probably won't be able to afford a similar car ever again.

Easy decision...If you need the cash..sell it. If not..keep it.

There is always an excuse to drive it... unless of course what's stopping you is health related. I'd get rid of everything else, but the 911 will be the last one I will let go...

I sold mine - and honestly don't regret it. Each of my cars has been a part of me - and I have enjoyed the journey. Sure it was a cool, quirky car - but I get as much, if not more enjoyment out of the Turbo... and I don't have to worry about someone dinging it, or rusting - or some part that was made from rhinoceros foreskin (it had a ton of custom parts) that I have to wait to be made or flown in from New Zealand...

I sold my 964T because I needed to buy a house after the divorce and the one I was renting the owner decided to sell. It was about a year too early before they started commanding stupid prices and mine was really nice with 50,000 miles on it.

Fortunately, it coincided with the real estate market continuing to go up, so what I lost in the cars value, I gained in the houses value. Coupled with the fact that my kids and I couldn't live in the 911.

If I hadn't needed to buy a house, I would probably still have it. However, I was hesitant to drive it anywhere because of how nice it was and that was when it was worth $50 grand, I couldn't imagine what I would be feeling with the values they reached and where they are today.

I went a few a years without a 911 and then with Matt's (OWP) threads on them, along with everyone else, I dove into the 996 market, getting my turbo. Now I don't stress about driving it and actually get more enjoyment out of it than the 964T. Yep that care was rarer and more folks wanted to talk about it when I did manage to get to Cars n Coffee, etc., but for everyday driving pleasure, the 996TT is tough to beat in my book.

Maybe go out and drive a few other cars, see if anything tickles you. If you find something, sell the 911 and get it. At the end of the day these are just cars.

Don't sell it unless you have to or you don't like it.

Don't do it. But if you won't listen to the advice here, call me first.

I feel ya... I never drive mine now. Between the sucky weather, sucky roads and even suckier drivers around here I’m just too paranoid about having it get destroyed if I take it out. I’ve told myself I’ll hang onto it to give to one of the kids someday but there’s no guarantee they’ll even be into cars (signs somewhat encouraging thus far however) by the time they’re old enough to drive AND old enough to appreciate it responsibly (like “once you’re out on your feet with a good career well underway and not an irresponsible kid anymore”). By then driving might also be far too prohibitive (see my above reasons that it has become so for me and add to it what they’re likely to see: even MORE (stupid, incompetent) people behind the wheel, an even more statistically aged population, the ever-increasing already-insane expenses of vehicle ownership and operation, even more regulatory nonsense year after year, etc.) A trend towards unlicensed individuals is well documented among millenials but it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue with their generation or reverse... I’d hate to keep it just to have it sit in my garage never used and not all that valued or appreciated other than by a dottering old man yearning for “a better land and time” (that’d be me in about 15-20 years...) Plus with an upcoming long distance move in the works I just don’t know if I want to deal with dragging it along, figuring out how to keep it safe, paying for an extra garage spot, etc. it’s becoming something I worry more about than enjoy and more of a PITA than a thrill... It saddens me. I don’t really like driving now (too many jackasses out there, too much traffic, too expensive, too much BS) and I HATE turning wrenches now. It used to be fun. Now I just despise it and see car projects as just more “to do” crap that keeps me AWAY from the things I’d rather be doing instead of BEING the thing I’d rather be doing...

Maybe I’ve just lost that lovin’ feeling... dunno but this thread sure resonates.

Well said.

Our daughter and her hubby couldn't care less about cars. So with me, it was all of the above, other than no long distance move planned, and more. The money changers had moved into the temple of enthusiasm. It saddened me that the Porsche scene had changed so much, but that made parting with the car much easier. Also, a bit of delight that I had pissed off all the right people when it left here.

It is 10 years after the fact. Overall, I'm happier now than I was after making the decision to be shed of it.

(edit) But that's just me. Do what you think is best for you.

Same itch here a few months back. Put an ad on Pelican (may still be there) and CL. The onslaught of scams and just plain weirdos was enough to change my mind. I probably drive it 1000 miles a year, if that. But enjoy it every time. Changed oil last weekend. Glad she's safely tucked away in my garage.

I have sold off something like 25 cars, so I'm now down to one, and frankly I'm OK with that. I also sold off maybe a dozen motorcycles and now I don't even have one that runs. I can't say I miss those things very often. I've had something interesting to drive since 1978, so it's a bit of been there done that. I've got other things that interest me and there's always a limit to how much you can do in one life.

I don't regret selling my 911. I regret selling my 914/6

Don't sell if you still enjoy driving your car, KC. I had mine out today because, well, Friday the 13th. It still puts a smile on my face.

I just took a deposit on Annie. No regrets.

Warren's 73S? :eek:

I get the feeling my relatives want me to hang it up and sell.

They gotta catch me if they want me to hang...

Almost sold my 928 GTS 2 years agon. Instead I put it in the shop for a bottom end refresh. Talk about not driving it, haven't gotten it back from the shop yet.

i was putting about 100 miles a year on my pristine 88 coupe for about 7 years straight. then looked at it one day , gave it the screw eye and said: boy you and me are going racing.... never looked back i have had three motors, numerous body kits, a few concussions, drove a hauler all across the country, met race chicks in cheesy bars, sat on the grid blessing myself with rain tires on and asking myself why did i ever friggin do this.... etc etc.... its been fantastic try sone track stuff even just DE..... the rest is a slippery slope of spending your kids tuition money and trying to justify the tire bills to the wifesky.....just my 2 cents..

I got rid of my 996tt last month, and next is the 930. I put 50 miles on it last year. Crappy roads and bad drivers here, and people asking me about the car. When I sell it, I'll probably get a 911sc to tinker with.

Congrats Mark! You did good by that car, I hope it finds a worthy caretaker.

For those who don't drive their car anymore, what is the reason?

Family obligations...

I aim to do at least 6 autocross events a year. This year I might do just 5 if I make it to the last one in November.

Well, speaking for myself I’d say I drive it somewhat less due to the people that count on me to provide their needs. It’s not all about me anymore. A head on/t-bone with a doper or straight driver is a high probability here.

Can’t ever sell a COAL (car of a lifetime) on a whim. But would in a heartbeat if the money was needed.

I know the feeling. The last years I have more or less had to force myself to drive my 911. Usually not more than two short trips a year. Sad really because once I am out there I love how she drives. I am pretty sure I will keep her. She belongs to the family. Simple as that.

No time to enjoy it. I have a mother I'm taking care of, and my gf has been in and out of surgeries the past few years. I do enjoy my Boxster as the dog likes to go on rides, and I won't get upset if it gets hit.

I will listen to the advice offered :).

For now anyways....should I change my mind later on, I'll let you know...for sure!

I wouldn't have a 911, nor have done anything to her if it wasn't for Pelicans in the Tech section when I discovered this place years ago....that's what keeps her in the garage. Other cars have never had the sentimental value, nor have I spent countless hours working on them like her....and she didn't REALLY need it....but it was fun :). As Hal can attest....I did OK by her imo...but she deserves to be driven more too....

Reasons why I don't...
Local, country back roads have become congested with school buses, cars, and bicycles.
No longer have a 22 mile, back roads (in her), commute to work.
A pickem up truck is my daily driver....need the chainsaws & fishing rod available at all times :)
Mental Health issues - I'm crazy not too :(

Don't need to sell, so she stays...

Now about bamboo...is that a good idea or not? ...and my tongue is still numb....

PPOT is my "sounding board", online entertainment, and where I seek advice when I get stupid ideas....has served me well over the years...thanks all!

Good.

OK, excellent.

They stay running if you run them. They continue to be objects of interest if you continue to show interest in them. You need to run old gas out, and put fresh gas in.

I have acquired several cars over the years that needed to be brought back, and I have also let a few cars and machines sit longer than I should have.

You would walk your dog. Why not take an old friend out of the garage, and take a drive somewhere out of the ordinary ? Blow out some cobwebs, get some fresh air. Keep things flowing. We don't have to wait until we are 80, like the Japanese motorcyclists.

Seize the Driving Day. Find your driving brothers. Use it while you can, life is short.
Make it sweet.

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Thank you Daniel...and thank you Tom!

Inspiration....sometimes that's all ya need...

Thank you Pelicans....sincerely!

Quasi-related to the other car thread I have ongoing right now, this stuff gets less fun when the cars get valuable. I have an absolutely immaculate 1982 911SC cab, it has a fully documented story of being ordered as a Targa, then converted to a cab pre-delivery because the 1983 cabriolet was introduced and the buyer no longer wanted a Targa. Outside is original GP White and very clean, inside is all freshly replaced and better than new, has about 7k on a full rebuild with all the right upgrades, fresh suspension, full records, etc etc etc. It's the nicest Porsche I've owned, and would probably bring $45k on a good day. All of those things make it harder to enjoy.

It's an original Scottsdale car, lived there until I traded for it two years ago, and has very likely never seen rain. So I don't drive it in the rain. The outside is basically immaculate, so I won't drive it to work because I'm afraid of some a-hole keying it. The inside is like new, so I don't like hauling my kids to/from practice because it could get dirty or scratched. It's worth enough now that I don't like driving it certain places and leaving it sit in the parking lot. I've just eliminated probably 90% of my driving opportunities just in this paragraph.

I'm trying to turn the tide and forcing myself to just drive the damn thing, because I can't stand to see a car sit. I'm also selling my Boxster so I have one less car to exercise. When I'm in it I love it, and my wife loves it. It's just sometimes hard to justify. The hardest thing about selling is that I know I'll never have another one this nice. Not sure if that helped, but I feel your pain!

Interesting hearing people don't have time to drive their Porsches. Bought my first Porsche because all my time was either being spent at work or night school. Got my first Porsche so could at least enjoy the drive times. Have basically had a daily driver Porsche ever since. Just like em.

When it became an ingress/egress issue to take my elderly Mom places in the Porsche, added a Cayenne. Preferred transportation is the 928 and daily drove it to work until started working from home. Only if weather or cargo (Mom) is an issue the SUV gets taken. Mom actually prefered riding in the 928 over the Cayenne on trips despite difficulties getting in and out of it. Today I work from home so neither gets very many miles. Only buy an average of one tank of gas a month between the two.

Wow I’m surprised how many of you have sold off your cars. As said once sold it will be very hard to get back into one. Yes these cars have gone up in value. Not selling mine thou. Thought I wasn’t putting enough miles on mine at 1 to 2k a year. Feel good now. Unless you need the money don’t sell. If I could afford it I’d buy another. Got to say you see less and less aircooled porsches on the road. Been going on the thanksgiving drive since 2012 and it’s changed used to be all aircooled now it’s more water pumpers. On Long Island they’ve all disappeared. Locked in garages. It’s a shame. I just don’t understand. Seems like here on the island every fourth garage has some classic car that never sees the light of day!!!

I can't believe you guys.

My SC gets a decent run two or three times a week year round. So what if it gets dirty. It's fully insured so I just enjoy it.
I've owned it nearly 20 years and I still get a thrill when I get the up-shift from 2nd to 3rd just right.
In traffic almost everything is bigger & faster than my SC but I've never envied anyone regardless of what they're driving.

Quote from my eldest daughter. "It's impossible to be unhappy in this car".

Bingo. I can’t drive mine without a smile. It is insured and today is a PCA breakfast and tomorrow is the autocross. I love pushing hard through a corner and then nailing the throttle. Happy times.