Emotional Attachment Disease??

[Jandrews]

A recent post from Henry in the classifieds section (a wicked motor for a great price), along with a lot of recent posts in this forum regarding big investments for somewhat marginal results got me thinking...

I have a '73 2.4S that is built to 2.7RS specs with MFI and I have over $10,000 in that motor doing all of the rebuild labor myself. All told, I probably have over $40K invested in my car and it might be worth $15K. Worst of all, it is nowhere near perfect and in fact is nowhere even near complete!

Let's break it down a little to see what I am talking about...

My car is a '70E coupe, with the above mentioned '73 RS motor. The motor is completely rebuilt from the crank out with machine work done by Ollie's, boattailed mains, mooncut cylinders, knife-edged crank, reconditioned rods, RSR rocker seals, Raceware rod bolts, oil bypass mod, Webcams "S" cams, German Precision headwork, has all new MFI, new RS distributor, etc... and Dansk two in one out muffler mounted on high-temp coated heat exchangers. Everything is powdercoated and shiny.

It has a '71 911/01 transmission that has all new synchros and new aluminum clutch and shifts great. There is a front mounted Mocal oil cooler with AN fittings and hose. The car has RSR/IROC bodywork with steel flares and fiberglass bumpers, and U.S. spec H4's all in Guards red. The inside is a simple stripped stock, with a Momo wheel and lightweight carpet. All sound deadening has been removed. The engine compartment is POR15'd and all electrical and peripherals have been taken apart, cleaned and detailed. Again, all simple and clean and basic. Wheels and tires are currently a non-period correct set of C2 turbo wheels from a '92 and 275 and 245/17's. Eventually plan to go with Lindsey 17" custom Fuchs.

As for suspension... I have alloy S calipers up front with Porterfield sport pads, with 23mm torsions and a 19mm through body sway bar. Also new master cylinder and new rubber brake lines as well as new fuel lines. Bilstein struts and a camber brace. All original bushings currently being replaced with Elephant polybronze. In the rear, 31mm torsions, Bilstein shocks and a 19mm sway bar. Non adjustable swing plates, again with old bushings.

The car is in generally very good condition, and is a real headturner. But after 10 years on the bodywork, I am beginning to get some rust. Yes, the usual areas are starting to bubble, the door jamb, lower rear of front fender, and some behind and below the rain gutter in the engine compartment. The gas tank has been boiled out and resealed and painted, and all airconditioning removed. The tub appears still rust free, but has a few nice dents in the underside from who knows what. The front suspension pan is also starting to show some rust.

Bottom line, I have done a lot to it, but there is a lot more to do. And it seems that with the early signs of rust, it is two steps forward and one step back. A neverending work in progress.

I guess the point to all of this rambling, is that I keep thinking that there is some inherent value in dumping money into a car with a known history. The truth is that I could have a nice 993 for this money, and have something that is just as fast, more reliable, arguably better looks, little risk of rust, and much improved technology. Ok, sure, it won't have that RS MFI wail, but $40K is a lot to pay for that music.

The sentiment behind the subject line of this post is that people get emotionally attached to the car they have, instead of looking realistically what the same money could buy. Hi, my name is John, and I am a Porscheholic!!!

Thanks for listening.


JA

[Oldporsche]

Some Porsche owners that I know of, just own them, lots of them.

I'm in the possession of 4 at the moments.

Hi, my name is David, I'm a Porscheholic.

David Duffield

[Kurt B]

I think that's pretty much the case. Most people here have been smitten by the look of these cars; esp when lowered, the full wheel wells filled as much as possible. From the front, at a slight angle, you just can't beat it. It's nothing like any other car with that low hood and the two lights--and from yoru end, the engine is probably someplace people would feel comfortable cooking a few hot dogs.
I'm jealous, but I'll get there.

I wanted to get out of the money dumping game, so I got the white one with the promise to my girlfriend I'd just leave both of them alone.
This has not worked. I still drive the 84 every day and never grow tired of it--even in 1 hour of traffic on the 405. My clutch leg is an unstoppable force of muscle after all these years.
Sounds like you have one hell of a car.
You could have a 993. I think at times that if i got a 993, I'd be more into it than i am into the 91.

The 91 is definitely a real arse kicker power wise, and the handling is effortless, but it ain't the same as the rumbling, bumpy, loud ride in the 84; and I refuse to change anything about the 91 to make it meaner. It's going to just stay stock. There are times when I have a passenger and want a porsche ride without the smell of burnt oil coming in the heat vents when I come to a sudden stop (smells great to me).
I have a toolset in the trunk with everything I'd need for a roadside repair.
I know where everything is as well.

I think for me, I am going to make a few more changes on the red one then stop. I'm going to take off the door handles and paint them flat black as they should be (I took em off and painted em red but after deciding I didn't like it, never stripped em and redid em). I'm also going to replace either the back window or the top one final time.
Probably find a way to redo the seats and interior again as well.
Then fix all of the wiring I'm sick of looking at--like the heater stuff in my other post.
Then, maybe put back AC from another car.
THEN THAT'S IT.
Until I finally pull the engine and rebuild it.

I have twice as much into the red one as I'll ever have in the other one.

[anthony]

First, adding it all up is counter productive in my opinion. I prefer to look at the upgrades as maintenance and cost of ownership rather than "what I have into the car". It's less depressing that way and probably more accurate.

My only advice for people is that if your car isn't a keeper then resist all the possible upgrades and just drive it stock.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Jandrews
John, and I am a Porscheholic!!!

Thanks for listening.


JA

Hi, my name is David, I'm a Porscheholic.

Hi, I'm Milt, aka Zeke, and I get high on rust dust. I'm a rustaholic. Now where's that 356? I'm just stupid crazy about Porsches.

Now, what's this all about? I'd put all that equipment into something that most people would run from.

[ScottKelly911]

I've got over 40k into my car also and it is nowhere even close to done. From time to time I start thinking about how I could have a used 993 or 996 for what I've put into my car, but then I have to remember, I couldn't have spread it out over the time like I have. I'd either have a monthly car note which is more predictable but you don't get that same exillirating feeling as not having to pay anything more than gas for a few months and then suddenly having to drop $1500 into it without any advance notice. Wait, hmmm...let me try this again...You'd have a car note every month or have to come up with that $40k at once. Neither of which do I want any part of.

I am Scott Kelly and I am a Porscheholic

[A.T.]

Everybody said, "Don't get a fixer upper." I thought, "Of course not. Do I look that stupid?"

Where were those guys when I stumbled across the poor neglected little '69S coupe with factory roll bar and Reccaro sport seats that stole my heart. One look at the curve of those rear fenders and I was trapped in it's gravitational pull.

A closer look at the front alignment though led to a new front suspension pan, other rust repairs, a full paint job etc. A further examination of an annoying oil leak and accompanying burnt oil smell evolved into a "full" engine rebuild. Apparently "full" doesn't neccessarily include the fuel delivery or ignition systems. Those are next on the list.

When I get really bummed out I have another look at the opening sequence of my LeMans DVD and immediately begin dreaming about the day that my 911 will look and run like that.

But I'm not a Porscheholic. I'm not. Really. Am not. Nope. Not me. No sir. No way. Nope. Not. Not. Not. Not. Not.

All right. Am.

I too have moments of, "Hey! Wait a minute. I could own a kick butt 993 for what I've dumped into this thing." Fortunately for me a friend ran out and bought a 993 cab after a short ride with me in my '69 coupe. It's been less than a year and he already wants to sell it. He's probably going to take a hit of about 15k.

(That's part of the disease too, justifying your addiction over someone elses.)

Hi. My name is Andy. I am a Porscheholic.

[flyenby]

Had a red 84 factory turbo look,with 37k miles color from factory was ferrari red, (custom ordered) blk leather sport seats owned for 12 years ,spold it last year got a 97c2S, the new cars is not as much fun as the 84, and a lot more complex, miss my old car, major mistake......
old cars are much more fun to drive.............

[al lkosmal]

All Porsches cost the same amount.

[Rufblackbird]

I'm right behind David, with 3 of them right now, but two in the papers for a week since brother's buying a car and need the space (and sanity).

Hi, my name is Jeff Yang and I'm a Porscheholic.

[Walko]

I am not a porscheaholic.
I have three 911s one I have 25 in one owes me 18
The last one I stopped counting at 150K (74 911 Race)
I know these are aussie dollars so in US Terms i think that would equate to 70 cents in the dollar.

I do have the I WANT I WANT problem

I am looking at buying a road car becuse i want Air cond and no rollcage I do an hour each way commute and i love every minute of it. I am not addicted to porsches well maybe a little bit

I would suggest That none of us are porscheacholics but rather passionate about ouyr rides

Michael
74 911 race car still road registered 8 motors & 9 g/boxes
69 911
71 911E In bits

[RSBob]

Al nailed it.

If we are all truly rational beings none of us would own these cars - but being rational is completely overrated.

My Name is RSBob and I too am a non-recovering Porscheholic. Now can we talk about HP and lightening?

[Les Paul]

I've had my 930 for almost 20 years. It's a 76 so naturally I did all the upgrades to the brakes and suspension in the late 80's. Of course the K-27 big IC, microfueler, then a 3.2, cams, Ruf spoilers, this, that, and here I am. over 65k in it. In February it gets it first complete repaint. The body is perfect, the interior is perfect. So I'll have over 70k in it.
I got the car when my daughter was 3 she learned to drive it at 13 because it was the only car that we could slide the seat up far enough for her to reach the pedals. She is going to be 23 soon and when her husband gets out of med school they are going to buy a turbo. My son is 16. We brought him home from the hospital in it. I guess what I'm trying to say is the money doesn't matter. Porshes are a state of mind.

[Walko]

So how do i put a 3.6 turbo in the 74

Michael

I need to go faster

[RSBob]

Step 1. Find a size 96 shoe horn...
Step 2. Coat engine with lots of butter
Step 3. Watch your fingers

[A.T.]

Michael

You're just "hyperwantilating". I get that too.

A.T.

[Jandrews]

I'm with Al... all Porsche's cost the same!

Part of the intent of this post was to encourage people to consider alternatives before pouring tens of thousands into the car they have now, as opposed to selling it and buying one that is already done. While that sounds like wisdom, the truth is that they are NEVER done. You could buy an amazing 930 for $40K, but then the craziness just starts all over again. Gotta go through the brakes, the suspension, the interior, maybe a few engine goodies... and before you know it, now you have $60K in your 930.

Or look at someone else's hotrod. That seems like a good idea, and I still think it is a good idea to consider someone else's sunk investment instead of throwing double those dollars at your own car. Problem is, it is the devil you know vs the devil you don't know, so we all jump in head first on our own project.

I like my car, and I think it has a good foundation with the '70E chassis and the 2.4S engine (now 2.7RS). The body work is quality, and there are quality parts all through. While I fantasize about a 993, the truth is that I would probably get bored with it and sell it or begin dumping the cubic dollars into it as well.

Now where did I leave that Porsche cocktail...

Signed... a true Porscheholic!


JA

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I knew I had a serious addiction when I quit a good job to start a new company that my partner and I are self-capitlizing, but kept buying parts for the cars! Irresponsible doesn't begin to describe it.

rarely do I ever think about the money or time I put into these things but the sheer joy of:
simple to complex maintenance (put a new fender on the 84 recently or complete suspension rehab)

building a car from scratch (track car will be "done" in February)

the value of having a known quantity (hand-stripping the front trunk of the E and painting with POR15)

Interacting with the fine community here on Pelican Parts, tech forum and classifieds

but best of all,

Going out for a long drive after work or your first DE or having the top off on a beautiful day but when the temp might reach 40F

and the list goes on.

[nostatic]

Life is too short to make all of your decisions "rational". I've done that for too long but no more. Screw it. I have sunk more money into my car in the last year than it cost to buy it. I have been on the track 7 times this year (and hopefully one more in December), and next year hope to get my STS license. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of the finest people I know on this board (both in person and electronically). I drive my car every day, and it always makes me smile.

hmm...maybe it is rational to own it.

[Walko]

I have a interesting job where all day I sit and look at the internet
I do have to work for 2 months of teh year
the rest of the time is just seeing what new ways I can spend money on the toys.
Addiction No passion yes.

The best part of the day is the drive home.

I want another shiny thing
Look look shiny things

All said we are lucky that we can afford to have hobbies like this and no be stressed about the cost.

That is not to say I would not like a new 997 however I cant justify the purchase as I would know that I would modify it.

Michael