I'm trying to think of a situation where the maintenance costs of any used car would equal the payments on a new car.

$300+ dollars a month. You can't spend that much to replace parts on a car. Even if you grenade a motor, over the life of your car loan it would still cost WAY less to keep a used car. Even if you choose to keep the Audi, it still saves money to keep the used car.

BTW That 86 is galvanized. A pretty good choice for corrosion resistance.

Wayne

My wife also stays, period. I'm with you there. Cars can always be replaced.

I think you are wise to sell the 911 (Nomex on).
It makes no sense to make interest payments on a lump taking up parking space. I wish you well.

Good point Quicksilver. My aunt drives me nuts with cars. She buys a brand new car every 5 years when her warranty ends. She gets killed in depreciation and always has to come up with $10,000 every 5 years to get the new model after her trade in. She says she does it because she is afraid she will now have to pay if something goes wrong. I explain to her that she would need to make over 2 grand in repairs every year for that logic to make sense.

Sorry if this is off the topic but if money is the key issue I would either stick with your Audi or trade for a beater Civic. I feel that fixing a used car will almost always be less expensive than buying a new one once you figure in taxes, interest, depreciation and the payment its self.

I was in your same boat Roamer several years back. I kept the Porsche and bought a Civic with 180,000 miles for $1000. I have had it 3.5 years and have stuck $700 into it. Those sedans your talking about will depreciate more than that by just driving them off the lot. The Civic also has zero problem with our Wisconsin winters. It sits out at night yet still starts every morning and it is great in the snow. For saving money nothing beats driving an old Honda or Toyota.

But then it looks like you don't choose to even drive the Porsche much (to work, to the store, for fun) and if you feel the lack of use will continue in the years to come, then by all means sell it. Paying high interest for a car you aren't using makes no sense at all. And don't be to hard on these guys. They all love their Porsche and are just trying to find a way to help you keep yours.

It may be that the Audi hangs on for a while, I was just looking for some thoughts on an eventual replacement.

However, I am a little dismayed by comments like this:

"Cranky, ey? You asked for advice, don't get all upset when you get it.

There are two conditions in your predicament that make any further discussion useless, #1 and #3. Next time you get a Porsche, make sure you pay for it outright, and always contemplate the possibility of divorce."

Are you kidding me? I thought I would have a reasoned discussion, not personal attacks, especially on my wife. If there are members of this board who value their car over their wife they need to take a long-hard look in the mirror. The point of my follow-up was to clarify my perspective and situation, which too many people were assuming it to be one way or the other. In hindsight, was purchasing a Porsche using a loan a poor decision, maybe, but it is the situation I face now and one I am forced to deal with one way or the other.

The goal is to find the best replacement for the least amount of money and still have some fun. That's the advice I was seeking, it's unfortunate that it has turned otherwise. Thank you to those who understand the situation and have offerred thoughtful advice.

Roamer,

I have a 2 year old, had my 86 Cab before she was born, and drove it every chance I could. My commute to work is 52 miles each way (Work in Denver, live in Fort Collins for you CO folks), I did that drive more than once in the snow in my cab, not the most enjoyable, but it was doable. My problem was the amount of miles I was putting on the 911, then I discovered 2 broken headstuds when doing a vavle adjustment. I made the decision to sell it, and get a car I could get in every day, turn the key, and zip off to work without worrying about destroying and that was still enjoyable enough to drive, not a tupperware appliance. I drove an Evo, an STI a couple of Audi's, you name it. I settled on the WRX for many factors, one being cost. I pay $14.00 for an oil change at the dealer. I have had it since May and its got 11,000 miles on it.

Did I take a hit on depreciation, yes I did. My Tahoe and GS are paid for, the Subaru and Volvo are leases. I can budget for the monthly payments every month, and not worry about gettign stuck with a huge repair bill. Plus, the peace of mind I have knowing my wife will get to daycare to drop my daughter off and then get to work safely.

I still put money away every month, so when the time is right, there will be another 911 in my garage, I just loved drving it too much....

Everyone is different. If I was in CA, there is no way I would have sold the 911, it makes sense to drive it everyday there, Upstate NY is different though.

This board is full of people that are very passionate about 911's, thats why we are here. When they tell you to keep it, don't take personal offense to it. Try finding forums for the types of cars you are looking at and read what tehy have to say, about reliability, what they pay etc.

Bill

Roamer, you are in a tough spot. I think a few guys are having a little fun here with your problem. Don't get p-----d-off we have all been in that situation one time or another. It's a just case of wants vs needs.

I'm a car/bike guy. It's my profession. I live, eat, drink, s--t performance cars and motorcycles 24-7. It's my crack. The sport and people keep me going when I have to get up @5am, travel 2hrs each way to work just to listen to other customers s--t about their cars. In short it drives me insane sometimes but it keeps me sane(sort-of)


My philosphy is: small house; big garage. Toys=personal satisfaction. Cars and motorcycles are my Heroin. My Zen is driving, riding and toying with my vehicles. My family understand this and have been really cooperative.

I don't do drugs, I barely drink, I come home everynight, I don't run around on my woman, I make a decent living so this is what I have left.
Maybe for you there is another alternative or comprimise?

Well ... it is too bad you didn't present the whole picture in your original post! Your 911 isn't an essential need, or you wouldn't be neglecting to use it!

I think it is a mistake to assume the '95 Audi isn't too long for this world ... unless you have more detailed info, such as a long list of existing problems that have been tolerated and ignored up to this point! Do some serious PM on the Audi, and I believe it will last another 10 years without major problems!

Sell the toy, maintain the Audi properly, and get back in the black financially ... and you may be in shape to get another toy sooner than you think!

Don't buy into the 'we can afford the payments game' the sales jerks try to con you with ... the Eddie Bauer special is/was probably killing you a lot worse than the 911 with respect to future obligated payments, total!!!

Good luck!

Roamer, people were trying to be helpful. As was previously said, if you had given us the whole picture the thread wouldn't have went the way it did.

You've been given sound financial advice here. Rethink the original strategy of selling your two cars and buying something like an R32. You'll be $35K out the door and then lose $20K in depreciation over 4 years. That's $5K/year plus the cost of financing. Putting $1K/year into the Audi is a heck of a lot cheaper. As previously said, if you want to drastically reduce expenses think long term and think of total cost. It took me a long time to learn that lesson.

I say keep the Audi. It's a known quantity. If you buy a used car who knows what problems lurk beneath. I would avoid cars like used S4s or even an A6 2.7T as the 2.7T has some known turbo issues that could be very costly. I suppose if you're dead set on a new car, you could always lease, but that doesn't really make much financial sense because you basically end up with nothing at the end of the lease term except a big hole in your pocket. But, you would have the benefit of a factory warranty and new car "reliability".

Well, maybe. My two happiest days of Audi ownership were the day I bought it ('97 A6 in 2000) and the day I sold it. Mine was a money pit, despite being very well maintained. Its only saving grace was that it had two years left on the warranty when I bought it. A small sample: new water pump at 30K miles, new rear brake calipers at 50k, new sunroof at 55k, new front struts and shocks at 60K, new rear pinion seal at 65K ... Arghhhh.

Thanks to the past three posts for re-establishing my belief in the this board and the reason I posted in the first place. Since this is a dark day for me, I was looking to set a goal toward something that will make it seem less so.

The Audi, while running strong, and very well maintained, is probably not too far from a clutch or tranny and the car eats wheel bearings (alignment and suspension are fine). I just sunk $1500 in it for head gaskets and I am not keen on another repair bill like that. Another Porsche is also in my future, that is guranteed, but will be done with excess capital, not excess salary.

As a new starting point, let's use 15k as a target given my equity in my two cars.

Thanks again guys.

I would go with a WRX wagon (finance it), ditching all three of the cars (911, Audi, Expolorer). If you need a second vehicle, get a used Honda Civic (pay cash)

same here.

I think I read your wife has an all wheel drive Forester and the Eddie Bauer is gone. That is great and my sister loves hers. Use that as your family and bad weather car.

Now for your car, and I know I'm going to get killed on this next one...how about a used Miata. A lot of people on here have said great things about them. They are a blast to drive with the top up or down. A few folks here even race their's.

So when the family takes a trip you use the Forester. If the wife is going part time you can take the Forester to work on bad weather days. The rest of the time you drive around in a sporty car with the top down for 5 months of the year. I also assume it gets great gas mileage and is reliable as it is made in Japan. Another option is a Honda del Sole. If you have to have a back seat to make life easier, what about a used WRX?

Miatas are great cars for people who are less than six feet tall.

Miata's are 2 seaters, that means third or toy car if you have a family. I agree with pulling your horns in and maintaining the Audi you own. Start making payments into a savings account so you'll have some cash to walk in with when (and if) the Audi gives out. Then buy the best car for your needs. Someday your situation will be different and you'll get another p-car. Buy that one for cash. You'll be much happier if you can do it that way.

Thanks for the thoughts, unfortunately it has to be AWD just to make it up my street and into the driveway some nights. I think we are pretty set on a Forrester for my wife (unless I can get a good deal on an Audi A6 Avant or A4 Avant) and hold out on my Audi a bit. The WRX is an option, but it seems mighty tight in there, which was why I was hesitant on the STI vs. the EVO or R32.

I second Brian - the BMW 325xi should work for you and you can get a reasonable deal on them.

A 3 year old A4 Quattro should be around $15K as well.

Roamer,

I am 6-4, and have plenty of room in the WRX. Listen to what Todd said and pick up a used WRX Wagon. They are cool.

Bill