Be patient or be preventative?

Porsche virgin · 03-17-2006, 07:21 AM

I'm selling my Miata in a couple of weeks and will have some extra cash available. (Around $2k)

Should I:
A) Invest now in items that will inevitably break down, such as a new fuel pump, starter, alternator, bushings, a perma-tune ignition, etc?

Or

B) Put the money aside and keep it for the problems that will eventually arise.

Or

C) Say screw it all and buy a set of Lindsey Fuchs!

Background on the car:
1984 911 with 109k miles.
Rebuilt trans with new clutch a couple of years ago (PO).
Never-opened engine that doesn't burn much oil.

Background on me:
I hate surprises. I don't want to get stranded.
I autox the car and intend to start doing DE events this year.
Not used often as an around-town car.

Thanks.

Huh · 03-17-2006, 07:29 AM

Save it. Wheels are overrated. To me it seems that is all the people today are looking for is another set of rims. If you like your car as is save the money for future problems. It is definitely more expensive than your miata for maintenance. I have about 2K for any problems.

LakeCleElum · 03-17-2006, 07:35 AM

Suspension upgrade.....

pieterk · 03-17-2006, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Porsche virgin

I hate surprises. I don't want to get stranded.
I autox the car and intend to start doing DE events this year.
Not used often as an around-town car.

Sounds like you sort of answered your own question.

Skip the wheels, combine A and B*, and you're set!

* I.e., pre-emptively buy some parts you know you'll need, keep for later or install now; or, wait to see what breaks first and then replace with your $2k savings.

GothingNC · 03-17-2006, 07:48 AM

I would save the money.

You don't want to spend all your extra cash on the expensive spare parts and then need a different expensive part that was not planned for ends up needing replacement.

I just keep spare maint pieces around, plugs, cap, rotor, fluids, relay's etc.

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

Save it. You never know if you will need it on stuff which will eventually die, or (heaven forbid) your engine bites the big one.

vash · vash's Garage

actually in the big picture what is the difference between saving $100 in a bank account/pillow case, and storing away a $100 dollar part? save the cash. it is easier to cover unforseen issues, with money than with random parts. hell, you are halfway to maxing out your roth IRA with that 2k. you got till april.

Porsche virgin · 03-17-2006, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the opinions.

Suspension upgrades would be fun, but won't help me if I'm stuck on the side of the road!

I was thinking that a new fuel pump would be a worthwhile upgrade. I would rather spend $200 for a new pump than $200 for a flat-bed to take me to the nearest P-car shop! I could then keep the rest for a rainy day.

Although a new set of sway bars would be fun. I think I'll take a gander at the Pelican catalog...

Wickd89 · 03-17-2006, 10:29 AM

Spend 1/2 of preventitive maintainance (upgrades or replacement parts). Having a reliable car and making it run as strong as it was intended to (plugs, wires, filters, bushings, etc) is more important that cosmetics to me.

defcon65 · 03-17-2006, 12:47 PM

AAA membership and save the rest of the dough. Don't buy spare parts you think will break down; it will just hurt the car's feelings and make something completely unrelated go bad.

Zef · Zef's Garage

Yea...Save the money and take the time to think about what will be the next thing to be replaced...

Porsche virgin · 03-17-2006, 12:51 PM

The LAST thing I want to do is hurt her feelings! Although she'll probably forgive me when I take her out to play!

cbeers · 03-17-2006, 12:54 PM

My '87 fuel pump lasted until 168k miles, so you can probably just keep on going!

I agree, stash the cash away, make a little money on your money and then when you REALLY need it, it's there

Just my $0.02...

-Chris

York · 03-17-2006, 02:04 PM

Hey, I have a '91 Miata that I am about to sell to a friend. Great car, but not a 911 by any stretch. I say spend half of your money on fun stuff for your car and save the rest for when you need it.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Porsche virgin

buy the club you AX with a new cone, because you are about to KILL that one in that photo....

cbeers · 03-17-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

buy the club you AX with a new cone, because you are about to KILL that one in that photo....

No way!

Look at the lean, sliding out, away from the cone.

Perfect!

-Chris

mede8er · mede8er's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by LakeCleElum
Suspension upgrade.....

Yep...and AAA membership for if you get stranded....

BTW...did you hit that cone.....

Jim Sims · 03-17-2006, 06:18 PM

Having seen the price of many Porsche parts triple in cost in the last five years (for example 915 synchro rings from $20 to $60 - not many investments have done that well) I vote for stockpiling parts/preventative maintenance if you plan on keeping the car any significant amount of time.

Porsche virgin · 03-18-2006, 03:31 AM

I think I will end up putting a couple of hundred bucks into toys, and then stashing the rest away for the suprises along the way.

Hey k911sc, You want to see some bad driving? This is me just after a spin in my Miata. Notice that I am still "looking ahead!"

I don't remember if I hit the cone! Honestly!