I need help before I spend big $$
 

I got bitten by the Cayman bug, but at $50,000 and $20K of loaded up options, I ain't infected yet. I need to lay down and let it pass; and also to renew my interest in the 911SC by spending a little money on it.

What do you say to ...

Ripping out the old (but useful) tan interior, replacing with black pylon carpet and RS door panels. Throwing out the center consol in the process. Get some decent racing seats and install a cross bar with 5 point harness belts. Then ditch all the extra weight with the back seats, all the AC crap.

How about a 7:31 ring and pinion swap in the transmission? Might help to shorten up all your gears and give you a little more push backwards into the seat upon acceleration. Then do the interior cosmetic stuff.

Here is a great article on the 7:31 ring and pinion swap:
http://www.dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?p=67135#post67135

Rich

Sell the Beemer and the Lexus 300, buy a used Cayman S with low miles for 60 G's already loaded up. Gut the SC for a track car or add it in with the other two and sell all three cars.

Gutting the SC and putting track equipment in it for use on the track is one thing, but doing it for the sake of doing it then keeping it a street car seems to me to be a waste of your cash.

By thinning your herd, you'd have the 308 for fun street drives, the Cayman can be both street and occaisional track and the other Lexus for (presumably) the other driver in your home.

yelcab1,

Aah yes, back to a REAL lightweight classic sportscar. This is the beauty of a 911 – you can make it anything you want, just pick from the buffet of Porsche and aftermarket parts.

What sort of home workshop can you develop? Do you have or willing to learn the skills? Can you make the time? Make yourself a budget – double it.

There are few things as satisfying as building YOUR own 911.

Best,
Grady

PS; find a good home for your interior and transfer it directly from one 911 to the other. Interior panels don’t like to be off a car.
G.

Thinning the herd is not an option. The teenager now drives the 10 year old Lexus, and the Spousal unit (AKA non-maskable interrupt for you firmware writers) drives the brand new Lexus. The M3 is my only car with a working AC and I need that. Can't get rid of the Porsche that would be silly. The Ferrari, well, it's a Ferrari.

I have all the skills and home workshop tools for any challenge, including a little welding. I just need to figure out what to do.

I don't know why anyone would want to spend that kind of money on a brand new car, when they could easily fritter it away on fixing up an old one...

Well said Randy. Let’s see … spend $90k (optioned, tax, insurance), watch the depreciation (and more tax & insurance) for a few years and you have … a good used Cayman.

I’m sure your years of tinkering to the extreme detail were worth far more and cost less. We all appreciate it is the process and the product.


Rich, I like short gears in general. The difficulties with the 7:31 exchange is first gear is already too low (with 8:31) for my taste and the lower R&P exacerbates the issue. With a big displacement engine (3.0 and more) longevity becomes an issue.

Yes, the 7:31 is a cost-effective method of shortening all the gears. Yes, 915 race gear ratios are expensive and difficult to find. Yes, I would custom gear a 915.

Best,
Grady

If you can...wait a few years for the Caymans...The same thing than the Boxter (depreciation) will happen...!

"non-maskable interrupt"

- That hilarious! I'll have to remember that one...

Randy, I'm LOL here. BTW, have I ever mentioned that NOTHING Porsche makes today interests me? ;) Still..one must pay proper respect to one willing to spend nearly 6 figures for an entry level car...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1182564180.jpg

Other than that, I'm not gonna say more about how I feel about this thread...:rolleyes:

What upgrades do you have on the SC? If none, throw on a set of SSIs, upgrade the pistons, high performance cams, 22/28 torsion bars, tarrett or smart racing sway bars, 8x9 fuchs, etc....there is a ton of stuff out there that can quickly deplete your budget. Build a HOT ROD! How bout backdatin to a RSR? Throw a 3.6 liter in there...Something about no power steering, no power assist brakes, and a mechanical tranny that keeps classic 911 owners comin back for more...you will have a pretty slick, but light weight car that will more than put a smile on your face. I think you will be pretty happy with the results. If you are looking to take on a really fun project, you already have the platform to start. Your kid may enjoy it as well. Don't spend any money yet on the interior. That will not make you as happy. Do some serious research, as it looks as if you have started.

Just out of curiosity, what are you looking for and why? Something with go fast mods or just a daily driver that is well prep'd from the factory?

I agree that it may be better to wait and buy a cayman later...there are a ton of other options that will fit the bill if you dont want to upgrade the SC. Besides, if you are just itchin to get a new P-car, buy a 993. At least it will retain most of its value. You can get a serious and well prep'd 993 for much less than what you would spend on a slightly used cayman S. You may even be able to find a 993 turbo...talk about a serious sports car...chip and exhaust can push serious HP...will be much faster than anything else that is available for the money...

Stay in a 911 based car, don't get a boxster or cayman. If history is any indicator, a 911 is a much better purchase than a cayman. My $.02, but I am sure that others may disagree. For those that do, its just an opinion. Not right or wrong. There will always be a market for a 911, just look at this forum!