It's Time to Move On

[SeaDweller]

Hi everyone,

As many of you know, I've been through the ringer with my car, what with the threat of a relocation (which is still looming), and other personal mumbo-jumbo. I’m sorry to say that my job is changing, and I’ve simply run out of time and resources to finish the “restoration” of the SC. This car is my daily driver, thus my primary source of transportation.

I’m meeting with company executives on a regular basis, and have been using my wife’s car, which is a juggling act. Taking executives out to lunch in a 25 year old car that rides like a go-cart just doesn’t cut the muster. This is really putting a crimp on my daily existence, so I really need to get a more civilized vehicle. Unfortunately, the tech recession has impacted my paycheck like thousands of others, so a second (third) car is not an option.

At this point, I need to seriously move on selling the SC. I realize the timing is poor, what with Porsche prices falling through the floor, but I don’t have the luxury of waiting for a recovery in pricing before I move on this. I don’t need to sell the car tomorrow, but I do need to have it sold before the end of the year. I’ve even considered trading up to a newer 911, which might provide the “civility” I’m looking for.

I guess what I’m looking for here is your advice on how to move forward, as I trust you guys implicitly. I’m not sure how to price the car, what to do with the hundreds of dollars in parts I’ve collected for the restoration, etc. I’ve got well over $20K in this thing, and I know I’m going to get punished financially, but I’d like to minimize my losses as much as possible.

I have these delusions of parting the car out, but I’m sure the dismantling, advertising, packaging, shipping, etc. would kill me. Besides, it's really too nice a car to part. I've even considered (gulp) eBay, but I'm not sure what the cost is, or whether it's worth the trouble.

You guys have always picked me up when I was mired in mud, and I thank each and every one of you for that. Porsche is in my blood now, and I don't anticipate being "Porscheless" for long!

Any advice would be most welcomed.........

[billwagnon]

just my opinion - spend the $8k you'd lose when you sell your 911 and get a trusty somewhat-shiny 'respectable' car.

[nostatic]

Not sure what "civility" you're looking for , but I doubt you'll find it in any 911 you could afford. If you need a back seat for shuttling lunch parties around, you're out of luck.

I don't know the particulars of your car, so I can't venture a pricing guess. I do know that you should probably forget what you've got into the car, because that money is gone. It's only worth what someone else will pay for it, and that generally has little to do with how much money you've spent.

It also depends on how much you need to impress work people with the car, and what your budget is. If money is tight, I guess sell the SC, but an Accord or Civic coming off lease and move forward. If money isn't so tight, why not keep the SC and pick up a used 4-door? If you were at all considering buying a newer 911 w/ your SC as a "trade in", you should be able to spend the same amount of money on a cheaper 4-door and keep your SC.

[Jdub]

Lay out all of the new parts and decide what, of these, must be put on the car to gain top dollar on sale. The remaining parts should be listed and sold.

Buy yourself a decent four-door BMW so that at least you have some sport driving in your life.

John

[NapTownSpeedy]

I can tell that this is tough on you. And I know that you are researching every option, but maybe the Pelicanheads can help to find alternatives. Preferably ones that have you keeping the SC.
RazorRacer recently had a similar persons in transit dilemma. There was a nice discussion on the BMW part of the board, as seen here BMW <$5K
Maybe if push came to shove you could pick up an E30 4 door for really cheap. Or, if I dare say, a used Tarus (everybody is cringing).
What ever you can do, even putting the SC in mothballs for a few months will help. Plus if you are going to sell it an take a bath, why not just drop the $3k on a 4 door shiny, but no fun, beater. Plus maybe then your bosses, prospective employers, will see you as frugle instead. That's not a bad quality to possess in the post bubble area, even if you're fiegning it.
Good luck and keep us informed,

[Joe Bob]

Park it, cancel the insurance and lease some 0% down four door with leather seats. YOU are not the only one going thru the recession. You can walk out the door in a couple of hours if you have reasonable credit.

Heck, the Cadillac dealers out in LALA land are begging for people to come in the door. Lease payments are tax deductable as a business expense.

If ya move to CA.....use it as a track car.

[Early_S_Man]

Michael,

My sympathy for the changing work assignment, but to be truthful, I see no relationship between your capabilities, productivity and performance in a new job ... to the vehicle you drive! And, as far as company executives go, any that make negative comments about your car may actually be envious of your ride! Or, perhaps the ececutive was just out of line with any comments ... because it is certainly no concern of theirs what you drive!

My suggestion is do do nothing at the present time concerning getting a more 'politically correct' car in the eyes of executives in your company! I say focus on your productivity in the new job, not what others think about your car! The reality is ... it isn't anyone's business but yours what you drive, and if comments have been made ... just ignore them or change the topic!

In my opinion, if you change cars to conform to other's views ... you will have given away your freedom, and the resentment such a change would cause internally ... wil ultimately undermine productivity on the job, and cause stress that is not conducive to a happy homr life, either! Some sacrifices to a job are NOT worth the dividend ... down the road, or in the future!

[JR Indy]

I went through a similar situation. I had a BMW 330 coupe, it wasn't effective for transporting more than one other person, I didn't like using it as a daily driver, and it wasn't as fun after a few months of ownership. So, by a respectable daily driver, enjoy the Porsche when you can. Everyone wins!!

[RickC]

Have a friend who just picked up a black on black 993 TT. Great car, but civilzed it ain't. The interior is the same size, the overall sound is a bit quieter inside, but it is still has a small sports car feel.

If you need to shuttle clients, I agree with the above and suggest a decent used 4-door or a good lease deal (or 2nd lease).

Try to hang the 911 if you can, even if you just have to park it for awhile.

[GB83SC]

Michael,
To list a car on Ebay does not cost that much, I have seen some SC's go in the mid-teens in the last couple of weeks.
You can always put the reserve where you have to be, and hope for the best. The exposure is well worth the money.
Ebay has become the largest seller of used car's in the country.
If you have no luck and you want something larger, I will trade you my 96 Tahoe LT 4 door

[targa911man]

At the risk of sacrilege, how about a well-kept 928? It's a Porsche, looks good to the general public, reasonable passenger room, and probably can be had for what you would get for the SC, or maybe you could keep both.

[HarryD]

For me, my "several trusty beaters for work" allow me to have the large car to transport folks (family) as needed and still have a car for fun. My beaters area '93 tarus and '96 windstar that are fully paid and other than routine maintence, haven't cost uch to keep on the road. Unless you are strapped for the cash, I owuld suggest you go the "beater" route and find a car for your every day needs and keep the 911 for fun.

In a past life, my ride was a spitfire but when I got married, I needed a larger car. Instead of just getting another car, I foolishly sold the spit. Looking back, I miised many years of low cost driving pleasure. Don't make thesame mistake.

[derek murray]

i agree with early s man.

i have two other partners in my firm. one drives a 2000 maxima, the other a 2002 altima. if given the chance everyone wants to ride in my 32 year old burningoilsittingontheheat exchangerrunningrichgassmellin car. the car is a reflection of my interests and personality but by no means has any bearing on my professional work. admittedly i am in a design profession, which sometimes means we can get away with a few eccentricities. you should revel in the things that interest you... as it makes you a much more interesting person.

if its a cash issue... ignore the long haired rant... and do what feels right.... the ebay thing may not be a bad idea... with all the work and extra parts it might just start a bidding frenzy.

best of luck

[paintinmotion]

just park the sc and forget about it for a while ... hide it from your wife ... let those guys drive you instead .... i suspect your wife is the problem here because she sees no reason for the porsche which she obviously ain't driving .... in any event just get another ride - rides are cheap ... and if you just refuse to sell the sc or keep procrastinating either you will lose your wife or the problem will resolve itself of its own accord.....

[SeaDweller]

Thanks for the input so far everyone........I'm not trying to impress my company executives (I'm an executive myself ), or anyone for that matter, but it's been difficult managing business with a track car.

When I meet with strategic clients, and it's time to go to lunch, I'm in an odd position. Sure, folks love to ride in the Porsche, but it's simply not the type of car I can successfully do business with. Again, I've been using my wife's car, but with my son now in soccer, baseball, karate, tennis, and every other support except curling , the car situation has become tenuous at best.

Another issue I face is bringing a car with no emissions into CA. This is a tough one to get around. I've investigated this heavily before, as I've been facing a possible relocation for the past year and a half, and I can't figure an easy way around it.

I'm still listening!!!

[jester911]

Well I don't know if you own a house but if you are selling your house to move to Ca. maybe you could squeeze a little cash from the sale and buy an old beater 4 door. If you need to justify with the wife, just tell her the truth about the depressed p-car market and that you will be losing money selling it now. Then you like the other guys say , you park it, maybe sell a few of the parts cancel insurance if need be and everybody wins.
anyway good luck

[Jim T]

Originally posted by SeaDweller
Thanks for the input so far everyone........I'm not trying to impress my company executives (I'm an executive myself ), or anyone for that matter, but it's been difficult managing business with a track car.

When I meet with strategic clients, and it's time to go to lunch, I'm in an odd position. Sure, folks love to ride in the Porsche, but it's simply not the type of car I can successfully do business with. Again, I've been using my wife's car, but with my son now in soccer, baseball, karate, tennis, and every other support except curling , the car situation has become tenuous at best.

Another issue I face is bringing a car with no emissions into CA. This is a tough one to get around. I've investigated this heavily before, as I've been facing a possible relocation for the past year and a half, and I can't figure an easy way around it.

I'm still listening!!!

Based on everything you've said, the answer seems pretty clear to just sell the car. I wouldn't part it out - too much hassle and you sound like you don't have the time. Probably take a year to do that, during which time you have a carcass somewhere around your house.

You'll have problems getting that car registered in California. When you get here, you won't have a problem finding another one to replace the one you have.

[thabaer]

Well, as much as the euro SC contigent here on the board may feel betrayed , reality is a harsh concept.

If you are heading to N.CA and expect to play in the Sierras when it snows, I'd recommend finding a 92-96 S4/S6 quattro. You can even get a wagon to satisfy the need to haul a pile of curling gear. The ur-Ses are respectable-looking Q-ships, chip one and you go from 227 hp to 280 hp & 300+ ft-lbs (you might feel less deprived after letting go of the SC). If the stock suspension strikes you as soft there are sport shock and spring options availble, although it won't quite get you back to 2700lbs and light-nosed

[Don Wohlfarth]

SeaD, in your situation the only thing that makes sense is to sell the SC.
You've got enough stuff going on with the need for a back seat , selling your house, a move across country, finding a place to live, that you don't need the aggravation of trying to pass emissions in CA.
Sell the car, do what you have to do and buy another one next year. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.

[epbrown]

I agree with others that say to sell the SC. In your situation, I'd sell the SC and take the loss, but minimize if by getting a nice mid-to-late 80s Bimmer, a 4-door 3-series or even a 5-series. They're reasonably priced and almost as fun to drive while being a bit more practical, and coming back with some money left over will please the spousal unit.

Besides, the SCWDP is based on the longevity of the cars - long after the lesser 911s have rusted away or been parted out (notice how many of us are preserving 3.6L engines for posterity), you'll be able to get another SC .

Emanuel