I'm having a weak moment..HELP!

[Dtchy]

Alright fellow Pelicans,

Yes, as the title states, I'm having a weak moment.

I recently put my car up for sale on CL and on this board. Buttttttt, I'm already having seller's remorse before I even sold the car.

I love this car so much, every minute I'm driving it. It's my first car ever and I purchased it in 2005 with 117k on the clock. It's about to turn 170k and it has yet to leave me stranded (knock on wood). I did so much to this car that I know it inside out.

In the last few months I've been wanting a newer faster car and I've been lurking around at 968's, but today after reading some old Excellence articles about other people who desire their cars so much and bring old cars back to life (mostly 911's though) I just don't know if I can do it...selling my 944 that is.
I've always said that I would have my first 911 before I hit 30 (that gives me another 3 years), so technically I could keep the 944 a little longer. But what I would like to do to it if I do is:
- Put a fresh guards red paint job on it. These cars look just stunning when freshly painted.
- Fix the oil pan gasket leak
- Refreshen the fuel system (as in lines and injector cleaning)
- Ideally recover the interior
- and the list goes on...

I know at least one of you must have been in my situation. We all know the power of the 944na isn't really cutting it, but other from a bad AC this car runs friggin smooth.

I could slap another $3k or so to the car incl paint job and just keep it, save money and buy that 911 in a couple of years. I've already put so much money into this car on (preventive) maintenance that it doesn't metter to me anymore if I decide to keep it. It's all sentimental value.

OR I could sell it as is and put the money in a faster, newer 968.

Please help me out here guys...

OT: I typed this in a semi-sober state

[TibetanT]

Why not have the best of both worlds? That is what I decided a long time ago.

Drive the 944 daily and when I have a need for speed...get behind the wheel of the 911 on the track. Not only that, when Winter sets in the 944 still gives me the Porsche "fix" when needed.

Keep your 944 or you will regret it IMHO....that is what my wife tells me all the time.

[John_AZ]

Keep it for the next year and buy a Cayman S. Why begin again with a 20 year old car? You will find bargains when the unemployment gets to 10.3% (actual projected near 20% if you add people who just don't apply and are underemployed like actors waiting tables).

Additionally, why put $3K more in when you plan to sell if you are happy now? At 175K on the odometer the blue book doesn't look at fancy paint and seat covers.

I occasionaly have brilliant ideas in an altered state .

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S 58K + 1987 924S 112K

[Dave L]

I promised myself to own a Porsche by 30 (which I did), I didnt get hung up on the 911 and was really happy to get a primo 944 and then later the 944S. I have done a little to my car and any mods I have done, sway bars, suspension, wheels etc are easily removed and replaced back to stock if I WANTED to sell it.

Unless the paint is really bad I would leave it, maybe bring it into a pro detailer and see if they can bring the paint back with rubbing compound and polish.

For the interior; Why not get some nice seats? put the old ones in storage and slap in some nice sport seats or aftermarket seats. A dash cap is cheap (if required). I also added on a decent stereo and speakers and a small sub which really makes it fun. Seats, dash and stereo will make the car feel like new IMHO.

I have put a bit of money into my car but I love it and I really do get excited when I drive it. When I consider my other cars depeciation the 944 is still the least expensive to own of my 3 cars. At this point I would buy a Boxster if I had the extra cash (and a paid off mortgage) as a fun sunday drive type car but the 944S will always be the "track" car

[Dave L]

just looked at your for sale ad, Its a really nice car! DOnt sell it.

One thing I did to my car that made the biggest difference was getting the AC fixed. I used to dread sticking to those damn black leather seats but with the AC pumping it really made it comfortable and pleasure to drive.

[Dtchy]

Thanks guys...Yes, maybe I should just keep it.

Dave, your point about the AC is a good one. The SoCal summers are just unbearable without AC, but I just keep procrastinating to fix the AC.

The interior is actually really nice. I have a velour dash cover. That's the only down side. I have wetokole-ish seat covers that fit unbelievably well. But I have thought about putting in a set of Corbeau's.

One thing I really do want is get it painted. It looks like the car has had a partial repaint in the past. In the evening you can see a clear color difference between the hood/headlight covers and the rest of the car. I think when I have it painted and it looks all shiny, it'll make a huge difference.

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by Dtchy

Thanks guys...Yes, maybe I should just keep it.

Dave, your point about the AC is a good one. The SoCal summers are just unbearable without AC, but I just keep procrastinating to fix the AC. .

Do you know what wrong with the AC? on mine I had a couple of leaks so they replaced some O rings and filled it up. The repair wasnt TOO expensive but the difference was night and day, 1000% worth it. I cant imagine driving in Cali without AC

[Dtchy]

Originally Posted by Dave L

Do you know what wrong with the AC? on mine I had a couple of leaks so they replaced some O rings and filled it up. The repair wasnt TOO expensive but the difference was night and day, 1000% worth it. I cant imagine driving in Cali without AC

Not sure...I can see bubbles through the inspection glass when it's turned on. Also, the car tends to overheat in very hot weather when sitting in traffic with the AC on. I'm not sure what that's all about...

It basically keeps on switching on/off which is a sign that it's low on freon. It does blow cool air from the vents, but not enough to make a huge difference.

[TibetanT]

Overheating?? When was the last time your timing belt, balance shaft belt, water pump, seals and thermostat changed? Also check the belts to the alternator and power steering if you have PS.

[Dtchy]

Originally Posted by TibetanT

Overheating?? When was the last time your timing belt, balance shaft belt, water pump, seals and thermostat changed? Also check the belts to the alternator and power steering if you have PS.

I changed the TB and BB 18000mi ago, WP and rollers 48000mi ago. I plan on doing the WP and rollers next belt change again.

I never changed the alternator and PS belts, just tightened them. Yes, I need to replace these too. I just can't see why the car would tend to get hot with AC, unless the compressor is binding.
AC off, the car runs like a champ and NEVER gets hot.

[Ga 951]

bubbles in the reciever dryer window definetley mean the sys needs a charge.

Re the overheating issue, are both radiator fans working w/ the compressor on? I'm cerainly no expert, but on other cars I have owned, both should be working with A/C on

[bland vanilla]

For what it's worth I have had 6 911's (7 if you count having the 91 C4 twice) in the time I have owned the one 944. They are great cars no doubt but for some reason I have never been able to sell the 944. It fits two sets of golf clubs, stuff from Home Depot, etc too well and is just a cool little car. It now resides in a heated garage while our M3 sits in the elements.

Steve

[ScoobySteve]

To the OP...

I saw your original post and resisted the urge to reply. I thought I'd wait a few days for you to come to your senses.

Anyhow, we're both of similar age so I thought I'd share some of my experiences. I got my 944 when I was 17, so I've had it for quite a while. Right about the 2-3 year mark I started getting the itch -- the insatiable urge to get something newer and faster. I looked at a few 968s, and actually looked at a few other cars.

Eventually (thought it took few more years) I ended up buying a Subaru WRX. But, I ended up keeping the 944. It's low price was both a blessing and a curse -- I couldn't sell it for much (at least not in comparison with the price of the Subaru) but that also meant that keeping it wasn't that much of a burden.

Now, I'm really glad I didn't sell the 944. As weekend, nice-day only car I enjoy it a lot more -- shortcomings and all. By learning how to work on cars, the financial burden of maintenance is minimized. Also, the car is now of the age where it's shortcomings are more akin to "nostalgic charm."

My advice to you is to keep the car but find a way to move it to weekend-obsession status. I have a feeling, like me, you'll enjoy the car a lot more that way You mentioned before that you lack the resources for that but given 944 prices I'm not sure that's true. In my case, my car insurance is actually cheaper with both cars than just one.

[Dtchy]

Originally Posted by ScoobySteve

To the OP...

[story]....

Thanks Steve, yes, this shines a different light on things. I'm in exactly the same boat you were in at the time.

Although space is an issue, I'm going to find a way to keep the 944 and buy a newer vehicle to keep as a DD. I would love to have an AWD vehicle and a Porsche. So since I'll be keeping the 944, the 968 is out of the question and I'm more looking at an Audi Quattro, preferably an A4/A6 Avant.

Man, all you guys are great! Thanks!

[HondaDustR]

good for you!
Personally, I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I lost/got rid of mine. It's not the fastest car on the block, but it's so much fun to drive, and so easy to work on compared to anything newer, and it's got loads of character that most cars today lack.

[Dtchy]

I deleted all my online ads...

[ScoobySteve]

Originally Posted by Dtchy

I deleted all my online ads...

Don't you feel 100% better?

[Dtchy]

Man, it's great. I'm telling you. I'm actually excited again to work on it and stuff. I'm not sure where that stupid brain spin came from...