Why you bought a 911.

[ikarcuaso]

Like many here, the 911 was my dream car as a kid, and "some day" was a long time mantra while growing up. The thought of a purchase remained on the shelf through college, marriage, kids, etc.

Josh, the mechanic that my wife's family used for many years had owned and raced P-cars since the 356, and I would always see a few air-coolers that he owned whenever I went to his shop. In addition, as a wrench, he gained my trust and confidence with his honesty, integrity, fair pricing, etc. After a semi-dispute one time, after which I thought I likely might not use him again, he proved to me how much he valued me as a customer and person and how important my satisfaction and understanding was to him. Sparing the details, he basically went well above and beyond what I felt was necessary to show this.

When I told him I was ready to pull the trigger, he was very enthusiastic about my decision, and we talked at length about P-cars. However, Josh was hospitalized during the time I found the car for me. Another wrench did the PPI. When Josh was back to work, I called to tell him I'd bring the car over to his shop soon. When I called a week later, his tech told me Josh was back in the hospital. Sadly, Josh got an infection, and I learned a few weeks later that he passed away.

Without ever having met Josh, it's likely my dream of ownership may have gone unfulfilled. He was a big part of my decision to own...and drive. I occasionally think of how great it would have been to share my experience with him. But I'm thankful for what he's given me.

[Dan in Pasadena]

When I was a boy my mother's boss had a 356C that was immaculate (it was new) and I remember thinking, "...that's a pretty nice car for an older man"

I'm a highschool Senior in 1972 and I see a new Silver '72S in the window of a little "foreign car dealership." I literally had my nose pressed against the window thinking, "Man, that so nice. I'll NEVER be able to afford a car like that!"

Summer of '76 I am in Geneva, Switzerland the summer before my last semester in college. I see this then new '76 in Light Yellow slowly roll down the main drag and think, "...as soon as I graduate I am buying one of those, I don't care what I have to do."

30 years later I bought that '76 in light yellow!

[jhubs]

Dan, What a beauty, LOVE that color!

I purchase a 1965 yellow Mustang Convertible when I was 17 and drove it for 5 years through college. Garaged it at my parents house and had the engine rebuilt in 1999. I sold it in 2005 (87,000 miles) for 4 times what I paid for it. There was a hole in my 3 car garage...

I asked my neighbor if I could drive his 88 911 in July of 2006 and after 1 big banked corner at 100 mph, I said, "I gotta have one of these".

The 911s of the 87-89 era appealed to me and I purchased one in November in Wash DC and we drove it 2071 miles back to Colorado. What a great way to "break it in".

I'm re-doing the interior to freshen it up and change the color and can't wait to drive it up in the twisties of Poudre Canyon this spring.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Jerry,
That's the oldest looking "97-98" 911 I've ever seen! I'm kidding! That's very, very nice looking Carrera, big congratulations.

Thanks also for the compliment on my Sahara Beige car. Every man, woman and child would call it light yellow but of course Porsche had to call it "beige". Oh well, I like it despite that name!

[oceanvue]

You don't choose Porsche, Porsche chooses you

[island911]

Why? - I like mechanical engineering art.

[jhubs]

Sorry Dan, I changed it and meant to say "87-89 era" I've seen too many eras...get them mixed up!!!!

Jerry

[cab83_750]

I technically bought a Porsche at age 17 (my own $$), but returned it because I could not insure it.

Past 1 marriage, and 2 post-teenage kids, I felt my obligations were fulfilled.

Bottom line, I bought the ones I have now to finish what I tried to start at age 17.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by cab83_750
...Past 1 marriage, and 2 post-teenage kids, I felt my obligations were fulfilled.

Ditto. My marriage of 20 years ended, both my kids graduated from college and I had finally paid off all the divorce related debt. My turn!

[CBRacerX]

Because I owned bugs when I was first starting out, so a natural progression

I remember seeing an '83 SC Cabriolet after graduating from HS and working as a landscape to get money for college ("dirty and hot" sounds fun, but not when you are moving stone by the wheelbarrow full..). I thought, "wow, that is just a beautiful car. I have to get one of those!" And all thru college I had a 930 as my Macintosh screen saver. I ended up with a 944 after graduation, and then a month later a '75 911 3.0 Transplant Turbo Look Sportomatic that needed paint (yes, there is just so much wrong with that choice) was purchased with little thought. And the re$t is hi$tory... Best mistake I ever made.

[coolngroovy]

Beside the burning desire as a child to drive one, [never mind own one]
basically both the missus & the bank said "yes"!
Oh, & i figured i may as well throw all my hard earned on something which will retain it's value, & be rewarding to drive.

[bonaturtle]

Old man had a 69 that he bought in 1976..........owned it for 3 hours, mom (and his ex-wife) told him to return it because it wasn't new. Ended up buying a 1976 Trans Am.

Dad regretted it everyday of his life, and must've been in his genes, seeing I was born in 1977. Been saying I wanted one since I was 12 years old, and when I started my company, a goal of mine was to buy a 911 free and clear.

That finally came true in June, at the age of 28. Porsche will now always be a part of my fleet.

[Drew001]

The only reason was because I had to.
You only go around once.

[911Urge]

Short story -

Parents bought a 1968 912 in 1971. I became infected with Porsches.
Bought a 944 out of college. Sold it off to finance a home purchase.
10 yrs later parents restore the 912 and I get infected again and purchase a Carrera 4.

Having fun with parents, brother and my family doing the Porsche thing.

[curoswiss]

My first car was a 71 Super beetle... You can call it a natural progression...

[sig_a]

Two reasons: 911's are fast, and also low-risk investments.

[azasadny]

I have wanted a 911 Targa since November 1973 (I was in elemantary school and I saw one drive by) and almost 5 years ago I found the one I had to have on eBay and bought it because I had the means and determination to keep it on the road and drive it! I haven't looked back and after good and bad experiences (mostly good), the car will always be a part of my life!

[greg bradbury]

One day 2 years back I suggested to my wife that I should buy a WRX for fun. She said no buy a porsche. Oh yeah I've always liked those. 2 weeks later I bought a 911SC. 2years and A$20K later I had this had a lot of fun along the way.

When I walk past it in the shed I always run my hand along the rubber tail, don't know why, I just do.

Sometimes I just sit in the shed and look at it, have a beer or 3 and just look. Any angle looks good.

When I park the car and walk away I always look back over my shoulder. Not many cars (if any) can make you do that.

Yeah 911 and I own it. totally hooked

[WPOZZZ]

My mechanic fixes BMWs, Mercedes, Volvos, MINIs and Porsches. I've been going to him for the past 12 years or so to maintain my BMWs. Over the years, we have become good friends and I spend lots of time at his shop working on his computer or finding parts for him. One day in early 2005, he needed a few guys to put together a 911sc for a Navy SEAL that was shipping out to the Persian Gulf. His car had just come back from the paint shop and everything except the engine had to be installed. Over the course of 2 days working after shop hours, the car came together.

Fast forward to early 2006. I had just traded my E30 M3 for a E34 M5. It was a nice car and a good driver, but something was missing. I've had BMWs since 1988 and it was time for a change. I always thought about getting a 911, but never made the plunge. In the summer of 2006, I was told of a 85 Carrera cab that could be had for a song. It needed some cosmetics, but that was it. I put in a bid for the car and I finally got it a couple months later. It's been a love affair ever since then. I was then told of another deal on a 996 and I also bought that in December.

In the past 6 months, I have learned so much about 911s from this site and Rennlist, it is incredible! I drove a 996tt the other week and did not enjoy it as much as my Carrera 3.2 as it was too easy to drive. My 3.2 demands to be driven and I just love that feel! I would still like to get a turbo, so I need to drive a 964 and 993 to see how I like the driving feel of those two. For some reason, I think my turbo purchase will be a 3.3 turbo.

[ChemMan]

First time I saw a 911 was in 1986 in South Africa. Got past on the highway so I only saw it for a second. About 17 years later, a couple of friends and I were at a conference in Lansing. Decided to go the porsche dealership to look around afterwards. Ended up test driving a boxster. Figured I had to have one. Prior to this I was saving up for a 308. Saw a local ad for 911SC. Went out to test drive it, just to see what the all the fuss about these cars was about. A ten minute drive later, I was hooked. I HAD TO HAVE ONE. I looked, dreamt about, and read about 911's. I HAD TO HAVE ONE. It took awhile, but I found the one I want. As soon as the weather gets more civilized, I'll have her out of the garage again.

Mike