Sell or store??

[jeffbottman]

Here's a somewhat lame question; putting on my flame suit ...

Looking for opinions. I have an '86 Targa that I've put my heart and wallet into for the past 4 years. I love the car, driving it daily, but life is short and I'd like to live with a modern Porsche for awhile. I will search for a 2011 Boxster Spyder which sounds like a perfect modern no-frills sports car from what I read.

Anyway, I'd find it painful to sell the Targa. No room at my city home for (2) p-cars. I have no need to sell it financially. So I'm thinking to put it into long term storage somewhere. Two big pluses: first, if I change my mind I can go back to the Targa and sell the Spyder. Second, viewed as an investment, it may keep climbing in value. Obviously can't count on that but not a worse bet than a lot of stocks out there.

So, what would you do in my shoes? Sell my beloved Targa, or store it?

[CountD]

Your question is a very legit question.

1) Storage is very hard on cars. Even if it's climate controlled. Things dry out, things deteriorate, fuel systems rust, bushings go. I know, as I have stored cars. And putting them back into roadworthy operation takes a lot of time.

2) When a car is in storage and you're into other things in your life (other cars, other hobbies, family, a house, etc) time slips by very quickly. The car you put into storage sits for a year, then five, then ten. Then maybe you're over it. Maybe not, but it's another whole thing to do it all over again.

3) An '86 is the most plentiful year for the aircooled 911 if I'm not mistaken. This was the ultimate sale year. They made a lot of them, and I think it's the year that they imported the most in the history of the aircooled 911 up to that year. People used to laugh at mid-year 911s - and they only imported maybe 1/3 of those compared to a model year 1986. Not to say a 1986 is not desirable, but they are around.

4) A modern Porsche is a good idea. Personally I would not do a Boxster, but I really like the Cayman. But it's what you like.

5) I'd sell. It's amazing how fast you get onto other things and how quickly you forget about old stuff. I am one sentimental bastard and I have yet to regret selling something when I went onto something new and different. It would be harder to sell if you weren't replacing it, but you are, and you'll have fun with that one too.


Time is very valuable and life is short. Taking time to store, pay for storage, pay for new tires and every single thing in the fuel system and most other things is a time consuming ordeal. The guy who I bought my car from 'thought' he was still going to drive his 911, but twenty, yes twenty years passed and it really needed work then. It was a running and driving car, and life happened. And now it's a lot of work for me.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by jeffbottman

Here's a somewhat lame question; putting on my flame suit ...

Looking for opinions. I have an '86 Targa that I've put my heart and wallet into for the past 4 years. I love the car, driving it daily, ......Anyway, I'd find it painful to sell the Targa. ......... I have no need to sell it financially.......

I'd keep it. Store it, Take it out once a month and you'll both be happy.

If you find yourself not missing it, then sell it, but it will be hard to replace a car you really like.

[santagrant]

CountD is spot on, on the other hand dad911 makes a good suggestion for a short term solution.

"Time is very valuable and life is short" Best quote I have seen in quite a while.

[nixtfy]

Difficult question. I am struggling with a similar situation storing a car that is on the upswing. I use it in the winter for skiing,but also have a truck. Having 3 cars is difficult.
Thanks countd think I will reconsider selling it for someone else to enjoy

[Rick Brooklyn]

Do a short-term storage and reassess in a year's time, keeping the car exercised in the meantime.

[NYNick]

I store my (modern) 911 for 9 months a year, drive it for 3, have it serviced, and pack her back up again.

Stick to an annual maintenance schedule, but drive it now and then. There are plenty of places that store cars that are infrequently driven, but driven nonetheless. None other than Rick from Brooklyn is familiar with one in particular.

Once it becomes too expensive, or dumb, or you're not driving it, or you prefer it over the Boxster, or vice versa, move on.

(Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I have 2 non-drivers and 2 I 'prefer' not to drive in the rain in the garage, while my wife's MB gets to park in the driveway.)

Maybe you shouldn't listen to me after all.

[Matt Monson]

I would call around to some of the local shops like Cantrell, Chris's German, and Redmond to see if any of them offer storage. Then you can ring up, saw you want to drive it fir a day or a week and park the Boxster there while you do. They can keep it in running condition for you.

A little more expensive than just getting a storage location but also more flexible and convenient. Do it for a year and reassess.

[hillskier]

Originally Posted by Rick Brooklyn

Do a short-term storage and reassess in a year's time, keeping the car exercised in the meantime.

+1. to the above. What you enjoy driving is for you and you only to determine, take it from the owner of a 912E. I love vintage cars, but I also like getting in my Suburban and it starting each time...not to mention air con and heated seats.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by dad911

I'd keep it. Store it, Take it out once a month and you'll both be happy.

If you find yourself not missing it, then sell it, but it will be hard to replace a car you really like.

Exactly what I've been doing. I didn't have room at home for my '84 but I couldn't bring myself to sell it. It's kept in a storage unit but I try to drive it about once a month. It's a hassle sometimes but at least the storage unit is close by and not terribly expensive. Every time I get in and drive it I realize I have to keep it (they'll never make 'em like this again).

Store it for a year (try to drive it occasionally) and reassess the situation at that time. I put fuel stabilizer in mine because it might take a while to go through a tank of gas.

[bbturbo]

I agree with the majority here; keep the targa and keep it exercised until you know for sure. Eventually, the right path will be clear. Personally, I have sold a 911 (slant nose) instead of storing/putting it out of typical fun driving and I have regretted it ever since. Now, I cannot get the guy to sell it back!

So my advice, keep it, drive it to keep everything fresh, and let the dust settle. You can always sell. If you do end up selling, you can always find another.

[jeffbottman]

I just wanted to thank everyone who replied to my query. This forum is the greatest! If I get that "water pumper" I'll miss it.

Reading your comments, I think the best course would be storing and driving monthly or so, then just see how I feel as time ticks by. If it sits and I don't want to drive it, time to sell! Seems pretty simple.

But talk about a "first world problem"! Not exactly like worrying how to put food on the table!

BTW, here's a recent photo of the "Little Car", as it's called at our home:

[Matt Monson]

You don't have to leave. Many of us have water pumpers. And many of us are also on Rennlist in the water cooled forums. You won't lose the community with the change

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Jeff, the first thing you should do is seek counseling, medication, and/or neurosurgery to cure you of the desire for a Boxster!!!

[Ayles]

Not sure where you are in Seattle but Group 2 motorsports in Magnolia offers storage.

[shaunmbenson]

Nice car. If you are unsure - hence asking the group - it seems the obvious choice is to store for a bit.
Funny - I'm thinking 2011 boxster spyder for my next and have an 85 targa.
I would do exactly what me and many are suggesting. Overlap for awhile and then see if one gets left too often. I recently had some revelatory drives in a 2.7 981 boxster as well. And like the fellow said - life's short and time's valuable. I can probably only drive one porsche often given I have a motorbike and family daily.

For me the wheel turns and shopping for a car is half the fun - so selling, wanting one again later and buying one is something I don't fear. But I would overlap with the new purchase just so I had no seller's remorse before loving the new car.

And air vs water - who cares. I think it's an old argument that has been settled - they are both awesome.

[Jrboulder]

I took a long break from my car and kept telling myself I was going to replace it with a Cayman or some other less worn out Pcar. After about 8 months of casual searching for a replacement I realized I like my Pcar more than anything I saw and tore it apart for a full drivetrain rebuild

[Rick Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by NYNick

. There are plenty of places that store cars that are infrequently driven, but driven nonetheless. None other than Rick from Brooklyn is familiar with one in particular.

I'm actually familiar with two, the other one being the one where I actually have rented a bay. Not cheap, but very nice facility where you have your own individual bay and you can come and go as you please 18 hours a day. If the OP could find something like this I think it would be the perfect solution: CT Car Storage | Milford, New Canaan, Norwalk, Darien, Greenwich, Stamford, Fairfield, New Haven, Westport

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

Jeff, the first thing you should do is seek counseling, medication, and/or neurosurgery to cure you of the desire for a Boxster!!!

Shut your mouth noobie! My Boxster is awesome.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

^^^

Matt, wut were you doing up so early on a Sunday - heading to aerobics class (not that there's anything wrong wiff dat')?!?!?