Porsche Dilemma

I don’t know how to ask this question without sounding like a whiney, spoiled, Bob Costas.

But you lot are a trusted source of advice, so I’ll take the abuse for the advice. Back in August I got this; I had to do it. Its my 12 year old poster-on-the-wall-dream-car. A 911 (OK, a Carrera, because it is water cooled). But still, a 99, 5 owners, 65 K miles. Dealer installed body kit (not the Aero), 18 in turbo-style wheels, less $$ than a stripped down Accord.

I loved this car, for 6,844 miles until I did this; Totally my fault. Traffic congestion, I was tired after a 2 week trip, checking my mirrors, guy short stops in front of me, bam. It's a total loss.

So I am racked with guilt over bashing up the cool car my wife let me get. Insurance will basically be a wash.

Right now, we have no car payments. In fact the wife sold her CX-9 because we just don’t need a vehicle that size. She is looking for something that makes her pulse beat a little quicker, but has no idea what that will be. She is just not a car person.

I realize these are the holidays, and there are folks out there with genuine real problems, not a “waaaahh….should I replace my 911…” kinda problem. I recognize the total irrelevance of this is the real world.

I cannot complain. I am a blessed man. So as a result, this is all I have to focus on. My selfish question is this:

Should I replace it? I am 39 (for 51 more days), solidly employed, no kids and won’t be having any (that’s not opinion, just a medical reality). The payments were quite affordable, and the wife will let me get another. I just feel like a clown (not the good, car-racing kind either) having done this. The last buffoonery of this scale was when I was 15 and I slid my 76 Mustang in a telephone pole being an idiot.

Pros – 911s are just freaking cool

I can afford another one, payment wise

Very competent daily driver, 28 MPG on the freeway, 21-22 in town

Cons – Car payment

Guilt

Stereotypical Porsche owner (40’s, midlife crisis anyone?)

If I don’t replace it, I will probably get a CRX or other semi-entertaining car. But I have seen the lights of Paris and I am not sure I can go back to the farm and be happy.

I am sure I am missing as bunch of pros and cons. You guys are smart, have done a lot of things and usually have insight into these things that most would miss. What say the council?

Get another one, I would if I could

Do what makes you happy. If the wife likes the idea of you having another 996-997, run with it!

What's the reason for it being a total loss? Is it that badly damaged?

Do you have the feeling that you're done with 911s or would you be looking at them from inside your CRX thinking "shoot, I should have bought another one"?

Of course you should really buy a Miata (say the person who's thinking about hunting down another a/c 911).

Go for it, Mental.

Life's too short to make decisions like this based on guilt.

Between the lines, I'm hearing a lot of joy. Driving something that is less satisfying to you will make you sad every time you turn the key and remember what you did.

Is there a pleasure you can derive out of NOT buying another??

Besides, mid-life crises can be fun if you learn to sit back and enjoy the ride!

You can probably find a friendly GRMer with a Lotus shell or something to contribute the Porsche to!

Get another 911...but not because we say so...Do it because you want to.

buy it back from the insurance co and bring the first challenge 911!

it will, after all, buff right out.

(yall are slippin'. i can't believe i got there first!)

Was that the longest lead-in to a "what car" thread ever?

If you can find another one that you'll love as much, but I wouldn't if the second felt like a compromise in any way.

Because you're a man with options....

No loans - that's my rule. Get another Porsche, but one you can actually afford. No guilt. heck, get the air cooled one you want anyway.

Get another one of course.

Hard question to answer on your behalf. As SVreX noted, you sound like you haven't fully scratched the 911 itch, so grab another. Everyone makes mistakes, be glad no one was hurt (presumably) and start shopping for another.

The other option would be to look around and see what other cars would be "fun" and about the same price. I would love to have a V10 M5/M6 and the prices are falling like stones these days.

Still, I'm very much looking forward to owning a 911 one day!

My Porsche dilemma is that I don't own one!

I'd go 993 or older.

I wouldn't not buy another one.

Osterkraut wrote: I'd go 993 or older.

I would prefer that era too, but damn if they aren't (significantly) more expensive than 996s. And, urban legend holds that motor issues on 993s are incredibly expensive.

dyintorace wrote:

Osterkraut wrote: I'd go 993 or older.

I would prefer that era too, but damn if they aren't (significantly) more expensive than 996s. And, urban legend holds that motor issues on 993s are incredibly expensive.

I'd be ok with 964s too. But yeah, the price difference for the 993 is shocking.

You should probably start by selling your Suzuki DRz400E to me...

I'm going to be the dissenting voice here, buy the CRX sir.

I keed, I keed. Of course you should buy another Porsche.

Let it go. The feeling (and the car) will never be quite the same. In a couple of years, if you still have the itch, scratch away. But don't jump right back in. There's too much automotive goodness to sample to get bogged down on one marque (as good as it is!), and right now it's a buyers market.

Life is short. You can afford it. Do it.

It's all about opportunity costs -- what do you have to give up to get it? Is it worth it?

Describe what you liked about the 996; I'm thinking about buying a Porsche soon.

ZOO wrote: ...You can afford it. ...

I am going to just say this one more time, if you have to get a loan, technically you cannot afford it.

tuna55 wrote:

ZOO wrote: ...You can afford it. ...

I am going to just say this one more time, if you have to get a loan, technically you cannot afford it.

Although technically correct, I'd refer you to my "opportunity costs" comment. What do you have to give up to get it? If you can afford the opportunity costs, then you can afford the car. Even if you get a loan to do so. Indeed, it may make better sense in some cases to borrow the money than to cash out investments to allow you to purchase it outright.

As far as the stereotypes go, here's a lesson, Grasshopper (I'll be 49 in April).

Berkeley what other people think.

Get yourself another one, if it's what you really want. You can afford it, you've earned it. I've discovered that most of this "midlife crisis" junk is from people who are just jealous. When one of the shiny happy people makes a crack about my Corrado, I just remind them that I've been driving sports cars since I was 16 and this is just my current one.

Think of it as an opportunity to explore some other options. Try and test out other cars on the "car-bucket-list". Let it simmer a bit and then if another 996 is what you want, go for it. What are early cayman's going for nowadays? Maybe you can have that porsche experience again for a little less outlay?

buy a cheap maita in the mean time and then spend lots of time lookin for a new porsha... or just buy what every you want...... i think old tin was thinking about getting rid of one of his porsha..can not remeber which type of what it is though