johnnyquest

Here's a great conundrum for the ages....not exactly nature vs. nurture, but a nice topic for a rainy day. Met with an architect this morning about adding a family room onto the back of the house and, on my wish list at least, is excavating for a garage under the addition (the house is a split level). It would be a single bay, at a right angle to the existing 2-car garage on the back of the house. Small, but big enough to fit my Carrera and some tools and things. It would allow me to put the daily driver in the 2-car garage and not have to get wet, scrape windows, shovel snow, etc. But, and it's big here, the garage would add about $40K to the job. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> For that money, we're talking dedicated track car or moving up to a '98 C4s that I've always wanted.

The neighborhood would support the added value to the house so at least some portion of the expense would be recoupable on sale. That's not the reason to do it, of course - we intend to stay put in this house for the long haul. As for the Carrera, it's in great shape mechanically (41K miles) and visually and I'm perfectly happy keeping it for fun and DE events. But as Jimmy Carter said, I have lust in my heart for the C4s. Thoughts?

Stuttgart951

C4 C4 C4.

Jay H

Jeff:

I think before deciding which way to go, you should find a 993 and test drive it to see if you want to go that route.

I'd rather stick my money into an appreciating asset (house/garage) than a depreciating asset (car). My vote is for the garage! But, it's your money and you should do as you please.

Good luck on whatever you decide,
Jay
<a href="http://www.jays911.com" target="_blank">90 964</a>

Chris Blum

$40k for a single stall garage? That seems like a lot. Could you do some of the work yourself?

johnnyquest

Probably not - it involves major excavation near the foundation and removing a retaining wall. I have no experience with this sort of thing and know when I'm out of my league.

Mr Michael B

Hey!

A 1989 Carrera is pretty dang nice. Porsche really got it "all right" there in 1989 on the 3.2 Carrera line.

Did you know that our friend Jerry Seinfeld just bought a 1989 Carrera for his collection? Yup, I hear it has less than 1000 miles.

That is the last torsion bar Carrera man...

Do the garage & roll in the Carrera.

ked

Seems that you are paying a $ penalty for the garage space due to the excavation & wall work - not a good basis for cost-effectiveness analysis.

Might you build it on some part of the house/property w/o those burdens? Can you get a simple, attached shed for $15K?

RichL

Why not kill 2 birds with one stone? Buy the C4 and put a garage door in the new family room.

Rich

johnnyquest

Rich, LOL! Think of the dough we'll save on furniture, etc. My wife will love that idea!

thomschoon

Make it easy on yourself, tell the wife you can't make up your mind and ask her opinion. If she says go for the garage it always leaves you the opportunity later to come back and remind her that she got what she wanted so now its your turn. A bit on the underhanded side, but hey, you win either way.

jwilberdog

I am going through the same thing right now and if you see the post on the 993 "selling your 993=don't" I am in a similar situation, but actually HAD the c4s and the 88 club sport in the same garage. I sold the c4s recently to free up some capital for an addition (not a garage though)

I justified it by looking at my financial situation and my monthly outlay for both cars. Bottom line is I will eventually buy another 993, but for now the addition to the house makes more sense. My advice is to go with your gut, but keep in mind you can always buy the car with a home equity line of credit. Your equity position SHOULD be stronger AND only grow with the garage scenario. Home equity for cars is a great way to currently save on interest AND deduct from taxes vs. traditional car loan.

Son of Farquhar

Hi Jeff,

My vote would be to go for the garage. There is something appealing about having a garage solely for your 'toy' where you don't have to worry about various non-enthusiast related items (i.e. bikes, kids toys, ladders, etc) inadvertently coming in contact with your carrera.
Although I'd have to say 40k seems pricey; perhaps the architect is foreseeing issues with the soil conditions where a deeper footing might be required (just shooting from the hip).
May I suggest this; have to architect draft a scheme including the garage, but have him include an 'alternate' scheme to be bid that does not include the garage work. Have this package bid by at least three contractors. You might get some initial resistance on this, but also request a precise breakdown from the contractor to see where exactly this 40k is being distributed. You're architect should be able to assist you in the review of the background.

best of luck! <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

Paul

tchanson

Jeff,

Garage.

Appreciating v. depreciating asset is an easy choice in that regard. Besides, the '89 you already have is a keeper. Time will bear that out.

BTW, where would you plan to find a '98 C4S for the equivalent $40K?

Good luck,
Tim

johnnyquest

Tim, I was figuring I'd have to sell the Carrera and spend much of that 40K to get a '98 C4S. They must carry a collectible premium now.

Jay - a buddy of mine has a gorgeous black '96 993 that I've driven a bit. It' like night and day in terms of power, and the engine makes an exhaust note at full throttle which is like nothing else. Fabulous. As for why I like the S curves, Duane Collie's post on the digest hit the nail on the head:

I think the E46 BMW M3 is the Shania Twain of the Sports Car World. It's
really great in all aspects....it can sing, it can dance, it can look
gorgeous in any outfit. It's wholesome, while sexy with a well-scrubbed look
that can go anywhere and be right at home, offending no one.

If the M3 is Shania, the 993 Wide Body Porsche is Angelia Jolie. Raw,
unpredictable, rough around the edges, with a sweaty, viseral quality to it
that says, "Boy, if you get hold of me you best know what you got in yer
hands 'cause I'll rock your world". It has Tattoos. Some days it has
manners and some days it doesn't. Don't like me or my lifestyle? Who
cares!? And it has - hands-down - the world's best ***, especially in red
leather hot pants.

-Duane Collie
'96 C4S, Part Deux
Back on the Road Again

Jaxon

If that '89 were a coupe you would own one of the the best 911's!

Forget the C4$ for now. It's only going down in price.

Even though it's a targa...that's a hell of a Porsche you own. Suggest you let me drive her for about four months...until you really miss her. At that point you won't be thinking about the C4$!

Good luck with whatever you decide!