*Michael.*

Well in the next few months I have to make a decision. Sell the 944 or the Turbo Miata....or both. My wife and I have bought a new Mini Cooper S and I have to get rid of one of our cars. We are moving back to the US this coming June and the Air Force only pays to ship one car. I don't want to pay to ship two out of my pocket. So here are my options....

1. Sell the 944 - details....3rd owner, all maint records, great shape, 92k miles. I love the car, the Miata does't have the same "Porsche" type feel to it. The 944 isn't nearly as fast though and the 944 is much more expensive to maintain. It would be hard to replace this 944 for the same price. I do want something more powerful though.

2. Sell the Miata - details....don't know the history. I have put a lot of money and work into this car. It is very fast and handles great. It is cheap to maintain and gets great gas mileage when I stay out of the boost. 122k miles, no maint history but isn't that big of a deal since these cars are cheap to maintain. I could probably take off all of the performance parts and get back a lot of my money. Nice Miata's are easy to come by. This car will blow the doors off the 944 in every performance aspect. The car doesn't have the same feel as the Porsche though. Feels like a cheap Japanese car. I still love it.

3. Sell both of them - I have always wanted a 951. I am now adicted to boost after having the Turbo on the Miata for a while. Here is my chance to get one! Maybe I should jump on it.....Although I will be in a transition period. I move back to the US and only have about 10-11months left in the Air Force. I have a Top Secret clearance and tons of networking experience so I am confident in getting a good networking job. Maybe I should wait until I get settled in a job to go for that 951.

What to do....

I thought maybe one of you guys would bring up a point of view that I haven't thought of yet....

Friendan

Hmm...sounds like you're in quite the dilly of a pickle...
Hey did you see that movie "Buffalo Soldiers", with Joaquin Phoenix, about the guys stationed in Germany who sell military supplies on the black market? Why don't you just order 1000 gallons of Mop N' Glo and sell it to the German Military??? That way you'll have enough money to ship your cars!!!
Ok well seriously...you know we will be biased on this forum, since we all have 944's and all...I see your predicament, they are both fun cars...however I see an opportunity; depending on how much time you have, you could sell both cars, and search around Germany for a Euro Spec 951!!! PERFECT!!! Unless you speak german, bring one of your friends and go find a really sweet 951, and bring it back...then you'll make us all jealous!
OR: sell both cars, save on shipping, and have a huge chunk of cash left when you get back here and find a super-mint 951 on american soil (or canadian if that's the case...I would go with the latter of course)...I think if you like the boost power of the Miata, but the feel of the 944, go with a 951...you only live once!!!!

My $0.02,
Brendan

Sami951

Are both of those cars US spec? I recall the 944 being, but what about the Miata..? Because if it isn't, I would assume it's a lot of trouble to import it into US...

*Michael.*

They are both US spec.... That would make it easier if one wasn't. Importing a Euro-spec 951 is about $6k to get it registered. I have shopped around a bit with different importers/converters. My friends is selling a Euro-spec 1991 951. That's right, 1991.....

Jonas Goldsmith

Sell the 944.... it will be easier to replace something like taht over here...

Tom R.

This is where a computer backround and not an accounting background is your problem.

Figure out how much you could sell each car for in the US, and in the Fatherland. The one that will get more over there than over here sell over there (say that ten times fast). Then let our uncle ship the other over here and sell it here when you decide to upgrade.

if both will go for more over there sell them both over there.

I will send you my bill in the mail.

AndyK

Yeah! What Tom said!

Selling both is the way to go...but where you sell them may make a difference in $$. Either way, sell both and buy either a killer 951, or 968!

Good luck!

Rich Sandor

get the 91 951. it's a no brainer!

Matt Sheppard

Yeah, sell both. . .

Eyal 951

Sell both, you can pick off the bolt ons to the miata for more profit, or find a niche buyer. For the money of both, you can find a REALLY nice great condition, possibly low milleage, 951. or get a really nice 951 S! best of both worlds, you WILL NOT be disapointed. Spend the money on the 951 down the road for mods, and it will blow the doors of the miata. (I think, the miata is a good car) I think the choice is clear. Sell the higher german market yeilding car there, and ship the other to sell here, or sell them both there. you dont have to ship the mini cooper S? in the US i will assume.
good luck.
~Eyal

Awoir

I agree with mostly everyone else. Sell the 944 over there where it will go for more, then figure where the Miata will go for more, and get the '91 951!

MM951

Sell both, but keep your goodies from the 944 and save em for your 951

Graufuchs

Ditto

mochman

yeah I agree sell both buy a 951 you'll never be sorry, ooooooohhh black market military items now we're talkin.

*Michael.*

Thanks for all the replies, I am thinking more and more about selling both. As far as shipping, the government pays for one (the Cooper S) and I pay for whatever else I want to ship back. I am getting the Cooper S while I am still here in Germany.....