Should I be able to buy my own 944 car at 16?
07-29-2005, 12:43 AM
#61
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Alright........ here's my story if it helps...
For my first car at 16 I got a dodge stratus.. It was a great car and I had plenty of fun with it being 16. For my senior year I got a nice 944 for 6thousand. It had 80 some thousand miles and ran great. I had no major problems at all for a year, I was lucky. After about a year I sold it for 6,000 and bought a 951 for about 7,500, also in nice shape. I'm now starting my 2nd year in college and I''ve owned it for about a year now and there has been about 2,500 to 3,000 dollars put into it on maintence. of course 951's are more expensive to maintain, but still you just never know when you will have to pay a lot.
While in my case, i'm lucky because my dad payed and pays for all the maintaince, I just have to let him drive the car every now and then!
My point is this... Now that I look back I wouldn't change a thing. While I was 16 of course i wanted a porsche, but was it practical... No.. It wouldn';t be practical if my dad wasn't there to support the unexpected repairs now. When I look back at my driving at age 16, i shouldn't have had a porsche... I probably would have got into a lot more trouble, the dodge stratus was a much better car for a 16 year old.
You say you will be making enough money to put in all the money for maintaince yourself, but the question you need to answer is, will you really want to? There is no reason for the age of 16 to have to spend a thousand dollars for a mechanic bill. Save your money for something else. If i had to pay for all my repairs there is no way i would own a porsche.
My suggestion to you is to wait. Get a different car and wait for the right porsche for you in a few years. I believe when porsche was designing their cars they didn't have beginner drivers in mind.
if you wait, trust me you won't regret it.
that was my scenario take from it what you will.
For my first car at 16 I got a dodge stratus.. It was a great car and I had plenty of fun with it being 16. For my senior year I got a nice 944 for 6thousand. It had 80 some thousand miles and ran great. I had no major problems at all for a year, I was lucky. After about a year I sold it for 6,000 and bought a 951 for about 7,500, also in nice shape. I'm now starting my 2nd year in college and I''ve owned it for about a year now and there has been about 2,500 to 3,000 dollars put into it on maintence. of course 951's are more expensive to maintain, but still you just never know when you will have to pay a lot.
While in my case, i'm lucky because my dad payed and pays for all the maintaince, I just have to let him drive the car every now and then!
My point is this... Now that I look back I wouldn't change a thing. While I was 16 of course i wanted a porsche, but was it practical... No.. It wouldn';t be practical if my dad wasn't there to support the unexpected repairs now. When I look back at my driving at age 16, i shouldn't have had a porsche... I probably would have got into a lot more trouble, the dodge stratus was a much better car for a 16 year old.
You say you will be making enough money to put in all the money for maintaince yourself, but the question you need to answer is, will you really want to? There is no reason for the age of 16 to have to spend a thousand dollars for a mechanic bill. Save your money for something else. If i had to pay for all my repairs there is no way i would own a porsche.
My suggestion to you is to wait. Get a different car and wait for the right porsche for you in a few years. I believe when porsche was designing their cars they didn't have beginner drivers in mind.
if you wait, trust me you won't regret it.
that was my scenario take from it what you will.
07-29-2005, 01:04 AM
#63
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I think the best advice you've received is to make sure your parents are on board with whatever plans you may have. After that, I confess to being a little surprised. I think you all mean well and are trying to paint an accurate picture of a realistic or perhaps a little pessimistic scenario, The kid seems like an enthusiast, just like all of us though. These cars, if carefully sorted out, can be a whale of a good time. And expensive to maintain even if the initial investment is low. Those are the facts and the kid needs to put a little plan together and make a proposal to the 'rents if he wants to go forward. Best of luck!
07-29-2005, 01:24 AM
#64
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Super heavy? 2800 lbs. It is MUCH faster than a 944 n/a, all while being smoother and more refined. Gas mileage is comparable to a 944.
The e30 is a great chassis and handles great with a few inexpensive mods.
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet, so take everything with a grain of salt.
Also, if you think the e30 is a bad car, you have no business looking at a 944.
The e30 is a great chassis and handles great with a few inexpensive mods.
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet, so take everything with a grain of salt.
Also, if you think the e30 is a bad car, you have no business looking at a 944.
07-29-2005, 01:29 AM
#65
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well let me chime in here. I am 22 years old I work for time in the parts Department and at Porsche Dealership adn I still can't really afford to do much anything else other then put it into my 90 944 S2. I actually just picked up a daily beater to get around in(94 escort) to save some money and wear and tear on my the S2. I say wait until your done school then pick up a nice 944/951.
Having said that. I counldn't think of a better to spent my money though I love these cars!
Just my two cents
Brandon
Having said that. I counldn't think of a better to spent my money though I love these cars!
Just my two cents
Brandon
07-29-2005, 01:32 AM
#66
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Originally Posted by cwatson
People say the E30 is super heavy and handles horribly...why all the support?
and it gets like 2mpg...thats out of the question
and it gets like 2mpg...thats out of the question
The E30 weighs less than the 944 (the typical 944 slots in between 2,800 and 3,100 pounds wet) and has more power. I've driven them and they handle almost as well as a 944. Slightly lower overall limits, but every bit as smooth in street driving. They get as good or better mileage than the 944 as well. I've had 2 NAs, a 924S and an '89 944 2.7 litre. Both got 25 mpg no matter how I drove them. My current 951 gets about 23 mpg.
Don't get a 944. It's not the car for you.
Aaron
07-29-2005, 01:42 AM
#67
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is quite monotonous.
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is quite monotonous.
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Ok, I only read like 3 replies before I got bored, but here's my take on it:
I bought mine at 17. I got one that had been taken very good care of, all records, etc...
Lasted me through highschool and part of college before the oil pan gasket gave way.
Didn't have time to fix it obviously. I have since been through 3 new cars, another porsche, etc...
It is VERY hard to be satisfied with another car after the 944. The Tacoma was a truck, the mazda was front wheel drive, etc... I couldn't handle even a new car after the 944. You will be spoiled on the 944 and nothing inexpensive, even new, will match up. I say go with a cheap car, like a civic
I bought mine at 17. I got one that had been taken very good care of, all records, etc...
Lasted me through highschool and part of college before the oil pan gasket gave way.
Didn't have time to fix it obviously. I have since been through 3 new cars, another porsche, etc...
It is VERY hard to be satisfied with another car after the 944. The Tacoma was a truck, the mazda was front wheel drive, etc... I couldn't handle even a new car after the 944. You will be spoiled on the 944 and nothing inexpensive, even new, will match up. I say go with a cheap car, like a civic
07-29-2005, 01:45 AM
#68
Going with the pack
is quite monotonous.
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is quite monotonous.
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O yeah, and when I bought the 951 (slightly different in this situation, I realize), I had put 2k more than the purchase price into it in the first month. Leaky injector, vacuum leak, etc... These are old cars and they will take your wallet and wreak havoc.
07-29-2005, 01:45 AM
#69
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Originally Posted by cwatson
I think there is some misunderstanding...I could bitch and moan and they would let me do it. Ussually we dont communicate approval, but I'm just making sure this is a reasonable idea. Its not that im forbidden from buying anything at all.
And paying for school is no problem, their initial intentions were to cover 100% even at $40K a year.
And paying for school is no problem, their initial intentions were to cover 100% even at $40K a year.
07-29-2005, 02:14 AM
#70
Race Director
Hey, I'm 17 and have a 944. I've had faster cars and different cars and all that already. I reccomend.....get a different car after you've already driven something else. You will respect it more..won't be urged to do that dumb crap we all do when we first get our licenses (not racing..just screwing around..and that costs money)...your friends will egg you on to go fast..etc...all in all your better off with a different car. Do what I did. Get a early Honda Accord..toyota..nissan...something normal. Beat on that..learn on that..have fun...it will make a 944 more worth it when you get it!
BTW: I do my own maint. and its not too bad if you know what your doing..but when something big goes (like my clutch/trans) be ready to pay out of your ***. Don't forget your wallet either. Ouch
BTW: I do my own maint. and its not too bad if you know what your doing..but when something big goes (like my clutch/trans) be ready to pay out of your ***. Don't forget your wallet either. Ouch
07-29-2005, 02:31 AM
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If you do your own maint. it wont be nearly as bad, but still expect to be broke/frusterated many times. Even then, being and old car, it will also nickel and dime you. The e30's and e36's are good car, or have you thought of a 91-95 toyota MR2? They are reasonably priced, sorta fast and have pretty good overall build quality.
07-29-2005, 02:44 AM
#72
Drifting
When I bought mine it was a pile of crap. I got it when I was 15 and my dad and I have spent the last 4 years restoring it. It is still a a work in progress, it will always be a work in progress. Honestly, it hasn't turned out to be all that expensive of a car. You mainly just need to know where to get parts, how to do the work yourself (I've learned from my dad), and to try and avoid the want to blow alot of money on upgrades. (I'm itching for window tinting, new carpet, new suspension, and an engine rebuild right now, but I too am having to pay for college.). I think it's been a great first car so far. I love having it, and I love the fact that I have learned how to work on it. It's my baby.
07-29-2005, 06:28 AM
#73
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Time for me to chime in....
bought my 944 the winter out of highschool
4500 dollars and it was mine... I fell inlove with the color and didnt mind that it was an automatic
ive been stranded maybe twice, DME relay the first time. The second time my ac compressor was tilted and kept eating my alternator belt.. so far ive done all the work on it myself..
since then ive spent maybe 2000 on it.. mostly tires and collision repair and misc little things
about a month ago my engine blew.. stupid bearing... im lookin at about 5 k for a rebuilt or finding another engine to swap it in...
is it worth it? HELL YEA... but be prepared for the **** u get from other people, being stranded when something breaks, and having the most unique car at school. With that comes scratches, eggs, and a lot of other crap..
Get an NA to keep out of trouble.. i hear boost is addicting..
bought my 944 the winter out of highschool
4500 dollars and it was mine... I fell inlove with the color and didnt mind that it was an automatic
ive been stranded maybe twice, DME relay the first time. The second time my ac compressor was tilted and kept eating my alternator belt.. so far ive done all the work on it myself..
since then ive spent maybe 2000 on it.. mostly tires and collision repair and misc little things
about a month ago my engine blew.. stupid bearing... im lookin at about 5 k for a rebuilt or finding another engine to swap it in...
is it worth it? HELL YEA... but be prepared for the **** u get from other people, being stranded when something breaks, and having the most unique car at school. With that comes scratches, eggs, and a lot of other crap..
Get an NA to keep out of trouble.. i hear boost is addicting..
07-29-2005, 07:02 AM
#74
Race Director
I got bored after the first page and didn't read any replies, so forgive me if this has already been said.
A 944 is not the car for you at your age and income bracket. For so many reasons I cannot even begin to cover all of them..........but here are a choice few.
1. These are old cars. You could get something that is more reliable for your money.
2. If you do find a 944 in the price range you specified, it is going to be a POS. People may have chimed in here saying "I got a great 944 for $2K, no problems, blah blah blah." Well, they were either lucky or they are lying. 944's were a great car when new, but they have since fallen from grace and depreciated to the point where 95% of them are owned by bozos and people who rode the short bus to school. Most have been seriously mistreated and not kept up. In your price range, you are buying someone else's headache that is going to need cash dumped into it. You don't make enough per year to cover that expense plus the normal expenses you should have being your age.
3. If your parents said no, that should have ended this right there. To think you can lean back on them because they make a lot of money, you are starting off on shakey ground.
4. You should be thinking about school. There are many people on this BBS that obsess over their POS 944's that would be much better off in life if they got rid of their cars now and bought something reliable, quit obsessing, and moved forward in their personal relationships and careers. Don't be one of them. You have the rest of your life to screw yourself up, why start early?
Don't get me wrong, I like my car. But I am also older, make more money, have other daily drivers that I can depend on, and am not obsessed over it. It's just something to tinker on and play with on the weekends occasionally. If things were really tight for me, and I could have only one car, the 944 would not be it. I would not want to be 16-24 years old, with limited funds, and have to depend on a 944 to get me around.
Just my 2 cents, I apologize if someone else has already given them.
A 944 is not the car for you at your age and income bracket. For so many reasons I cannot even begin to cover all of them..........but here are a choice few.
1. These are old cars. You could get something that is more reliable for your money.
2. If you do find a 944 in the price range you specified, it is going to be a POS. People may have chimed in here saying "I got a great 944 for $2K, no problems, blah blah blah." Well, they were either lucky or they are lying. 944's were a great car when new, but they have since fallen from grace and depreciated to the point where 95% of them are owned by bozos and people who rode the short bus to school. Most have been seriously mistreated and not kept up. In your price range, you are buying someone else's headache that is going to need cash dumped into it. You don't make enough per year to cover that expense plus the normal expenses you should have being your age.
3. If your parents said no, that should have ended this right there. To think you can lean back on them because they make a lot of money, you are starting off on shakey ground.
4. You should be thinking about school. There are many people on this BBS that obsess over their POS 944's that would be much better off in life if they got rid of their cars now and bought something reliable, quit obsessing, and moved forward in their personal relationships and careers. Don't be one of them. You have the rest of your life to screw yourself up, why start early?
Don't get me wrong, I like my car. But I am also older, make more money, have other daily drivers that I can depend on, and am not obsessed over it. It's just something to tinker on and play with on the weekends occasionally. If things were really tight for me, and I could have only one car, the 944 would not be it. I would not want to be 16-24 years old, with limited funds, and have to depend on a 944 to get me around.
Just my 2 cents, I apologize if someone else has already given them.
07-29-2005, 07:08 AM
#75
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geez man why u up so late in ohio?
oh and dont forget to calculate the hours you will spend on rennlist per week... i think i average about 1.5 a day...
oh and dont forget to calculate the hours you will spend on rennlist per week... i think i average about 1.5 a day...