Currently have a 991S and a full size SUV. Will unload the SUV, and trying to figure out if we care to replace it with a Cayenne or something ... or, nothing.

2 adults, one dog. Both work from home, mostly. The days of needing 2 cars are few and far in between, and for those, public transportation is an option.

Toying with the idea of having _only_ the 991. So that would mean the 991 would see a lot of, well, USE. Groceries, Home Depot, sandy dog, wet boardshorts, airport parking, city parallel parking, etc., etc...

Clearly, financially, the extra wear and tear would be cheaper than depreciation on a Cayenne:ish vehicle. But would one get tired of the somewhat less practical side of a 911 as sole transport (even if it is the most practical sports car, IMO).

 

Reason for selling the SUV? If you are going out to get a Cayenne and are concern about depreciation on it, or wear and tear on the 911, why not just keep your current SUV. I am sure that is the cheapest way to go.

 

To clarify, this would be more about the appeal of the minimalism of only having the one car, when really only needing two cars a handful of times during the year.

We're just not that big of fans of the SUV. The economics are not the primary driver here. I was just pre-empting the "resale" argument on the 991 -- which IMO would be largely overshadowed by any depreciation of another vehicle.

So options are 991 only, or 991 and something else.

 

Why not? Isn't that what people did before SUVs. I think it's a great idea and very commendable. You will also get more use and fun out of the 991. If you ever need to transport anything you could rent something. Cheers.

 

My vote is for a (relatively) inexpensive diesel wagon, such as an A4, to compliment the 911. We recently switched from a SUV to an e350 wagon. Serves us very well for the frequent trips to HD or with my 70 lb dog.

 

I would not have the 991 as my only vehicule, I try to use it on a daily basis but there are times and places I prefer to go in my big Toyota SUV. I would not beat the crap out of my wifes Cayenne either.

 

Do it. You'll appreciate the car so much more.

 

I agree. I recently picked up a few years old e350 wagon and it has been great. For something like this I think the key is buying used. It wouldn't have seemed nearly as good if I had payed the original $60k msrp, but at $15k it is a lot of car for the money.

 

If just two adults and a dog, sure the 991 can be an only vehicle. You'll drive it and appreciate it more. Makes financial sense too. But when the car is in for service/repair you will need an alternative.

 

I keep a second car mainly to avoid excessive sunlight damage (parked outside at work 50 hours/week), parking lot damage (door dings, bumper corner doinks, acid rain, or goatgirl's idiot employer spraying employees' and customers' cars daily with a mild H2SO4 solution from their shallow landscaping inrrigation well, and vandalism.

Vandalism is the big one, at least where I live. More and more losers have figured out how much a Porsche costs and are PO-ed you have one and they don't. They can't stop you from having a Porsche (except maybe long-term by voting for socialist politicans), but they can sure stop you from having a damage-free Porsche.

Places to avoid parking a nice car: Walmart, the courthouse-jail complex, bars, tourist spots, anywhere within one mile of a public school, Taco Bell, Winn-Dixie, shoppnig malls, etc., etc., etc.

The added fixed costs of the beater (time-based depreciation, insurance, storage, tags) makes having it not cost effective. But, my nice car is still nice after eleven years.

The first time you wrestle a baby into his/her car seat in the back of a 911, you'll go out and buy something with four doors, right after you get back from the chiropractor.

 

Vandalism and parking lot damage is also for me the main reason for not having only a 911 (except the fact, in my situation, that I'm driving 40000km per year for my job):
there are places where I'll never leave a nice car alone like airport parking (couldn't sleep during the trip!), events regrouping lot of (drunk) people like a concert, a club (or only if I can park it close to the main entrance and knowing the gorillas in front of the doors ), sport event, etc.

A relatively "anonymous" car is the best choice as second car (A Cayenne is actually not an choice then..), and this is really a shame nowadays that we have to think about that.. :/

 

Even if a used Subie hatchback is parked most of the time, consider it insurance.

 

fbroen - you may be the first guy to use the term "minimalism" on a Porsche forum.

I would keep something as a second car, especially if you experience snow and ice, not just for safety reasons, but salt and sand don't mix well with chip prone German paint.Trade in your SUV, get something smaller that can fit you and the dog, plus the junk from a Home Depot run. I would not recommend a Cayenne if it will just sit around for occaisonal use. Grab a Honda, cheap and always works.

 

Thx guys for all the input, very much appreciated. We will keep weighing the options.

My better half would like the AMG Shooting Brake -- but it does not look like the U.S. market will be entrusted with that. A diesel something is on the table, whether Touareg, Merc, or Cayenne, or Audi -- although the Q5 is a bit small and the Q7 a bit large -- Q6 anyone? I like the rather vulgar X6, but my better half not so much.

It would be fun trying the 911 as a true sole car. Only problem with trying that route is, it'd be a bit of a shame to put evidence of "normal" car wear on it inside and out, only to give in and buy a second car six months down the road once the 911 center console has dog claw marks on it... So one would kinda have to commit to the minimalism.

 

My two Dobies occasionally mistake headrests for rawhide bones, so transporting them in my 991 is a nonstarter, even if they'd fit inside. Last year I swapped my allroad for a Touareg TDI which IMO is just about perfect as a pooch wagon, hd hauler, ski vehicle, etc.. Wifey has the 650 as a dd, and I also have a pristine '91 NSX as a project car.

Spyder