Is there 1 car that combines a 911 with a 740i BMW?
08-27-2002, 01:08 AM
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Is there 1 car that combines a 911 with a 740i BMW?
Weird question, I know. The wife has asked me to reduce down to one car - I currently have an 88 911 coupe and a 95 740i BMW. I had expected to be upgrading to a 97 C4S in January when an inheritance comes in, but now she says we need to put the rest of that money into savings after paying off the house, and "why don't I sell my 88 and the 740i and buy a car which combines the best of both."
She asked what car would I like? I think she's allowing for a $40k budget, seeing I could get about $20k for the 911 and $13k for the BMW (with about $7,000 out of pocket + taxes). I told her, if I can only have 1 car it would have to be a 96-97 993 C4S. She has a 99 XK8 and we need a car which can accomodate the 8 year old kid in the back seat, and also as she grows up it needs to still accomodate her and a friend (the 993 is too small for older than a 10 yo to sit in). She said, "what about the M5 you seemed to love at one point?" I told her they were $59k on up for even a used one so that's out, plus I wouldn't want a 6 speed in a sedan as I drive all day in gridlock traffic. I would love a used 2000 CL500 coupe but can't afford that at all. I am at a loss - can't think of any car that would still give me my 911 jollies, yet fit 2 kids in the back seat. The 2000 740i sport is hot, but I'd miss the tinyness and throwability of my beloved 911 too much. The 2000 M3's don't come in automatic and are too expensive anyway. I'm not really thrilled with their looks as it is - I mean really, look at an M3 coupe and then look at a 993. You be the judge.
I told her, "so I guess I have to keep both my current cars as they are paid off - the 88 and the 740i, because I am at a loss to think of what would replace them in one machine." The thought of selling the 88 911 and not having another 911 to drive in it's place makes me sad. She suggested, and I don't know where she even heard of this, "what about that Porsche SUV?" I about cried. I first told her that they'll start at $66k and I think they're ugly, and they don't really fit the bill.
Am I missing the perfect car here? I guess I already know my answer. If I can't come up with a newer car idea, I'm stuck keeping my "old" cars for another 3-5 years she said. She said we can't afford to buy a newer 97 C4S now until her Jag is paid off (3.5 years) BUT I could sell both of mine and find a compromise vehicle. Would any of you even consider this?
Steve
(I thought I was getting a 96/7 993 this January)
95 740i 104k miles
99 XK8 - her's and non-negotiable in the deal!
<img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />
She asked what car would I like? I think she's allowing for a $40k budget, seeing I could get about $20k for the 911 and $13k for the BMW (with about $7,000 out of pocket + taxes). I told her, if I can only have 1 car it would have to be a 96-97 993 C4S. She has a 99 XK8 and we need a car which can accomodate the 8 year old kid in the back seat, and also as she grows up it needs to still accomodate her and a friend (the 993 is too small for older than a 10 yo to sit in). She said, "what about the M5 you seemed to love at one point?" I told her they were $59k on up for even a used one so that's out, plus I wouldn't want a 6 speed in a sedan as I drive all day in gridlock traffic. I would love a used 2000 CL500 coupe but can't afford that at all. I am at a loss - can't think of any car that would still give me my 911 jollies, yet fit 2 kids in the back seat. The 2000 740i sport is hot, but I'd miss the tinyness and throwability of my beloved 911 too much. The 2000 M3's don't come in automatic and are too expensive anyway. I'm not really thrilled with their looks as it is - I mean really, look at an M3 coupe and then look at a 993. You be the judge.
I told her, "so I guess I have to keep both my current cars as they are paid off - the 88 and the 740i, because I am at a loss to think of what would replace them in one machine." The thought of selling the 88 911 and not having another 911 to drive in it's place makes me sad. She suggested, and I don't know where she even heard of this, "what about that Porsche SUV?" I about cried. I first told her that they'll start at $66k and I think they're ugly, and they don't really fit the bill.
Am I missing the perfect car here? I guess I already know my answer. If I can't come up with a newer car idea, I'm stuck keeping my "old" cars for another 3-5 years she said. She said we can't afford to buy a newer 97 C4S now until her Jag is paid off (3.5 years) BUT I could sell both of mine and find a compromise vehicle. Would any of you even consider this?
Steve
(I thought I was getting a 96/7 993 this January)
95 740i 104k miles
99 XK8 - her's and non-negotiable in the deal!
<img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />
08-27-2002, 01:29 AM
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Steve,
You're certainly not alone in your quest for a single car that covers all the bases. Unfortunately, after several "failed" experiments, I have concluded that it may not exist.
Don't leave yourself without a Porsche. In the past three years, I've tested all kinds of cars, including the M5 and several Ferraris (thought the 456GTM might be the "perfect all around car" at one point), and have owned a 2000 MB S500 Sport and a 2002 M3. The M3 may be the closest to a reasonably-priced, good all-arounder, but there are some signficant reliability issues at the present time. Also, it's a bit soft and vague in its factory specs, but this could be remedied with some aftermarket suspension work and brake upgrades.
Honestly, none of them have held a candle to the 911. I plan on keeping the 993TT forever.
With the softening of the high-end car market in recent months, you may very well be able to get a '96 or '97 C4S for a few thousand more than your alloted budget. Sounds like time for renewed "negotiations" with your wonderful wife.
You're certainly not alone in your quest for a single car that covers all the bases. Unfortunately, after several "failed" experiments, I have concluded that it may not exist.
Don't leave yourself without a Porsche. In the past three years, I've tested all kinds of cars, including the M5 and several Ferraris (thought the 456GTM might be the "perfect all around car" at one point), and have owned a 2000 MB S500 Sport and a 2002 M3. The M3 may be the closest to a reasonably-priced, good all-arounder, but there are some signficant reliability issues at the present time. Also, it's a bit soft and vague in its factory specs, but this could be remedied with some aftermarket suspension work and brake upgrades.
Honestly, none of them have held a candle to the 911. I plan on keeping the 993TT forever.
With the softening of the high-end car market in recent months, you may very well be able to get a '96 or '97 C4S for a few thousand more than your alloted budget. Sounds like time for renewed "negotiations" with your wonderful wife.
08-27-2002, 02:04 AM
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Steve,
Go with what your heart tells you! Get that C4S or forever you'll be itching for it. And besides S55 AMG, E55 AMG, C36 AMG, M5 or even M3 is out of that $40K range. So keep your 740i and negotiate for that C4S.
Remember NEVER go Pcar-less. <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />
Best regards,
PK
Go with what your heart tells you! Get that C4S or forever you'll be itching for it. And besides S55 AMG, E55 AMG, C36 AMG, M5 or even M3 is out of that $40K range. So keep your 740i and negotiate for that C4S.
Remember NEVER go Pcar-less. <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />
Best regards,
PK
08-27-2002, 02:30 AM
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Steve sorry to say that but it looks you got a rotten deal 
I will agree with Anir that remaining Porscheless is not an option. At the same time finding a car that will do both equally well is not an option either! So I have the following suggestion:
Keep your 740 which I assume you trust and is problem free and renegotiate the deal on your 88. However dont go for a C4S just go for the normal 993. Also don't shy away from the 95's which can be had for little money over your trade in these tough times and they are reliable as well. Loving the look of a CS? well in due course with some neat S body packages from Gert when the XK8 is paid off convert the 993. You will feel happier by freshening up the car and your wife hopefully will be more "understanding"
Now if you can give me advise on how to convince my wife that I "need" another 911 for track use only
Good luck!
I will agree with Anir that remaining Porscheless is not an option. At the same time finding a car that will do both equally well is not an option either! So I have the following suggestion:
Keep your 740 which I assume you trust and is problem free and renegotiate the deal on your 88. However dont go for a C4S just go for the normal 993. Also don't shy away from the 95's which can be had for little money over your trade in these tough times and they are reliable as well. Loving the look of a CS? well in due course with some neat S body packages from Gert when the XK8 is paid off convert the 993. You will feel happier by freshening up the car and your wife hopefully will be more "understanding"
Now if you can give me advise on how to convince my wife that I "need" another 911 for track use only
Good luck!
08-27-2002, 04:58 AM
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I agree with Anir, charm that wife of yours, you sold her once, now sell her again. There ain't no such beast as a 2+2 comfy family wagon with crisp sports car performance.
Order her a Cayanne, a Cayenne, whatever they are called, and you keep the 88 911, convert it into a track monster!!!
Don't EVER go Porscheless...I tried it and was miserable...I may still be miserable but at least I have a Porsche car. <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" /> <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
Order her a Cayanne, a Cayenne, whatever they are called, and you keep the 88 911, convert it into a track monster!!!
Don't EVER go Porscheless...I tried it and was miserable...I may still be miserable but at least I have a Porsche car. <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" /> <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
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08-27-2002, 08:37 AM
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Steve,
This seems very unfair on you.
Persuade wifey to let go the XK8. Dodgy car anyway.
Give her the 740 or get her a 3 series or CLK.
Keep the p-car.
I know , Im suggesting the near impossible.
This seems very unfair on you.
Persuade wifey to let go the XK8. Dodgy car anyway.
Give her the 740 or get her a 3 series or CLK.
Keep the p-car.
I know , Im suggesting the near impossible.
08-27-2002, 09:06 AM
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Keep the cars. Tell her to reduce to one pair of shoes.
08-27-2002, 12:40 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
I think you should know that if you truly drive in gridlock traffic all day a manual C4S is NOT the car for you. Were you planning on buying tip? The tail end of my PM commute is a little bumper to bumper and it is miserable. I can only imagine having to do that my whole commute. Not what the car is built for and a waste imho. Where is this gridlock you drive through btw? I would get a 95-96 Benz CL600 coupe.
08-27-2002, 12:43 PM
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I have to agree with Anir on this one and have lived through the same situation. I'm not a longtime Porsche owner (only about 3 years) but "there is no subsitute".
While I do like my M5, it is not a combination of a 740i and a 993 - nowhere close. I love my 993 (in fact looking for another one) and for different reasons love my 740iL - I'm not as big of a fan of my M5 and will probably be getting rid of it this year.
Best of luck to you.
While I do like my M5, it is not a combination of a 740i and a 993 - nowhere close. I love my 993 (in fact looking for another one) and for different reasons love my 740iL - I'm not as big of a fan of my M5 and will probably be getting rid of it this year.
Best of luck to you.
08-27-2002, 12:59 PM
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Thanks for the interesting posts so far... I definitely can't get my wife the Cayenne as it's too ugly and expensive and she loves her XK8 (no flames, please! - her Jag is wonderful... for her - she's sort of a babe still at 42 y.o. and likes the attention she gets with the top down, sapphire blue with the chrome wheels).
I don't like the looks of the Audi S4, it just
looks so pedestrian to me.
I'd try to talk her into letting me get the C4S now instead of waiting 3-5 more years but the answer is a firm NO, we can't afford it! She always thinks we have no money... Huh? We have alot in the bank but she thinks we need it all for our retirement and if I ever loose my job and can't find one for a while... the old "fear of financial security thing". So that's what I'm working with here.
When I mentioned that I drive in gridlock traffic, I'm only referring to the Rockville Md and Washington DC area. It's bad, but not that bad that I can't drive my 911 and still have fun (aka "a total blast"). Plus, when I take it out on the beltway or the country, I'm in driving heaven. Also, I love just looking at it in the garage and after I park it. It makes me tingle a little bit inside!
I DID drive a 99 or 99 CL500 one day 2 years ago to see if I'd like that car. It was white with grey leather and was around $50k. It was sweet, but HUGE, just monstrous, at least it seemed that way in white, and it felt like only an executive should drive a car like this. Hell, it even had carpet on the bottom of the dash! It seemed to be the ultimate "fat cat" business owner's car. I just sell cable TV service for a living. Didn't seem to fit my image. I still lust after them, but the seats seemed really hard. Maybe it takes a while to get used to MB seats. Guess I should drive one again. Could this possible be a great substitute for the 911 AND the 740i... hmmmm.
Lost in thought - any other possibilities?
steve <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
I don't like the looks of the Audi S4, it just
looks so pedestrian to me.
I'd try to talk her into letting me get the C4S now instead of waiting 3-5 more years but the answer is a firm NO, we can't afford it! She always thinks we have no money... Huh? We have alot in the bank but she thinks we need it all for our retirement and if I ever loose my job and can't find one for a while... the old "fear of financial security thing". So that's what I'm working with here.
When I mentioned that I drive in gridlock traffic, I'm only referring to the Rockville Md and Washington DC area. It's bad, but not that bad that I can't drive my 911 and still have fun (aka "a total blast"). Plus, when I take it out on the beltway or the country, I'm in driving heaven. Also, I love just looking at it in the garage and after I park it. It makes me tingle a little bit inside!
I DID drive a 99 or 99 CL500 one day 2 years ago to see if I'd like that car. It was white with grey leather and was around $50k. It was sweet, but HUGE, just monstrous, at least it seemed that way in white, and it felt like only an executive should drive a car like this. Hell, it even had carpet on the bottom of the dash! It seemed to be the ultimate "fat cat" business owner's car. I just sell cable TV service for a living. Didn't seem to fit my image. I still lust after them, but the seats seemed really hard. Maybe it takes a while to get used to MB seats. Guess I should drive one again. Could this possible be a great substitute for the 911 AND the 740i... hmmmm.
Lost in thought - any other possibilities?
steve <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
