New Toy Coming!!! To tweak or not to tweak...
06-12-2003 | 04:28 AM
#17
RL Technical Advisor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 11,871
Likes: 66
From: Portland Oregon
Tech-law:
Great advice here; all of it.
Since I am in the business of "tweakage", I'd simply offer that how you use the car and what you expect it to do for you, really defines what changes you might make.
As Ray said, I'd not throw any money at it until you drive it bit and see what you think ought to be upgraded and customized for your usage and preferences.
Many people simply strive to enhance the car's handling for fast road use and DE events. Most of what you might do is all reversable if you change your mind and if you do this with forethought and research, you'll not affect its resale value.
My final comment is to second the suggestions above and just drive it in the manner that it was designed & intended for. Don't baby it; just make sure that you perform better than the Factory suggested maintenance and you will have the time of your life in a VERY reliable car.
Great advice here; all of it.
Since I am in the business of "tweakage", I'd simply offer that how you use the car and what you expect it to do for you, really defines what changes you might make.
As Ray said, I'd not throw any money at it until you drive it bit and see what you think ought to be upgraded and customized for your usage and preferences.
Many people simply strive to enhance the car's handling for fast road use and DE events. Most of what you might do is all reversable if you change your mind and if you do this with forethought and research, you'll not affect its resale value.
My final comment is to second the suggestions above and just drive it in the manner that it was designed & intended for. Don't baby it; just make sure that you perform better than the Factory suggested maintenance and you will have the time of your life in a VERY reliable car.
06-12-2003 | 10:40 AM
#18
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,609
Likes: 885
From: Gaithersburg, MD.
You're probably never going to sell the car anyway, or at least for a VERY long time, so I wouldn't worry about depreciation. What would you buy instead? Maybe a 996 TT?
I read the list of options you got and was jealous, envious, and very happy for you! My car was a simple stripper, and I still LOVE the living $hit out of it.
You do have a rare beautiful car (less than 300 4S's made in 98), but as a gent told me recently, it won't be a collectors item till 40 years goes by... that's when it goes UP in value!
Drive it in the rain, alot! Drive it to the store. Run errands in it. Wear out that front seat <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> .
Steve
I read the list of options you got and was jealous, envious, and very happy for you! My car was a simple stripper, and I still LOVE the living $hit out of it.
You do have a rare beautiful car (less than 300 4S's made in 98), but as a gent told me recently, it won't be a collectors item till 40 years goes by... that's when it goes UP in value!
Drive it in the rain, alot! Drive it to the store. Run errands in it. Wear out that front seat <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> .
Steve
06-12-2003 | 11:18 AM
#19
Addicted Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,158
Likes: 369
From: So.CA
I love mods, but not "for mod's sake." I'd drive the car, and THEN figure out what you'd like to enhance. Forget the "protect the investment" angle. It's a CAR!!! You know, utility! ....like a beautiful tool which can never be fully appreciated until used as it was intended <img border="0" alt="[nono]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" /> 
CMOSS,
That car looks mighty fine!!!
...not that I'm biased. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> I now use red tape and it looks awesome, like yours. <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
Edward
CMOSS,
That car looks mighty fine!!!
...not that I'm biased. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> I now use red tape and it looks awesome, like yours. <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
Edward
06-12-2003 | 04:16 PM
#21
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 668
Likes: 0
From: Westchester, NY
Thanks for all the help everyone! As usual-you guys are great.
Here's what I decided - F*&k It! Who am I kidding - prior history proves that I can't leave well enough alone. The little red guy on my left shoulder with the horns has already severely beaten the snot out of the guy with the wings on my right shoulder (I never really liked that wing guy anyway). How do I get to Lime Rock from Westchester?
But, I think it's good advice to wait and not do anything too quickly. I don't even know which aspects of the car will seem most in need of a tweak! Plus explaining to the wife why I feel it necessary to spend MORE money within the first week of ownership will not be easy.
It reminds me of the time I tried to sneak a large table saw into my basement - thinking I had successfully accomplished my stealth purchase - I sat back with my friend in the basement, popped a beer and made some sawdust - only to discover that we left the truck out in the driveway with the gate down and alll the packing materials and receipt still in the back of the SUV! My better half wasn't pleased when she came home...
Waiting is a good thing elpecially since I get obsessive about these things. I woke up in the middle of the night this week thinking > PSS9s or RoW M030??? Quick trip to the computer room to check out Rennlist and suddenly the sun is coming up... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />
The car arrives this Sunday. I'll post some pictures when it arrives. Keep your fingers crossed it's everything I hope it is!
Looking forward to our NY/CT ride on the 21st.
Best to all and thanks again. <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />
Here's what I decided - F*&k It! Who am I kidding - prior history proves that I can't leave well enough alone. The little red guy on my left shoulder with the horns has already severely beaten the snot out of the guy with the wings on my right shoulder (I never really liked that wing guy anyway). How do I get to Lime Rock from Westchester?
But, I think it's good advice to wait and not do anything too quickly. I don't even know which aspects of the car will seem most in need of a tweak! Plus explaining to the wife why I feel it necessary to spend MORE money within the first week of ownership will not be easy.
It reminds me of the time I tried to sneak a large table saw into my basement - thinking I had successfully accomplished my stealth purchase - I sat back with my friend in the basement, popped a beer and made some sawdust - only to discover that we left the truck out in the driveway with the gate down and alll the packing materials and receipt still in the back of the SUV! My better half wasn't pleased when she came home...
Waiting is a good thing elpecially since I get obsessive about these things. I woke up in the middle of the night this week thinking > PSS9s or RoW M030??? Quick trip to the computer room to check out Rennlist and suddenly the sun is coming up... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />
The car arrives this Sunday. I'll post some pictures when it arrives. Keep your fingers crossed it's everything I hope it is!
Looking forward to our NY/CT ride on the 21st.
Best to all and thanks again. <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />
06-12-2003 | 04:44 PM
#22
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: East Norriton, PA
I agree with Ray, drive it first. Nothing worse that seeing someone mod-out a really nice car and being the slowest guy on the track. The car is great, enjoy! Save the mod money for another toy! <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" />
06-12-2003 | 04:45 PM
#23
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
I agree with the above posts to a certain extent. But there are several people believe it or not that want a car that is tweaked. I for one did and will want a tweaked car when I purchase again in August. The buyer of my car paid a little extra for the car based on the modifications I did because he wanted to track the car and would have added these upgrades anyway at a higher cost.
If I could find a car with PSS9's,Upgraded Exhaust, Chip, Sway Bars, spoilers, etc. and pay a small fee over what the cars were selling for at that time I would have done it in a heart beat. Why buy a car for the going price and then add $10,000+ when you could buy one with the setup you like and save half the exspense or better to mod yourself. You have to look at the expense not only for the parts but the Labor involed, Paintwork and so on. I do believe modifications can add value to your car assuming you find a buyer with similar taste.
The way I look at it the guy that bought my car would have spent another $9,000+ to get it setup the same way. He got a great deal in my opinion, so to sum it up "tweak away".
If I could find a car with PSS9's,Upgraded Exhaust, Chip, Sway Bars, spoilers, etc. and pay a small fee over what the cars were selling for at that time I would have done it in a heart beat. Why buy a car for the going price and then add $10,000+ when you could buy one with the setup you like and save half the exspense or better to mod yourself. You have to look at the expense not only for the parts but the Labor involed, Paintwork and so on. I do believe modifications can add value to your car assuming you find a buyer with similar taste.
The way I look at it the guy that bought my car would have spent another $9,000+ to get it setup the same way. He got a great deal in my opinion, so to sum it up "tweak away".
06-12-2003 | 06:59 PM
#24
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
I think you've made a huge mistake in buying it in the first place, and should sell it to me at a substantial loss. Get the deprecation depression over with in a hurry that way. Once in my hands, it would be modded very closely to what your list had shown.
06-12-2003 | 08:29 PM
#25
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 975
Likes: 0
From: A small horse farm in VA
Congratulations....sounds like a great example, but IMHO it is is not a garage queen with 24,000 miles....driven 4000 miles a year, which is great.....my '98 CS had 28,000 miles when I sold it and it was just reaching its prime...
As others have said get to know the car first....you might try to drive other Porsches that have been modified....Hell I would drive it for six months to a year and then have at it....
For the **** buyers, just keep all the original parts and a documented history of what you do to it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
As others have said get to know the car first....you might try to drive other Porsches that have been modified....Hell I would drive it for six months to a year and then have at it....
For the **** buyers, just keep all the original parts and a documented history of what you do to it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />