Thanks for all of the insightful replies. The conflict is more in my own head than the $$$. Not only do I have the funds, my wife is onboard!!! Not sure yet which way I'm going to go. I have a test drive scheduled for tomorrow.

Thanks again.

Peter

Oh, well, if THAT's what you're going to do, then kiss your money goodbye!!

adscab911: I agree that there will be more depreciation, but not at the same rate that a new Camry would. I expect that a great condition 99 cab would sell at the lowest for about $32k in 3 years. This is a $13k depreciation over today's going rate, or about $360 per month (plus interest). Not so bad for a Porsche.

I admit to exaggeration re: the Camry, but overall a Porsche is not such a bad deal unless you have major mechanical issues or the market for 99's goes WAY south. Interestingly I think I could probably sell my car right now for about 3-4k more than I paid for it in February, given my additions and the overall soundness of the car. I'd still lose the tax and the gargantuan money I spent on the stereo, but at least it's not depreciating at all yet...

Vegas,

I sounds to me that your mind is still trying to be rational, but your heart is made up. And we all know that buying a Porsche is a purely emotional act. Therefore, let me be the first to welcome you to the Porsche community.

If I may give one more piece of advice... Do not decide after driving only the 1999. I would HIGHLY recommend that you test drive a 2002 or 2003 model as well. There is a big difference. Also, if you do decide you like the 1999, remember that there are a lot of them on the market right now and you don't have to settle for the one at the dealer. Call around and get one configured the way you like. In the used 996 market, options do not add a lot to the price of the car.

Yes, welcome! And get one with the aero kit! :-D

I've decided to go for it. For a lot of reasons I feel the time is right.

Let the search begin......

I'll keep y'all posted on what I find.

thanks.

Peter

there is no simple answer-if we were all smart, we would drive simple inexpensive cars. if you can really afford it, buy it. but, buy it at the right price. 99 c2 cabs have taken a big hit-don't overpay-the mid to high 50's are way too high. if you buy it for the right price and you get into trouble, you could always sell it, for not too much of a loss. but the two questions are 1) can you afford it and 2) can you buy it at a price where if you have to sell it, you can without a big loss. if you can answer yes to both, it is a safe buy.

Vegas,

Welcome and congratulations! As you would have noted from the replies to your thread, buying a Porsche is always emotional (in a good kind of way) .... sometimes impulsive (see my recent thread "Sideways in the new GT3"). Best of luck with your search.

...but not your obsession. Ever met a former Porsche nut?

Congrats, and post pics soon! We want to see what we bought.


Oops, I meant "wrought"... what we "wrought".

You can't rationalize the purchase of a Porsche. But if it stirs the ol' passion, well, life is too short to drive a crappy car.
-DT
"Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Junk"

Oh, and the "crappy car" thing is a generalization, not slamming your Audi. (My wife has an '02 A6 4.2 Sport, and our 4th Audi). Never have had a VW, though I would imagine it's a lot like an Audi, no?
Cheers,
-DT

Yes, my Passat does handle very well. I upgraded the suspension with an eibach / koni combination and chipped the engine. The car is tight.

The big thing with Audi/VW products is their interiors. Both my Passat and my A4 have interiors that are better quality than BMW and Mercedes IMO.

Deals are out there on the type of 911 I'm looking for. Can't wait to find "The One".

peter

Vegas,

Here's a few things to keep remember about cars.

1) You never can say you have what you want...period.you will always want the better one, which as time moves along, you find new taste, etc.
My story tells it all.


2) cars depreciate, so think of it like a vacation that you keep. You enjoy it, its fun, but it will cost you and you can' get it back. Even an Enzo, if you drive it everyday, lets see if that becomes worth more than what you paid. Wreck it and you lose it all regardless if you have insurance you still lose. Burn a house down, you have fire insurance, you keep the property, and build a new/better one.

I have always been a car enthusiast since I was 14 and after over a decade I still am one. I started with a Nissan 240sx, Corolla, BMW 3series, SLK, 996, and now an ML500 (family car). I basically bought a new car every 1.5 years. Of course cars were on my top priority before I got into my own business. Since then things have changed. Hopefully this would give a good example of what a car can do for you.

From my 240sx I got a bucket corolla and put more money into it my parents said I was stupid, but I said no, with all the mods I've done, its better than a 300ZX because I customized it with just as good parts. I had a sleeper corolla that pulled into the 15's which was fast back in the early 90's. Then I realized I wanted more plush and luxury, so I got a BMW it had just as much speed, but more class and luxury. Then I got an SLK which was supercharged and supped up again, just as fast and luxurious as a BMW but convertible and pimp at the time.

I hit the jackpot in 99 and cashed out big time in the stock market, paid cash for a new 2000 996. I paid 88.5k out the door and added 15k worth of mods. I planned to order the new F360 at that time but overextended myself as I was also opening a startup funded mostly by myself.

This trend along probably similar to other car buffs shows that you can never get enough satisfaction which is why nobody will be driving their car forever. But to prolong your moneypot that will keep allowing you to buy cars, you should stop at the point where the car will prevent you from moving a step higher.

Realize that if you're taking a step too far where your biz investment funds will be affected, don't do it, otherwise you might end up like a few people I know who had new cars 5 years ago were the man of the block with their new car, but was unable to carry themselves forward by preserving the core. (it takes money to make more money)

I appreciate all of the conservative comments I've received on this board. It shows me that the community here is responsible and not a bunch of wannabes that overextend to drive a sportscar. Wow! How refreshing! A board where you receive mature feedback.....

The finances are looking good right now and I've figured out a way to comfortably fit a used 996 into the budget.

Hopefully many of you are enjoying a sunny Saturday cruising around in your 996's.

Peter

I agree with Waz... screw financial responsibility! You are never ever going to be stable enough. Even if you have Waz's kind of cash it could all evaporate because of some irresponsible action on somebody elses part that impacts you.

Just do it...you only live once (and during that time if you can afford to, don't miss the chance to experience a Porsche).

(of course it your wife kicks your azz for buying I am goona tell her i was dirinking at the bar when i gave you that advice!