Riccardo

As Stephen above says, don't waste your money on stupid stuff. There are so many things people buy which they don't need, just focus on your goals.

I bought my 911 when I was 24, two years after starting to work. Ok, admitedly 2000 was a very good year, especially in the banking business, but I did also spend about 2/3 of my income in rent (I have moved house since, leaves much more cash for the car!). I also have nice clothes, take about 3 holidays per year and go out for dinner every week. Basically, I am trying to say I also have a life.

Don't get me wrong, I probably earn less than many other people here, but I know how to manage my money. Every time I want to buy something expensive I do the 2 months test. If I still want the thing after 2 months then I buy it. Its a question of personal discipine, you will be suprised at how much more disposable income you will have.

Also, try and stay clear of loans, they're a downward spiral. You get one, then another, increase it a bit, and before you know it its out of control, you feel like you've got nothing to loose because its not really yours and you waste even more money. <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />

Mike Velez

It's been said before, set yourself some goals, and bust your *** to achieve those goals. I saw the movie Risky Business when I was about 12 years old, since then I've wanted a 928 (and a wife that as hot as Rebeca DeMorne {sp?} circa 1983 ) I'm 27 and have both. As well as a nice home with a view and a pool, a beautiful wife, a beautiful daughter, and my health. Set your self some high goals and don't let a single day pass without taking a step towards those goals.

Christer

Mike V

Ms. Demornay is now over 40 years old - you enjoy being a toyboy? I know I do.

Jim Sloves

Yep, priorities. My house costs less than my annual gross income while most folks have homes 2 to 2-1/2 times their gross income. My wife is not into jewelry and that helps.

Dan968

level8 - don't get too scared off with cost of ownership. If you're careful and do your homework, your car can cost you very little to own. I've had my '94 968 coupe for over 5 years and the only thing I've HAD to spend money on was a rebuilt starter last year for $450. Not bad for a 7 year old car. If all Porsche's cost $3,000-$5,000 a year to maintain, people would run away screaming instead of lining up to buy them. <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

Danno

"My house costs less than my annual gross income while most folks have homes 2 to 2-1/2 times their gross income."

That is so very true! There's a difference between a home purchase that's an asset vs. a liability. Most people can't tell the difference... heh, heh...

Luke, on the taxes thing... start your own corporation...

Richard 92 C2

Hey all !

Well for what its worth, my tupence!

I'm 35 years old and married (wife is a housewife) with three kids (one in college) own a house and have four animals, I'm a senior Manager at a top UK insurance company. I managed to buy my first Porsche a couple of weeks ago after having had this as a dream since I could say the word Porsche. I'm come from South Africa where Porsche's are only afforded by the very rich and famouse (probably why we as kids dreamed about them). Basically what I'm saying is this ... Visualise the car of your dreams place it at the top of your things to have and GO FOR IT ... You will get it if you want it bad enough

Good luck and keep dreaming (thats what Porsches are made of)

Richard
"Proud of my Porsche"
92 C2 <img src="graemlins/r.gif" border="0" alt="[king]" />

Danno

You guys mentioned this 'priorities' list. Funny thing is that this list is always around whether you make one up or not. Implicitly, most people demonstrate their list (and priorities) based upon what they spend most of their time doing. If you are spending a lot of your time (or free time), drinking at the pub, watching TV, working for peanuts, etc., then your priorities list, real or not, isn't leading you towards prosperity and abundance of Porsche ownerships.

Mike Velez

Half your annual income on your dwelling? Wow, unless you make a $1mil a year or want to live in a trailer, that doesn't often fly here in Southern California. In my city the median home price is about $250K, and in the lower priced cities you won't want to leave your Porsche outside of the garage for more than a few minutes.

Jim Sloves

I don't know if you referred to my post: my house costs less than my gross. It's all relative.

If I could make $2 mil a year,then a $1 mil house would be easy. Unfortunately that is not my situation.

Mike Velez

It depends on the housing market you're in. I'm not up on the real estate market in Boca Raton, but here in So Cal, I just sold a 1200sq foot house for $265K, bought it four years ago for $165K, at the time I bought it I was making $50K a year, it was more than three times my gross, but I ended up netting an extra $100K from it. In some parts of the country that same 1200sq foot home could go for $100K. I think your opinon on what percentage of your income your home should cost really depends on where you live. If there's any usable investment (i.e. property, vehicle, art, etc) that's worth extending yourself on, it's real estate. If you choose wisely, your investment will only appreciate over time.

I think that's great that you're able to spend less than you make in a year on your home. But, the equasion's not that simple. It's dependent on first, how much you make, and secondly, on what type of living conditions are acceptable for you.

Jim Sloves

Mike,

You're right on many points. One of my colleagues moved from CA and said real estate there is priced relatively insane. I guess places like CA, NYC, and Aspen don't apply to my comment. Heck, the median home price in Aspen, CO is about $1.9 million. In Boca Raton the values range greatly depending on your proximity to the ocean and intracoastal waterway.

Mark-87-951

I got my 87 944 turbo for $3900. Shocked the daylights out of my coworkers. Now - 3yrs later Im in a position to fix a lot of things and start restoring. Now for all the money I have and will put into it I could have a new - practical car or a new or 1-2 yr old sports car - ie pontiac or chevy - blah.

Mark

Jim Sloves

My dealer told me the average annual income of a new Carrera buyer is ~$250k (USD) and guestimated for the Boxster it's $150k.

Of course there's a huge range as some folks making way less than 250k will get a Carrera as well as some ultra rich that make a several million a year.

Dan

Mike,
Move up the coast a bit and here in Santa Barbara the median house price is well above $550,000.00. I bought my Porsche just about senior year in HS. Found a great deal and just emptied the savings account. Worth everypenny back then (1985)and today. Starting to figure out how to get the next one before 40. Something newer I hope.