I am assuming calendar age, not mental age - as there are no votes for 0-19 (my mental age according to my wife is around 12 to 14).
Like others, I have had my 968 for 7 years.
39 -- Bought the car when I was 38. Hopefully will keep it until I'm at least 50. Hopefully it won't kill me first.
Craig you lucky dog. So your wife has no expectations of you and with that age range you can never really get in trouble or be responsible for your actions. Why because your too young to know any better! I know speak for our membership when I say I hope your taking advantage to the max what we can only dream of! Lol
The age results are lower than I thought they would be.
At 48 (45 when I bought the 968) I thought that most owners would be "way" older, but I see that I am right in the "middle of the pack".
It's interesting that as the value of 968s has dropped, there aren't a lot more younger owners. Of course, this is a very small sample so far. I'm right in the middle of the pack, so I guess I'm driving (or not driviing...) the right car.
This survey is only going to show where "mid life crisis" starts! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.png" class="smilie" alt="" />
I'm the ripe, immature age of 41
So far, the curve shows the age most likely to own a car that requires a lot of maintenance - it's a labor of love and patience. Speaking in gross general terms, most younger owners would "un-maintain" the car into an early grave - a la much of the 944 set.
26. I purchased 7 years ago. Second car growing up was a 944 at 17, and year later bought a S2.. Will never sell the 968. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" />
[quote name='Cloud9...68' timestamp='1351274374' post='134114']
It's interesting that as the value of 968s has dropped, there aren't a lot more younger owners. Of course, this is a very small sample so far. I'm right in the middle of the pack, so I guess I'm driving (or not driviing...) the right car.
[/quote]
I just noticed today on the PCA website that there are several 968's for sale, but the prices are WAY up from a short while ago. One is in the low teens but several are around $20K and one even over $30K! That will keep the 968 out of reach for younger drivers...
[quote name='Langley968' timestamp='1351294742' post='134122']
I just noticed today on the PCA website that there are several 968's for sale, but the prices are WAY up from a short while ago. One is in the low teens but several are around $20K and one even over $30K! That will keep the 968 out of reach for younger drivers...
[/quote]
It does appear that 968 prices have firmed up a bit lately, but ads with the PCA tend to be pretty inflated. A decent one can still be had in the low teens, or even well below $10K if you're willing to put some work into it. But Tama is right that most younger folks probably don't have the time and inclination to keep an older German GT maintained like it should be.
Cloud while I don't necessarily disagree with you let's not forget the financial issue! This thread is making me feel somewhat ancient. If one can turn their own wrench I suppose it's doable, if your like me, it can become a bit of an expense.
Yes, I'm just saying that most prospective buyers of "interesting" cars like the 968 will look at the purchase price, and not consider the cost of repairs and maintenance. With the purchase price averaging in the mid teens, I would have thought that would make the car very attractive to younger buyers, so I'm surprised there aren't more of them. Maybe I'm not giving them enough credit - maybe they are considering the cost of upkeep, and running the other way!
Actually, the cost of maintenance was the most important factor in my decision to purchase this car at the ripe old age of 19. After countless hours of research and inquiring about common problems with the 968, I decided that it was worth it for such a unique and beautiful car. With the amount of money I've spend on the 968 over the past 7 years, I could have easily had several newer, more reliable vehicles. However, I like to turn my own wrenches (it's therapeutic) and wouldn't take back any of the time spent making repairs or replacing dated parts on this car. period. There's just something about this car that I'm sure everyone else on this board feels every time you get behind the wheel.
Interesting that there are no 30-34 year old's yet.
Although my wife's assessment my mental age certainly helps me get away with my second childhood, I am pushing the boundaries. Like everything if you get a second chance - do it right the second time!
I think my wife is starting to learn from me. She is about to get her road motorbike license and then it will be on. I have a bike I ride to work, but want a toy as well, so now it will have to be toy for me, toy for her The number of toys are starting to add up.
I was looking at the Beck 904 replica thinking that it would be cool to do some Road Rallying with. Thank god that my second childhood will last the rest of my life, so I might get the toy cupboard full before I kick the bucket - but the 968 will always be amongst them (hopefully not like Woody in Toy Story though - still getting used).
Cloud,
For younger people - they tend to follow the crowd. When was the last time you saw a 968 or 944 in a cool movie, TV film clip, etc. Unless the car has some airtime - no one knows what it is or what it can do. Now a nitrous Supra, etc - just look at Fast and the Furious and how many people emulate that. To be cool when young, you either need to be retro or up-to-the-minute. The 968 does not fit into either. Possibly a Boxster would fit, as it was the must have car when they were little, but Porsche did not advertise the 968 or sell that many.
For most young people, it is most likely just too far off their radar. Sorry to say it, but you have to be a bit of an anorak wearer to know what the 968 is capable of.
My thoughts anyway.
Craig,
What you say makes sense. I was just thinking along the lines of cars like, say, E36 and E46 3 Series BMWs. My daughter's car is an 04 325i, so I frequent the E46 forums, and have noticed that as the cars depreciate, there are more and more younger owners - I feel like a real old fogey on those sites (whereas I fit right in over here <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.png" class="smilie" alt="" />). But you're right - the 968 is way off most peoples' radar, particularly of people too young to have been around when they were new.
visibility is a key in attracting the younger crowd. with the 968, there just aren't enough of them around, and those that are around are owned by older guys. at least there were a lot of 944s, and it was fairly well represented in tv and film. people knew about the car. that can't be said of the 968.
the other issue is what they can tinker with. with a 944, you have a fair amount of stuff you can buy for it. that also is not true of the 968.
price is another issue. when the price of the 968 gets down to $5k or $6k, you'll see more kids picking them up. of course, at that point, because i want no part of dealing with those kids, things will change a lot for me.
I don't think you will see the "running" 968 go down to 5-6K because they are worth more than that as a "parts car".