[968Syncro]

So, I love the car, but the problem is I have to fix some things, or get them fixed. There were times during the years when I relished going out in the garage and fixing something. But these last few months I just can't get in the right emotional state. I started a new job, drive it to work every day which is really sweet (Tiptronic is welcome during freeway / side street commutes). Nothing major, just those annoying repairs that "should" be done, but then seem optional. (example sunroof gears, slow/intermittent passenger side power window)



Its just one of those times in car ownership, if I could only get to work and fix one thing, maybe that would provide enough motivation to keep going. But these days I look at the jack, and the jack stands, and wonder -- do I really want to get dirty, and unscrew a million little screws that hold the batwing (front apron) on?



I need a new head unit, the CD player broke, AM doesn't work, no Aux/USB port to listen to my music. A couple of blown speakers. Thinking of getting a new head unit -- maybe that will light the spark to do more.



What to do? How can I once again become that 17 year old with my first car?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

Interesting post - nothing to be ashamed of, though - we've all been there, myself definitely included (as evidenced by the fact that I'm sitting here on the forum, rather than re-assembling my power steering rack, after having found the smoking gun for why it wasn't working). You hit it on the head by looking for "small victories" - pick the easiest thing on your list, however small, and knock it out. This should give you a solid emotional lift that will hopefully carry you to the next thing, until you finish enough items to reduce that nagging sense of guilt, which should provide that next little boost.



Another thing you might consider is using a vacation day (if you have any excess) to dedicate to working on the car. We all have a ton of chores and errands to take care of on the weekends, making it sometimes difficult to work car project in, whereas if you take a day where there's nothing else on the slate, you should improve your chances of making significant progress. But even with this, start with something small, and work your way up. Good luck!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[tamathumper]

We've all been there with a water-cooled Porsche. Sometimes it's time to move on, and sometimes it just takes a break. When it feels like it "must" be done, it's no fun. When it's optional, it tends to be more fun.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='tamathumper' timestamp='1369507420' post='143094']

When it's optional, it tends to be more fun.

[/quote]



So true...

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

From the perspective of those that are unable to repair almost anything, if it is financially feasible then just get it fixed. That will get get back in the mood.nothings better than a drive where everything works.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='Rap' timestamp='1369513808' post='143098']

...nothings better than a drive where everything works.

[/quote]

Most of us can only dream of that day...

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[craigawoodman]

If it was flawless, it would most likely also be characterless. Sometimes the things that don't work are the things that endear us.



I have been going to fix the stereo for around three years and still haven't got there.



I think it is a bit like marriage, there is always a list of things to do (in marriage, that your wife has), to keep us occupied and remove idle time to wander.



If you don't want to actually get under the car, do some retail therapy by researching the parts, etc that you need and then plan the job. Sometimes the looking for the solution is better than actually providing it. It is normally much easier as well.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[MB968]

I can relate. Wife's out of town this weekend, yet still trying to get motivated to get out into the garage to install some of the half a dozen parts that I've already purchased within the past 18mos. and still aren't on the car. And I'm retired, so no excuse than lacking the motivation. I could just switch to being an A type personality. No, then I'd have missed the NCAA sand volleyball finals, a little of the Austrailian V8 Supercars, and the European Soccer finals today in England. Think I'll just haul one of the TVs to the garage and at least make a little progress. Oh yes, to be young and full or energy for cars.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

Craig, I've purchased two 968's where both stereo's don't work. I had high ambitions for the first one and did tons of research. The installer I went to was somewhat apathetic in his response to me and I thought your not getting my biz. Haven't thought much about it since. Second cars stereo didn't work and I gave it no thought. And I'm a music guy. The hum of the catback is now my music. And the whistle of the sc is my other stereo!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[craigawoodman]

Rap,



As the car gets trailered most places, it has not bothered me that much. It used to work, but when I had a moment and touched the wall at Lakeside, one side of the car was reprinted, and it has never worked since then. I need to get an Aux in cable to see if it is the head unit or speakers/wiring, but have just been too lazy to do it. I would like a double din (has a double din stereo there now), sat nav/stereo and upgrade the speakers. It would be good to have Bluetooth for the phone as you get used to having it in a car as well (and our Police are like rabid tax collectors with a total sense of humour fail).



It is on the list of things to do, but I just have not got there yet. Like Flash says, do it right the first time, but that will be expensive.



The front wings have some marks where the mechanics must have lent on them installing the SC that need to be fixed, there are some dents in the bonnet, and I would like a better solution for the intercooler, etc, etc. I am not this anal about my other cars.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

Craig I think about stereos but laziness and allocation of resources place it low on the priority list. The breezeway and porch is the latest giant sucking sound. My newest thought, slightly offline here, is new sound for the back. Currently I have six speakers and a sub woofer outside. The porch changes the dynamics of the yard and its usage so some thought is necessary. This eliminates any chance for new stereos in the cars. No complaints I'm grateful to be able to overdevelop my lot to the point where the type of person who might be interested in purchasing it grows smaller. Of course I've no intention of selling. Where would I park the 968's? Lol

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968Syncro]

Ok guys, I took the first 3 steps:



1. A good wash, vacuum, wash windows, wipe interior, check fluids.



2. Made a list of the repairs I'd like to do, broke them down into the research / learning, the parts to buy, priorities steps to follow for debug and repair.



3. Gave her (the 968) a good "talking to", told her if she continues to break things, then I may have to consider "correcting" her. This works really well, learned it from Delbert Grady on "The Shining".



https://www.youtube....h?v=pc0_SYZJfzU



Thanks for all your supporting views, maybe I am on the way to fixing some stuff.



Roland

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

I'm going to try it. Does it only work on females?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[craigawoodman]

Rolland,



She probably needs to be taken out and given a good, proper flogging. At least then she will know that you still love her.



Perhaps cars are like women after all. If you simply keep applying beauty products (shampoo, wax, polish, cleanser, etc), they go all soft and become high maintenance and their idea of fun is new shoes or a handbag (Rap - I know that there will be a comment for this, and for our female members I apologise in advance for the generalization).



But if you constantly take them out and go dancing and partake in sport, like a vigorous run/race, then the whole high maintenance issue sort of goes away.



Same if you ignore your car, if it wants your attention, it will get it. Even if it means breaking something. So perhaps having a 968 is a bit like having a mistress?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

Craig handbags? Geez! If the shoe doesn't fit then it shouldn't offend. Then of course there is Danica who probably likes her pumps and grease and riding hard! There is nothing like the smell of petrol, oil and burning rubber in the morning topped off with the growl and scream of finely tuned engines. I agree our cars enjoy being ridden hard. Just like our mistresses! But two mistresses can get expensive and there is always one that wants or needs something. If you get one something then the other one wants it. Example, my white car is so jealous of the red one because it has a sc. Lol

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968Syncro]

[quote name='craigawoodman' timestamp='1369637710' post='143154']

So perhaps having a 968 is a bit like having a mistress?

[/quote]

Well yes, the impact is somewhat similar. The 968 seems to be less expensive and doesn't talk back. Although I wonder if that occasional backfiring behavior might be something we could compare.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rxter]

Interesting perspectives. A lot depends on your abilities I suppose. I spent most of yesterday taking the undertrays off and on to find the source of a coolant leak. Fixed it I think, and I felt like a superstar mechanic.



Roland I would be happy to help with the music angle. I've become reasonably adept at pulling the head unit, speakers, wiring, etc. Sometimes a helping hand can also change your head space.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[MB968]

One of the biggest issues I've found with retirement is there is always tomorrow. It's so easy to procrastinate. I used to work off of lists as mentioned above, just to make use of my scarce free time. That still helps, when I actually take the time to look at them.



Fortunately I did knuckle down one day over the weekend, and replaced the drip rail seal/molding on one side of the car, and also replaced a torn fuel filler boot with a new one.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

Seems like one of my mistresses was reading my response here and decided screw him, I'll show him. My roof doesn't work now and there is a decidedly obnoxious squeak that sounds sort of ominous on the right front. I'm so sorry honey. I really didn't mean it I was just joking. This line never works don't know why I bother. The only thing that just about always works is opening my wallet. lol

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[craigawoodman]

A family friend once said to me;



"The only problem with retirement is, as soon as you wake up, you are on the job".



When time is short, we use it wisely. I work much better with a deadline. But if it can be put off to tomorrow, so much the better.



We all have plans of things we want to do, but either time or funds prevent us from doing them.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.