[biotechee]

So I've been thinking a lot lately about my cab. I am seriously considering putting it up for sale in the near future. I love the car, think it's great and all that jazz, but, for some strange reason, I'm not "there" 100%. Need to speak with the Mrs about it and get her take as well. I hardly ever drive the poor thing, and I think it would be nice to free up the garage space for other "things". Dunno... I also think a cab is not right for me. I do really enjoy top down driving, but I really don't like driving it in the hot/humid weather we have here. So that effectively precludes me from driving it as much as I would like. A coupe of some sorts would suit me better, plus a coupe would afford me the ability to cart my kids around much more easily. Can't do that with the cab.



I have a lot going on right now so that is probably adding to all this wishy-washiness:



- New job function requiring much more time/effort (this is good because my effort has a direct effect on my compensation)

- Kitchen remodel (also good, except for the drain on the bank account and lack of time to complete it!)

- Pending court case for guardianship of my parents (not good in any shape or form!)

- Serious anxiety issues with another family member that are requiring some serious changes (not fun)

- Two parents with two full time jobs and two kids in separate schools - afterschool activities, blah blah blah



I guess you could say a level of stress that I am not acustomed too... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Keep in mind I am simply voicing what's on my mind. I've got no close by friends with whom I can talk about this, so you all are my sounding board! Lucky you!



I don't need to sell, not sure I want to sell it, but I need to talk about it.



The fact that RSB is no longer servicing '68s is factoring in everything as well. I realize Provost is not that much farther away, but it just makes things more complicated. Not to lament, but it was very nice and very convenient having Pete and Max "down the road" from my house and even closer to my office.



I'd love to get an E46 M3, but I am finding it difficult to locate one that I would want. Most are silver, black, grey, white or red. Boring. I also think it might be smart for numerous reasons to go down to 2 cars for a couple of years. If I unload the cab, and then sorta search for the right M3 to come along, I could at least be in the position to get the M3 since the cab would be gone. If I keep the cab and wait for the M3, I'll have hell to pay and I'll "need" to sell the cab quickly - not the best situation to be in!



I'm pretty sure I would regret unloading the cab something fierce, but... Sometimes you need to check out the grass on the other side!!!



Sorry for the long winded post. Like I said, just speaking out loud. If she does go up, she'll go up here first.



Thoughts?

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

[flash]

you've been wrestling with this one for a while now - i think you've already got your answer, and really just need to let yourself go where you need to go - sentiment often gets in the way of reality, and i've felt that as well about different things over the years - as much as i intellectually know i need to let go of something, the heart still gets in the way



in the end, it's just a car, and no matter how long you've had it, what you've gone through with it, or what you've done to it, like all of these, it's still just a car, not worth much anymore, doesn't perform as well as many cars out there today, is old and likely tired, and really only valuable to you as long as you love driving it



as for the cab thing and the heat, that is exactly why i had the zip out rear window top made - now i can leave the top up, windows down, still get the airflow, but not fry in the seat - not that this is the only issue for you, but that one is fairly easily resolved, assuming the cash is there to do it



so, in the end, it's really what you want that is more important than anything else - i think we all understand that, and certainly none of us want to see anybody move on, but it is the reality - i've thought about it from time to time too

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

[biotechee]

All true.



One of the other things that bugs me, and about which I am currently unable to do anything, is lack of space. Our 2-car garage is TINY as far as 2-car garages go. With three cars, and a miniscule 2-car garage, it makes life cumbersome to deal with even simply DIY stuff. And I really like simple DIY stuff.



Yeah, I'm pretty sure I know where I'm going with the cab, just not sure when or how and what would happen thereafter.

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

[Cloud9...68]

I hear you. It's a tough decision for sure.



Cars like 968s are a rare breed (obviously) that seem to need a distinct purpose, as there are better and less fussy choices available for the general purpose of getting around. Good uses for a car like the 968, in my mind, include:



- "Customization" - it's a great car to upgrade to your particular tastes, given that it is rare and attractive to begin with, and thanks to people like Flash, there are a lot of parts available to really enhance its performance, safety, and looks

- Showing. Probably a very good and unique car to really detail out and show at concours and the like

- Beginning track driving. Given its balanced chassis and modest power output, its a great car to learn on

- Racing. With the right mods, these cars have proven themselves to be very competitive on the track

- "Weekend" driving, meaning regular get-aways, trips through the mountains, and the like. Best suited to people without kids...



If none of these fit your situation (and I'm sure there are others I haven't thought of), and it ends up just sitting in the garage most of the time, maybe it's time to sell. Mine was in this category, so I tried selling it for awhile, but when I saw how little it was really worth, I decided it wasn't worth it, and given the mods that were already on the car, it wouldn't take a whole lot more to turn it into a pretty capable track car, so that's the route I'm going. But if I didn't have that particular interest, I probably would have sold it by now. Good luck with the decision.

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

[flash]

i have the same problem with space - there are 2 other cars i would have right now, in addition to the ones i have now, except that i have no space for them - as it is i have 2 other cars and a trailer off property, and am constantly juggling spaces now that the motorcycle is here

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

[biotechee]

Tracking, of any sorts, is not a particular option for me. While I think it would probably be fun, it doesn't really appeal to me at the moment. The cab was definitely intended to be a weekender/every so often 3rd car. But the fact of the matter is, it doesn't fit that roll for me. Plus, if we have a need to use the 3rd car as the main mode of transport for either my wife or me if one of the main cars goes down, it doesn't fit that bill either. She can't drive it in the winter with our youngest daughter, and I would be hesitant to drive it in the winter with our oldest (I take the oldest to her school, Mrs takes the youngest to another school, 30 miles away). While one could argue for snow tires, the fact is ice around here is prevalent, and she just won't take the 968. Makes perfect sense to me. Not that an M3 would be any better, but... I would not have a problem taking the oldest to school (3 miles down the road) in an M3 with snows - Mrs could then take the other AWD SUV while 1st SUV is being fixed/worked on. I know rental is an optional and all that, but I would rather try to have it all!



Part of my problem is I always see something different (not necessarily better) that I'd like to have. I've always been that way - guess I am never satisfied with what I do have.



Would love to have a motorcycle! Neighbor across the street has a real nice BMW touring that I'd like to ride. Currently thinking about a 4-wheel ATV. If I had the garage space, I could store my snowmobile and an ATV in there. No chance of getting an ATV now since I have to store my snowmobile offsite and keep the cab in the garage.



Maybe I'm trying to relive a childhood I never had with all these toys? Or perhaps - GASP - I am hitting the ol' midlife crisis time hard...



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/mad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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

[Ed Russo]

Family issues come first. After working out your family issues things may become clearer as to which direction to go.

Just take one day at a time.



Wishing you well



Ed

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

[Cloud9...68]

I left out what to me is one of the main things that comes with of owning a car like the 968 - the need/desire to tinker with it. Any car this age is going to need a high level of attention, and no disrespect meant toward anyone here - but I'm utterly dumbfounded by how anyone could own a car like the 968 and not do 90% of the work on it themselves. Seems to be a pre-requisite to owning one, imho. It's half the fun, too. Taking it ot a mechanic for all, or even most, of its issues strikes me as a one-way ticket to the poor house. I'd make an exception to that if you own your business, such that time away from work equates to lost income, or if you are just a well-to-do individual who can easily afford the mechanics bills. But otherwise, owning an old sports car or GT seems to entail the desire to spend almost as much time under it as in it. And trust me, as the kids get older, they become A LOT more expensive, especially when they start driving.



Your lack of space to work on it seems to be another strike against it, it would seem, and a vote in favor of something newer, like that M3. But as Flash says, these decisions are part reason, part emotion, so you also need to think of how it's going to feel to see it driving away in the hands of a new owner. I remember getting pretty choked up when I sold my first car, a 1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster that I had restored through a labor of love. Not sure I'm helping...

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

[flash]

i let go of my mgb i had driven for 25 years for much the same reasoning - i regret it to this day - probably not helpful



that being said, if i did have it back, even though there is much more i would be capable of doing now, and could make it an even better car than before, it still might not be what i want



the fact is that i have changed - my wants and desires from a car have changed - i now look for a more civilized and updated car than i used to - i used to really enjoy the raw spartan features of a sportscar - now i prefer the comfort and convenience of a GT like the 968 - i also find myself really liking the SL550 even more for anything other than canyon carving



my needs have also changed - i used to do nothing but performance driving - now i drive a lot more just bopping around town and on longer road trips - none of that is really well suited to either a sports car or the 968 - i find myself preferring to drive the denali a lot of the time



so, i completely understand the dilemma - i also agree with the decision i think you are headed for - i hate to see somebody move on, as do all of us, but i certainly understand it, if that's what you ultimately decide to do

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

[94SilverCab]

KEEP IT !!!



jmho,



Jay

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

[Ceenit]

I had very similar thoughts to yours several years ago. I ended up selling my first 968 Cab that I loved for several years, but just wasn't getting the time to enjoy it and had other family priorities. I was very happy with my decision at the time. It took about a year before I started just looking to see what 968's were on the market, and then after a three year hiatus (sp?), I got the itch and bought another one. This time in a color combination that I liked better than the first.



So IMO, unless you have a very unique model that would be very tough to replace, I say sell it, Enjoy the free space in your garage for a few years and maybe a little extra cash in your pocket. You can always buy back in and up.

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

[flwbyu]

I feel your pain regarding this one! To Cloud's point, yes, wrenching the car yourself is the best way to go if you can. My problem has always been no garage and lack of wrenching experience. I would love to work on the car myself since I know it would get done to my level of satisfaction. However, my 968 was vandalized recently and has had problems ever since. So, I have debated selling my own 968 as well. I love the car which is why I haven't. I hate that it sits now and does not get driven but until I have the funds to figure it out...that's the way it has got to be. I wish you the best of luck which ever way you decide to go.

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

[Rap]

I am new to ownership and happen to dig my 968 right now. Most of your reasons are valid to you. Your plate sounds pretty full. The market for these cars probably won't change that much, meaning availability and decent cost will be there in the future. However the lower the cost the greater the chance for expensive repairs in the future. Im sure you know this. I'm not wealthy but at this stage don't have a mechanical bone in my body and would rather see the job done right. I too dislike have to drive to Provost, but then again Max is worth it. Talk to his boss. I was impressed with his take on Max. Nice to meet an honest businessman, self secure, comfortable in hos own skin and with his ego in check. These cars are great fun but only discretionary purchases. I suspect you could get over the sale of it. While this is probably a crummy analogy you have an emotional component here. I have skied for 45 years and in 2010 finally capitulated and had my knee replaced. I loved skiing. 2011 was the first year in 45 years I didn't ski. The surgeon told me I shouldn't ski. Not couldn't but rather shouldn't. Did I miss it last year. Yea big time. Will I get over it? Yep. Easy? Easier as time goes on. Could I ski again? If I chose too.

Sorry this got stuck. You can always change your mind and if your decision starts out valid, live with it. Bet you agree once you decide!

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