04-28-2010, 09:55 PM
I know that I live vicariously through many adventures posted on this forum, yet I rarely have much to give back other than the odd Rube Goldberg fix. Anyway, I recently had an interesting adventure that I want to share with you all. I hope you get a couple of laughs, or at least an escape for a couple of minutes.
With the blessing of one of our illustrious and industrious site owners/moderators I’ve decided to do this in parts, this being part 1. Look for additional installments in the coming days and weeks.
Part 1 – when is enough not enough?
Although I first noticed and fell in love with the 968 2 years ago, my destiny was somewhat set in motion 40 years before that, when I fell in love with boats. My Dad was a boat guy and I learned to ski at an early age. I’ve owned all sorts of powered boats – 2 stroke outboard go fasts, bass boats, family cruisers, ski boats, and I loved them all. Something about the freedom of open water, wind in my face, and hundreds of ponies under my right hand.
After a 20-year long run with boats and large fresh water bodies not more than 2 miles from my house, I find myself in SoCal and the only fresh water to be had is a 1000 acre reservoir open on Thursday and Friday that is 30 miles from my house down a very crowded freeway. For those of you who like to ski you’ll know that this is not a great scenario unless you own the lake and have it to yourself.
Anyway – I quit the boat business and found myself suddenly drawn to convertibles – something about the freedom of the open road, wind in my face, and hundreds of ponies under my right foot. I bought a 92 325ic – in my gallery if you are interested. Good car, but not what I had in mind. Sold it after 2 months as a 25% loss – oops…
Then I saw the 968, loved the shape, loved the drive, looked around and bought my 93 Cab – great car. Needs a nip and a tuck but runs very strong. We drive her often and really enjoy the entire experience. Not to mention the great camaraderie that comes with membership on this site.
Lately I’ve been looking around at other cars. This 968 is so damned old. Parts are expensive and harder to get, the labor to fix these things is simply stupid, and unless you are a decent mechanic the economics just start to look all wrong. What will it take to get the car where I want it? Consensus here is $25K no matter where you start (assuming you are paying for the labor).
One of flash’s memorable assertions was that “…you can’t buy a better used car for $30K”. That got me thinking even more, so I started to look around. If I am going to put serious money into this car I want to make sure it’s the right car – after all you can buy a lot for $30K.
So I drove every 2-seat drop top with a stick that I could lay my hands on.
Mini – the interior cartoonish styling was just too much – fun little cart to beat up though.
MR2 (latest gen) – go kart – punishing ride. I’d never get the bride within 20 feet of it – next?
968 – really fun in both standard and S variants, but outclassed in every way by the 987
987 – fantastic car. Great engineering, a bit pricey in the S variant, but if I’m patient I could find one sub $30K. Hold on – am I losing my mind?
MX5 – in all variants quite fun, but in the end I can’t drive one – I’m just not that comfortable with my feminine side (and my SO says it’s a chick car, which doesn’t help any).
S2000 – oh what a blast. High speed shifts at 7K all day long. Best shifter mechanism I have ever run through the gears – fantastic. Found one with 6000 miles on it for $22K, the boot cover still in the bag – dallied and lost that one – damn.
Now the question that plagues me to this day. Why am I thinking about spending $20 to $30 K that I can’t afford on a car that I don’t need? Wind in my face? – wait for a strong breeze you idiot…
With the blessing of one of our illustrious and industrious site owners/moderators I’ve decided to do this in parts, this being part 1. Look for additional installments in the coming days and weeks.
Part 1 – when is enough not enough?
Although I first noticed and fell in love with the 968 2 years ago, my destiny was somewhat set in motion 40 years before that, when I fell in love with boats. My Dad was a boat guy and I learned to ski at an early age. I’ve owned all sorts of powered boats – 2 stroke outboard go fasts, bass boats, family cruisers, ski boats, and I loved them all. Something about the freedom of open water, wind in my face, and hundreds of ponies under my right hand.
After a 20-year long run with boats and large fresh water bodies not more than 2 miles from my house, I find myself in SoCal and the only fresh water to be had is a 1000 acre reservoir open on Thursday and Friday that is 30 miles from my house down a very crowded freeway. For those of you who like to ski you’ll know that this is not a great scenario unless you own the lake and have it to yourself.
Anyway – I quit the boat business and found myself suddenly drawn to convertibles – something about the freedom of the open road, wind in my face, and hundreds of ponies under my right foot. I bought a 92 325ic – in my gallery if you are interested. Good car, but not what I had in mind. Sold it after 2 months as a 25% loss – oops…
Then I saw the 968, loved the shape, loved the drive, looked around and bought my 93 Cab – great car. Needs a nip and a tuck but runs very strong. We drive her often and really enjoy the entire experience. Not to mention the great camaraderie that comes with membership on this site.
Lately I’ve been looking around at other cars. This 968 is so damned old. Parts are expensive and harder to get, the labor to fix these things is simply stupid, and unless you are a decent mechanic the economics just start to look all wrong. What will it take to get the car where I want it? Consensus here is $25K no matter where you start (assuming you are paying for the labor).
One of flash’s memorable assertions was that “…you can’t buy a better used car for $30K”. That got me thinking even more, so I started to look around. If I am going to put serious money into this car I want to make sure it’s the right car – after all you can buy a lot for $30K.
So I drove every 2-seat drop top with a stick that I could lay my hands on.
Mini – the interior cartoonish styling was just too much – fun little cart to beat up though.
MR2 (latest gen) – go kart – punishing ride. I’d never get the bride within 20 feet of it – next?
968 – really fun in both standard and S variants, but outclassed in every way by the 987
987 – fantastic car. Great engineering, a bit pricey in the S variant, but if I’m patient I could find one sub $30K. Hold on – am I losing my mind?
MX5 – in all variants quite fun, but in the end I can’t drive one – I’m just not that comfortable with my feminine side (and my SO says it’s a chick car, which doesn’t help any).
S2000 – oh what a blast. High speed shifts at 7K all day long. Best shifter mechanism I have ever run through the gears – fantastic. Found one with 6000 miles on it for $22K, the boot cover still in the bag – dallied and lost that one – damn.
Now the question that plagues me to this day. Why am I thinking about spending $20 to $30 K that I can’t afford on a car that I don’t need? Wind in my face? – wait for a strong breeze you idiot…
![[Image: b4e2709f.jpg]](http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/Smokiemon968/Porsche%20pics/b4e2709f.jpg)