Okay Oppo, here's what's happening in the world of ze PorscheTamer

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
07/13/2014 at 17:24 • Filed to: k-roll

It's an automotive fuster-cluck. So have this 928 before I begin.

So here's what's happening:

My mother has been wanting that Volvo XC60 for years now, and I now realize that even though it's expensive and we cannot feasibly get it for her now as much as she wants it, I have decided to make a very tough decision; rather, my dad and I have come to this decision. This is what I'd like to call the "fleet rearrangement plan"

Now before I move on with this, I'm gonna get this out of the way. I'M BUYING THAT 944 STILL!

That's right, I'm still going to be stubborn as hell and buy this car, my dad and I have worked out that I can logically and financially afford it no problem with our "fleet rearrangement plan". So there's the obvious "of happenings" that I've been trying to hide that most of you probably knew already.(Damn you Vince and Brian :P)

(Just insert two more cars in that driveway and you see the problem)

Now with that out of the way, that would mean we'd have a FoST, 944, 911, Dodge Magnum, Ford Windstar that wouldn't be driven, and a Volvo XC60 at our house; but there's a problem: We can't have them all. So some cars will have to go. This is the tough part. So here's what I've decided to do for the "greater good" so that everyone can be somewhat happy.

My dad has decided to trade in his Magnum towards the XC60; necessitating him getting a new car; more on this later; he's also smart and doesn't want the van. Now that leaves the FoST, 944, 911, Windstar and XC60. This is still too many cars right now and that Windstar is next to go.

That Super Pinto has been with my family the longest(since '99) and it's been dying since at least 2010; it's time for it to go, so I plan to sell it for as good a price as it'll ever get. Like $500 and call it a day.

Now that leaves the FoST, 944, 911, XC60 and my dad who will need a car. We both agreed that the 911 and 944 will not be driven in the winter because logic. We also cannot share the FoST either, and it can't carry the things he needs for his work even with the back seats folded, and I'll need a car to take things back and forth from school, work and home; so you know where this is going....

Yep, I've decided it'd be best to sell Charlotte, and take the cash and possible depreciation hit, and payoff the loan for her and split the leftovers with my dad to get myself a winter beater as I mentioned in a previous post, and himself a new car. Yes, it's only been four months with the car, but I see this as an opportunity to try something different from my two-streak of blue hatchbacks and go on to what I know I want; and that's RWD two-door coupes! As sad as I'd be to see her go like my Astra, If it means I not only get to have a Porsche and a Mustang(still not sure yet) as a winter-beater, and my parents getting newer cars, then I say let's do it!

This leaves the final fleet setup as such.

K-Roll: Mustang as winter-beater and 944

Dad: New car(will be addressed in later post) and 911

Mom: Volvo XC60 T6

And I'm okay with this. VERY okay with this. So that's what's happening right now. Expect some subsequent posts about this and more later on this summer. Also, this might not be how the plan goes through, but this will be the end result with the cars, one way or another.

DISCUSSION (46)

Dsscats > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 17:34

Good choice. You're doing it for the right reasons, and you'll get 2 cars out of it any ways! Try to get a Fox body Mustang if you can. Look out for subframe cracks and don't get a convertible and you should be fine.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Dsscats
07/13/2014 at 17:36

I was thinking SN95, but I think I can find either no porblem. Which would you take if you had the choice?

Dsscats > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 17:38

Hmmmmm. The early SN95s were Foxs underneith. It all depends if they have had any mods. Probably Fox.

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 17:43

Trading the wagon and not the van? What's the van good for that the Magnum isn't?

In the efforts of getting the most money for these cars, see what you can sell them for outside of the dealer. Dealer trade in will factor in what they could resell the car for, so it will be a bit lower than that.

I'd talk to Aaron Brown about his 944, you might be able to pull it off in the winter. A set of winter tires and wheels, it's not a hugely powerful car, so I don't think you'll have that much of an issue with it. I think a Mustang for a winter beater will be worse than the 944. Remember that it's a 4cyl, and pretty well balanced. It's not some torquey monster looking to kill you.

My question for the XC60 is why not the T5? Is the T6 really $10k better? I'd say your dad could probably look for a 3.6L Magnum to use in the future. Good upgrade from the 2.7 by far, while not being ridiculous in the winter either.

As far as the FoST, factor in your mods, or return the car to stock. Sell the mods separately to get some of your money back. The mods wont make much of a difference to a dealer, but to other people with FoSTs, it will get you a pretty good return, especially since the parts are low mileage, and not beat on.

That's my advice so far. Let me play musical cars, and I'll have some more later for you.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 17:47

That's a lot of rearranging. But hey, new cars for everyone!

PheeNoIVI > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 17:51

boo fox body. Aren't FWD better in the snow?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt
07/13/2014 at 18:00

Well the van's not worth squat so I reckon they'll probably give my mom no more than $1k for it if at all. It's got 105k miles and lots of rust.

The problem with the 944 is that I don't want to drive it in the winter unless I have to, the car has never seen winter once in it's life and I'd rather not be the first to introduce it to corroding salt. I'd rather have a beater to go through the salt.

As for the T5 v. T6 debate, I can't really answer that. She fell in love with the only T6 on the lot and it's in the color she wants and has all the options she wants.

Well the only mods on my FoST are the Accessport tuner, which I can sell for $200 and the exhaust; but since I sold the stock exhaust last month, I can't just swap it back so it goes with the exhaust. I'll factor it into the price though, and the fact that the car only has 6000 miles on it.

I like musical cars, lets keep playing!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > PheeNoIVI
07/13/2014 at 18:00

They are, but I don't want another FWD car right now.

PheeNoIVI > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 18:06

Well it's a 4cylinder but I vote 240sx

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 18:18

.(Damn you Vince and Brian :P)

Your too kind. :) also glad you got everything all straightened out.

yamahog > PheeNoIVI
07/13/2014 at 18:39

If I had my dad's 92 fox body this winter, I don't think I'd have made it to work between first snow and April. Even in my XJ, with winter all-terrains and driving sanely in 4WD when necessary, I slid off 75 twice. But I forget, everyone on the internet is Richard Petty on the roads.... Good luck.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/13/2014 at 18:56

Yup! Thanks! Hopefully this all works out!

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 20:02

i dont know if id baby the porsche too much. You have two sides to this...youre young, and still getting the hang of driving a manual. 6000 miles is nothing. 50,000 miles still isnt really that much. Ive racked up probably 90,000 miles in the 6 years ive been on public roads, maybe more. It sometimes doesnt feel like enough, despite driving a manual almost every day so far. Moving to an auto is hard for me, i make mistakes like putting two feet on the brakes sometimes, and assistive braking makes that really bad. Like, really bad. But its still a learning process everyday, whether im 23, or when im 53.

I would think about maybe doing an anti-corrosive coating to the frame and work with what you have. A set of winter wheels will be better than a second RWD car thats easy to get into like a stang. If you really need a winter car, get some older civic or something thats dirt cheap and super easy to work on. Four doors will be cheaper to insure as well. Even some craigslist jeep will be better.

Most importantly, speaking from experience, you need to be able to afford to fix whatever you get. Ive put maybe $1400 into my wagon in parts and mods, fixing things, and i still have plenty more i need and want to do. Selling the FoST will get you enough for the 944 and part of the T6, though I would ask the dealer about the availability of the T5 in the area, or haggle hard. The 944 will be a nice DD, i would look for a more weathered one myself. Wouldnt want to buy a super nice example and then be scared to drive it. Thats why i got a magnum with 142k on it. Its rough around the edges and that makes it easier for me to drive around and not really care about too much. Things will break, itll get scratched, but ill fix it as i go.

Im getting a second car soon, and that will be a challenge, but neither one will hibernate for the winter. "The only way to keep them running is to keep them on the road."

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 20:11

But I am just going to say this. I hate you for selling the ST.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/13/2014 at 21:16

I haven't sold it yet, but I probably will.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 21:19

I don't like you as much anymore.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt
07/13/2014 at 21:28

These are facts. It's not that I don't want to or that I'm too scared to, it's just that having a car with 118k miles that's never seen snow is pretty special to me. I never wanna go back to a manual unless I have to ever. Manual is just too much fun!

I didn't know there was anti-corrosive coating? How's it work, because I would lather the 944 in it if has to be winter driven.

For the beater I was looking to spend no more than $2k and grab a relatively fun car(Stang) for the rest of the year(Nov-Apr); a Fox or an SN-95. I'd take v6 or v8 for it. CL will be my friend for this one. I've been in Civics and I don't like them at all. I'd want another Ford if anything as car #2.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/13/2014 at 21:29

Well what would you rather have me do?

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 21:44

A v8 mustang as the winter car, with the 4cyl as the summer DD? That's some silly backwards thinking right there. That stang wont make it out of the driveway with some of your Michigan ice shit going on.

Any car is a fun car when you're sliding around on ice. Wait, no car as a fun car when you're sliding around on ice. Something like that, sort of. Just don't get a v6 or v8 for the winter. If you were in the deep deep south of Texas, I'd say you wouldn't have a problem. You're nearly in the opposite.

Your winter car needs to be cheap, get good gas mileage, and be safe for you. That's it. Don't worry about fun, you'll have fun in the garage. You can get an older focus hatchback, they're usually pretty good, but I wouldn't be picky about this, because on the flip side, in a bad storm, if someone hits it, it's better if you didn't like the car to begin with. If you go for a little 4cyl, try to find one that you can do the timing belt without having to drop the whole engine, and do the belt before winter. Just another way to be prepared.

As far as anti-corrosion coatings, it's more of a permanent thing than a DIY once a year deal. Your best bet is to talk to a restoration shop about application, because you'll need to take off the exhaust and brake lines, and a few other things as well. You'll want to step up to braided steel lines, so they're less prone to issues in the winter as well. But basically it's a spray on coating that will in effect, seal the bottom of the car. Some of them are more rubber based, which is why you need to remove the exhaust before applying. You don't want it on your brake lines, because it makes it a PITA if you have to replace the brake lines and they wont come off easily anymore. It's important to just do it right the first time, because it's not really something expendable that you can go back and do again easily if something goes a little off in the process. Most restoration shops I've stopped in are very open about talking about the process, mainly because they have the experience and know that most people wont be able to pick much up, but you can ask them about certain coatings they have experience with, and how effective it's been.

When I eventually engine swap my magnum, I'm going to strip a lot of it, and apply an under coating to prevent rust from appearing. Right now, there's none that I can find on the frame, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. But the deal is that it has to be applied when it's warm and dry out, otherwise you could seal in moisture, and it will rust up and out, and that under coating will start to hold the car together. Like everything else in the world, it's more preventative than a cure-all. It's not going to guarantee you're problem free, but it's going to slow things down significantly.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt
07/13/2014 at 21:51

Well I mean if I have to make a trip for any reason, I at least want it to be something new to me, not another Focus unless it's an SVT. And I'd want something that I've never driven before but would be interested in driving; which would not be any Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, or anything like that. There must be some Ford, Chevy, BMW, Subaru or something that wouldn't bore me to death to drive in the fall/winter seasons?

Oh, I knew about the rubberized undercoatings and such, that would be a must! I was kinda hoping for something for the body panels but both would be nice.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt
07/13/2014 at 21:54

Could I use this as a winter car?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/450195…

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 21:56

Keep it and don't get a stang.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/13/2014 at 21:58

I mean I could, but then my dad would keep it and he treats his cars like a house.

aka: a fucking trash can. I refuse to let that car become a trash can. It's better off in someone else's hand where I know it'll be better taken care of than with my dad honestly.

And in the end, I'd still need a winter car.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 21:59

Why would it be his?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/13/2014 at 22:09

Because he's trading in his car so my mom can get her Volvo and we're gonna sell her current car too. He won't have any other car left to drive; and because I'm not gonna drive the 944 in the winter, I would need a winter car and we can't share the FoST because I need a car for school and work(not the 944) and he needs a car for work and the FoST can't carry everything he needs(I already tried it and it made a mess in the FoST -_-)

Logically in that case, it'd be better to sell it and get himself something new that can carry his things and me something for the time I'm not driving the 944.

Also, he's the one that signed the loan for the FoST in the first place, the car is in his name. Even though I'm the primary driver, the car is legally his.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 22:12

I will buy it. $2000 is all I got, You said you would take the hit. And you know I will take care of her.

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 22:12

Not that I know of. You could wax the car once a month if the garage is heated, but even the 3m wraps I've seen don't actually wrap around the edges of body panels, they stop short just a little bit, leaving the edges vulnerable.

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 22:17

Look for a 4 door. Cheaper insurance. It's a nice car though, I don't know if I'd sacrifice it to the salt gods. And I don't even like most BMWs...

I have to say though, don't knock it 'till you tried it. Hyundais really aren't that bad. My girlfriends family has 4, and they're all pretty nice cars. What about an older Subaru, like a late 80's, early 90's sedan or wagon? You could even rebuild it and your dad might even like it enough to use as a work car. Could even save him a bit of cash over buying a new car if it's reliable and nice enough.

Just going to put out there that my sisters 5spd 2005 Civic gets around 40mpg around town, over 50 highway. Saves you a lot of money for the 944. Just try to think about it that way.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/13/2014 at 22:21

I'd take the hit but I'm paying off that loan with however much I get. Howabout you take my payments if you can handle $300 a month haha. :P

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 22:24

If you can keep her for a year I will be making more money and could take over payments.....maybe.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt
07/13/2014 at 22:25

Well I'll admit I've never been in a Hyundai, but I've been in enough Toyotas and I've driven enough Honda's to know that I could never put myself in one even if it was necessary.

What options have I got for older Subarus? Can I haz boxer engine in any of them?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt
07/13/2014 at 22:29

Can I have an Impreza?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/13/2014 at 22:31

But you see, the problem with that is that I still need winter car in the end of this and that's also impossible if I were to transfer the payments...

So that would also be bad for me to do sorry. :(

But I think I found a potential solution.

Stef Schrader > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 22:45

Kinja'd!!!

#winningatcar

Stef Schrader > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 22:47

Not driving the 944 in the winder is a sound plan. These get stupid rusty fast up north. :o(

Still, the FoST seems like it would be an awesome winter car. Newer cars have better rust-proofing—just be careful about it and remember to wash it off.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Stef Schrader
07/13/2014 at 22:47

I am winninger now! Or at least on your level.

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 22:50

Hope you like changing head gaskets.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Stef Schrader
07/13/2014 at 22:51

It probably would, but if things turn out like they should in my plan, it'll never see winter in my possession.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt
07/13/2014 at 22:53

Dammit you're killing me. -_-

There's gotta be something that'll work?? There's gotta be at least ONE car out there?

At least give me a Datsun??

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 23:02

I'd give a honda a chance. It'll save you a ton of money to put into the 944, and you'll be able to practically take one from whoever is selling it. The cars are totally reliable, easy to work on, and cheap to keep on the road.

I think you should re-evaluate that aspect, for the sake of the 944.

I mean, if things work out for me, I'll have a V8 that gets 20mpg, and a V12 that gets less than that. Gas mileage will ruin my bank account in a rather spectacular fashion. Since you want to autocross and play with the 944, I would get the cheapest possible thing to drive on the side, so it doesn't cost you much of anything.

I mean, considering my boss still owns it, he has an SL600 and a Honda Insight. The Insights are actually really nice cars, and I would consider one for my girlfriend, because it's such a perfect car for a non-car person. I know you're a car person, but figure that they're cheap to maintain, and totally reliable. And a Hybrid. You're saving a ton for that 944.

I know you don't especially want to go that route, but do it for the 944. You wont regret saving a shit ton of gas money when it comes to autocross 2-3 times a month, and you need new tires 2-3 times a year on it. I'm saving you money so you can do more with the 944. Don't fight it!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt
07/13/2014 at 23:22

I thought a Datsun would be cheaper than my other options?? What about a Pontiac?? Firebird or Fiero? I know we're trying to save money, but please give me something. The only Honda I'd ever want is a Crosstour or a Civic SI and those are well out of budget.

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/13/2014 at 23:32

The Crosstours are hideous, and the Civic SI is ricemobile.

You're listing a ton of cars that are complete shit in the amount of snow you typically see in a winter. My sisters boyfriend has a V6 autotragic firebird, and even that is a fish out of water in the snow.

Look for other 944s that are in your area, and see if any have been driven in the winter, because I would trust the 944 more than anything you want as a winter beater.

I have a friend who has a 2001 Corvette. It's got the LS1, and with basic supporting mods (cold air, exhaust, little other things) he's putting down just over 400hp. Completely undriveable in the winter. So, they got a "winter truck." A Silverado SS Intimidator clone with 600HP, 4.10 gears front and rear, and 4wd. It's worse in the snow than the Corvette is.

In short, don't be like my friend. Get a proper POS winter car, not something potentially nicer than your summer car. I mean, you want a Porsche, and the 944 is a budget Porsche to get you in there. Some All of the cars you're looking at as a winter car are nicer cars than the 944 is, especially in terms of performance. That makes no sense. You're going to park the 160HP (liberal estimate) 4cyl in the winter in favor for a hulking V6/V8 that will aim to kill you at every turn?

You might as well get a Corvette for the winter, and lift it 3 inches so you can clear the driveway after a snow plow goes by.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt
07/13/2014 at 23:47

Well I'm definitely not gonna be like your friend, that's for sure. 600hp winter car?? Where's the sense in that? I mean I'm listing cars that aren't nearly as nice compared to the 944 I'm getting. I hate big cars and I hate sitting up tall in a car and I also refuse to drive a truck or anything of the sorts ever. I'm not going for a van again as they're useless to me.

I mean a '01-04 Mustang with a V6 wouldn't make more than 160hp and about 220 for torque stock so I mean it's kinda similar. If I kept my ST, which with it's current tune putting it around at least 270hp and 280-90 lb.ft torque, I'd probably kill myself with that(hopefully not)! The only saving grace being that it's FWD but still even with all that power, anything I've listed is either making the same or less than the 944 or my FoST; the only difference is in the drivetrain.

I mean I could get a POS Mustang or one of my previous suggestions and get winter tires and call it a somewhat decent day right?

If I had to get one of the boring cars I'd be sitting around regretting it every single second, even if it's for the good of the 944; hell, I'd rather drive the 944 than.........Wait...I see what you did there.

Manuél Ferrari > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/14/2014 at 00:27

It seriously made my head spin

bob and john > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/14/2014 at 14:06

overall i say its a good idea.

EXCEPT the mustang as a winterbeater part. for a winter bearer you need a car that is safe to drive in the winter, so AWD or RWD and isnt going to have crazy insurance (inb4 "oh, but ppl drop them back in the 60s" yea, i dont care. that was then., this is now.) you are young. you dont have the experiance. leave the fun for the 944 in the summer, get an old impreza or something to beat about in the winter. dont even think about RWD for winter.

also, i'm with the others in terms of selling. try to do it private party, dealer will rip you a new one.

Camry-Into-Canyon > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/17/2014 at 16:34

The fox bodies have the structural rigidity of a slice of salami. The SN95s have better heaters, better seats and won't try and murder you in the snow.