Choices in car buying

"kyngfish" (martinbidegaray) 10/05/2015 at 09:41 • Filed to: None

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About 3 months ago, I realized that my SLK32 AMG probably had to go. I’d had it for around 6 problem-free years, but the honeymoon was over, and I wanted something more like a “driver’s car”. Plus, Mercedes likes to charge insane amounts of money for silly things like interior trim, and to be fair, though the engine in that car is a gem, the interior really isn’t. It wasn’t going to be a “lifetime” car for me.

I knew the safe choice was some kind of new econobox. Low payments, good warranty, something to get me from point A to point B while slowly sucking out my soul with its vague steering, flat-lining torque curve, and constantly-hunting slushbox. I mean, really, what need did I have for 360 horsepower? When I suggested something like a base Golf or a Honda Fit, my wife just laughed at me.

“You’ll hate it.” I really really would. I really love my wife.

The wife and I are thinking of starting a family, and I needed something with 4 seats, something responsible and reliable, something that wouldn’t all of a sudden implode an ECU and need 2500 to replace, or wouldn’t cost 300 bucks for basic interior plastics. Something preferably fairly mechanical that I could wrench on myself. I toyed with the idea of a ‘69 Mustang or a C3 of a similar vintage. Though some of the prices were outrageous, a few could be had

for a reasonable amount of money in fairly good shape, but in the end, the poor steering and brakes and suspension would have been miserable for my commute. I also considered an E92 M3, but in the end, I didn’t want a car that was an impenetrable black box for someone with my limited DIY abilities and tools.

I settled eventually on a 911SC or a 3.2 Carrera. I mean, 4 seats, generally reliable, bulletproof engine, highly DIY-able; probably not an “investment” like a 401k, but it also won’t depreciate like a rock as soon as I buy it. This was a totally reasonable and responsible resolution to my problem. Right?

Luckily South Florida is some kind of regional Porsche Mecca, and several specialty shops had options within my price range. I ignored a few options near Ft. Lauderdale with a laughable number of miles for anywhere between 40 and 50 grand, the 1987 or later options with the hydraulic G50 transmission usually raised the price ten grand without giving you much else, and honestly, I wasn’t going to track the car, so I settled on 3 options:

A lovely little 1980 SC coupe in Guards Red with a tartan interior

An oddly appealing Burgundy ‘85

A Guard’s Red ‘86 with tan interior

On the surface, the SC made the most sense financially, though it had more miles, but both the 3.2s had lower miles and had significant upgrades due to their generation. I settled on the red and tan because of course I did.

There was only one final hurdle.

You see, I was raised a certain way, and cars really weren’t a concern with my family. My dad buys Accords cash in base trim and drives them into the ground. The concept of enjoyment on a drive is alien, irresponsible, and maybe a trifle irreligious.

I agonized about whether it was the right thing to do, and about whether or not anyone ever really NEEDS a Porsche (yes!). I knew asking my parents for advice would be useless, so I turned towards my father in law, a hard working man that also has an affinity for cars (he’s had 2 Porsches and an original E30 M3).

He also hemmed and hawed, noting that it probably wasn’t the most practical choice, but also noting that life was short. We hung up without having made a decision. My wife just said, “do what makes you happy”, which sounds like great advice for making bad decisions.

The next bit sounds melodramatic because it is.

That evening I took the dog for a walk in the rain. I took him down from the top floor to the yard by the a short set of cement steps which were slick with the rain. My heel slipped and I nearly fell backwards on my head. I turned around and stared at the stairs, imagining a hundred scenarios where I died, or lost my vision, or broke my back or my leg, or suffered some kind of brain damage. Ever since I had discovered I loved cars at around 11 years old, this was an experience I’d want, for however long it lasted. Or maybe I was just convincing myself of something I already wanted to do.

Life is short.

I realize that doesn’t justify....anything really, and that there are choices you don’t make even though life is short, but for me, this was the right one for now.

Let me tell you, it’s one HELL of a ride.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > kyngfish 10/05/2015 at 19:56

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Horkin' Up Dangle Hams > kyngfish 10/06/2015 at 08:45

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The correct decision was made here.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > kyngfish 10/10/2018 at 13:11

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I also have an amazing wife who encouraged me to buy my affordable dream car 6 years ago (an “ impenetrable” E90 M3 - ha! ). And she was pregnant at the time with our 3rd kid and hadn’t told me yet because she knew I’d balk at spending the money! Told me the night I got home with the car - what a crazy day...

My family is like yours - s pending $40k on a car was a huge extravagance in my mind. I don’t know if my dad has ever spent more than 10 grand on a car in his life . But I could afford to do it (paid off the loan in 2 years) and the car has given me so much joy and led me to do things that I love (like track days and regular backroadtrips) that I very likely wouldn’t have done with a more practical dad-mobile.

Just recently, my M3 has become more of a dedicated fun car than my daily transportation. With 120k on the ticker, I’m hoping this decision means that she’ll be able to stay in the family for the long haul.

Arrivederci > kyngfish 10/10/2018 at 13:23

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You always regret the ones that get away.  To this day, I still regret passing on a nice, one-owner, 997 cabriolet with 60k on the clock that I could’ve had for $30k.  The responsible side of me won out and I’ve vowed to stop listening to him :D.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > kyngfish 10/10/2018 at 13:24

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The correct choice was a 4th gen F body, optimally a WS6. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > kyngfish 10/10/2018 at 13:28

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life is too short to drive boring cars. When replacing my Galant VR-4 with something more modern , more reliable, and more comfortable, the obvious choice was a manual Honda Fit. I seriously considered that choice.

I ended up with my 328 Xdrive, which is still a compromise, but one that A i could afford, and B suits my life, and what I need the car to do.

Every time I drive that car I’m thankful that It’s not an econobox, or a pick up truck. It’s not a true sports car, or real luxury car, but for what I can afford its a great mix o f the two.

And the Rabbit convertible was an i mpu l se purchase. It was affordable and looks like a hoot. It is. And it scratches the itch for a fun little hatchback , while also having the top down. 

lone_liberal > kyngfish 10/10/2018 at 13:29

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Get the Porsche, it’s obvious that you really want it. I do have to laugh at getting rid of a Mercedes because parts are expensive and then getting a  Porsche, though.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > lone_liberal 10/10/2018 at 13:53

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He did, 3 years ago. I shared it back to OPPO because stories like these are always relevant to guys and gals that think like us. =)

kyngfish > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/10/2018 at 14:41

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Edit: Totally misread that - I thought you said E30.

I actually briefly considered the E90. In the end the reason I went for the Porsche is that at the end of my Mercedes ownership, I was replacing computers, not parts. I spent 2 grand on an ECU. What I like about the Porsche is people can, and do, regularly rebuild the things from top to bottom and put TONS of miles on them for decades.

This post makes me laugh, I’d write it differently now, it’s been a while. I daily drove that thing with no AC in the Miami heat for a year, but then I spent 5 grand on a 1998 4Runner that has been an amazing workhorse for the past two years - the Porsche comes out on the weekends.

Looking back I would have done some more due diligence on the car, but probably still would have bought it. In about a year I’ll rebuild the top end and beef up the AC and see if I can’t start dailying it again. I hate having it in the garage.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > kyngfish 10/10/2018 at 16:07

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I’ve had some decent repair bills on my M3, but nothing ridiculous, and am still on the original clutch, rod bearings & throttle actuators (knock wood). Just had the valve cover gaskets replaced by a friend who recently opened his own high-end indy shop - not cheap, but cheaper than the dealer, and I’m happy to support a friend’s business.

Is a great thing about the old air-cooled Porsches that they’re relatively easy to work on, and in the end, just simple machines.

I spent 5 grand on an ‘03 Pathfinder that I beat on for a few years, but rarely drove to work, before picking up my Tacoma this year.

I’m like you when it comes to seeing my car sit. Hope you can get it back into regular daily use. It’s drying out here today after heavy rains - looking forward to driving the M3 tomorrow!