I have no idea what to title this..Complicated what car
Discussion
This is going to be a strange post, its going to be a three pronged first world problem thread that starts off with a life choice question, then a what car and then finally a lazy request. And its going to be LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG
Basically, at the ripe old age of 30 I have hit my now or never situation. I have gone from expecting to be unemployed bum by the new year to bagging a new contract starting in September. I live rent free in Munich, have no UK outgoings anymore since I sold my house and I am very aware that this is not going to last for ever. So I want a new car, but its a tad tricky.
Firstly we only use the car occasionally, maybe once in two weeks and nearly always we are going away for the weekend into the alps, or day trips out taking photos or snowboarding in the winter. Secondly, I cannot justify having two cars, expat insurance and ridiculous and for the amount we use one car, let alone two its just extravagant. Our current motor is a my Gf's 2001 Cupra.
Brief relevant car history in the last 10 years has been
Several s
te old Volvos, mondeos and an amazing diesel xantia
A Caterfield with 170hp, 2 205gtis, Alpina B10 V8 and most recently a E34 540
First off, the Life Choice Question. No, I am not asking weather I should sample batting for the other team or try wearing my hair down. Do I blindly follow my boyhood poster car dream and just buy a classic 911 and just hope its everything I want it to be?. A proper 80's excess example with a tea tray and Fuchs alloys that I have lusted after these cars my whole life, never driven one and only been in a '88 Turbo once. I just cant help thinking that its going to be a disappointment, in terms or performance and fun. I know its a 30 year old car and I cant expect it to be as good as a modern car, but I genuinely love older cars with all their quirks.
Now the "what car" bit. So, as you may of guessed, my heart would love something classic from Stuttgart, however my head has been irritating the crap out of me by pointing out that I cant go camping in a Porsche, I cant go snowboarding in a Porsche, I cant go mountain biking in a Porsche, I cant do anything in a Porsche except burn fossils driving around Bavaria.
So, my head has been pushing me towards a E46 M3 Cab, More specifically a black one with the darkish red leather and a manual box. It has a lot going for it in terms of performance, comfort, reliability and above all compared to the porka, practicality. Its just not my dream car so I keep thinking I will be missing out on some air-cool washing machine goodness.
So, I guess it boils down to practicality and are '80s 911's any good?
And finally, the kinda lazy request. I really only have a few days back in the UK next week or so to find a car, between a wedding and LM Classic. I know this is pretty dumb considering both models should be chosen carefully but I cant odds it. Id prefer to buy a forum owned car if you know what I mean. The history and the care put into the car is generally better than the random stuff ill find on auto trader.
So, does anyone know of either a E46 M3 Cab (manual, black with reddish leather) or a 930 era 911 targa or cab that they have been thinking about selling but not quite got around to it but wouldn't mind selling next week? My budget is no more than 10k (I know this is middle ground for the M3's and low for the 911) I could possibly spend a little more on the Porsche because I am pretty sure their values are establish, where as the m3 is likely to decline still. At the back of my mind I know ill probably have to sell it in a couple of years when ISOfix seats and baby puke or a house purchase become more important and I don't want to lose much of my hard earned cash
I know I am asking for a lot, but if you don't ask, you never get!
In summation... A well looked after e46 m3 cab or pre 90's 911 available in the next two weeks! Must be a cab or targa other wise i would just buy a E39 M5
Other softtop cars considered btw, so I am open to other suggestions.
Man, i am worn out writing that, i hope that some of you actually manage to read it.. im off for a coffee.
Basically, at the ripe old age of 30 I have hit my now or never situation. I have gone from expecting to be unemployed bum by the new year to bagging a new contract starting in September. I live rent free in Munich, have no UK outgoings anymore since I sold my house and I am very aware that this is not going to last for ever. So I want a new car, but its a tad tricky.
Firstly we only use the car occasionally, maybe once in two weeks and nearly always we are going away for the weekend into the alps, or day trips out taking photos or snowboarding in the winter. Secondly, I cannot justify having two cars, expat insurance and ridiculous and for the amount we use one car, let alone two its just extravagant. Our current motor is a my Gf's 2001 Cupra.
Brief relevant car history in the last 10 years has been
Several s
te old Volvos, mondeos and an amazing diesel xantiaA Caterfield with 170hp, 2 205gtis, Alpina B10 V8 and most recently a E34 540
First off, the Life Choice Question. No, I am not asking weather I should sample batting for the other team or try wearing my hair down. Do I blindly follow my boyhood poster car dream and just buy a classic 911 and just hope its everything I want it to be?. A proper 80's excess example with a tea tray and Fuchs alloys that I have lusted after these cars my whole life, never driven one and only been in a '88 Turbo once. I just cant help thinking that its going to be a disappointment, in terms or performance and fun. I know its a 30 year old car and I cant expect it to be as good as a modern car, but I genuinely love older cars with all their quirks.
Now the "what car" bit. So, as you may of guessed, my heart would love something classic from Stuttgart, however my head has been irritating the crap out of me by pointing out that I cant go camping in a Porsche, I cant go snowboarding in a Porsche, I cant go mountain biking in a Porsche, I cant do anything in a Porsche except burn fossils driving around Bavaria.
So, my head has been pushing me towards a E46 M3 Cab, More specifically a black one with the darkish red leather and a manual box. It has a lot going for it in terms of performance, comfort, reliability and above all compared to the porka, practicality. Its just not my dream car so I keep thinking I will be missing out on some air-cool washing machine goodness.
So, I guess it boils down to practicality and are '80s 911's any good?
And finally, the kinda lazy request. I really only have a few days back in the UK next week or so to find a car, between a wedding and LM Classic. I know this is pretty dumb considering both models should be chosen carefully but I cant odds it. Id prefer to buy a forum owned car if you know what I mean. The history and the care put into the car is generally better than the random stuff ill find on auto trader.
So, does anyone know of either a E46 M3 Cab (manual, black with reddish leather) or a 930 era 911 targa or cab that they have been thinking about selling but not quite got around to it but wouldn't mind selling next week? My budget is no more than 10k (I know this is middle ground for the M3's and low for the 911) I could possibly spend a little more on the Porsche because I am pretty sure their values are establish, where as the m3 is likely to decline still. At the back of my mind I know ill probably have to sell it in a couple of years when ISOfix seats and baby puke or a house purchase become more important and I don't want to lose much of my hard earned cash
I know I am asking for a lot, but if you don't ask, you never get!
In summation... A well looked after e46 m3 cab or pre 90's 911 available in the next two weeks! Must be a cab or targa other wise i would just buy a E39 M5
Other softtop cars considered btw, so I am open to other suggestions.
Man, i am worn out writing that, i hope that some of you actually manage to read it.. im off for a coffee.
Edited by Lord on Wednesday 20th June 13:01
on Wednesday 20th June 13:01Lord said:
said: My heart would love something classic from Stuttgart, however my head has been irritating the crap out of me by pointing out that I cant go camping in a Porsche, I cant go snowboarding in a Porsche, I cant go mountain biking in a Porsche, I cant do anything in a Porsche except burn fossils driving around Bavaria.
In short- yes you can! Maybe not a classic Porsche, but my 996C4S is used to go skiing in, hooning around the alps etc. A set of winter tyres, and you're more than good to go.All you need is the Roof Transport system (aka roof bars) and you're good to go. You can get a surprising amount of stuff in a 911 if there is just 2 of you- so camping should be no problem. I have roof bars with attachments for skis and snowboards. You can get attachments for mountain bikes too- and of course, roof boxes if you are running out of room. All of these attachments can be bought from Thule- standard fitment to the oval-shaped roof bars. I believe it is Thule who manufacture the roof bars for Porsche, but you can only buy Porsche branded bars, which are quite expensive. Worth scouting on Ebay for the occasional set that pops up. the 996 bars also fit the 997.
My suggestion would be to look at a 996 C4S or TT- 4wd comes in handy in the winter; or 997 variants, depending on your budget. They are surprisingly practical. And they burn fossil fuel rather well too...
I can't comment on earlier models, but you can definitely get some sort of roof bars for them. Not sure I'd want to have a classic model as a winter car mind you.
Hope this helps!
sim16v said:
If you want air cooled goodness, 964 or 993 C4
As already mentioned, winter tyres and a roof rack!
Not sure i can stretch to 993 money. And the other issue is that id really like a Targa or a Cabriolet to make the most of the bavarian weather during the summer. Can you get racks for these?As already mentioned, winter tyres and a roof rack!
Not very Pistonheads, buy why have a car at all? If you are only using it every 2 weeks or so, why not just hire a car as and when you need it? No depreciation, no servicing, no MOT, and no storage issues.
In fact, you might well be able to hire a nice sporty motor for not very much at all, possibly even try one of these classic/sports car clubs? You might well find it's cheaper, more flexible and a lot more fun than tying yourself to one car that hardly gets used.
In fact, you might well be able to hire a nice sporty motor for not very much at all, possibly even try one of these classic/sports car clubs? You might well find it's cheaper, more flexible and a lot more fun than tying yourself to one car that hardly gets used.
Lord said:
said: Not sure i can stretch to 993 money. And the other issue is that id really like a Targa or a Cabriolet to make the most of the bavarian weather during the summer. Can you get racks for these?
For 996- Yes you can. But harder to find however!Coupe:
Part no. 996 801 105 00
Cabriolet:
Part no. 996 801 055 00
Targa:
Part no. 996 801 065 00
I am sure the 996 coupe system fits the 997; but I don't think there is a system for the 997 targa. The Cabrio may be different.
There was definitely a roof transport system for the 993 coupe; doubt there was anythign for targa/cabrio.
For earlier models, because these have gutter rails on the roof, you can buy fairly standard roof bars; but this of course would only apply to copue models.
tangerine_sedge said:
Not very Pistonheads, buy why have a car at all? If you are only using it every 2 weeks or so, why not just hire a car as and when you need it? No depreciation, no servicing, no MOT, and no storage issues.
In fact, you might well be able to hire a nice sporty motor for not very much at all, possibly even try one of these classic/sports car clubs? You might well find it's cheaper, more flexible and a lot more fun than tying yourself to one car that hardly gets used.
this sounds to be the most sensible (dirty word I know but...) view it as an extended try before you buy In fact, you might well be able to hire a nice sporty motor for not very much at all, possibly even try one of these classic/sports car clubs? You might well find it's cheaper, more flexible and a lot more fun than tying yourself to one car that hardly gets used.
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