Is yours a keeper?
Discussion
Morning all
So then, I have had my 997.1 GT3 for over a year now and I feel like a change (for no particular reason) but after looking in the classifieds section to see if there is anything that takes my fancy, I am shocked to see there is nothing out there that appeals.
This is strange for me as I have always been into cars and wanting to drive as many as possible but ever since buying the GT3 I have had this feeling of....contentment....which is odd.
There are so many feelings involved in this expensive indulgence of ours that its hard to explain to non-car lovers why we change cars so often.
Reviews are sought out with the aid of google, old brochures are downloaded and read from cover to cover. Specific model forums are interrogated and nuggets of knowledge are gathered, test drives are booked and the search begins in earnest!
There is the chasing, buying, cleaning, thrashing and then finally there is the simple warm glow you get from just being the owner.
I have done this dance with every car I have owned and there has always been one eye on 'the next model up' from the Cavalier 4x4 Turbo I lusted after when driving an SRi to the R32 halo model when I owned a Golf GTi, there was always a target of the next one, the next car to get!
Throughout all this, I have always lusted after a Porsche 911, I have SO MANY books on the car, posters and flags etc etc I even have a set of bloody coasters! When I got my 997.1 C2S I was the proudest man in the world but there was always one eye on the next model which was for me the 997.1 GT3. When I got that last year I couldnt believe it was mine! To the extent that I kept having to go into the garage to have another look
The thing is, I dont know what to move onto next! Should I move? Is this it for me now?
What plans do you have next? Are you currently driving a pre-89 911 and want to change to a kettle or are you driving a kettle and want something air-cooled or mid-engined? Or are you simply content with the car you have at the moment and never want to sell?
Is your current car a keeper?
So then, I have had my 997.1 GT3 for over a year now and I feel like a change (for no particular reason) but after looking in the classifieds section to see if there is anything that takes my fancy, I am shocked to see there is nothing out there that appeals.
This is strange for me as I have always been into cars and wanting to drive as many as possible but ever since buying the GT3 I have had this feeling of....contentment....which is odd.
There are so many feelings involved in this expensive indulgence of ours that its hard to explain to non-car lovers why we change cars so often.
Reviews are sought out with the aid of google, old brochures are downloaded and read from cover to cover. Specific model forums are interrogated and nuggets of knowledge are gathered, test drives are booked and the search begins in earnest!
There is the chasing, buying, cleaning, thrashing and then finally there is the simple warm glow you get from just being the owner.
I have done this dance with every car I have owned and there has always been one eye on 'the next model up' from the Cavalier 4x4 Turbo I lusted after when driving an SRi to the R32 halo model when I owned a Golf GTi, there was always a target of the next one, the next car to get!
Throughout all this, I have always lusted after a Porsche 911, I have SO MANY books on the car, posters and flags etc etc I even have a set of bloody coasters! When I got my 997.1 C2S I was the proudest man in the world but there was always one eye on the next model which was for me the 997.1 GT3. When I got that last year I couldnt believe it was mine! To the extent that I kept having to go into the garage to have another look
The thing is, I dont know what to move onto next! Should I move? Is this it for me now?
What plans do you have next? Are you currently driving a pre-89 911 and want to change to a kettle or are you driving a kettle and want something air-cooled or mid-engined? Or are you simply content with the car you have at the moment and never want to sell?
Is your current car a keeper?
I totally get what you are saying. I used to get bored and change cars every 1-2 years. Got a 997.1 GT3. Totally loved it and when I got an itch but couldnt face moving away from the GT3 so I moved to a 997.2 RS. So still the same general car in my view and slightly different in lots of areas! So that's 3.5 years with the gen 1 and 1 in the gen 2 and counting....
I'd love a 458 at some point!
I'd love a 458 at some point!
Edited by Skittles001 on Monday 14th July 10:53
Edited by Skittles001 on Monday 14th July 11:00
Your choice, but I think there's a lot of sense in buying a really nice 'air-cooled' 911 as a long term keeper.
Perhaps a G50 3.2 Coupe, or a 964 C2 Coupe, or a 993 C2/C4 Varioram Coupe - all manual of course. Any of these bough wisely should look after your money (£30-40k) and provide lots of enjoyment and involvement when the mood takes.
Then, have something more practical for day to day usage - 997S, Cayman, M3, Mk 7 Golf GTi etc....
Perhaps a G50 3.2 Coupe, or a 964 C2 Coupe, or a 993 C2/C4 Varioram Coupe - all manual of course. Any of these bough wisely should look after your money (£30-40k) and provide lots of enjoyment and involvement when the mood takes.
Then, have something more practical for day to day usage - 997S, Cayman, M3, Mk 7 Golf GTi etc....
I agree all these newer cars just don't do much for me.
just got my hopes that Porsche come up trumps with the GT4 other wise I'll be keeping the R and of course the Spyder.
458 is awesome but out of my league, well ,looking after one is, it's never the buying.
when you think you can lease a VXR for £133+vat it is daft we spend so much money on this hobby.
I am tempted with a VXR at that price just to keep the miles off my cars lol
just got my hopes that Porsche come up trumps with the GT4 other wise I'll be keeping the R and of course the Spyder.
458 is awesome but out of my league, well ,looking after one is, it's never the buying.
when you think you can lease a VXR for £133+vat it is daft we spend so much money on this hobby.
I am tempted with a VXR at that price just to keep the miles off my cars lol
kbooker said:
I'd lusted after a 97.1 GT3 for year's, if I ever got my hands on one it would definitely be a keeper, bought one last August then 6 weeks later it was sold, just shows how quickly we can all change our minds. If I ever go back to Porsche it will be air cooled again
Can you shed some light as to why this was the case (genuine interest)?OP Great post. I know exactly what you are talking about, like you had many cars, ticked them off and never really wanted to go back there, for instance every M3 apart from the original, Audi UR Quattro, Testarossa, 3.2 Carrera Sport (g50) etc etc. but nothing has got me like the 997 GT3's. I could indulge in the new hi-tech machines but they are pretty soulless (to me anyway) and given a 991 Turbo S is 150K I would not straight swap for my GT3 in a zillion years.
I think the time has come to now hold and enjoy these remarkable beauties, and if you want to keep it in the garage and look at it then you should because once it's gone the chances of buying another GT3 that you know it's provenance is going to be rare, unless you pay the price for it and next year it will be much more imho.
I think the time has come to now hold and enjoy these remarkable beauties, and if you want to keep it in the garage and look at it then you should because once it's gone the chances of buying another GT3 that you know it's provenance is going to be rare, unless you pay the price for it and next year it will be much more imho.
I think my 997 turbo is a keeper, or hope so. I've had it 5 years now - any longer and it'll be a personal record. The trouble is that the turbo has spoilt me - all it really lacks, for the sort of use that I make of it, is a decent exhaust (which I can't get until I no longer have the warranty) and even that is just nitpicking.
Slickhillsy said:
Can you shed some light as to why this was the case (genuine interest)?
I drove it around France and Italy and did 3k miles in it, quite simply it didn't excite me like I thought it would, maybe a classic case of never meet your hero? I'm probably in a minority of one on here but I think they are over hyped Great OP. Sums up how I feel about cars.
I've never been particularly brand loyal, instead going for anything that appealed to me. I've enjoyed some fun cars as a result - The Noble M12 being the stand out.
Then along came a Spyder! I still look around and think about other cars but it comes back to what does it offer more than the Spyder? In my price range, I always come up with the answer, nothing!
Never say never. I have my eye on a Alfa 4C Spider if/when they are launched but that kind edging my bets as this Alfa we're talking about and it's not even been announced they will make it.
I've never been particularly brand loyal, instead going for anything that appealed to me. I've enjoyed some fun cars as a result - The Noble M12 being the stand out.
Then along came a Spyder! I still look around and think about other cars but it comes back to what does it offer more than the Spyder? In my price range, I always come up with the answer, nothing!
Never say never. I have my eye on a Alfa 4C Spider if/when they are launched but that kind edging my bets as this Alfa we're talking about and it's not even been announced they will make it.
My standard answer:
I've an 06 C2S - had from 2yrs old and 5k miles. 6 years and another 30k miles on, and she still puts a big smile on my face each time I drive her.
She's not used that regularly - hence why she still (to me) feels 'fun' - probably.
She is maintained in line with Porsche guidelines and has had official extended warranty applied throughout.
So probably unlikely to every get rid. UNLESS I am feeling flush at some point and decide to get a (newer) 997 Turbo. But life has a way of creating other budget priorities
I've an 06 C2S - had from 2yrs old and 5k miles. 6 years and another 30k miles on, and she still puts a big smile on my face each time I drive her.
She's not used that regularly - hence why she still (to me) feels 'fun' - probably.
She is maintained in line with Porsche guidelines and has had official extended warranty applied throughout.
So probably unlikely to every get rid. UNLESS I am feeling flush at some point and decide to get a (newer) 997 Turbo. But life has a way of creating other budget priorities
I know how you feel, modern performance cars just don't do it for me - automatics, electric steering etc. My plan is to hang onto my 996tt for the foreseeable future and I'm looking to spend my usual toy car funds on upgrading my family car (Mazda 6) for something a bit more exciting. Trouble is one of the things I love about the Mazda is it was virtually free (GBP 7K at 3 years old) so I have no issue with children throwing up in it or leaving it in station car parks etc.
First World problems I think :-)
First World problems I think :-)
In terms of Porsche all personal hopes are now pinned on the Gt4.
If they get it wrong mclaren gonna eat their lunch. Last true great 911s that mere mortals could buy came out almost five years ago now.
I really love my turbo, gonna take something special to get me to sell, gt4 might be it. Have to wait and see what Porsche do with the spec.
I've got a lowly "cooking" 996 C4. Loved the first 6 months, then bore score attacked. Had it rebuilt with Hartech, and tbh, I don't actually see myself selling it. In the grand scheme of things, the outlay on the rebuild was a lot, but I'd get most back by the time I sell it anyway.
BUT, since the rebuild, I've fallen for it again.
The *only* way I'd consider something else will be when silly money is available (then it's a 458 Spider and 991 Turbo).... but even then, I don't think I'll sell it. Wifey loves it too much as well
Dan
BUT, since the rebuild, I've fallen for it again.
The *only* way I'd consider something else will be when silly money is available (then it's a 458 Spider and 991 Turbo).... but even then, I don't think I'll sell it. Wifey loves it too much as well
Dan
Great thread V8KSN, I totally relate to your post,I have the same car, heck I've even got the coasters as well.
I've always longed for the next car up, now with the GT3 I don't think I ever want to get rid of it.
I've just come back from 2500 miles around Europe on the Alpine Assault and the car was faultless. Fast and focused on the twisty bits, balanced and fast through the sweeping long bends and then good as gold on the motorways.
I'd like to add something else to it like a 968 Club sport or a Cayman R even if I were more flush.
There are cars I would go up to such as a 997 Sports Classic or 997.2 RS, a 458 Speciale or even a 430 Scudaria, but, and it's a big but, I can't afford any of them as they are all at least double the price of mine and some of them three times the cost. None of them are two or three times as good a car though. Better yes I'm sure they are, but by how much?
As I said can't afford them anyway so it doesn't matter.
In the meantime I'm stuck with the GT3 I suppose, now that's a 1st world problem I can live with....
I've always longed for the next car up, now with the GT3 I don't think I ever want to get rid of it.
I've just come back from 2500 miles around Europe on the Alpine Assault and the car was faultless. Fast and focused on the twisty bits, balanced and fast through the sweeping long bends and then good as gold on the motorways.
I'd like to add something else to it like a 968 Club sport or a Cayman R even if I were more flush.
There are cars I would go up to such as a 997 Sports Classic or 997.2 RS, a 458 Speciale or even a 430 Scudaria, but, and it's a big but, I can't afford any of them as they are all at least double the price of mine and some of them three times the cost. None of them are two or three times as good a car though. Better yes I'm sure they are, but by how much?
As I said can't afford them anyway so it doesn't matter.
In the meantime I'm stuck with the GT3 I suppose, now that's a 1st world problem I can live with....
Same here V8 and Pete above.
For the money nothing offers what my GT3 does. I too have spent my motoring life always keeping one eye on where I can go next but there's no point now.
I've owned or driven all the aircooled cars I'm interested in and nothing drives as sharply as a GT3. I loved my 964T so I guess that's the only thing I'd ever go back to. The 996RS was just getting released as I bought my first 911 and that became my ultimate dream 911. Even if they hadn't risen from their £55k price of a few years ago, I doubt I'd bother now as my MK1 CS does everything I need.
Epic cars and yes mine is a keeper. I'd love to add an aircooled car to the collection at some point but I didn't like how they drove when I was paying £15k for them so I'm damn sure I'm not going to cough up £30k +.
I'm talking about 3.2 Carreras and earlier. I love 964s. 993s are over rated and I've never had any interest in them apart from the RS or GT2.
For the money nothing offers what my GT3 does. I too have spent my motoring life always keeping one eye on where I can go next but there's no point now.
I've owned or driven all the aircooled cars I'm interested in and nothing drives as sharply as a GT3. I loved my 964T so I guess that's the only thing I'd ever go back to. The 996RS was just getting released as I bought my first 911 and that became my ultimate dream 911. Even if they hadn't risen from their £55k price of a few years ago, I doubt I'd bother now as my MK1 CS does everything I need.
Epic cars and yes mine is a keeper. I'd love to add an aircooled car to the collection at some point but I didn't like how they drove when I was paying £15k for them so I'm damn sure I'm not going to cough up £30k +.
I'm talking about 3.2 Carreras and earlier. I love 964s. 993s are over rated and I've never had any interest in them apart from the RS or GT2.
Edited by marky911 on Monday 14th July 22:55
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff