...or talk me out of it?
This is more of a "Hi, I'm Greg, and I have a problem" moment, but I've got my eyes on a driver-quality Porsche 968 that a buddy wants me to buy from him. I'm not asking about the car specifically, though if you have some tips, I'm'a listenin'.
No, this is more about Greg asking for guidance on how good of a daily this car could be, in the context of someone that has gotten softer in old(er) age, works 99.5% remotely from home, and just noticed that he'd not put fuel in his 2011 GTi since the first week of June. And he also has a '74 Porsche 914 sitting in the garage for the bright cool sunny days to bang around in, plus a Ford Excursion for towing and long trips.
So this 968 would probably be a replacement for the '11 GTi, a car that I adore. It has been a fantastic car for me for 12 years and has never let me down. It has taken me to work and trips, and to many race tracks, though that latter mission has mostly been replaced lately with the Excursion towing an RV trailer (a buddy of mine brings our race cars to the track). And if I need to take a longer trip then I could take my wife's (incredibly uninspiring) '16 Golf Wagon or the Excursion (with much more space for the wife and the dogs).
So I have an itch. I don't know if it's a good one or a bad one. But it's there.
Cons? I suppose I could keep the GTi but honestly the 968 would make it redundant. The GTi has a better interior layout, more space, and less NVH (and a better radio; I need me some Bluetooth streaming). Its cost of ownership is oil changes and gas. And I don't care what you think but I just love that DSG (esp now that it's tuned), especially in traffic. I'd really miss it.
Pros? It's a Porsche 968. And being older than 25 years I'd be able to run it on Classic plates for less property tax, lower registration costs, no emissions testing, and lower insurance rates (and stated value coverage to boot). Not only would it be a Porsche 968 but it would be cheaper to own and operate than the GTi.
And I imagine the 968s have already bottomed out in price and will, at a minimum, hold their value.
This particular one is a good mechanical version (I know its current and prior owners) but I'd call it "driver's condition" on paint and interior. Leather is not split but could use some cleaning and replenishment. Paint looks like it got a slap-it-on Maaco job some years ago that the current owner tried to knock down but it's still flat (maybe a detail shop could revive it but I'd not count on that). Current owner, someone I race with a trust explicitly, has kept it in good mechanical nick, belts, tensioner, etc. Added the good rear swaybar and some Konis, Hawk pads, might need tires next year. I'm not worried about the mechanical condition of the car, and I can see what I'm getting for everything else.
So if I pare back the "daily" from the GTi to the 968, and still have my 914, I'd have a car to drive all year (I'd do that with the 914 but for lack of A/C) and can reasonably trust to drive to NJMP or WGI on a moment's notice (I've done it with the 914, and only in cool weather, but I feel like a "long-tailed cat in a rocking chair convention" in Northeast urban/suburban areas and the New Jersey Turnpike). I'd still keep the 914, of course, it still gets the looks and carries a different "panache" than a 90s front-engine/RWD Porsche...
Dunno, maybe find a way to buy the 968 and see how it fits into the paradigm, then decide later about the GTi (and have a heart-to-heart again on the 914).
Yeah, maybe that's the ticket. Maybe not, but maybe so. I guess we'll see.
Thanks for listening.- GA