Advice on purchase and problem areas
#16
10-01-2009 | 10:34 PM
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,574
From: CA Bay Area, US
Rep Power: 99
Larry,
You seem like a great guy and I may have misinterpreted your comments. But you've certainly misinterpreted mine. Though far from perfect, my life with my kids, the beginning, middle and current have been a joy that I would never consider trading nor has been surpassed by anything in my life. I say so only to ensure that my comments are not misconstrued. Not to banter or disagree with your perspective. Plus if my kids ever read this (and at least one just might) I want them to know how I feel.
Now lets get back to cars!
V
You seem like a great guy and I may have misinterpreted your comments. But you've certainly misinterpreted mine. Though far from perfect, my life with my kids, the beginning, middle and current have been a joy that I would never consider trading nor has been surpassed by anything in my life. I say so only to ensure that my comments are not misconstrued. Not to banter or disagree with your perspective. Plus if my kids ever read this (and at least one just might) I want them to know how I feel.
Now lets get back to cars!
V
I never ompared having kids to a car in any manner. I simply applauded him for choosing not to have them and that would be the case if he buys a Porsche or rides a bicycle .
For every precious moment a child gives there are a 1000 reasons not to have them . By choosing to have them one has turned his own life upside down --finances, marriage, sex life, social life ,wife's appearance .. and then there's the teenage years .
Verde's post where his kids are now in their 20's shows even more that the happiest part of the process is 1) before they are born and 2) after they are grown and flown the nest.
I think most people have them because they either have an unrealistic and idealistic idea of what parenting is about, or because "it;s the right thing to do"
I think the simple truth is that most people really don't like being parents much of the time but they won't admit it to themselves .
At leas the OP has given it thought . Most people don't.
For every precious moment a child gives there are a 1000 reasons not to have them . By choosing to have them one has turned his own life upside down --finances, marriage, sex life, social life ,wife's appearance .. and then there's the teenage years .
Verde's post where his kids are now in their 20's shows even more that the happiest part of the process is 1) before they are born and 2) after they are grown and flown the nest.
I think most people have them because they either have an unrealistic and idealistic idea of what parenting is about, or because "it;s the right thing to do"
I think the simple truth is that most people really don't like being parents much of the time but they won't admit it to themselves .
At leas the OP has given it thought . Most people don't.
#17
10-01-2009 | 10:52 PM
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,107
From: South Florida
Rep Power: 527
Larry,
You seem like a great guy and I may have misinterpreted your comments. But you've certainly misinterpreted mine. Though far from perfect, my life with my kids, the beginning, middle and current have been a joy that I would never consider trading nor has been surpassed by anything in my life. I say so only to ensure that my comments are not misconstrued. Not to banter or disagree with your perspective. Plus if my kids ever read this (and at least one just might) I want them to know how I feel.
Now lets get back to cars!
V
You seem like a great guy and I may have misinterpreted your comments. But you've certainly misinterpreted mine. Though far from perfect, my life with my kids, the beginning, middle and current have been a joy that I would never consider trading nor has been surpassed by anything in my life. I say so only to ensure that my comments are not misconstrued. Not to banter or disagree with your perspective. Plus if my kids ever read this (and at least one just might) I want them to know how I feel.
Now lets get back to cars!
V
I am hoping that the original poster sees the expense/repair factors in a 1999 car as well as the potential risks . It's very easy to look at a car in a photo and imagine driving it down the road but the realities of owning that car have many sides and one of them is the time and cost.
#18
10-02-2009 | 08:10 AM
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 282
From: Seattle Eastside
Rep Power: 31
Wet blanket here.....
Since the OP didn't know what a compression test is, I would guess that you have not been an "enthusiast."
I see a point of concern in buying an older performance car that can be expensive to maintain, even for knowledgable enthusiasts....but possibly much more so to the inexperienced. How you handle the engine and transmission can make an enormous difference in your repair bills. The car can will handle differently than other cars you've driven. Pushing it near the edge of adhesion with a "Hey, watch this!....." -- can result in outcomes you won't like. You're already worried about cost.
You clearly have some small voices in your head cautioning you about this choice. Sometimes these small voices are important to listen to. (I can think of several relationships where I should have listened a lot more closely to those voices....)
If you were buying a new 997.2 w/PDK -- it wouldn't matter.
For now, you might consider buying an essentially, new sporty car with a stick shift (Miata?) with a full factory warranty. Drive that for a while, join the Miata club, hone your driving skills and knowledge -- then go after a higher performance car that can be intolerant of mistakes.
Of course, what we count as "experience" is often distilled from a number of decisions where we look back and wonder, "What was I thinking????"
Good luck.
Since the OP didn't know what a compression test is, I would guess that you have not been an "enthusiast."
I see a point of concern in buying an older performance car that can be expensive to maintain, even for knowledgable enthusiasts....but possibly much more so to the inexperienced. How you handle the engine and transmission can make an enormous difference in your repair bills. The car can will handle differently than other cars you've driven. Pushing it near the edge of adhesion with a "Hey, watch this!....." -- can result in outcomes you won't like. You're already worried about cost.
You clearly have some small voices in your head cautioning you about this choice. Sometimes these small voices are important to listen to. (I can think of several relationships where I should have listened a lot more closely to those voices....)
If you were buying a new 997.2 w/PDK -- it wouldn't matter.
For now, you might consider buying an essentially, new sporty car with a stick shift (Miata?) with a full factory warranty. Drive that for a while, join the Miata club, hone your driving skills and knowledge -- then go after a higher performance car that can be intolerant of mistakes.
Of course, what we count as "experience" is often distilled from a number of decisions where we look back and wonder, "What was I thinking????"
Good luck.
#19
10-02-2009 | 05:19 PM
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 574
From: Oakville
Rep Power: 47
Something doesn't feel right about this car, personally, i'd stay away and take the advice from others...find yourself a low mileage Boxster and have fun. Not having kids will save you from requiring a back seat, and since you have no plans on getting married you'll never have to worry about your date's ugly friend trying to get a ride from you with a two seater 
I on the other hand need an infant seat in the back, and would spend my 19k on a 964 or older 911 (or if you can find a great deal, a nice 993)
Don't count the 944 out either, I've had a blast with those as well
w
I on the other hand need an infant seat in the back, and would spend my 19k on a 964 or older 911 (or if you can find a great deal, a nice 993)
Don't count the 944 out either, I've had a blast with those as well
w
#20
10-02-2009 | 08:43 PM
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 111
From: Norcal
Rep Power: 20
We even get philosophical on this board. It's great here. Larry... I kid you not, when I was reading through this thread and was on your post earlier this evening I heard a shriek from the other room. My 2 1/2 year old had just had an explosive "power poop" while sitting in his big kid chair while our 6 month old was screaming. Our 5 year old who sometimes acts like a teenager was busy reading a book oblivious to all the drama. My wife thought I was nuts for laughing out loud. What perfect timing! To the op... definitely look into a cpo cayman s or Boxster. Lot's of good choices out there and the dealers are willing to cut deals. And I do respect and understand why some don't want to have kids. It's not for everyone and is quite the challenge. As in everything... do what feels right.
Here's a picture of my little devils!
Here's a picture of my little devils!
Last edited by VMM; 10-02-2009 at 10:29 PM. Reason: spelling argghhh
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
