How Old Were You & How Did You Purchase Your First Porsche?

[ISUnorth]

Not sure about when I first “wanted” a Porsche but do remember looking at a really beat 1959 356 back in 1970. Also looked at a 1959 MGA coupe. Ended by buying a 1968 MGB with 10,000 miles on it for $1250 as my first car. I was nineteen.

Flash forward to 2007 when I saw a really sweet looking black Boxster outside the Miata dealer. I aready had an A4 so decided I needed to go all Teutonic. Started getting serious last fall and bought a 2002 Boxster this spring. I think I am going to start lying about my age now.

[hqduong]

When did you decide you wanted one?
I just got out of college and did really well for a first job outside of college. I wanted a new car instead of driving the family Solara.

How long did it take to finally purchase it?
2 days, I wanted a new car. After test driving all of the cars and doing my research, I got a Boxster S

How old where you then, and now?
I was 25 and now im 26

Is there anything you would have done differently?
Yes,get a 911 or something with more space.

Quick word of advice for a young person trying to save for one?
Work hard and dream big. Shoot for the moon, because if you miss you'll land among the stars.

[Lil bastard]

When did you decide you wanted one?

When girls in mini-skirts no longer wanted to sit in my Europa...

How long did it take to finally purchase it?

About 2 mos. after I mustered out of the Service, a '72 914/6 w/ 1-owner and 3600 mi. in '77.

How old where you then, and now?

I was 28 and have seen the Earth go around the Sun many many times since then.

Is there anything you would have done differently?

Not really, I was lucky to find exactly what I was looking for straight away.

Quick word of advice for a young person trying to save for one?

Keep your eye on your goal and be willing to forego some other things to get what you really want. Also, I'd recommend having at least 15% of the car's purchase price as a repair fund before you buy it. Also, consider such things as insurance costs, where you'll park it, life of existing consumables - tires, belts, hoses, etc. Also, a PPI is the best money you'll ever spend on it.

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by hqduong

Work hard and dream big. Shoot for the moon, because if you miss you'll land among the stars.

I think he meant that to read: Shoot for the stars and you'll hit the moon, stars being much further away than the moon.

I'll add one more piece of advice my dad gave me that falls in line with hqduong...

Don't buy the cheapest car in a manufacturer's line when you dream of owning the top of the line model. So, if you want a 911 Turbo, don't settle for a base Boxster. You'll always wish you had saved more and got what you really wanted.

Boy was he right. I delayed buying my newest acquisition, a BMW 550i until I could get the right one with all the features I wanted and the big V8 in it. Had I purchased a 525 or even a 535 I know I would have pulled up to a 550i and wondered if I should have waited to find one in my price range or saved more money. :dance:

[SeanZ4]

Started looking at them 2+ years ago. Talked myself out of it several times. I was scared of the ims issue etc. I researched quite a bit more on this forum and others and determined that a very small percentage of Boxsters actually have this problem, so I pulled the trigger on one a few weeks ago on my 43rd birthday (just a coincidence). I've always loved sports cars. Probably dating back to the late 70's. My first car was a 70 MGB (Money Gone Bad)..then a 79 TR5, Then 3 different Mercedes, 2 3 series BMWs, 3 Z3s, 1 Z4 and now the Boxster. All have been a 2nd or third car with the exception of the MG. I've also owned many VWs. The rarest one being my '74 "Thing"...

I paid cash for my '00 Boxster S with approx. 38k on the clock. I'm not wealthy, but I have incredible saving habits. Both my other vehicles are paid for and they're both less than 2-3 years old. So my best advice is get something that you afford to own as much as you can simply afford to buy.

And btw 1989, I advised you to go with a 3 series a couple of weeks ago just for the maint. issues and your age etc.... what do you think??

sean

[John in Bismarck]

When did you decide you wanted one?
I drove a Corvair convertible when I was in high school, and always liked Porsches. I never really thought I would own one, though

How long did it take to finally purchase it?
My Corvair was a 1966 and I bought my Boxster last year, so that would make 42 years. Wow.

How old where you then, and now?
I was 16 then, 57 now.

Is there anything you would have done differently?
Not really. I bought a new 1992 Corvette and my wife and I enjoyed a lot, but we sold it to buy a van for the family. No kidding. I thought seriously about buying another Vette, but I'm glad I went with the Boxster (2005 Certified, bought last May from a Porsche dealer). I also looked at used 911's, but they were beyond my budget. I bought the Boxster with cash.

Quick word of advice for a young person trying to save for one?
Keep your priorities in order. Family comes first, plus saving for retirement. Toys can wait. That's probably not what you wanted to hear, but I think it's good advice. A high school kid at our church saw me drive up in the Boxster last summer, and said "I wish I could have one of those!" I told him that if he worked hard for 40 years like I did, he would be able to afford one.

[LoveBunny]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I think he meant that to read: Shoot for the stars and you'll hit the moon, stars being much further away than the moon.

I'll add one more piece of advice my dad gave me that falls in line with hqduong...

Don't buy the cheapest car in a manufacturer's line when you dream of owning the top of the line model. So, if you want a 911 Turbo, don't settle for a base Boxster. You'll always wish you had saved more and got what you really wanted.

Boy was he right. I delayed buying my newest acquisition, a BMW 550i until I could get the right one with all the features I wanted and the big V8 in it. Had I purchased a 525 or even a 535 I know I would have pulled up to a 550i and wondered if I should have waited to find one in my price range or saved more money. :dance:

I dunno, I'd love to have a 911 Turbo one day. I was drooling over one in the showroom when I picked up my Boxster. However, I'm VERY happy with my Boxster.