Unreasonable? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

drburton · 05-16-2006, 11:51 AM

My wife thinks that I am unreasonable when it comes to my rules around driving the Boxster, so I think I need some other opinions.

We purchased the Boxster as a third car with the intention it will only be driven in the Summer for fun driving, dates out etc..

I refuse to drive the car to work b/c I park at a commuter lot which I don't think is safe (My Touareg has a big dent in the hood to confirm that). My wife parks in a garage so I'm OK with her taking it to work on occasion.

My general rule is that she can drive it to work as long as it's nice out (ie not raining) and that she only drives it 3 times a week. I don't want her to stack miles on the car commuting to and from work - Not why we bought it.

Now I'm getting pressure from her to drive it more often regardless of rain etc... She claims, why have the car if you aren't going to drive it. She is doing all kinds of calculations to determine the cost per time we drive it etc.. to prove her point.

I'm holding strong that the car was not intended to be used for commuting. I also have to admit a jealousy issue since she can drive it to work and I can't

So I'm open to opinions - am I being over the top?

05-16-2006, 12:04 PM

Man, you're in a tough spot, for sure!

I can see both sides of the "argument".

The general rule in our house is if, "Momma is happy, the whole house is happy...and if Momma ain't happy, no one else is either!"

Good thing for me is that my wife does not drive a manual...and is afraid to learn! That makes "Daddy" very happy.

BuffaloBoxster · 05-16-2006, 12:14 PM

Listen to the wife. Boxsters should be driven

SD987 · 05-16-2006, 12:21 PM

Implied in your post is that you consider the Box to be "your baby". If this wasn't the joint understanding going in, I think you're being over the top. I agree with BuffBox, better to have someone drive it, then no one, especially with a shortened convertible season in your neck of the woods.

Clearly the only solution is to obtain a 987 S, which would be "yours" and the current Box can become hers !

denverpete · 05-16-2006, 12:28 PM

I see where you are coming from but you are definately missing a couple of key points.

First is that the sentances containing "my rules" and "we bought" are mutually exclusive. Either it's my car with my rules or it's our car with our rules.

It sounds to me like you're the one making all the rules and then justifying them to both your wife and yourself. I'd be curious as to your reaction if your wife made a few rules of her own regarding the Boxster. Run my suggested rules by your wife and see if she likes them....

"My general rule is that he can drive it no more than once a week provided I'm not already using it - we didn't buy it for him to drive. He's not allowed to go over 35 mph and I must approve where he's going ahead of time to ensure it's parked appropriately. I'm okay with him occasionally driving over 35 provided I'm with him at the time."

As to putting wear and tear on your car - I agree with your wife. I don't get the people here who put it away or only drive it when it's nice. It's a Boxster not a freaking Enzo (speaking of which I had a black Enzo pass me on Sunday and OMGOD is that a beautiful machine). Does it make sense to use it as a commuter vehicle if you also have an older car (maybe better gas mileage)? Probably not. But I strongly believe she should have a voice in this. Maybe you should sell her other car and let the Boxster be her vehicle. Then.... Buy another one as YOUR Sunday driver...

drburton · 05-16-2006, 01:17 PM

Thanks for the responses so far - there seems to be favor towards my wife's point of view which I can accept.

SD987, the car is actually a 987 S, but I guess I could always buy another one for me.

Keep the comments coming, I'm sure she will enjoy reading this.

Frank · 05-16-2006, 01:29 PM

Hey Burton,
I drive mine all the time now.I try to keep it dry though,that acid rain stuff is scary...lol . Using it for commuting can be expensive so I would take that in to consideration. Around me,you really can't avoid rock chips on the parkway which really stink. Meanwhile, cars are made to be driven,so I feel thats what's best to do. Three times a week seems very generous though. Assuming,the car belongs to the two of you and there are 5 work days in a normal week, then she sounds like a winner to me.You should suggest lowering it to two and see what she sais.Maybee then she'll relize how lucky she is to have three days

Frank

xclusivecar · 05-16-2006, 01:38 PM

DRIVE IT!!! Have fun...just try to minimize any chances of dings in lots. I know this is difficult for you with the train lot and all...but it is a Boxster. Repairs aren't any different than any other car. I drive mine year round here in Chicago...not because I have to...but because I can't stop!

porscheracer · 05-16-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drburton

My wife thinks that I am unreasonable when it comes to my rules around driving the Boxster, so I think I need some other opinions.

We purchased the Boxster as a third car with the intention it will only be driven in the Summer for fun driving, dates out etc..

I refuse to drive the car to work b/c I park at a commuter lot which I don't think is safe (My Touareg has a big dent in the hood to confirm that). My wife parks in a garage so I'm OK with her taking it to work on occasion.

My general rule is that she can drive it to work as long as it's nice out (ie not raining) and that she only drives it 3 times a week. I don't want her to stack miles on the car commuting to and from work - Not why we bought it.

Now I'm getting pressure from her to drive it more often regardless of rain etc... She claims, why have the car if you aren't going to drive it. She is doing all kinds of calculations to determine the cost per time we drive it etc.. to prove her point.

I'm holding strong that the car was not intended to be used for commuting. I also have to admit a jealousy issue since she can drive it to work and I can't

So I'm open to opinions - am I being over the top?

Your Boxster is not a lawn ornament!
Drive and enjoy it! life is to short...

:dance:

dbth · 05-16-2006, 01:21 PM

I drive mine every day I can.
I wont drive in the pouring rain and wont drive in the snow.

The car will depreciate just sitting in the garage and depreciate faster with miles on it.But I did not buy it as an investment.
I bought a Boxster because it is fun to drive , not because it looks great in my garage.

Enjoy your car and your wife.
Keep the wife happy , she has the greatest capacity to make your days wonderful or miserable.

chows4us · 05-16-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drburton

...
I'm holding strong that the car was not intended to be used for commuting. I also have to admit a jealousy issue since she can drive it to work and I can't

So I'm open to opinions - am I being over the top?

Its a car ... its meant to be DRIVEN, not sit around looking pretty.

Your wife is right and pleasing the wife always has its benefits. I would be thankful she likes driving it.

Perfectlap · 05-16-2006, 02:37 PM

Hmmm you are a better man than me letting the misses drive your baby.

anyhooo this could be settled quiet easily.

get Leland west to insure your Boxster. They have cheap rate (relative to my state) and will only insure you if you drive less than 5,000 miles a year and keep the car garage kept.

This way you can blame the insurance company.

I don't like racking miles up on my car for work realted commutes but after seeing my insurance bill it makes no sense paying for something that's just going to stay parked.

wild1poet2 · 05-16-2006, 02:47 PM

The Porsche is just a machine and its meant to be driven. It's not a show car. It is depreciating and costing you money just sitting still. So use it and derive some enjoyment for your expense. IMO

PSP · 05-16-2006, 03:27 PM

When all is said and done, it is still just a car - a nice car, but still just a car.

....and trust me on this one, it will be cheaper in the long run to get a replacement car than it will to get a replacement wife

asnigro · 05-16-2006, 04:13 PM

If she has a car already, why does she need to drive the Box to work? Putting miles on the car via driving to and from work (especially if she works far from home) is pointless in my opinion. I would say save the Box driving for what you mentioned you bought it for "Summer for fun driving, dates out etc.."

However, if you both paid for this beauty, I guess its as much as her right to drive it as yours. I would assume that you are just kind of upset that she can drive it to work and you cant becuase of the whole garage thing.

Also, I am sick of all this "As long as the wife is happy" talk on this board! I understand some of it is said in jest, but lets be serious! I am not saying "what the man says goes" but I would hope the say around the house is 50-50.