The Boxster "Affair" - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Wulf190 · 12-21-2014, 05:26 AM

Figured to share my story here in the acquisition of my first Porsche since others might find themselves in a similar position.

I am 47, a middle school science teacher with German family heritage. Like every other kid in high school, I dreamed of a 911 with the whale tail. Throughout the years I have owned a few nice rides, of which, only maybe 1 or 2 seemed approaching exactly what I was looking for at the time. I have had a chance to drive a few Porsche's over the years, a 928, 944 and a liquid cooled 911. I loved all of them but figured owning one was really just never practical or was just plain out of reach financially.

So a few months ago, I get tired of paying to fix my PT Cruiser convertible while it continues to depreciate, and while on the way home from work I see an 03 987 sitting on a dealer lot, and thought, MAN, that's a nice ride, I am SO pulling in there to check it out. Knowing I shouldn't, I take it for a spin....BAD idea. I knew it would be nice, but I honestly had no idea I would be as impressed as I was. Bummed, I knew this one was out of my $$ range but I immediately saw why they were rated so highly as a used car. I honestly liked it better than the 911 I had driven several years ago. Knowing my wife's likely response to my endeavor, I avoid telling her of my experience for a few days, but finally spill it out and it meets the exact reception I thought it would. So, bummer for me, I accept my fate that it won't happen. But, I just can't leave well enough alone, and I find myself thinking, "I know I could get this done for less $", so I keep poking around quietly trying to find one that might be more acceptable. A couple cars of test-driving later, I run into a 99 Ocean Blue Metallic with Sport Classic 18" wheels on it in beautiful shape on the other side of town and buckle, knowing I would forever regret it if I DIDN'T exchange for the relatively low price that it could be done at. Basically, just drive home with it and roll the dice on what's going to happen at home....NOT a good idea.

So, now I am in a fix....every time I get in this car, I think, "MAN, this is a fantastic machine". I love it more and more with each mile I put on. I want to work on it, do small things, and I find myself in conflict with my wife, who simply refuses to get in it, or to accept my fascination with it. Again, Bummer for me. There are SO many things that argue against the practicality of the car as a daily driver for me. But, for every argument against, I find that there is a counter point to suit that argument and that I see myself owning like 5 more of these things in the future. Never been in this spot with a car before. So, I am caught in the Porsche web that it seems like no one but myself and those here on the forum might understand. I wish it were different, but I find myself staring out my window looking at the car in my driveway thinking, "Don't I have to go SOMEwhere today?"

Mike

KevinH1990 · 12-21-2014, 06:08 AM

Many of us have similar stories. The details vary, but the motivations and feelings are the same.

I expect that the majority of people on this board are not the original owners of their 986's. The population that buys these cars "pre-owned" may have other priorities for spending their resources. Although the 986 is not the newest and best performing Porsche, it is still far ahead of most other vehicles on the road. You didn't say what you spent on your car, but I doubt it was much more than the cost of a used compact car. Remember that someone probably spent over $45k for that car when it was new.

I usually make one or two upgrades or repairs to my car each year. The technical support and affirmation that I have received and that you can expect on this board are invaluable.

We understand you. Enjoy your car.

BIGJake111 · 12-21-2014, 06:26 AM

What is it with science teachers having nice cars? (Walter whites Aztec excluded)

Enjoy the car! We would love to see some pictures!

Luv2Box · 12-21-2014, 06:54 AM

Many years ago I owned a Harley Sportster that I bought brand new when I was single. It had custom gold leaf and pinstriped paint with the Harley Eagle sissy bar. I put chrome drag pipes on it and rode it to Mexico and had leather hand tooled saddle bags with the Harley Eagle made for it. I loved riding it and made up things to do just to get on it.
After a couple of years owning it I got married and my new wife didn't like the bike. It was too loud and too dangerous for her and she wouldn't go near it. I finally gave in and sold the bike and bought her a nice ring with the money from the sale.
Our marriage didn't last and now she's gone and so's the bike and I sure do miss that bike.

Wulf190 · 12-21-2014, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2Box

Many years ago I owned a Harley Sportster that I bought brand new when I was single. It had custom gold leaf and pinstriped paint with the Harley Eagle sissy bar. I put chrome drag pipes on it and rode it to Mexico and had leather hand tooled saddle bags with the Harley Eagle made for it. I loved riding it and made up things to do just to get on it.
After a couple of years owning it I got married and my new wife didn't like the bike. It was too loud and too dangerous for her and she wouldn't go near it. I finally gave in and sold the bike and bought her a nice ring with the money from the sale.
Our marriage didn't last and now she's gone and so's the bike and I sure do miss that bike.

ROTFL, Thanks. I needed that.

CHRISP357 · 12-21-2014, 07:49 AM

I don't know, kind of seems like there may be deeper problems and she's using the car as an easy outlet. I'm no therapist but I don't think any toy is worth risking the end of real love. You may have to let go for now. It will be heart breaking every time you see someone else with one but remember, sure, they have a wife but you have a Porsche!

Wulf190 · 12-21-2014, 09:15 AM

Well said Chris

I see what you did there.

Retroman1969 · 01-11-2015, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2Box

Many years ago I owned a Harley Sportster that I bought brand new when I was single. It had custom gold leaf and pinstriped paint with the Harley Eagle sissy bar. I put chrome drag pipes on it and rode it to Mexico and had leather hand tooled saddle bags with the Harley Eagle made for it. I loved riding it and made up things to do just to get on it.
After a couple of years owning it I got married and my new wife didn't like the bike. It was too loud and too dangerous for her and she wouldn't go near it. I finally gave in and sold the bike and bought her a nice ring with the money from the sale.
Our marriage didn't last and now she's gone and so's the bike and I sure do miss that bike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHRISP357

I don't know, kind of seems like there may be deeper problems and she's using the car as an easy outlet. I'm no therapist but I don't think any toy is worth risking the end of real love. You may have to let go for now. It will be heart breaking every time you see someone else with one but remember, sure, they have a wife but you have a Porsche!

PS: these had me in tears!

ugatha · 12-21-2014, 06:58 AM

As I was clicking through literally hundreds of used Miatas, looking for my 5th one, I was doing a search for convertibles within 100 miles of me and I lingered on the photo of an Arena Red '98 that I was drooling over. My wife looks over my shoulder and says, "Wow, that's a fine looking car - what is it?" I explain what it is and she says, "Get it if you can!".

So I did.

Fast forward a few weeks and we're sitting in it waiting for a light to go green. She says, "That guy in the car next to us is staring at me." To which I reply, "Baby, he's not looking at you - - he's looking at the CAR!"

A week later when she starts talking to me again, we have a good laugh about whether I love the car more than I love her.

Wulf190 · 12-21-2014, 07:07 AM

Just spent an hour up at the car wash doing it all by hand. Man those wheels are a PITA to clean, but they are the exact ones I wanted on there.

$ wise...hard to estimate maybe since I traded vs. buying it outright, but all in, probably somewhere around 9k...Of the four that I drove, this one was the cheapest and the oldest, but it will still do WAY more than I am willing to try behind the wheel. I have "tested it" enough to determine that much.

Has the mid level sound package which I will likely upgrade, cruise, heated seats (which work awesome btw), a fresh top, and a pretty fresh set of PS2's all around. It will eventually need me to do some wrenching on it, like rotors, brake pads, etc...but all cars will need that, and I have discovered that parts don't always have to be as crazy expensive as I thought they might be, thanks to the forums here.

Here's some pics from the online ad....

Twomato · 12-22-2014, 04:53 AM

Your car sure looks clean. I have the same tires on my 996. they're nice and quiet with decent grip. I bought my car off my bucket list and have not looked back - 5 months and 6000 miles later.

JayG · 12-22-2014, 05:53 AM

Just wait until the wife wants a Porsche of her own.
Now mine hardly ever lets me drive "her" 996 Targa

RayW · 01-05-2015, 04:42 PM

I love to restore old cars, my wife had wanted a light blue convertible since she was 16 and her dad wouldn't let her buy one from a neighbor. I ran across a 90 Mustang GT convert that needed paint and some interior work. I dragged it home and told her I would build her a light blue convertible. Since than she's never given me a hard about whatever I drag home. I've done a 85 380SL and just got my first Porsche, a 98 986. I'm loving it so far, next year will be my first full summer with it.

Moral of the story, take care of momma first!

Wulf190 · 01-07-2015, 07:56 AM

Thanks for commenting Ray. I had a 66 Mustang in high school that my dad and I restored. I loved that car. I owned it 8 years and sold it for twice of what I paid for it. So, I am similar in my interests and endeavors perhaps. One would think that might help to provide me some experience in dealing with the specific-interest type car..but, that's been pretty fairly dismissed by the significant other.

I know that wife simply does not want to 'validate the invalid', which would be to accept that it was--in the first place--ok to get rid of the car that is a money hole with no return and go against the 'rational, agreed-upon, keep throwing money at it" solution. The fact that the 986 looks like it's going 100mph just sitting there is just kind of fuel to continue this pathology. Forgiveness/acceptance might be a 50/50 proposition at best, but would be greatly accelerated if she would simply go for a ride.

I see that you are in Chicago. If you feel like a drive down Archer Ave. through the woods in Palos, or elsewhere sometime, just hit me up.

Mike

BIGJake111 · 12-27-2014, 02:51 PM

You would assume those that are picky enough about their cars wouldn't join the Durango crowd at a food venue like Micky D's

nefarious986 · 12-28-2014, 07:49 PM

I guess if I bought the car new and paid the "retail" price, I would be a bit more anal about food / drinks in the car. I wonder if you guys would be as strict if it was a newer Accord or S2000 instead of a "Porsche", both of which would be more expensive than what your average used 986 might cost. Don't get me wrong, I think the 986 is a great value and a great car which is why I own one, though sometimes I wonder if some might baby it a bit more because of the badge.

Congrats on the purchase btw.

Wulf190 · 12-29-2014, 05:49 PM

I bought a new accord once, and even new it got eaten in/on.

Taking the advice posted earlier, I took a longer "diversion" on today's trip to the store........I am beginning to get the hang of this now...Took advantage of a couple of empty, very tight expressway ramps. I kind of fear how fast the thing could really go through those, but it once again proved how willing it is to ask you to try...so I gave it my best shot.

In discovery mode, I looked over the option codes today and found out the wheels were designated as turbo twists, so they were either a dealer or PO add on.

I have an OBD tool that I have been meaning to hook up to get some data on the engine, but I have no laptop and am a Mac user..

so may have to snag a laptop from someone

Also need to get rid of the airbag light with the OBD tool until I can grab a set of seat belt setups which seems to be the cause of it from checking around.

BIGJake111 · 12-29-2014, 06:34 PM

Airbag light is really common on these cars, clear the code and it should stay gone.

Wulf190 · 12-30-2014, 07:23 AM

Awesome. Good to know. I have been going after all the little things on it..replaced headlight bulb, radio, wiper blades, lots of polishing and cleaning exterior/interior, replacing lost tools and manuals, etc. Just things that don't cost a ton and bring up the value of the car. I am the 3rd owner and it has a clean car fax, but not a ton of service history with it, which helped make it affordable for me. I had driven a few before this one, so had a decent idea of what to look for and what it would take to satisfy me. My browsing order was as follows:

03 Base model, black on black, 35K miles asking 15K for @ dealer: The one that started me down this path. Great car, one owner, but more than I could come up with to make it happen.

00 S model, ocean blue metallic on gray int., 65K miles, everything done on it with full service history, great owner. A fantastic driver, and easily the fastest and most powerful of the versions I drove. 14K @ private owner. I grew to love the blue exterior color

01 Base model, black on black, 21K miles, like new, one owner, 15K...too much dough I thought.

99 Base model, burgundy wine on gray, 65K miles, had a couple of problems pop up when browsing at it, so it kind of knocked itself out of consideration. Nice car, good condition, but wrong color for me and not optioned up too highly. Regular wear for a car it's age.

After these, I arrived finally at mine....the cheapest and slowest of all of the above options except the last one maybe. But, as this one had the wheels, was in great condition and had a few small things I knew I could bring up to speed to improve it's value over time, I figured this one was everything I could want....and it has proven to be exactly that. :dance:

Wulf190 · 01-03-2015, 06:33 AM

Wife has shown ZERO signs of softening on this stance. She is going hard on the "it needs to have 4 seats." Also mentioning "it would be nice if the top would come down also." I am not onboard with her ideas. I told her that in order for me to get that done with little money, I am going to have to find a better deal on a better car and that is NOT going to be easy to do. Also said that if she didn't like my first choice, that she is highly unlikely to like my second choice either. Seeing how this might actually be an opportunity to explore the market further, I DID look at a few other cars that might satisfy her.

Yesterday took a look at an '04, 86K mile BMW 325i 'vert. Like new condition, very nice car..and to trade, the number he tossed out there was....check this.... 6 GRAND!! I laughed and said 'no way' since I was at an even swap in my head. I have a sneaking feeling that's about where every dealer would be on a car that I would consider swapping for. Thus, this would be a 'sell it myself' decision then and would take some time. Just the fact that I looked might helped to alleviate some of the pressure, but she really hates that car (more that I just went out and bought it against her wishes). Maybe a different Boxster?? Who knows, but swapping this thing out for something else goes against every notion in my body at this time, and checking into it further seems to confirm exactly why that would be a terrible decision to me, and actually confirms the decision I made in the first place. I'm not in a spot to throw more money out the door on something that isn't even close to as good as this car, and it would upset me more to do that....pointless. So, I am like "WTFing-ever?" and keep driving and looking for a 99 Carrerra Cab...possibly the ONLY thing that will satisfy us both, and thats a long shot...but if you've got a 99 cab and feel like you want a nice Boxster, I will listen.