How Old Were You & How Did You Purchase Your First Porsche? - Page 2 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Gougoushu · 01-28-2009, 06:39 AM

I have gorgeous memories of riding in the back of Dad's 356 cars in the 60's. Until '69, when he had a head-on collision with a Buick and spent 2 weeks in the hospital.

When the beautiful Cayman came out, I test drove one: I was in love. And it was silver w/red interior, just like early Porsches. Suddenly my Acura RSX wasn't so exciting anymore.

But the Caymans were too much $. I started Boxster-shopping as a compromise. One Sunday I made a low bid on a Silver/Red Boxster w/87K miles on ebay that needed work, but had no reserve [meaning no minimum price]. Thought my bid was too low, but suddenly it was mine. The colors, the vintage smell, the nostalgia. It took about $2k to get it roadworthy.

Many here are telling you to save up & buy a low mileage car. Or wait and save for the ultimate dream car [easy to say when you already have it]. That is good general advice, but not necessarily right for everyone.

For example, some of us like the vintage aspect. Also, if you have time and willingness to learn to make repairs yourself, the lower cost of an older model can get you in-Boxster sooner, and might be worth the elevated risk of more repairs per mile. If you are 19, like your name suggests, it might be hard to wait! With forums like this, renntech, boxa.net, etc. you can get info, download service manuals, etc. There are usually some early 986 Boxsters being parted out on Ebay, ebay.uk, and ebay deutschland, and many dismantlers around the U.S..

I'll never forget my brother & I, then 16, looking at a green 356 with rusted out floors in March 1975. It was $500, and we passed on it. I still regret it. :ah:

Jeph · 12-28-2008, 03:38 PM

When did you decide you wanted one?
About 3 months before I bought it

How long did it take to finally purchase it?
3 months of research

How old where you then, and now?
27 then, 31 now

Is there anything you would have done differently?
Opted for the S

Quick word of advice for a young person trying to save for one?
For every $100 the car cost, spend 1 day thinking about the purchase.
If the car costs $1000, you wait 10 days.
$10,000, 100 days
$20,000, 200 days etc.

Jake Raby · 12-31-2008, 04:14 PM

Got my first Porsche at 12, it was a 912 with a blown engine... I repaired it and sold it 6 months later for enough money to buy 80 core engines. Thats when all my craziness with Porsches began. :-)

mikefocke · 12-31-2008, 05:28 PM

It was 1970. I was 27, out of the service but in the reserves, 3 years into a job in computers that seemed to have a great future, single and had no debts (thanks dad). I had previously owned 2 Alfa Roadsters. I had a boat (3rd) and a motorcycle (2nd). I rented a house with 3 other guys. I owed nothing. Then Porsche came out with the 914.

It was the last car I ever financed. I think I borrowed $1500 of the $3600 purchase price. I paid the loan off early with my income from the reserves.

It took about an hour to purchase. You had only about 2 options to chose from.

The car's design was wonderful, but the reliability was atrocious. I worked perhaps 4 blocks from the dealer and the joke around the office was the dealer had a parking space with my name on it it was in the shop so often. Nothing major in engine or transmission. Just windows falling off the track 20 times and the like. They could never get parts or fix it. I was constantly on the verge of losing my license (red color). I sold the car probably a week before it was out of its 2 year warranty to a new Doctor from Philadelphia. I bought a 1970 BMW 2002A. I got no tickets for years.

In today's climate...would I buy a Porsche again if I were 27. No. I can't think of a job today that has the kind of security and prospects I had at 27.

It took me 32 years to buy my next Porsche, a 1999 Boxster I bought after I drove one for 20 minutes. I had looked at advertisements for 30 years and my wife said "why don't you just go buy one". Paid cash. I can do it now because I have lived beneath my income for 30 years. I'm still living beneath my potential income in retirement.

Even though early Boxsters are priced low, the maintenance costs compared to a Hyundai are high, the insurance costs are high, the risk is high.

Defer your gratification (unless you can do almost all the maintenance on the car yourself). Drive a very practical car for a while. Save your money. Invest in your education and employability. Maintain an emergency fund. Once all of that is assured, you can buy a Porsche class car.

They are wonderful cars. Good luck.

pbanders · 12-31-2008, 06:31 PM

When did you decide you wanted one?
When I was around 10. There was a guy in our church who had a 911, I thought it was the coolest car I'd ever seen.

How long did it take to finally purchase it?
Bought the 2nd 944 in the SF Bay Area in 1982, when I was 24. Had it for 6 months, put 12K miles on it, my girlfriend had the timing belt slip while she was driving and killed the valvetrain (common 944 problem), Porsche fixed it, figured out it was costing me too much, sold it for what I bought it for by December and bought a tricked-out 914 that I still have.

How old where you then, and now?
24 then, 50 now.

Is there anything you would have done differently?
I'd have waited longer until I could have more easily afforded what I wanted. It turned out OK for me but I could have saved and leveraged myself into a GT3 for all I spent on that 914 over the years.

Quick word of advice for a young person trying to save for one?
Drive cheap cars, live in cheap places, get a good education and a high-paying job, save your money until you can't stand it any more, and buy what you want. Also, remember that being able to buy a particular Porsche doesn't mean that you actually can afford to own it.

Adam_w · 02-10-2009, 04:16 AM

When did you decide you wanted one?
Always liked Porsche from a young age - don't really know when though. Probably seeing the 911 turbo in Bad Boys and my mates 993.

How long did it take to finally purchase it?
Bought my boxster in Jan 09

How old where you then, and now?
24 and 24.

Is there anything you would have done differently?
Waited till i was older as insurance is a nightmare!

Quick word of advice for a young person trying to save for one?
If you want it.. get it.. but do your homework. I bought a boxster as i wanted a porsche but i really wanted a 996 C2, i could never insure one at 24 so plan to wait a few years with the 986 and see if i can get a 996 C2s or a 997 C2 later.. of if i have a better job a 996 turbo.

bkiersz · 02-10-2009, 08:49 PM

When did you decide you wanted one?
Early on. Grew up in a Ford family so worked my way through Mustangs and a Taurus SHO, but was always a fan.

How long did it take to finally purchase it?
Just picked mine up last year, so that would be 21 years.

How old where you then, and now?
16 then. 37 now.

Is there anything you would have done differently?
Not really. I wasn't even seriously considering it until a friend of mine that had the car called me and reminded me of all the times that I told him if he ever wanted to sell it let me know. Well he had just bought a Harley and said that in convertible weather he would rather ride the bike so if I was still interested he would sell. Only had 18k miles and had been babied to the point of having the wheel wells wiped clean after each infrequent drive. Because I know it was taken care of and it was all black (which is what all my cars have been and always will be) it was a no-brainer.

Quick word of advice for a young person trying to save for one?
Careful what you wish for. One of my best friends in California bought a Boxster when he moved out there and loved it. Had it in for service and called me saying he was on the sales floor drooling over a 911 Carrera convertible. Called me later that night from the new 911 having a blast. Sold the car 3 months later. After the initial adrenaline rush, he came to realize that he liked the Boxster a whole lot more. Costly impulse buy.

LoveBunny · 12-31-2008, 07:40 PM

When did you decide you wanted one?
I can't say for sure, but probably somewhere around 15. I've always loved cars though as far back as I can recall.

How long did it take to finally purchase it?
When I was around 16 I got a job and started saving to buy a 944. This was back in the late '80s and an '83 944 could be had for around $10k. Doesn't sound like much but I didn't make much either. I saved up a couple thousand dollars and then borrowed the rest from my grandmother and paid her back in payments. I also had to pay the insurance on it but since I was a student these were my only "real" expenses....except for the maintenance. I also set up a fund to save for car repairs every month as I knew this was a high maintenance car. I still never had enough and ended up constantly owing my dad money. I also had a dad who was in the car business and knew a lot of guys with shops and also did work on my car for me that saved me a lot of money. My grandmother ended up dying and I didn't even have to pay back the whole loan from her. After about 2.5 years I decided to move away for school and since I no longer had my dad to help me maintain the car I sold it. I loved that car though and was really sad to see it go. But I told myself I wouldn't buy another Porsche until I could buy a newer one with a warranty.

How old where you then, and now?

Then I was 16. Now I am 36 and just bought my second Porsche, a 2008 Boxster.

Is there anything you would have done differently?

Maybe tried to hang on to the 944 and not moved away. I moved away because of a guy I was oh so in love with. In hindsight, I really should hve stayed and stuck with my car because it was better than the guy.

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

Just don't give up. If you buy an older one, make sure you have enough extra to maintain it and/or learn to work on it yourself if you aren't lucky enough to have a dad like mine who helped me.

ISUnorth · 12-31-2008, 08:48 PM

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 · 01-27-2009, 07:59 PM

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 · 01-27-2009, 08:16 PM

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 · 01-28-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

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 · 01-28-2009, 02:05 PM

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

LoveBunny · 01-29-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

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.

vincesf · 01-30-2009, 06:39 PM

I was 17 years old and purchased a new 1976 930. In its day, the 930 (Turbo Carrera) was an incredibly swift car and was one of the nicest Porsche's I ever owned. I have owned 9 Porsches in the last 33 years, and my advice is that I would never buy a car believing that I will own it for ever, or that it will be a future classic. Some of the cars made today may be future classics, but not in our lifetime. Don't buy a car to garage it, but rather buy it to drive and enjoy it. Why be a caretaker to preserve history?
vincesf

smeech · 02-10-2009, 02:22 AM

When did you decide you wanted one?
Always liked Porsche from a young age - don't really know when though.

How long did it take to finally purchase it?
Finally bought my 1998 Boxster in Ocean Blue in July 2008 after the ex told me that she wanted the Ford Cougar! Started looking in May and researched everything I needed to know to buy a good one. And touch wood (hand to head) I have not had any problems so far!

How old where you then, and now?
I was 31 then and am 31 now.

Is there anything you would have done differently?
At the time no. But in hindsight I would have saved a little more and maybe gone for a 2.7 or S

Quick word of advice for a young person trying to save for one?
Patience, patience, patience. Buy the one you want after serious research into what to look out for.