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

[Rick V]

My Dad was Porsche tech, many many moons ago, like 40, I have wanted one for as long as I can remember. I grew up with them (I remember when the 914 was a new car). I saved my money as best as I could. This was hard since I have no further education, other than the training I get from work.( I am a Porsche mechanic)I finally decided to pull the trigger on my dream car about 5 years ago. I bought my SC. I payed cash for it, as I did with my 944S, my 71T. I did however finance the Boxster, It was a spur of the moment gift for my wife.
I guess my best advice is to save your money, and just pay cash. Had I bought my car when I was younger I am sure it would have not ended up well, for me or the car.
As with anything in life, don't rush into it, take your time, keep your focus, and be patient, it will pay off in the end.

[Jaxonalden]

Rick V,

Hmmmm...lets see, your dad was a Porsche technician and your a Porsche technician. And you bought a Boxster with, I'm sure, the knowledge of IMS failures. I feel better about my purchase now, thank you.

BTW, I've always love VW's and have owned 9. Bugs and Karman Ghias and have always thought that 911's looked like a bug that had been squashed. I still have a '66 bug (15 years now) that's as solid as the day it rolled off the line. 1776 w/a single 44 IDF, full flowed, 044 heads and a lighted flywheel. I love that car.

One day I got a wild hair and decided to add a Porsche to the stable. I found the one I drive now and with the options it came with and the things I've done to it, I feel I'll never let her go.

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by Jaxonalden

Rick V,

Hmmmm...lets see, your dad was a Porsche technician and your a Porsche technician. And you bought a Boxster with, I'm sure, the knowledge of IMS failures. I feel better about my purchase now, thank you.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you shouldn't take comfort in my purchase. I will point out that I don't pay retail for factory parts, I don't have to pay for diagnosis, nor do I pay labor. It is one of the perks of the wretched life I have cornered myself into, I can drive cars that would otherwise be out of my range of buying and maintaining. Case and point, I just replaced the water pump on the Boxster, with a factory unit, grand total, $150.
These cars are very easy to buy, the trick is being able to keep them, and keep them properly. That is why I recommend buying a car with cash and not having to budget the cost of the car. Save that for the repairs.
P.S. I prefer the title of mechanic to tech. For the following reasons, I don't like giving lofty titles to average jobs, and a mechanic can still repair things I am not a huge fan of total unit replacement. I am an old man in a young mans field.

[Stunin_Stud]

Hey

I was 20 yrs old, junior in college when I bought mine. It was my third car, my first car was a 2001 vw GTI and my last car was a 2003 VW GTI.

I was considering getting a 2001 Mercedes CLK 55 or 2004 Audi S4 but thought I should buy something special, not the run of the mill sedan or coupe.

It took 1 yr and several failed deals, driving up and down california, test driving 40 cars till I found the right one. Initiatly I was looking for an 02 with low miles but I ended up with an 01.

I got my car from the president of PCA in zone 7 of california. It was a concours car with 18K miles in 2006 ( when I got it).

Im now 23 and the car has 31,400 miles on it, cool mods, no problems (knock on wood), and I service it myself (its fun).

I will be going to med school abroad and will keep the car in the garage till Im back. cant see myself selling it after all the fun I have had. Plus with todays market it wont be worth it.

[litteng]

I was barely out of diapers... well 16 when i recognized my first Porsche and fell in love... its been a long 38 year wait since then before i finally was able to park one in the garage last november.



now just waiting for the snow to leave..

[941MXVET]

My LITTLE brother picked up a sideswiped 944 for dirt cheep. He's a mechanic so he was able to track down some body parts to make the repairs. That car was a blast to drive!! It's hard to describe but somehow I think you all know what I'm talking about Unfortunately, he turned it into a daily drive, didn't keep up with the maintenance and the car turned to crap.

During this time I was playing around with MG's and other crappy British cars, but my first love was MX. I spent much of the past decade racing motocross and generally beating my body to a pulp! So to help supplant my wife (who also races MX) and my desire to go fast, we shopped for about the past 8-9 months looking for 'the' deal on either a 911 or a Boxster 986. Found what we hope to be a good deal and took the plunge about 2 months ago!

I must say this forum as well as some others has been very helpful in educating ourselves in our new endeavor. I hope you guy's don't loose patience with me as I ask what to most of you will be simple questions.

[Jaxonalden]

Quote;

" must say this forum as well as some others has been very helpful in educating ourselves in our new endeavor. I hope you guy's don't loose patience with me as I ask what to most of you will be simple questions."

Bring 'em on, thats what we're here for. Just because things were discussed a month or two ago doesn't mean it won't come up again. New members are always joining and everyone has input. It's up to you to sift though it and decide what to use. Welcome!!

[941MXVET]

Originally Posted by Jaxonalden

Bring 'em on, thats what we're here for. Just because things were discussed a month or two ago doesn't mean it won't come up again. New members are always joining and everyone has input. It's up to you to sift though it and decide what to use. Welcome!!

Thanks, from what I've seen so far, this is a very nice, and helpful place!

[trimblej3]

-I was in the fourth grade when I knew I had to have one
-went to college then law school and finally got a good job
- I'm 32 now, bought/Financed a CPO 2001 Boxster S arctic silver/black (42k miles) in March of 08'
-as someone else stated earlier. Try driving POS as long as you can and save up for a good quality car. I almost pulled the trigger on a POS 1983 944 about 5-6 years ago. Probably would have been one of the biggest mistakes/$$$$$ of my life. Good luck

[ekam]

When did you decide you wanted one?

3 months before I bought it.

How long did it take to finally purchase it?

A week or so.

How old where you then, and now?

Bought it a month before I turned 25 and I'm 25.

Is there anything you would have done differently?

No.

[csu15919]

When did you decide you wanted one?

-that kind of a loaded question for me...i've been a car fanatic ever since the 6th grade. sports cars have always been my thing, and i NEVER thought i'd see the day i'd own a porsche...it was just one of those dreams. i was actually out shopping for a BMW 330 when i stumbled across a boxster. after i saw the boxster they had, I WAS HOOKED!

How long did it take to finally purchase it?

-i bought one about 4 days after the story above^

How old where you then, and now?

-i was 23 at the time...i'm 25 now

Is there anything you would have done differently?

-i probably would've done a little more research on "common failures" and what they cost. although, i did have a nice chunk of repair money stashed, i blew through it (yes...ON REPAIRS) within the first year or so (roughly $12k).

i also should've bought the car out-right, instead of financing (used that "slush" money i had for repairs). i do have equity in it (paid a nice size down payment), but i've gotten to the point (on 2 occassions) where i just wanted to sell it and get something else...it's just hard when there's a loan.

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

-don't let your eyes get bigger than your wallet. DEFINITELY, keep in mind...REPAIRS ARE EXPENSIVE...EVEN IF YOU DO THEM YOURSELF. if you purchase a newer porsche...try to get a warranty/extended warranty. GOOD LUCK! i hope you get one!