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

[pbanders]

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]

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]

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.

[Paul]

When did you decide you wanted one?
1974.

How long did it take to finally purchase it?
2 days later.

How old were you then, and now?
23 then, 57 now

Is there anything you would have done differently?
I would have kept it.

Quick word of advice for a young person trying to save for one?
Just get it and enjoy it, life is too short not to have toys.