another which car would you keep thread

[benhogan]

the players are...

1987 190d turbo diesel 2.5 (pretty rare beast)
1983 300d turbo diesel (not rare but 100% original with not a spec of rust)
1981 Porsche 911sc Targa (enthusiast owned, well maintained, needs nothing)

I currently own the first 2 and have a chance to buy the 911 for a song (song=$10k). I have never owned a Porsche and would love a 911sc. The seller has two 911's and only has room in the garage for one. The sc sits outside in the rain and currently has one flat tire.

The only reservation is the 911 runs on gasoline and I am a diesel guy (the sound of that air cooled motor sounds like a diesel I guess!).

Wife says I can only have 2 cars. One option is to mothball one of the diesels but realistically it would have to be sold.

Which way would you go? Would you buy the Porshaaaa?

[vstech]

well, there's a pristine one on ebay now for 19,5 OBO... how bad is the one sitting outside?
there not a bad looking car, done well...

[fender_bender]

Hmmmm...I always liked the looks of the 911. I love the 300d. Personally...I'd probably keep the 300d and get the porshe, but I'd be going off emotion and not logic. How often do you get a chance to own a 911? We don't see those in my neck of the woods. If money was available I would go the "mothball" route and store one of the Mercs. Tough decision. I'm not helping am I?

Edit: Might want to change your sig if you get the gasser!

[benhogan]

Originally Posted by vstech

well, there's a pristine one on ebay now for 19,5 OBO... how bad is the one sitting outside?
there not a bad looking car, done well...

It looks just like that but it is rosewood (metallic dark brown) and the wheels are mostly flat black.

The 911 sitting in the rain is could be daily driver as it sits.

Yeah the sig will have to change unless I want a bullet through the head

[daw_two]

I've had enough experience with a 911 Targa to steer me away from them; low compression on one cylinder; never could pass the smog tests....rust....etc....

Why go an buy a gasser if you are a diesel guy?

I'm just asking.....

[benhogan]

Originally Posted by daw_two

Why go an buy a gasser if you are a diesel guy?

I'm just asking.....

Because I am stupid. I am probably better off buying a Tamiya 1:24 model of the 911. Much less trouble.

[Junkman]

I'd give my wife her choice of the current cars then keep the one that doesn't become hers AND buy the 911.

Whenever payment comes into question, I simply fund it out of my bond money. Then all I have to do is stay out of jail and replenish bond money in time for the next thing that comes along. I haven't been to jail in a long time. Age at least has the benefit of police being less suspicious of you.

[Shortsguy1]

Originally Posted by benhogan

Because I am stupid. I am probably better off buying a Tamiya 1:24 model of the 911. Much less trouble.

Possibly, but if your modelling skills are anything like mine, you would never be able to see through the windshield!

(In case it isn't obvious, this is a poorly executed reference to how often the "clear" plastic windows get fogged up with plastic cement on car and plane plastic models. Ah, to be a kid again!)

Sorry I don't have anything productive to add to the discussion.

[Zacharias]

Originally Posted by benhogan

Because I am stupid. I am probably better off buying a Tamiya 1:24 model of the 911. Much less trouble.

I am not so sure the issue is how much trouble they are (though you can be pretty certain that the old saw about "there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes" applies to the power of five with a Porker). I think the 911 is pretty reliable (less so others). The issue, as I get it, is the price to put parts on them.

I had a friend who worked at a Porsche dealer. You might want to check out the parts pricing schedule before anything else, for even routine items.

However, perhaps Pelican makes the 911 livable, both in terms of online parts and technical articles.

For sure once you get into that world you are dealing with an enthusiast group whose passion makes us in the Mercedes world look like a bunch of yokel amateurs, in comparison.