To keep or not to keep the 330i: Part many

[FC]

I'm still months away from having to make this decision, but...

The long-term routine will be to get mom and baby (or later babies, but that is inconsequential) into some car and:

1) Drive to train station 3 miles from home - drop off mom.
2) Drive to daycare 3 miles from station - drop of kid(s).
3) Drive to work (5 miles).
4) During lunch go see kid and maybe dog. ~ 5-10 miles.
5) At night, pick up kids at daycare and drive home (10 miles).
6) Go pick up mom from train station (7 miles round trip).

This routine would happen 3 times a week. The other two times, my mom would come home and babysit our kid(s).

Naturally, any 4-door car will do this job fine. But the question is, do I keep the 330i for this kind of driving, or should I just use the Volvo? Also, with my wish to buy a sportscar, if I keep a $20K (or whatever) BMW I really can't spend a lot on a seldom-used sportscar.

As before, I'm leaning towards just selling the BMW next summer, buying a $4K Cherokee as a beater/winter/tow car and patiently look for a good deal on an '07+ 987S (or whatever).

Of course, I'm partially annoyed because I will wind up driving a slushie most of the time while my wife will rarely drive anything. This bugs me because I told her I didn't want to get stuck driving a slushie.

Of course, I could just toss the 5 year plan and get a new 335i or other nice sedan, but I'd hate to give up a 987S or similar and there is nothing in sedan form that excites me for the premium over just keeping my 330i. I could buy a nice used sportscar with that premium.

Am I nuts? Will I go insane with only a roadster as the only MT car?

FWIW, long-term and finances-permitting, the cherokee would be replaced by a larger, nicer, slushie SUV and the V70R would be replaced by a sporty and not necessarily roomy MT sedan or wagon.

[Nick M3]

Is there any reason why you can't just buy a 987S and then get rid of the 330?

[John V]

Only you can answer the slushie question. Personally I find them so frustrating to drive that I would never want one in the household if I would be expected to spend any time at all driving it.

[FC]

I could. But they couldn't really coexist for long. And I might as well ditch the 330i prior to the snow season and get more for it. I suppose I could do it all: V70R, new/newish 987S, ZHP and even throw in the beater cherokee, but that is a lot of $ to tie up for a family that puts on no more than 20K miles per year total. And more importantly, the timing doesn't help. We'll be spending a lot of money on remodeling the house in '09 and I don't want to borrow at 10%.

[clyde]

Please remind me...what's the purpose of dumping cash into a 987 when it's just going to sit almost all of the time? Can you scratch the itch by buying something older/cheaper if it leaves you with more money to spend on the vehicles that you will spend significantly more time in?

[FC]

Please remind me...what's the purpose of dumping cash into a 987 when it's just going to sit almost all of the time? Can you scratch the itch by buying something older/cheaper if it leaves you with more money to spend on the vehicles that you will spend significantly more time in?

Absolutely. Trouble is, there is not much out there with four doors that would put a smile in my face the way a 987 or similar can. Also, the kind of driving I would do while doing what's listed above is not the kind that would take advantage of what would make a vehicle great for me (other than the tranny).

I have the most fun when I do errands alone. Picking up takeout the other night was the most fun I've had in weeks. And I would still get to drive whatever I want to work twice a week.

In time, we'll go back to having a nice, sporty MT sedan or wagon, but for now I think if I had to pick, I'd go with the sportscar.

But no, I'm not 100% sure. I'll have to wait a few more months to know for sure. Right now my wife cannot drive and the baby is too small to take with us on a whim.

[dan]

my paypal still works

[FC]

my paypal still works

:bait:

[FC]

Shit, I was hoping you guys would tell me it wasn't that big a deal. Now I have to think about it some more.

[clyde]

Absolutely. Trouble is, there is not much out there with four doors that would put a smile in my face the way a 987 or similar can. Also, the kind of driving I would do while doing what's listed above is not the kind that would take advantage of what would make a vehicle great for me (other than the tranny).

I have the most fun when I do errands alone. Picking up takeout the other night was the most fun I've had in weeks. And I would still get to drive whatever I want to work twice a week.

In time, we'll go back to having a nice, sporty MT sedan or wagon, but for now I think if I had to pick, I'd go with the sportscar.

But no, I'm not 100% sure. I'll have to wait a few more months to know for sure. Right now my wife cannot drive and the baby is too small to take with us on a whim.

Color me a bit confused.

If you were to sell the 330 you'd have to come up with a certain amount of additional money to buy a 987 ($25k? $35k?). You said that you didn't want to borrow, so I'm left to conclude that you have that much money available for another car.

Based on that, the question I'm asking is why not take that $30k+/- and buy a cheaper sports car instead that doesn't require selling/replacing anything else that you currently have.

[John V]

I know the 987 is superior in every way to the 986, but ... if you are going for the overall feel of the car and want to save some money, a late-model 986S may be worth a test drive. You'll save a large pile of money and if you decide after a couple years that it's no longer for you, you're not going to be out very much money. It's still not too hard to find an '03 or '04 S with low miles and the balance of the factory warranty.

I would love to have a 987S (or, hell, a C6) but financially it just wouldn't be very prudent.

[FC]

Color me a bit confused.

If you were to sell the 330 you'd have to come up with a certain amount of additional money to buy a 987 ($25k? $35k?). You said that you didn't want to borrow, so I'm left to conclude that you have that much money available for another car.

Based on that, the question I'm asking is why not take that $30k+/- and buy a cheaper sports car instead that doesn't require selling/replacing anything else that you currently have.

That's what I mean. I can. I just had my mind set on a newish 987S for a while. But I can buy a cheaper sportscar with the difference. See my reply to JV below.

[FC]

I know the 987 is superior in every way to the 986, but ... if you are going for the overall feel of the car and want to save some money, a late-model 986S may be worth a test drive. You'll save a large pile of money and if you decide after a couple years that it's no longer for you, you're not going to be out very much money. It's still not too hard to find an '03 or '04 S with low miles and the balance of the factory warranty.

I would love to have a 987S (or, hell, a C6) but financially it just wouldn't be very prudent.

No doubt an option. This train of thought is what prompted my older "justifying the cost of a car" thread. In the 25-30K range I can pick from 986S', early elises, S2000's, or an early C6 (right?). None of those are anything to complain about. After all, the first time I wanted a Boxster was when the S came out in 2000. The RMS issues are what scares me the most from owning one. Of course, by next year/early '09 I could even get a base 987 for under 30K.

[equ]

I sold my zhp last october with the same mentality (just before winter)... I think I'd have gotten just as much for it in the spring. Don't bother.

OTOH, I just saw a topic on b-fest (insert your favorite b-word). Had no idea zhp's could have cam problems down the road.

:eek: :eek:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197799

[FC]

I sold my zhp last october with the same mentality (just before winter)... I think I'd have gotten just as much for it in the spring. Don't bother.

OTOH, I just saw a topic on b-fest (insert your favorite b-word). Had no idea zhp's could have cam problems down the road.

:eek: :eek:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197799

Shit.

That said, my car has been perfect so far and it is about to hit 50K miles and 4/5 years.

[armaq]

It's a vanos/cam problem, nobody is sure what exactly it is in the ZHP's case. The M54 has an imbalance/harmonics problem, and the ZHP cams only make it worse and cause the vanos to rattle.

The dealer can't fix it. I've had my vanos replaced but that didn't fix anything. There's a vanos specialist in Austin who supposedly has a fix that works. The fix is a modified vanos unit, he's not officially selling it yet as he has yet to work on a ZHP. I'm bringing my car to him next week.

It seems most if not all ZHPs have this rattle, some owners just never noticed it. FC, the rattle kicks in at 2000rpm on a warm car. Open the hood, have someone rev the engine and listen to the front portion of the engine.

[FC]

It's a vanos/cam problem, nobody is sure what exactly it is in the ZHP's case. The M54 has an imbalance/harmonics problem, and the ZHP cams only make it worse and cause the vanos to rattle.

The dealer can't fix it. I've had my vanos replaced but that didn't fix anything. There's a vanos specialist in Austin who supposedly has a fix that works. The fix is a modified vanos unit, he's not officially selling it yet as he has yet to work on a ZHP. I'm bringing my car to him next week.

It seems most if not all ZHPs have this rattle, some owners just never noticed it. FC, the rattle kicks in at 2000rpm on a warm car. Open the hood, have someone rev the engine and listen to the front portion of the engine.


I'll try that. Thanks.

[lemming]

odd to read that the inline six has a harmonics problem.

:-)

keep the car if it's paid off. that's my advice.

as clyde alluded to --having an expensive car that you rarely drive just sitting there is your money being burned for nothing.

[FC]

odd to read that the inline six has a harmonics problem.

:-)

keep the car if it's paid off. that's my advice.

as clyde alluded to --having an expensive car that you rarely drive just sitting there is your money being burned for nothing.

The ZHP is paid off. We'll pay off the V70R this coming spring/summer.

[John V]

The RMS issue is NOT worth avoiding a car over. Granted my car doesn't have it, but even cars that do, it is not a big deal regardless of whether you deal with it or ignore it.

[lemming]

The ZHP is paid off. We'll pay off the V70R this coming spring/summer.

i figured as much.

:D

these days, with so much on the docket, it's really hard to pass up the convenience of a car that is paid off. take care of it and it will run for 200k miles easily and still be snapped up by a college student or someone like that around here.

i'd guess that it's a lot easier to rethink this once both cars are paid off. then you won't even think about this decision. you'll just sign the paperwork.

but, as a reminder, if you're never going that far in the 330i, make sure you get longer drives in to get the engine up to temp to burn off all of the moisture in the system, else you'll be paying for a mighty expensive exhaust system. :ack:

[FC]

i figured as much.

:D

these days, with so much on the docket, it's really hard to pass up the convenience of a car that is paid off. take care of it and it will run for 200k miles easily and still be snapped up by a college student or someone like that around here.

i'd guess that it's a lot easier to rethink this once both cars are paid off. then you won't even think about this decision. you'll just sign the paperwork.

but, as a reminder, if you're never going that far in the 330i, make sure you get longer drives in to get the engine up to temp to burn off all of the moisture in the system, else you'll be paying for a mighty expensive exhaust system. :ack:

Yup, I'm looking forward to ditching the $680/month payment on the V70R.

The engine temp needle is always warm by the time I shut off the 330i. But I'm very good about trying to combine errands so at least once a week the car gets a very long drive.

[FC]

The RMS issue is NOT worth avoiding a car over. Granted my car doesn't have it, but even cars that do, it is not a big deal regardless of whether you deal with it or ignore it.

I'll snoop around and see what nice '03+ 986S' are asking.

[lemming]

I'll snoop around and see what nice '03+ 986S' are asking.

keep me in the loop, too.

it's that or a GXP. :dunno:

:D

[John V]

I'll snoop around and see what nice '03+ 986S' are asking.

I happen to know a local guy who might be interested in selling his Guards Red '03 S with M030 suspension. (shifty)

[FC]

I happen to know a local guy who might be interested in selling his Guards Red '03 S with M030 suspension. (shifty)

:eeps:

Unfortunately "now" is a bit early, but how much is he looking for?

[JST]

I happen to know a local guy who might be interested in selling his Guards Red '03 S with M030 suspension. (shifty)

Yes, that is a good question that FC asked about how much he is asking.

[clyde]

Yes, that is a good question that FC asked about how much he is asking.
Got plans on Sunday?

[John V]

I don't think that "this guy" is necessarily completely sold on selling (no pun intended) and he doesn't seem to be in a hurry but he has been kicking the idea around.

I have no idea on price.

[FC]

I still don't get used porsche prices. I'm seeing '03 986S' going for mostly $40K. Let's say they actually sell for $35K, I'm not sure that is such a great value for a nearly (already) 5 year old car.

A new 987S with all the options I would want MSRP's for $59K. It would not be hard to get it for $56K. If after 5 years I can get 36K for it, that is only 4K in depreciationa year. Why the hell should I buy a used one? I can live with 4K a year.

Same deal with '05 base 987's. They are asking ~ $40K. That's retarded. As I would configure it, it would MSRP for $51K, and could be had for $48K, easy. After 3 years these guys are only discounting $10K? That's absurd. With the US dollar getting its ass kicked for the forseeable future, I don't see German cars depreciating at a greater rate than now.

Maybe I should just get a new one.

[wdc330i]

I happen to know a local guy who might be interested in selling his Guards Red '03 S with M030 suspension. (shifty)

Oy. I didn't need to have that in my head! And I'm local. Tell him to preview it here first.

[John V]

I still don't get used porsche prices. I'm seeing '03 986S' going for mostly $40K. Let's say they actually sell for $35K, I'm not sure that is such a great value for a nearly (already) 5 year old car.

A new 987S with all the options I would want MSRP's for $59K. It would not be hard to get it for $56K. If after 5 years I can get 36K for it, that is only 4K in depreciationa year. Why the hell should I buy a used one? I can live with 4K a year.

Same deal with '05 base 987's. They are asking ~ $40K. That's retarded. As I would configure it, it would MSRP for $51K, and could be had for $48K, easy. After 3 years these guys are only discounting $10K? That's absurd. With the US dollar getting its ass kicked for the forseeable future, I don't see German cars depreciating at a greater rate than now.

Maybe I should just get a new one.

I don't know where you're looking and I don't know jack about 987 prices (no need to tempt myself - can't afford it). And I can't tell you what "local guy" paid for his 986S a year or so ago. But it wasn't $40k. At the time I think it had 12k on it. I want to say it's still sub-20k miles, but I'm not sure.

Oddly I have another friend Brian who bought an almost-identical '03 986S around the same time. Brian's car had slightly higher mileage, around 25k a year and a half ago, and he paid $34k for it. It doesn't have M030, doesn't have paint-to-match roll hoops, but does have PSM, wind blocker, cruise, etc like "local guy's" car.

If I had to take a stab at a fire-sale price for Brian's car I would guess $33k because I think he got a serious deal on it when he bought it. It's still mint, it still has low miles, and it has all the "stuff" most people want.

Then again, neither of them have the full leather interior which really tidys up the wonkiness of the 986/996 interior. For a daily driver I would probably look hard for a full leather car, because otherwise it's like being in a sea of vinyl and hard plastic. But other people might not care. '00-'02 part leather << '03+ part leather < '00-'02 full leather < '03+ full leather. IMO.

[FC]

I don't know where you're looking and I don't know jack about 987 prices (no need to tempt myself - can't afford it). And I can't tell you what "local guy" paid for his 986S a year or so ago. But it wasn't $40k. At the time I think it had 12k on it. I want to say it's still sub-20k miles, but I'm not sure.

Oddly I have another friend Brian who bought an almost-identical '03 986S around the same time. Brian's car had slightly higher mileage, around 25k a year and a half ago, and he paid $34k for it. It doesn't have M030, doesn't have paint-to-match roll hoops, but does have PSM, wind blocker, cruise, etc like "local guy's" car.

If I had to take a stab at a fire-sale price for Brian's car I would guess $33k because I think he got a serious deal on it when he bought it. It's still mint, it still has low miles, and it has all the "stuff" most people want.

Then again, neither of them have the full leather interior which really tidys up the wonkiness of the 986/996 interior. For a daily driver I would probably look hard for a full leather car, because otherwise it's like being in a sea of vinyl and hard plastic. But other people might not care. '00-'02 part leather << '03+ part leather < '00-'02 full leather < '03+ full leather. IMO.

Well, that's what I'm seeing on autotrader around here. And those are not even loaded up cars. Maybe I ought to search country-wide and embrace a long drive home.

But still, even at 33K, after 5 years, we are looking at 25K depreciation per year. That gets me a brand new car, built to my specs, with full factory warranty.

Of course, the used 986S has the HUGE advantage that if I later find that a roadster is not really for me, or I want something different, I wont be out 8-12K in the first 1-2 years. Maybe I should get a 986S to scratch the itch and look to upgrade not too long after that.

More thinking...

[Alan]

I still don't get used porsche prices. I'm seeing '03 986S' going for mostly $40K. Let's say they actually sell for $35K, I'm not sure that is such a great value for a nearly (already) 5 year old car.

A new 987S with all the options I would want MSRP's for $59K. It would not be hard to get it for $56K. If after 5 years I can get 36K for it, that is only 4K in depreciationa year. Why the hell should I buy a used one? I can live with 4K a year.

Same deal with '05 base 987's. They are asking ~ $40K. That's retarded. As I would configure it, it would MSRP for $51K, and could be had for $48K, easy. After 3 years these guys are only discounting $10K? That's absurd. With the US dollar getting its ass kicked for the forseeable future, I don't see German cars depreciating at a greater rate than now.

Maybe I should just get a new one.

That price is unrealistic ... I paid for a low mielage 03 non S I beleive $28k and that was 1 1/2 yrs ago ... I would think with so much time passing the S should be around that price today.

Keep looking and don't get discouraged, I remember back when I was buying the same car i bought had asking prices as riducoulous as $33k to $35k

If your 5'10" or over unless you sit very upright you will probably find the 1st gen boxster very tight. I remember spending 3 hours in the boxster on the dsay i got rid of it and jumping into the C6 (vette). My body actually ached from the boxster and the Vette was such a releif comfortwise.

If I were you I would go for a 987 (non S) for now ... it has a great engine and if you'll save a lot of $$ ... if you find you need mrre power you can always upgrade wehn you feel comfortable spending the extra $$ for one.

[FC]

That price is unrealistic ... I paid for a low mielage 03 non S I beleive $28k and that was 1 1/2 yrs ago ... I would think with so much time passing the S should be around that price today.

Keep looking and don't get discouraged, I remember back when I was buying the same car i bought had asking prices as riducoulous as $33k to $35k

If your 5'10" or over unless you sit very upright you will probably find the 1st gen boxster very tight. I remember spending 3 hours in the boxster on the dsay i got rid of it and jumping into the C6 (vette). My body actually ached from the boxster and the Vette was such a releif comfortwise.

If I were you I would go for a 987 (non S) for now ... it has a great engine and if you'll save a lot of $$ ... if you find you need mrre power you can always upgrade wehn you feel comfortable spending the extra $$ for one.

I'm 5'10" but do sit pretty upright. And an '05 base 987 is definitely an option.

[lupinsea]

FYI ----> Jeep Cherokee is available with a manual transmission.



Jeep Cherokee-iki background info. (http://jeepiki.com/wiki/index.php/XJ_Cherokee) They're probably not great transmissions but the Asisin-Warner AX-15 and the New Venture NV3550 5 speed manuals were available for 4.0L I-6 Jeep Cherokees.

So, now you don't necessarily have to get stuck driving a slushie if you get an SUV.





There's a lot to be said for keeping the 330i. However, it you hardly drive it and would like a sports car, I don't think you could go wrong with ditching the 330i, getting a beater cherokee, and then an actual sports car.

[John V]

I'm 5'10" but do sit pretty upright. And an '05 base 987 is definitely an option.

I'm nearly 6' with 34" inseam and have no problems. Ken is 6'2" or so with long legs and has no problems. We both autocross the cars, so we do sit pretty upright.

One of our local autocrossers is about 6'7" and 350ish. He didn't fit. :D

[equ]

Well, that's what I'm seeing on autotrader around here. And those are not even loaded up cars. Maybe I ought to search country-wide and embrace a long drive home.

But still, even at 33K, after 5 years, we are looking at 25K depreciation per year. That gets me a brand new car, built to my specs, with full factory warranty.

Of course, the used 986S has the HUGE advantage that if I later find that a roadster is not really for me, or I want something different, I wont be out 8-12K in the first 1-2 years. Maybe I should get a 986S to scratch the itch and look to upgrade not too long after that.

More thinking...

This is what I tried to describe to you (or maybe it was TD) about 997's. The right one to buy is .5 - 1 yr old (or a leftover new one like mine :D ). They do stay high for a while. You can get a low miles 987S (280hp) in the low 40s so to get a 03S you should really be in the low 30s.

I'm in the same boat. I really want an e46xi but they're too expensive! Everybody and their brother want mid-20s (to low-20s for cars with 50-80k miles). Are they kidding? I can get almost new e90xi for very low 30s, some under 30.

[equ]

I'm nearly 6' with 34" inseam and have no problems. Ken is 6'2" or so with long legs and has no problems. We both autocross the cars, so we do sit pretty upright.

One of our local autocrossers is about 6'7" and 350ish. He didn't fit. :D

In which dimension? Anyway, scratch that, probably either...

[FC]

FYI ----> Jeep Cherokee is available with a manual transmission.



Jeep Cherokee-iki background info. (http://jeepiki.com/wiki/index.php/XJ_Cherokee) They're probably not great transmissions but the Asisin-Warner AX-15 and the New Venture NV3550 5 speed manuals were available for 4.0L I-6 Jeep Cherokees.

So, now you don't necessarily have to get stuck driving a slushie if you get an SUV.




There's a lot to be said for keeping the 330i. However, it you hardly drive it and would like a sports car, I don't think you could go wrong with ditching the 330i, getting a beater cherokee, and then an actual sports car.

Excellent point. I was assuming I'd buy my brother's cherokee (slushie) but I'm not under contract.

[BahnBaum]

One of our local autocrossers is about 6'7" and 350ish. He didn't fit. :D

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/12694277-M.jpg


Alex

[FC]

http://AlexTBaum.smugmug.com/photos/12694277-M.jpg


Alex

LOL Thats awesome. He singlehandedly jacks up that vehicle's weight by 20%.

[lupinsea]

Something just occured to me when I was responding to FC in this other thread. (http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?p=162205&posted=1#post162205) . . .


Keep the BMW 330i.
Sell the Volvo V70R
Get a Wrangler Unlimited


:eeps:




The Unlimted Wranglers have a bit more room total cargo volume than the V70R (82 cu ft vs. 76 cu ft)

They'd meet FC's desire for more utility

They seat 5 people

6 speed manual transmissions are standard

No worries about rough roads for ski trips or other excusions

Awesome foul weather vehicle

Roll cage = family saftey :)




The other plus is that you'd certainly get very different driving experiences going between the Jeep and the BMW 330i. It'd probably make drivers appreciate the uniqueness of each vehicle even more.




Oh, and the Wranglers are designed for having their interiors hosed out . . . you know, in case of "diaper blow-out". :shitfan:

[lupinsea]

Or sell the V70R and BMW and get the Wrangler Unlimited and a sports car?

[lupinsea]

Hm. . .with all this Jeep talk, I think I need to post one of these for myself:




:stukabot:







.

[FC]

That prices seem really really high.

Let me know what you find on LA prices, I can help with test drive and stuff.

Thanks for the offer. I'll let you know when the time comes.

[Rob]

Let me know what you find on LA prices, I can help with test drive and stuff.

Of course the question would be whether he would buy a car that he knew you had driven. :lol:

[FC]

Of course the question would be whether he would buy a car that he knew you had driven. :lol:

:lol:

[kenkamm]

Yes, I am thinking of selling my 03 Boxster S. I haven't yet researched what it's worth yet though. It's got 19k on the clock right now. I wouldn't be looking to make a killing on it. I would rather make a quicker sale for a fair price than dilly-dally for months. :dunno:

[lemming]

Yes, I am thinking of selling my 03 Boxster S. I haven't yet researched what it's worth yet though. It's got 19k on the clock right now. I wouldn't be looking to make a killing on it. I would rather make a quicker sale for a fair price than dilly-dally for months. :dunno:


kewl.

[John V]

Yes, I am thinking of selling my 03 Boxster S. I haven't yet researched what it's worth yet though. It's got 19k on the clock right now. I wouldn't be looking to make a killing on it. I would rather make a quicker sale for a fair price than dilly-dally for months. :dunno:

Pics???

Oh, wait... :eeps:

[lemming]

being hemmed into a corner and having to get a convertible, i'd much prefer a pre-owned boxster to a new GXP is why i'm interested.

naturally, i'm looking to buy this winter when conditions are more favorable.

[FC]

The 330i was due for it's 7500-mile oil change (btw, BMW oil is up to 5.40/qrt now :ack: ). As I was finishing up it hit me that this could well be the last oil change I do on this car.

Not long after, my wife sent me out on a long errand run. What can I say, I still love this car. Silky smooth, comfortable, quick. Just great. The car is really just about all I need 90% of the time. A Boxster would would make the 90% of the time perhaps even more enjoyable and round out most of the missing 10%, but at what cost?

No, I'm not backing away from "The Plan," just reconsidering what preium I'm willing to pay for it. And for that reason, I feel less inclined to keep both the 330i and a Boxster. A MT Cherokee and a willingness to drive the Boxster more often would have to do.

[John V]

You seem like you're really deliberating over all this which I can appreciate since I do that as well, to a degree. But can I make a suggestion? Just go out and drive some cars. Find a used Boxster. Open the trunks, kick the tires, drive it around. Go find another one. Repeat. Do this with a 986 and a 987. I think you'll find out pretty quickly whether you think it's livable on a day to day basis.

When I first got mine (coming from a '95 M3) I wasn't immediately enamored. The outward visibility with the top up sucks, the interior was a bit weird, and I wasn't sure how I would deal with only having a two-seater again. But it has worked out great. The car is super practical (28MPG on the freeway, plenty of storage space and it's nice and quiet when you're not getting on it) and it's WAY more fun to drive to work every day. But I really don't enjoy driving it much with the top up, so if it's raining I take the beater.

The point is I think you just need to drive some cars and stop thinking so much.

[FC]

You seem like you're really deliberating over all this which I can appreciate since I do that as well, to a degree. But can I make a suggestion? Just go out and drive some cars. Find a used Boxster. Open the trunks, kick the tires, drive it around. Go find another one. Repeat. Do this with a 986 and a 987. I think you'll find out pretty quickly whether you think it's livable on a day to day basis.

When I first got mine (coming from a '95 M3) I wasn't immediately enamored. The outward visibility with the top up sucks, the interior was a bit weird, and I wasn't sure how I would deal with only having a two-seater again. But it has worked out great. The car is super practical (28MPG on the freeway, plenty of storage space and it's nice and quiet when you're not getting on it) and it's WAY more fun to drive to work every day. But I really don't enjoy driving it much with the top up, so if it's raining I take the beater.

The point is I think you just need to drive some cars and stop thinking so much.


True. I've not driven a 986 yet. I have driven a base 987, 987S and Cayman S, and loved them all.

BTW, the beater jeep will be seldom used. Only on really crappy weather, or if I need to seat more than 2 peope and the wagon has been taken. So I'd try to drive the Boxster as much as I can.

I have the P-Car dealership walking distance from work. :eeps: :eeps: :eeps:

I'll make my way there some morning.

OT: The 330i is still a stunner. I have floated the thought that I may sell my car next year to a guy at work, and I already have several interested parties from work asking for a heads up when I do decide to sell it. These are not even car people.

[John V]

You say that, but I find myself driving the beater more often than I expected. Short trip to HD? Hmmm... crappy parking lot, better take the beater. Going into the pothole-riddled city? Hmmm... beater. 55 degrees and windy? Beater.

My main complaint about convertibles has always been that they suck with the top up and that's still generally true with the Boxster - so I avoid days where I have to drive it with the top up and I've found my enjoyment of the car as a whole has improved dramatically.

[FC]

You say that, but I find myself driving the beater more often than I expected. Short trip to HD? Hmmm... crappy parking lot, better take the beater. Going into the pothole-riddled city? Hmmm... beater. 55 degrees and windy? Beater.

My main complaint about convertibles has always been that they suck with the top up and that's still generally true with the Boxster - so I avoid days where I have to drive it with the top up and I've found my enjoyment of the car as a whole has improved dramatically.

Shit. Now don't get Cayman ideas in my head.

But you are right. And not to be a dick and propose yet more cars, but I wouldn't be all that upset if my wife decided to get a Mini. Except they are not beater $$$.

I really am attached to the 330i (can't you tell) from everything from it being my first car, to picking it up in Europe, having had it so long, and simply being a great, good-looking car. But it is a modern BMW out of warranty that should still be worth a decent amount. Well, I guess that's why I am in this forum.

[Alan]

No, I'm not backing away from "The Plan,"

Plans are supposed to change ... life changes, priorities change ... don't feel you need to stick with 'a plan' ... part of growing in life is knowing what you thought was 'the plan' 5 yrs ago doesn't fit into your life now ...

[clyde]

Plans are supposed to change ... life changes, priorities change ... don't feel you need to stick with 'a plan' ... part of growing in life is knowing what you thought was 'the plan' 5 yrs ago doesn't fit into your life now ...
I'm pretty amazed at how closely he's kept to schedule on his original five year plan. Impressive. Kind of frightening, and in some ways limiting, but impressive. In the end, it seems to make him happy, and if that's the case, more power to him.

[FC]

I'm pretty amazed at how closely he's kept to schedule on his original five year plan. Impressive. Kind of frightening, and in some ways limiting, but impressive. In the end, it seems to make him happy, and if that's the case, more power to him.

Well, don't deserve that much credit. To be fair. I was off. I was off anywhere from a bit to a lot. My wife's career success (and mine to a much smaller degree) ended up "bailing the plan out." Not so much in the sense that I had planned overly optimistically, but rather that much like a teenager can't fathom worrying about expenses like insurances, retirement, etc, I didn't quite realize how much more financially secure I'd want to be before commiting to buying a sportscar. Call it growing up.

So things did change, and by extension you could say I was wrong in my plan, but other things changed for the better to make up for it.

[dan]

www.paypal.com :)

[FC]

www.paypal.com :)

I'll give you credit, you are like the Rocky Balboa of annoyance.;)

[clyde]

I give you crap, you get upset.

I give you a compliment, you tell me I'm wrong.

:scratch:

:p

[lemming]

I give you crap, you get upset.

I give you a compliment, you tell me I'm wrong.

:scratch:

:p

:)

[John V]

I give you crap, you get upset.

I give you a compliment, you tell me I'm wrong.

:scratch:

:p

Huh, I guess that makes him a lot like you! :cool: :p

[FC]

I give you crap, you get upset.

I give you a compliment, you tell me I'm wrong.

:scratch:

:p

:twisted: