stiles_s

It's been fun and informative hanging out here. Generally a great group of enthusiasts, and a great resource.

I sold my '03 996 back to the dealer this morning, for what I feel is a really reasonable price given the 2.5years of use and 18k miles. In those years, it's been reliable and fun -- I'm going to miss it. It had a few things go wrong:
- transmission replaced due to popping out of 2nd gear
- coolant tank cap leaked
- amp for the stereo was replaced.

The tranny replacement freaked me out a bit, and truthfully I probably wouldn't have had the ***** to keep the car past the end of the warranty.

Why did I sell it? Two things:
1) One word: "Baby"After our daughter was born last December, the 996 just wasn't getting driven, so it was sitting in the garage depreciating. I want something bigger to cart the family around in (wife doesn't want to drive anything large).
2) It wasn't a "keeper". though it was hands down the best driving car I've ever owned, it didn't feel like it was built with the level of durability to be a reasonably reliable and cheap long term commitment.

So, down the road it goes. If I jump back into the Porsche pool in the future, it'll probably be in an earlier car; not sure what.

Cheers, and thanks again for all of the info and cameraderie.

djantlive

That's too bad. Maybe the Porsche sedan in 2008?

Fordo

I just found out my wife is due in Feb 06 and we are still deciding what to do. She has a 2005 Mini cooper S that will probably go and I will keep the Porsche. I also have a little truck but not a 4 door. I know how you feel though.

stiles_s

We have a Pilot and an S4 Avant (the new v8) for family duties, so the 996 was just sitting lonely in the back of the garage. I found myself forcing myself ot take it out for a couple hours on the weekend just to justify having it.

It's amazing how much space car seats and baby crap takes up. We simply can't take our S4 with the rear-facing infant seat in the back.

itradem

You should have given it a few more months... The 996 can be quite the weekend truckster once it is safe for your child to be forward facing... See you back in a few...

Gnome

Yes, I've got two more months until my kid can go forward facing. Then, we pop a carseat in the back and away we go!!!

Best of luck with the new kid, it's a blast too!

jcnesq

Sorry to see you go, but bet you will be back! Once you have the bug, it doesn't go away.

BTW, I also had to replace trans in my 04 Targa - popping out of 2nd gear. For 03 and early build 04's, there was a bad batch of synchros produced by a sub-vendor to Porsche. Once fixed, that is unlikely to be a recurring problem.

Res Ips

Hey good Luck Stiles...good talking to you...its probably time for a Bimmer or a Volvo...

Jim

Eli K

you'll be back

Itzkirb

Best of luck man!

kilrgt

It's a good thing you sold it, If you had to force yourself to drive. Good luck with anything you do!

stiles_s

Well anybody with a newborn can tell you that finding a couple of hours on a weekend isn't very easy Yes, I could have looked ahead a year or so and kept it because I might be able to drive it more then, but in the meantime it would have lost ~$8k in value and there's some likelihood we'd have *another* newborn to deal with. And 'round it goes.

I should also say that this is the longest I've kept a car since sometime in the 80s, roughly 20 cars ago yes, I'm a car *****, or as they called me during a trip to Hungary a few years ago (when I went to car dealers instead of touring the landmarks) "Auto Buzi" -- somethign I won't translate...

The 996 is a phenomenal car, and it put a smile on my face any time I was able to give it a good thrashing on some of the local windy roads. But, you guys already knew that.

Chronos

Sorry to hear it but do understand. I bought my Carrera so I could take my two tykes with me (now 5 and 2) wherever and whenever I wish. They love it, and taking them with me on trips (even to the supermarket) makes me appreciate my Carrera justa little bit more. I don't think I'll ever sell mine, but may pick up a GT3 or GT2 (used) in a couple of years.

Fast40th

Good luck and see you back in about 2 yrs, when the baby stuff to carry around is considerably reduced.

ubergeek

yeah. you dont get to drive p-car with a new born. however, once your baby is old enough to have fwd facing, it gets better. you should wait untill your little one turns at least 3 then both of you can enjoy sports cars. i have two girls (11 month and 3 year). when i go out with 3yr, p car is the choice. i am not taking my 11 month in my p car yet. no fun for her , no fun for me either.

funny you mentioned about S4. i am taking this month off so i can spend 100% with my kids. i went to barrier the other day with my 3rd old to testdrive S4 Avant but ended up testdriving S4 cab. so far her favorite car is red porsche but after having been in a cab, now she wants me to get a cab.

s4 avant makes perfect sense for you. there is nothing like being a dad. nothing comes close to it.
enjoy!