Optical TDI

Well, the car addiction is once again upon me. I have a few options of where I could head. My 996 with only 27k miles has CPO coverage until Nov 2011.

1. Keep the 996 & Wrangler for a few years: cost in Nov will be about $3.5k for clutch, IMS, AOS, coolant tank, etc., etc. for piece of mind. I do most other work myself.
Result: have a very robust low mileage 996 for a few more years and the Wrangler for the deep snow and drop down summer driving at times.

2. Sell 996 in Sep / Oct and buy a CPO 997 or Cayman S. Concern here is keeping in the range of $35k in the Oct / Nov time frame - hard to say what the 997 & Cayman S values will be.
Result: full CPO warranty for 2 years and a 997 / Cayman S. Wrangler stays in garage for bad weather and a back seat for my 2 children for the rare time I have both with me.

3. Same as #2, but sell 996 this spring with 6-7 months of CPO left on it - will this CPO coverage any premium at all vs. waiting until Sep to sell?

4. Sell 996 and Wrangler, buy a 1984-1994 air cooled, and lease a GTI for DD and backup car. I would keep Wrangler too, but only have a 3 car garage and the wife's van goes in their too.
Result: Always wanted an air cooled 911 and would also have a very modern and fun GTI.

5. Keep 996 and Wrangler and buy a 2-3 year exclusionary warranty for the 996 for a cost of $3k perhaps.
Result: 996 will have nearly all issues that arise taken care of, but won't be any more robust when it comes time to sell it in 2-3 years vs. doing option #1 with the clutch, IMS, etc.

My logical and rational side of me says do #1. But my car addiction side of me says do #2, 3, or 4 with #4 sounding more "fun" because of the air cooled car. Although I have very little seat time in an air cooled.

This is a lot to consider. Most of you have much more p-car experience than I. So I'm curious to what you all would do and why.

ivangene

uff-da

I suggest you go do some tyre kickin'
a 997, although a greta car is not for everyone - a bit too refined for my taste (unless we are adding some special numbers or letters like RS or 3 in the badge)
the same can be said for an early car. it's not for everyone.

if your car is boring you because its CPO and you feel like you want something to work on... hey

I think a CPO car would be a premium on re-sale - and a newer car with CPO would be a great big warm fluffy pillow.

I like having a second car. Mine is a suburban. Hauls 6-8 people, 2 dogs and enough gear to sink a medium sized boat. Great for many reasons, hate it for many more - but if the only thing I had was the 86' I would have much more stress over repairs and things.

Lastly I have the drum here... I will beat it a few times for you.... have you got out to your local track and spent some time becoming "un-bored" with your current ride? That might be just enough distraction to keep the interest up. You might be surprised what you thing comprisses a "good car" after some track time.

Dream Carrera will come by and thank me for my drum beating later

Mawgie

Sell the 996 and the Wrangler. Then:

1) buy a used 996 Turbo; and
2) lease or buy a new(er) loaded Wrangler.

ivangene

We had a discussion last night about how under valued the Turbos are... amazing car for very little $$

We then decided the AWD was not something we liked... but then after working that line of thinking came to the conclusion that the front diff can simply be disconnected and run without any ill effect (other then throwing a PSM light which could be turned off) - now we all smiled

Optical TDI

April starts track time in this part of the U.S. I'll be at Mid-Ohio with PCA in early April. I ran two last year as well...needing new tires this spring though.

ivangene

hey, we ALL need new tyres

joelpirela

25K miles and needs a clutch? I replaced mine at 88K because it was hard to press, not because it was slipping...

redridge

Ummmm.... to many choices! no wonder you need our help. Cut it down to two and it will be simpler to choose....

PasPar2

As stated above, you need to test drive an air cooled pcar and a 997. I also love the IDEA of having an older 911 but I know it will grow old on me very quickly. I like a more modern interior and more "creature comfort" so while I can understand the attraction I know its not for me.

if you are sure you want to move on from the 996, I'd say start selling it soon. the CPO will get you a premium over what else is out there. You can drive the jeep while looking for a 997 if it sells quickly. There are plenty of 997's out there and finding one should not be a problem

I like the 997s but when (if?) my car sells I will get a 996tt. I think they are a relative bargain (also mentioned above) and they have a lot less depreciation ahead of them as compared to the 997's.

just my 2c

Optical TDI

If I decide to keep it for a few years I want to get the IMS bearing done so the clutch would be replaced at the same time. Or get a exclusionary warranty.

francars

Hey James

I was in the market for an older Air cooled one as well last year. My suggestion as others say here is test drive them. The Air cooled was not the one for me at the time. The 997s are more modern and fun to drive as well. Of course, you will not have too much to work on a CPO car. I like the interior of the 997s as well.

One thing you did not mentioned and not sure if you have done already is figure out your budget and how finances are.

The market for these cars (specially 996TTs) are super soft now. So if you can sell yours at a decent price and jump into another one without the financial burden then maybe in my book.

Just my .02

bkjwhipple

turbo smurbo... sell the jeep, buy a cayanne, track the 996 more.
or gt3... :-)

Mawgie

I generally like the jeep wranglers, but not the lousy 4 speed automatic transmissions and the anemic V6 power. In 2012 , the wrangler is due for a 6 speed auto and a better motor from the chrysler mothership. That may or may not be a factor for you.

kent

If i were you, i would just buy the warranty and enjoy the 996 a few more years, and i would not do the cluth and IMS within the warranty period.

rpm's S2

I think the question is whether you like the Targa or not. If you do then just turn the Wrangler into something more fun for winter/DD driving. If you don't love the Targa then move to a C4S, TT or 997. Problem with the 997 is that I would want an S... and then the price starts climbing.