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skendrick

skendrick

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Hi All,

I don't know what to do?

Last summer I wasn't getting on with my bosses, as usual, and decided to start my own business!
So far all is going well but now, I don't need two cars (two lots of tax, insurance, MOT, Servicing etc...).
I bought an old MGF to keep the mileage down on the Porsche a couple of years ago, but now that i'm not doing the mileage I used to, there is no point in keeping both!
I can't be without the Porsche but I also can't afford to put 8-10,000miles on her as she already has 114,000 miles and in 3-4 years she would become unsellable.
The wife loves the 964 but doesn't like driving her and the MGF use to keep braking down, I fixed the problem but she still won't drive it.
My wife would be happy to drive a newer car (because she thinks they won't break down as much) but the only choice is a water cooled 996!
I looked at 993's but they are too high mileage, too expensive and still an old car. So the only answer is a 996!!!

So I am stuck in a catch 22 situation and would like you opinions to solve this dilemma?
 
I see the problem! - But not sure I agree with all of the logic.

1) I see no problem in putting loads of miles on the 964. The miles will cost you less in depreciation than they will on a 996, so while it might be tougher to sell at 150K miles a price reduction will attract the buyer who knows that 964s go on for ever.

2) but I do see the problem of the wife not wanting to drive the 964 (my GF same with 993)

3) So, why not sell the MGF and buy an almost new (but very cheap to buy/run) little hatchback for the wife to drive. She will be happy she has something easy to drive and you keep the quality of the 964 (and save the upgrade cost of moving to 996)

Good luck!
 
Hi Mark,

The wife has her own car, an MG ZS. We have two children so two four seaters are required.
The plan would be, when I need to go to site I could take her car and she can drive the Porsche. Therefore using her car for the long journeys and mine for the short runs and weekends. If she won't drive the 964 she can't use the MGF, so, That means putting 15,000 + on the car each year.
When you have three cars there is always something every month for at least one of the cars!
I know the 964 goes on forever but everyone is the same, when you are looking for a cor you want the one with the least amount of mileage.

What to do???
 
I found that when I brought my second car I was able to run both cars for no more than it was costing for one.

Here's how it works:

I was doing 20K a year on the old 944S2, which meant nearly 2 services a year and almost a set of tyres. Brought an old 306 diesel and drastically reduced the mileage on the 944 saving a service a year and half a set of tyres. Cost of servicing, insurance, tax on the 306 was less than the savings I made on running the 944.

I wouldn't advise a 306, they are pretty rubbish, but the Mundano TDCi 130 I have is sh*t hot and you can pick one up for a couple or 3 grand.

You know it makes sense...
 
So are you saying that the MGF will go, leaving you with just the Porsche and the MG ZF and these will be your daily drivers? If so, I think you'll find that replacing the 964 with a 996 (which are very good as daily drivers) will cost you quite a lot in running and depreciation costs.
 
My biggest pet hate on cars is the 'D' word!
I bought my 964 three years ago in March for £15K, if I were to sell her this summer I would hope to get around £11-12K. As depreciation goes (compared to previous cars) that is very good. I honestly don't want to trade my 964 for a 996 but I also don't want to see the mileage go up too high either. It is only me that drives my cars so if I were to sell the MGF 15K/year would be too much to put on my 964. If I get a 996 the wife would drive it and I could keep the mileage down to around 7K/year, this would council out the more expensive running costs??
I have also found that I saved money running the two cars but cannot see the need for three to be sitting on the driveway anymore. I work from home and trying to decide which jouney to do in what car to keep the batteries in good shape
I know the 996 would still depreciate but by how much more?
 
My boxster (986) is similar in running costs to a 996. My costs per year over the last 4 years have averaged (per year):

£500 insurance
£210 tax
£2,500 servicing, tyres and fixing things that went wrong
£3,000 depreciation

The car was 5 years old when I bought it and I do 10,000 miles a year and it averages 25 mpg.

p.s. I think your 964 is worth more like the price you paid for it if you sell it privately i.e. zero depreciation [:)]

p.p.s. the money I've spent on fixing up my 964 makes the running costs of the boxster look cheap [:D]
 
If you need to cut back on car running costs, surely the MGF has to go before it's cylinder head does??? (or has it already been fixed)??

How come your wife would be happy to drive a 996, but won't drive the 964? I know the 996 is a bit easier and a bit more comfortable, but they arn't chalk and cheese?! And as far as reliability goes, the 964 is bullet proof compared to an early 996 both mechanically and build quality wise!

I would sell both MG's and buy a used Golf TDi instead and carry on enjoying the 964. If your wife won't take the Porsche out then you will have a great excuse to go and enjoy it [;)]

At 114k, I don't think a couple of years more use will make any significant difference in pure depreciation, plus this should be offset with all the fuel money saved by runing a VW TDi!

I recently changed my daily drive from a scooby Legacy to an A4 TDi, and am saving myself around £120 per month in fuel bills[8D]

Simon
 
If its of any use I can highly recommend Golf diesels. Ive spent the last 8 years driving a variety of them as company cars.

No faults (other than the odd teething problem from new) to report. My current Golf has just ticked over 60K with absolutely no probs.

I still manage high 40mpg from a 170bhp engine. Extremely comfortable on long motorway journeys too :)

Save the miles on the 964 and get a Diesel!

Chris
 
As you all probably know,our 964 with 106,500 miles is up for sale-in very original condition.My wife drives it day to day & loves driving it even more than the 924S which was our 2nd Porsche(even though she wouldn't want to sell it) as she feels safer in the 964,it being more distinct,easier to accelerate out of the way of idiots & lorries & people give it a wider berth anyway.
However despite comments about there aren't many available,it's either the wrong colour,not LHD,unfortunately got a sunroof or must soon need a top end overhaul & clutch(& that's from the revered Peter Morgan looking to source a 964 for a client)needless to say,I turned down his desultery offer(Nearly 3K below).
So,I would recommend you keep the 964.
 
If the wife would drive the 964 then I would have no problem in holding onto her because I can limit the mileage to around 7K/year.
I could sell the MGF this summer (yes the head gasket has already gone), it's only worth 2K and use this money to make the 964 look A1.
My 964 has been very cheap to run over the last three years. It's had a new clutch which I knew about it when I bought it but apart from that, just servicing and tyres.
She is a very reliable car which is why I don't want to sell her, all I need to do is to get the wife to to start driving the 964!
The wife's car is one of the last MG ZS's (new shape), only has 40K on the clock and gets around 35mpg, this doesn't need changing.
I need to reduce our cars from three to two, whatever happens there will be Porsche on the drive.
 
You have got to persuade her then--my wife is the wrong side of 60-loves driving them both but won't consider driving the BMW mainly because it's an automatic.Of course if there was no other option I suppose she would have a go-it's not a size thing because she was quite happy driving its predecessor-a Rover Vitesse Sport which was manual of course.
 
I once proved that it was cheaper to run a Porsche plus a cheapo run-about than just a Porsche. True one has 2 lots of tax and two lots of insurance. But the gains are:

1. Lot less depreciation on the Porsche
2. Big savings on petrol
3. Big savings on Porsche insurance due to limited mileage.
4. Big savings on servicing of Porsche for same reason.

Other advantages: it feels fabulous to get back into the Porsche after driving the Ford Ka! Choose the run-about wisely and the tax is minimal. You also have a spare if one or the other fails to start.
 
FWIW Steve, I don't think you'll be disappointed with the driving experience of a 996 if you decide that's you're only choice. Great cars to drive in my experience, they're just not head turners like the 964s are.
 
I totally agree with all your comments.
There is the advantage of having the second car, this allows you to spend more time working on the 964 knowing you haven't got to put it back together and use the next day.
I have found running two cars cheaper in the long run, also saved putting 20,000 miles on the porsche with the MGF.
we do have a good combination of car,
MG ZS family car
MGF 2 seater roadster
964 weekend and track day car.

I also have more chance of being let out at junctions in the 964 over a 996.
I need to work on the wife and get her to use the 964.
I haven't driven a 996 yet, I might not like it???
 
Yep I agree!!

'well love, it's like this..........you take the 964 today.........or the bus??? [:D]
 
I think everyone is forgetting she has her own car!

Also how many of you have said this to your partners, and won???
 
Steve Keep the 964 ! We still regret selling ours, eight years ago. Special order graphite metallic with can can full leather. Where is she now. Sigh. One or two problems, but so much character.

Also, good post from Derek re cheapo runabout.

I don't want to get involved in any arguments, but there are well documented issues with earlier, more affordable 996s. Not my choice it must be said.
 
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