And away it goes. I had purchased it as a ten-year-old with an almost new heart on October 16, 2012 on the East Coast and sold it in the early evening of August 29, 2019 (last night). So that’s six years, ten months and thirteen days, by far (almost double) my personal best. It never let me down, it always started, it was absurdly easy and cheap to maintain (some good engineering, some good luck), and setting aside the time value of money and inflation, did not depreciate at all. I hope David (the buyer) enjoys it as much as I did, it is a fantastic car and I have zero regrets, I could not have had a better car.
It took me all the way across and all around this country, operated in temperatures from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to the 120’s, on surfaces from great roads to frozen lakes, altitudes from sea level to over 11,000 feet, and only requested a steady diet of premium unleaded and Mobil 1 in return. It never used any extra oil, never left any kind of puddle, and wore the small scars it accumulated with pride and joy. Farewell, my friend, you took good care of me and fulfilled a dream.
Related Reading:
Now for that 993…
Yes, now that he has a real position of importance as the Head Man here at CC he needs something more in keeping with his station. 🙂
I’ve already suggested that the Jim, JP and Jason – the CC J Team – should have CC issue Cadillac Cimarrons….didn’t seem that keen, strangely
Daewoo makes a model 993???
Jim might also consider the high performance Ford 999
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_999
It was a good run. There are lots of stories of someone getting the car of his dreams and being disappointed, or of someone who continually settles for less. You got the car you wanted, enjoyed it and had a great experience. It is hard to imagine the experience could have been better for you.
You saw this car through a critical period, one that many cars don’t survive well. You kept it as a car should be kept and it is now ready for its next custodian, who will hopefully treat it just as well.
So what now? We all eagerly await the next step in the automotive life of JK.
This is like a eulogy for someone who had no flaws, always paid their bills on time, and never asked anything beyond weekly dinner dates. How is that a relationship?
What was it like to have it? What was it like to take it on a twisty back road? What was it no good at doing? What was the time you were so glad you had it? What was it’s quirky unique features?
Trouble free is what you can get from a Camry or Accord. You had something much better, right?
Maybe being so undemanding and trouble-free is why your parting words here don’t reflect much more than it does. Maybe being so undemanding and trouble-free is actually kind of a let down?
My greatest loves always demand sacrifices.
Perhaps you could read the two COALs I linked to at the end that clearly express everything you say I failed to do here. Both of which I believe actually already reran around a year ago and were also linked to in the For Sale post a few months ago, making irrelevant the listing of the requested items in yet another post. This was an update, closing the loop out entirely.
But it was essentially trouble free. Easily as good as the reputations of both Camry and Accord in that regard. If it was a total POS and in need of constant attention it would have been gone long ago. Putting up with a needy and whiny bitch of a car is not satisfying for anyone, no matter how much you sugarcoat the experience.
“Putting up with a needy and whiny bitch of a car. . . .”
What a great idea for a CC series. We have all done it at one time or another.
Sad to hear the 911 will no longer be in your stable, but I know it fulfilled its purpose and you have expressed interest in selling it for some time. Hope it’s off to a good home!
Glad you enjoyed the 996 Jim.
I was lucky to have had 2 of these – 1 original and a facelift model like yours. The early cars need more revs with a lovely eager top end where yours was torquier. What I love about these is that they really are “do it all” vehicles – take 3 passengers across town? Fit a mountain bike (sans wheels) inside? Drive to a ski resort? (Great snow car!)
Take part in a track day or autotest? Sit at 260 Kmh + for extended periods? Do the weekly shop?
These cars really are versatile and, don’t worry, have loads of character from the unique engine sound coming from the rear to the way the nose bobs over bumps and the slight corkscrewing motion in high speed curves.
The slim pillars mean great visibility and they combine a feeling of lightweight agility with great solidity.
I enjoyed every minute in mine and still miss them 20 years later!
Thank you and you obviously know, it was a great all-arounder that was always ready for a new adventure even if it was just to the store since there’s a traffic circle on the way…
That’s the thing – even just tooling around these things feel special. I’m going to look for a 996 or 997 ( I had 5 of those back in the day) in a few years – the great thing is that it is a sports car you can justify if you have a (small) family. Children love the kid sized seats in the rear.
I worked for Porsche in Weissach for 15 years, and have never had such a wonderful, talented bunch of colleagues. They would all feel proud that you had such a great experience from the product of their labors.
It’s satisfying to enjoy something for years, and to have no regrets. We all make the occasional good decision — glad this was one of yours! Seems like you’ve had the ideal Porsche ownership experience.
Thank you, it was! Could not have been better.
Countdown to the inevitable article crying about the mistake of having sold it, 5, 4, 3, . . . . . .
Because it’s a Porsche.
I was thinking that you had decided that you’d keep it.
Of all the cars I’ve owned, I have only sold two. Some went to friends or family, some I still have, still others were beaters/parts cars that went off to meet their maker and become someones shiny new refrigerator. Excuse me now, I have a date with the World of Speed…
I know that you are sorry to see it go, but you had the best experience with that car. I assume it was a dream purchase, and I’m glad to hear the you drove it all over, instead of locking it up in your garage. Driving is what it is all about. Having and attaining a dream is great. I know several guys with immaculate Muscle Cars that don’t want to “damage” them by using them. They only drive them to shows, what a waste. I’ve had a couple of dream cars so far, nothing like a Porsche, but I’ve still got time!
You assumed correctly and I got my full enjoyment out of it, thank you. I probably held on to it a couple of years longer than I needed to but it all worked out in the end and it was the right decision to make…And yes, there is always time, they make more every year…
This was a good time to sell. No problems and nothing but fond memories. That’s the way it should always be, but we all know about those needy and whiny bitches of cars that come along in ones life.
“…and setting aside the time value of money and inflation, did not depreciate at all.”
Wow! The only vehicle I’ve owned that sold for at least what I paid for it was a Toyota motorhome. Six years of low-cost and mostly trouble-free fun.
Based on experience, I would suspect that you will hear the siren calling, a calling seemingly impossible to ignore, of another Porsche perfect for you in the upcoming, inevitable future. Glad you enjoyed this one, then imagine how much you will enjoy the next. The PCA will welcome you back with open arms, as you know.
Well done Jim. A fun and non-costly experience, you have my admiration. Wondering if there will be an interesting replacement or if you are eyeing the collection of family cars and thinking looking after that is enough.
My current little “Festival Of The Unexceptional” in the driveway is enough for right now. But I might get bored later this evening, you know me… 🙂
You
Will
Be
Back
Good to see vanilladude chiming in….
Well, Jim, I bought a 1962 Porsche 356B in 1968. Paid $2000.
Job change about 8 months later, forced its sale (I had too many cars).
I sold it to a friend for $2000.
My total expenses during ownership was $36
Months later the car was totaled while driving through the Siskiyou Mountains west of Eugene.
(Last month I saw the identical car, different color, for sale on Hemmings for $100,000!!!!!)
End of story