24.03.2005 19:10:43
- anotheruser
- Newbie
- Loc: USA
- Beiträge: 40, Gallery
- Registriert: 23.02.2005
You've talked me out of it
I'm certainly not happy about this decision, but I've read enough on this and other forums to convince me I'd be making a big mistake in taking delivery of this car.
There are three main reasons I came to the conclusion:
1) Reliability
Too many stories about major problems with your cars. I do understand that sh*t happens, but after driving Japanese cars for so long I'm not willing to go back to the days when I had to think about reliability. With the cars I've owned in the past 20 years reliability just is. I like that. Every survey I've found has rated Porsche near the bottom in reliability (Consumers, JD Powers, etc.). Perhaps they *were* reliable at one time (like Mercedes, which is now at the bottom also), but they have lost that. It is only a matter of time until their reputation catches up with reality.
2) Cost
Initial cost is one thing, but maintenence is another. This RMS situation is completely out of control. I'm not willing to plunk down $90K on a car that may need a new engine in the future. Even if it doesn't, the reliability issues mean that it will be costly to maintain. Porsche used to be a car with fantastic resale value. Have you looked at this? If so, it's very sad. Turbos from a few years ago can be had for the same price as new 997. That's not sad, that is pathetic. You need to go back to the 993 to find a car that holds it value well.
3) Opinions
Maybe it is just me, but it seems that most of the subjects and posts on these forums are from people who are (much) less than thrilled with their cars. Few posts rave about the driving experience. The car magazines make the 911 car of the year over and over again, but the competition is usually some American sedan or an S2000 costing far less. The only people who seem really passionate about their Porsches are people driving older models, or who have always owned the things, or who own a stable of high end cars. Where are the comments from guys like me? People who've owned a number of different cars looking for a better driving experience and able to pay for it?
The first two points basically boil down to money. If I treat the Porsche as a toy, use it on weekends and pleasure drives, then none of the reliability issues matter all that much. But I can't justify a $90K toy that I can't even take on long trips. I can afford it, but I can't justify it in my own mind given the alternatives out there both new and used.
But the last point is the real killer for me. I've always dreamed of owning another Porsche (last was a 944 right out of college), but that isn't going to happen now.
See ya and enjoy your cars!