Broke down and bought a daily driver.

I've simply been putting too many miles on my Carrera. With going back and forth to work and then using it for my detailing business... I was racking up too many miles. So I bought a 1986 Honda Accord over the weekend. I bought it from the original owner who should actually be a Porsche owner for the way this thing has been taken care of. He has EVERY sheet of paper showing what was done, when, etc dating back to it's very first service! The Honda has 177,000 miles but looks like it's only about 5-6 years old.... inside and out! Hell, it even drives like it's almost new. Not bad for $1,800!! I'll put 40k miles on this and leave the P-car in the garage!

I did a similar thing since my commute was 60 miles one way to work. I just drive the porsche on the great weather days and park it otherwise. Also just looking to drive 7-8 months a year.

about to buy another daily driver myself. Possibly a Mazda 3 hatchback, or a Ford Focus SVT. I just can't bring myself to buying a non-fun car after being subject to a Saturn Ion for 2 months. Blech.

I couldn't pass this thing up. I was looking for a fun car too but the condition and price was just too good to pass up. It does the 3 things I really wanted from a daily driver... #1 relatively nice condition and doesn�t look like a beater! #2 gets over 30mpg on the frwy. #2 has a trunk or hatch big enough to carry all my detailing equipment. Also it's cheap enough that I don't have to carry full coverage on it AND it is basically a disposable car.

Should I do the same? I commute to work BY TRAIN, so I would only be putting 6 miles a day on the P-car (to and from the train station), BUT the car would sit all day at the train station outside in the elements. I have a cab, so the roof would be in direct sunlight, not recommended by Porsche. Also, you never know what kind of jerk-off may open his door etc., into the car. What do you think-- get a "station car" or drive the P-car and ebjoy it every day? Opinions appreciated. Thanks.

If my commute was 6 miles I would drive the P-car every day. What an awesome way to finish the commute. You could repair a ton of door dings before you would come close to the price of a decent second car and insurance. As far as the top is concerned I'm no expert but if you keep it treated I can't believe it would be too bad. If you drive in the winter you might want to consider the hardtop if you don't have one already.

My daily driver was a 944, which as you may have noticed is now gone. I want to get another car to be my "to work" car, but I can't see myself not driving a sports car. I may get another 944 or a 951.

I did the opposite. My 76 930 is too nice for an every day car, so I bought a 99 996 for a daily driver. Steve

LOL Steve, I wish I were that lucky! The 996 as the beater car! For the rest of you, I've been struggling with the same thing. Bought a 996, and am not sure I'm comfortable putting 25k/year on it. I kept my old car, a Volvo 850, and try to drive it to work at least a couple of times a week (especially in lousy weather or when I know I'll be sitting in traffic). But, it's really hard leaving the p-car in the garage. Still, it is nice having an alternative. There are some times when I'd rather not drive the p-car, such as going to Costco or some of the dodgier areas of town.

Gnome: have you considered a mid to late 80's carrera for an everyday car? They are rock solid, fairly inexpensive, and of course were Porsche's best looking 911's ever. I drove an 85 Carrera every day for a long time and honestly regret selling it (though the current owner has promised to sell it back some day...) Only real drawbacks are: the A/C is marginal at best, and the pre-G50 gearboxes demand some driver attention. Steve

Did the same thing - Bought a '92 Accord as a daily driver. 27 MPG and its cheap to insure and repair. I also get a reduced rate on my 996 insurance because it is not used for work. And when I do drive my car on week-ends, its just that much more fun.

EXACTLY! The P-car is now my "pleasure" car so the rate went down!

Nick, You need to get a big wing and some Type R stickers on it so that you'll fit in around Houston. Sounds like you got a very good deal though. From my experience, the drivetrains in Hondas are bulletproof but you have to watch for corrosion in the body. My 996 will be my daily driver so I can keep miles off the Lotus Elise when I pick it up later this summer. Maybe my priorities are all @#$'d up! -Dave '00 996 C2 Aero '97 M3 '89 M3 '00 Audi A4 1.8tq '05 Lotus Elise ordered....

Bob: Thanks for the input. The way you framed the issue-- the cost of a daily driver versus the cost of removing a few dings-- was very helpful. Also, I do treat the rag top and do have a hard top, so now I'm leaning toward just driving the P-car the 6 miles a day and letting it sit at the station. Of course, I've still got the issue of snow during Nov to March, but I could always just cab it to the station (which would cost me about 400/mo for the 4 months-- still cheaper than a station car). Thanks.

GBG, Something else to consider. A 6 mile ride would potentially create a lot a wear & tear on the engine as you would be doing a lot of driving with the oil not warmed up and properly lubricating the engine. Just my own personal philosophy on not using the car for short hops...

My daily drive is a mere 10 miles. When I drive the A6, the gas price is way too expensive here in SoCal, but if I drive the C4S, its too short of a distance. I would really wanna to get a Prius or something that have 40 or 50+ MPG.

man oh man... these cars are for driving!!!!!!

I wish I had a commute. Well, not really. But I tell you what. A great commuter would be a 2003 Focus SVT with a 6 speed and a limited slip. I bet if you can find one at a dealer, you can walk out with it for 10K.

Well, a few months ago that's the type of p-car I was planning to buy. And then I found my current car and couldn't pass it up Right now I don't think my better half will let me buy a SECOND one just so I can leave the first one in the garage, but something to keep in mind.

I have an S4 as daily driver and the C2 for the weekend!! Both are fun cars but one is extra special...guess which one

any savings from a dull car would be greatly outweighed by the pain of leaving the porsche in the garage! life is short! drive your porsche!!!!

I find that I enjoy the Porsche more when driven after a short absence. That whole sense of occasion regarding "driving a 911" is something that I really love and would never want to get used to the fact that I drive a "mere C2". Now, having said that, whenever I can add an F-car or another P-car to my stable, priorities will need a slight re-evaluation.

I have driven a Jeep Wrangler as a daily driver and my 2002 911 C4S as my toy for the past three years. Both are great but I lacked luggage space and four doors to comfortably haul more than two people. I reviewed the finances, realized I had paid the P-car nearly off and bought a used Cayenne S for a great deal on the secondary market. Now, a p-car is always my daily driver and much to my Porsche nostalgic surprise, I really like the Cayenne. It is so much fun switching back and forth. All my needs are met and I still owe less than if I had bought a new 911 GT-3. (Though I do dream.) The only problem I have had was addressed in the thread, "Porsche Envy." Though I got the Cayenne for less than a loaded Tahoe, I found having two Porsche badges in the garage brings out the green monster in most people. I'm now over it. I love Porsche's and have worked hard to own them. I feel very fortunate to now own two. However, the Wrangler was a fun kick around vehicle and cheap to maintain.

..Oh yeah my Honda has a WHOPPING 98hp!

dhud, What's a great deal in a Cayenne S on the secondary market.? Miles, options and final price would be very helpful, if you don't mind. AS

I too have an S4 as a second car. I really love the hell out of that car. It makes so much torque down low you have to feel it to believe it. And Audi's build quality is first-rate. I only drive my 996 in nice weather, and only if I'm going far enough to get up to operating temps. Ed