How do you guys afford these cars??

I swear to god, I'm seriously jealous... I was wondering what many of you did to get some much money? What type of jobs do you work? Education? Blah Blah, you know, I want to hear the story so I can pick up some tips for myself. <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />

Get a good education. Find something you do well. Work like hell!

Blood Sweat & Tears - like 19 years of schooling to get a professional degree (for me Masters in Engineering), work 16-hours a day, 7 days a week for 24 years, raised family & supported kids through school & out of the way - then: Slow Down & Enjoy with the one you Love (I mean my better half)!! '01 C4Cab. In Garage w/ Blown Gasket

No kids and hard work. One of my friends pointed out that my monthly payment on my new C4S was about what he payed each month for child care.

My answer is just like ohsixx's with 2 exceptions. Degrees were in marketing and finance, and my 02 Cab does not have a blown gasket (yet) And one other thing. After you buy the first one, the second one is only the difference between the first and second one...etc.etc.etc. That's the way I built up from a 79 924 to an 02 C4 Cab <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" /> and charge high rates. Oh yea, get a wife that makes good dough....

I kind of wonder myself. I still feel funny about spending this much on a car. Anyway, I'm not about to post a jpg scan of my W2 on the Internet but 14 years of education after college and then 7 years in private practice as a diagnostic radiologist. I now lease mine because most of my mileage (about 2/3) is deductible as a business expense. I'm not divorced, do have two kids in private school, no state income tax, my wife is a teacher, and she is more in love with the car than me albeit for different reasons: she likes the looks; I like the performance.

What are you posting here for? We have all the "cheap" cars! Try the 996TT board or Ferrarichat!

Here is the thread you want: <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=6&t=000244&p=" target="_blank">996 Turbo Board: Who's who here....</a>

live in offshore tax heaven and so dont pay corporate or personal tax....which helps but appart from that work very hard at being better than competitors - missed out on the education bit but luckily in my line of biz (shipping) its not somthing u can really learn except in the hot seat.

The cost of the car is outrageous, but worth it. Ohsixx has it right. I think that the most important part is to just work hard and stay focused on what you do best. Go into business for yourself as early in life as possible. Sure, you will make mistakes, but that's what you learn from. Just keep going. The guys on the tt board have discussed their backgrounds that allow them to indulge their car desires. They are a focused group of people. I put three children through private schools and colleges like Williams and Colby and am on my second wife. The Porsche is in addition to a couple of other cars, both of which go well beyond basic tranportation. Enjoy life and stay healthy. Do Tae Bo 5 or 6 hours a week with a certified instructor. It will keep you focused and in shape.

Ok, by my side i'm 31 y old, Married,father since one month! it's a little boy who loves to sleep in the Porsche! I'm Engineer working with Telecoms.internet Data Cisco equipments. I saving for the house as the prices here in Switzerland are <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> because the country is so small.compared to Usa prices you have to pay twice.... Love mountain biking! cheers.

The original post is almost a flame bait, maybe it was intended this way? There are two quick and easy ways to get rich I know of: 1. Be born in a rich family. I know, it is hard to control and you only have one chance 2. Marry into a rich family. This is a more viable solution, sort of Also there are slower and harder ways, but you know that already, right? Cheer up!

We should all just be thankful that we can afford these cars.

Well if it makes anyone feel any better, I'm just a mechanical engineer three years out of school with a Bachelor's degree. I am doing pretty well in my field, but I'm sure I still only make a fraction of what most people here make. I afford it by managing my money carefully. And, I am willing to spend a greater portion of my salary on a single car than most people are. My C4S should be in my hands in November. I am leasing it. My lease payment will be almost a third of my pay check (after taxes, benefits, and savings, etc.) <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> But I am a total car nutcase! So I don't mind one bit. Cheers, Ken

Macaroni-n-Cheeze Top Raman No wife No kids No house just feed the beast

First and most important point. "DONT BE JEALOUS". Sorry BUT Theres more to life then just owning a Porsche. A good Education. Enjoy what you do. Be satisfied but ambitious too. Be patient, work hard, work smart. Good things will come. Last but not least. Enjoy life and be Good.

education,education, education!!! Did you ever see the poster with the nice seaside house and three supercars in the garage? The title was "justification for a higher education" Its true! I came from a poor blue collar working class family and busted my nut getting a medical degree but then you have to remain focused and charge what you are worth. I have five kids a house on a lake, boats and lots of toys but it was all hard work! My kids are going to be taught the value of hard work!!!!!

Dranon: I have had that poster for years. Actually, it is a five car garage.

CHOOSE WISELY... NO DIVORCE.

Hard work, Hard Work and education!! Also working for a .com in the late 90's didn't hurt! Its all about Family 1st and then yourelf (my wife might not agree) Good luck!

Whats a ".com" is it like an "en ron" or a "world com"

i want to see this poster of the seaside house and supercars in the driveway. anyone have a picture of it? thanks

amaf, there has been an identical question that has been asked on the General Forum, and there are three pages worth of responses. You can check out the exact link <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=19&t=000107" target="_blank">here</a>. Lots of good responses. Regards.

Save/invest your money when you are young, so that you can afford the young when you are old.

I have a picture of the poster and once uploaded a picture here, but have since forgotten how to do it. Looking for some tips?

I am really curious as to how much people on the board make per year. It would be nice if we could have an anonymous poll like other forums. My car lease payment is very small fraction of my monthy net payment. Even then, I feel it's excessive compared to other cars. I have the most expensive car of the people in my practice. But then again, they aren't car enthusiasts like me. They'll talk but it's not as important to them. Also, their wives have expensive jewelry. That's crazy. Don't marry or date a gold digger. 1/3rd of your paycheck for a car? I wouldn't feel comfortable with that. Jes, lemme think. I could lease almost any car except maybe a MacLaren or Bently if I took that attitude. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

To be successful in this world, you've got to work hard and put in your dues. And I hope everyone who has a p-car and the good things in life never takes it for granted. We should be thankful all the time. One method I've found throughout my p-car life is to buy a good used one which usually keeps its value well. I've always bought a great used 911 which I've improved and kept immaculate. Usually, I lose very little if anything at all to depreciation. If you keep one for 2-3 years and then upgrade with a little added $$$, you keep going all the way up. I've owned: 77 911S, 82 911SC, 84 Carrera, 88 Cabrio, 88 930, 92 NSX, and 96 993 TT. All the 911s were used and I lost very little money on them. Some of them were sold for exactly the same as I paid (not counting sales tax and license and maintenance of course). And I drove them each for a few years. With the exception of the new NSX, which I took a huge beating in depreciation, I've been able to upgrade by adding some $$$ each time. If you buy a new one each time, it gets really expensive because you're absorbing the initial depreciation, which is the greatest. Hope this helps. Eric

[quote]Originally posted by ohsixx: <strong>I have a picture of the poster and once uploaded a picture here, but have since forgotten how to do it. Looking for some tips?</strong><hr></blockquote> 1. Ohsixx, scan the photo into a pc as a jpg. 2. The use the Upload photo button I'm keen on seeing that picture

.Com is like MSFT

Regarding the poster, I placed it in the "Justification For Higher Education" thread.

I am probably not the typical 996 owner. I have a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, I am 36 yrs old with a wife and 10 month old son. The only reason I can afford this car is because of some property my parents left me. As much as I am sure I will love my P-car, I would much rather have my parents still alive. My dad was the one who got me into cars and I know he would appreciate my 911. I took half the money from the property and put it into my son's college account and bought the 911 with the other half. Having said that, I still have worked hard to put myself in a position to be without major debt other than my mortgage and to have a decent retirement savings.

The two most popular ways of getting alot of money in this country are: 1. Crime. 2. Inheritance. The best method is to have your parents do the crime and then you inherit.

Moogle, love it.

The two most popular ways of getting alot of money in this country are: <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> 1. Crime. B]2. Inheritance[/B]

It's just a matter of what your priorities are. I could live on the lake and drive a 3 series or drive a 996 and have an 4.4l x5 to pull the boat. I think that I will put off living on the lake until I can afford the TT.

Can't believe no one makes their millions from stocks.

[quote]Originally posted by topdaytrader: <strong>Can't believe no one makes their millions from stocks.</strong><hr></blockquote> I can!

The stock market boom in the 99-00 era has been over for awhile... we are probably headed into a double dip, 2 recessions in a row... this looks baad... as for people who are skilled enough to still day trade... bravo to you those day trading firms were closing down faster than you can say carrera.

Moogle: 16? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

So far my strategy of buying low and selling lower is not working out well. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Don't let my knowledge fool you me - 16

I let other people pay for my toys.......

[quote]Originally posted by Porscherenter: <strong>I let other people pay for my toys.......</strong><hr></blockquote> How is that?

I thought only women [extremely beautiful ones at that] lived luxurious lives while others paid off all their expenses... <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

My '01 996 is my company car..... I own the company.As most in this forum know it is perfectly legal to have any auto, Lambo,Porsche,Ferrari,Yugo, Chevy ck 1500 Z-71 pickup, God forbid- anything dodge, as your company car.Just make sure you drive it to work a on occasion so when the I.R.S. audit comes you can honestly say it is an expense.Just remember,though, yer lower paid employees will be pissed that you don't sell yer porsche and pay them more.P.S.-if you are self employed the I.R.S. is coming. JDP

LOL, especially with all the financial crapola that every company is covering up lately... Oh... worldcom found another 3.3 billion, they must have been thinking, well hell now that the cats outta the bag, why not just disclose all of it rather than wait for the IRS probe to go farther up their asses...

Let me seriously answer that Q by saying that I would never pay for this kind of car,(a ridiculously expensive one),with my own dinero,as much as I love my mint 7900 mi. '01 996 c-2,(biarritz white,sunrf,.18" turbo whls. w/crests,factory sports susp.,3-spoke st.wheel w/crest,technic pkg.-litronics,cd,full elec.seats,B+B heads/muffs,True Flow filter,etc...).This is my co. car and as C.E.O. I feel I deserve it.Having said that, I am the worlds biggest cheapskate.I save 70% of my take home pay,(I'm an L.L.C.),I max my 401k each and every year plus full match,(my employees were pissed 2yr. ago when I dumped it all into money market accounts and c.d.'s and now I'm a big hero.Little do they know I'm a big Idiot.Well-some of them know.).I own rental property and I save all income from that and when I buy a new property I rarely use any of my own $$$, a la Carlton Sheets.I cut coupons, give my non-working wife a fairly strict allowance(she's awesome),have no kids-planning a couple,(I'm 35),what I do invest I do very conservatively.We both love South Beach and go twice a year,(we stay at Holiday Inn & rent at Budget), and live in a somewhat modest home,(lots of equity).My point is,despite my lengthy ramblings,is SAVE YER $$$$!!!! Have some fun but save yer $$$.My Porsche payment,(4 yr.note-not a lease,5k down,7.8%),is exactly double my house pmt.I'll be damned If I'm paying for it! adios -JDP P.S. there are a lot of people in trouble who are unloading valuable stuff at great prices- like Porsches and Ferraris. Surf like hell and check yer regional classifieds.You"ll find something I guarantee it.I happen to know an entire exotic dealer who is going out of business and has some great inventory left that they are unloading. Okay enough- bye

[quote]Originally posted by blustem: <strong>I happen to know an entire exotic dealer who is going out of business and has some great inventory left that they are unloading. Okay enough- bye</strong><hr></blockquote> Do they happen to have any silver 996 c2's for sale?

[quote]Just make sure you drive it to work a on occasion so when the I.R.S. audit comes you can honestly say it is an expense. <hr></blockquote> blustem - I admire your entrepreneurial spirit, but it will take a little more than an occasional trip to the office in your P-car be able to sustain the "honestly" part of your argument. I'm on your side here, but as a preemptive strike, you may want to read the Internal Revenue Code again.

Jon, they have a mint '97 twin turbo-19k mi.and a 1990 c-4 converted by Gemballa in '96 to a 510 hp.T.T. monster.I drove it today and I've decided to sell my '01 996 . See above if you are interested. By the way, does any one know anything about Gemballa? The only thing I know is they have a crappy website.The car has low miles and looks perfect.All the local P-guys,mech.'s and the like, say it's a"great car".Is there any way to dyno it?

T Hendricks -Should I question my accountants advice that "your o.k. as long as you drive it 1-2 days a week"? I'm dead serious, tell me what you know.The last thing I want to is to have it disallowed. thanks ,JDP

blustem - My comment was intended to be tongue-in-cheek, however, since you asked, let me first credentialize myself - I am a CPA and Partner with one of the "remaining" global accounting firms. I spend my professional hours devising and implementing tax-favorable corporate supply chain structures. Yeah, I'm one of THOSE guys. Tsk, tsk. Venture ahead here at your own risk..... What I can tell you is that while your accountant's advice is practical, it's not technically correct. The IRS requires specific pro-rata allocations to be made between business and personal use of a company autos so that they can impute income on any personal use. In order to substantiate a tax deduction, the IRS will ask for your mileage "log books" which are required to be maintained in order calculate the aforementioned allocations. In fact, there are specific boxes that are required to be checked on your tax return which represent that these records are maintained by you and are in writing. Having spent many hours representing my clients across the table from the IRS, I have learned that agents tend to spend their time meddling with issues they can easily understand. Personal use of company autos is one of their favorites. My advice - document your actual use. Unless, that is, you intend to use the company auto deduction as a loss leader in you return in order to distract the agent away from the really juicy issues??

..I will never again put my money in stock options.. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> I lost some $$$$ I had to start from "0" again...

If there is a will, there is a way. Heck, I can be addicted to worse things.