Not a technical question, a philosophical one.

How little use would your car need to be getting before you'd consider selling it? On the horns of a dilemma, here. My '00 is an extremely well sorted 996, over maintained and with some significant preemptive work invested in it. Lots of totally sunk costs. On the other hand, some lifestyle changes this year have resulted in me barely touching the poor thing, being mostly on airplanes or in my pickup at our country place. Once a daily driver, the Porsche is getting used to run errands in the city, once or twice a week. I don't see this changing for a long while. What say the sages? Let it sit there because any Porsche is better than no Porsche? Or find it a home and sit tight until I've got time again, and go looking for that elusive Turbo?

Bruce, where have you been...as I recall,your Porsche has numerous improvements over a stock Porsche 996,so selling it IMO would be fairly easy for you. But, mine is not a DD and I drive only 4-5k miles per year myself. I look forward to driving my very basic 99' everytime I get behind the wheel, regardless of my miles or usage. Other interests like boating and skiing whittle down the time I can spend in my 996, but their monetary value isn't very much, so I'd suggest holding on to your Porsche and enjoying it when you can. Nice to see you back.

Wow, that's a tough question. A real emotional decision for sure. I almost felt sorry for your car being reduced to "running errands in the city". I hope you at least drive the hell out of it when run your errands. I don't know what I would do in your situation and I hope I never have to find out. I guess me and my P-car are still in the newlywed stages because I still think about riding her all day (Oops, that sounds dirty). Good luck with you decision sir.

Thanks, Daryl And thanks for missing me, Barn. Been a crazy year, all good, but life-upside-down stuff. You're right, it doesn't cost a fortune to leave it sitting there, in the scheme of things (although two grand a year for insurance gets up my nose). And you correctly recall that I put a lot into it. I just have a sightly irrational hangup stuff going to waste. The perspective is appreciated!

I am most likely the wrong guy because I typically don't part with any vehichle until it is wasted from sitting around looking good and getting little to no use. I still have a 1999 Harley Davidson Sportser 1200custom with less than 10k original miles. It looks fantastic, sounds fantastic, and it just sits. I can't ride any longer for physical reasons, every winter I tell my wife not to worry, I will list it in the spring. Eventually the bike will be worth near zip and mechanically it will degrade. I have done the same thing with more than a few cars, never did sell them and they literally turned to junk over time. So, philisophically speaking, the rational thing would be to part with the 996, recoup what funds you can, and look towards to the "someday I'll own another". And it was just a philisophical question right?

I had a little pick up for 15 years...11 of which I drove every day and put 170K miles on it by myself...then kids and it went into the garage where it sat for 4 years - a rat built a nest in it and I had to clean it up...this was about the time I started my Porsche search - I sold it - had the most beautiful original paint, not a scratch in it and ran 100% perfect - got like $2k for it and there isnt a day I dont wonder why I sold it...and yet I really would most likely have not driven it in the 4 years since I sold it.........guess I could have given it to my kids when they start to drive? anyhow...I fell bad for selling, my wife often speaks fondly of our dating in it - it was a vehicle, I have pics, it didn't fit my life I sold it, i miss it, and I moved on - I have no idea if this is helpful to you, but its what I did with a very loved little truck, it hurts a little but the memories are good - I guess that's better than watching it degrade to junk and feeling like you caused it, I know the new owner was stoked when he picked it up and said he would take good care of it, I have never seen it again what ever

That's what I'm starting to wonder about my other cars, too, but I can't see parting with my Volvo or my Saab...and the 'van, well, that one isn't my call. I've convinced myself that keeping the Volvo makes sense because it's more practical during the Winter and for any times that I absolutely need a real backseat and trunk while my wife is using the Odyssey (read: rare to never). I've also convinced myself that I need my Saab because I've put so much heart and soul into it and it's kind of like another member of the family. So, now I've got a car that was only intended for seasonal weekends (I'm in CT so the Saab doesn't see the light of day during the Winter) or maybe an occassional trip to the office on a beautiful day that is now competing for time with my new C4S. If in a few years you ask me what I decided to do about my cars, I'll probably have an even bigger problem on my hands. I am, however, selling my Sonett parts car if you know of anyone who might be interested. lol -Eric

Bruce, I am having coffee with an aquaitence who is looking for his first Porsche and is thinking 2000 01 Carrera. He was referred to me for advice as he is not connected in the 911 community. If you are intrerested in selling - or just sampling this opportunity let me know the particulars of the car and I will pass it along.

Hey, Jack, thanks for the kind offer. WA is a long way from Toronto, and prices are a bit firmer here, but maybe your guy would like this data point at least. It might encourage him to buy from an enthusiast It’s a ’00 C2, Ocean Blue over graphite, 104,000 km. The only significant original options were the power seats and 18” wheels. I was the third owner, bought more than five years ago. I fiddled with the car to make it edgier to drive but nothing special to look at – invisible around here – in the ‘everyday sports car’ Porsche tradition (at least, that’s the story I told myself every time I pulled out my credit card). Powertrain wise, it has an EVO CAI and exhaust with Dansk tips, IPD plenum, Revo flash, LNE IMS bearing, RS engine mounts, a B&M short shift kit and Porsche’s engine protection plate. Over the last couple of years, the AOS and rads were replaced, and I preemptively did the water pump and all the rad hoses. I also put a much stronger battery in. Body wise, it has Porsche’s litronic retrofit and clear markers, that little GT3 spoiler thing, Porsche’s 5mm spacer kit, Eric’s colour keyed bumperettes and Bilstein HDs. I run PS2s on the stock rims in the summer, and Pirelli Snowsports on cheap BSA rims in the winter. Interior wise, I did the GT3 console delete and non-smoker thing, a Porsche 3-spoke wheel and their Exclusiv short-stack shift ****. There’s a very low-key stereo upgrade, Alpine/Boston Acoustics, speakers in the original enclosures and amp in the frunk. Around here, that might fetch something over $25k from the right buyer, though it could take some time to find him/her.

Thanks to the others who posted. I'm one of those guys who thinks too much sometimes and eventually outsmarts himself. I appreciate hearing how you've thought about this kind of thing in the past.

A Porsche is not a Honda Accord. If I had a spare Honda in the driveway that I drove once every few weeks I would sell it in a moment. I think of my Porsche more in the way I think of my '96 F150 4X4... it does not get a lot of use, but once in a while I'm really glad I have it. Old pickups and sports cars only need an hour or two every few weekends to prove their worth. Now, this only makes sense if (1) you can afford to keep a car or truck that is not simply a required transportation device, and (2) you use it enough and maintain it sufficiently that the lack of use does not cause a degradation of the vehicle. I suppose there is also a (3) related to your significant other's level of tolerance related to your hobbies.

Can you take your Porsche to your country place, or is that why you need to drive your truck there, because of the terrain, dirt roads etc.?

Part of the problem is that given the money you'd get for the car, it would be extremely hard to find a car of equal quality for the same price. So, within reason, this is a one-way door. That would emphasize: - how much does it cost to keep? (not much depreciation; only you can decide if you'd feel resentful over the fixed costs {insurance/maintenance/etc.}) - given the way you expect to use it over the next couple of years, would that actually damage the car? (rough rural roads; sitting too much outside, etc.) - given your best guess about the car market, would the car be a lot harder to sell in two years? If the costs are not irritating, your use won't damage the car and you think that it would be about as easy to sell in a couple of years as now -- that might lead you in one direction. If costs are irritating, rural use or sitting would probably hurt the car (still less than the abuse it would get from a teenager!) and/or you think this is a good window for selling it...that may lead elsewhere. It's ok to be emotionally done with an interest and simply move on to other things. But it can also make sense to make haste slowly to order your life given the conditions you see in front of you. Hope whatever decision you make is the best one for you.

It's a terrible decision to have to make, especially when you have spent time and dollars upgrading to the way you like it. I've been thinking about getting rid of three of my vehicles as we have way too many and not enough garage space for all of them, nor do we drive enough miles to use them all very often. The problem is I've been thinking this for 2-3 years and still have not been able to bring myself to get rid of any of them after taking "one last drive" in them. Good luck on your decision.

Bingo. It's pretty rough. I've taken it up a couple of times to stretch its legs, but once I'm there it sits. That sounds wise. Deciding for the sake of deciding is a vice of mine. Your math makes sense, too. Feels to me like the consensus is that there's more downside than upside to letting it go. Hope I don't seem needy... this is not a conversation you can have with normal people

Thanks, Mark. I hear you on the "one last drive" thing. Even picking up the dry cleaning makes me hesitate...

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Not in the least. I usually buy a car because I actually like it, not because it is simply a "transportation applicance" (e.g., Prius). (Geez....I would have saved So Much Money over the years if I didn't enjoy cars....) Replacing them is never a casual event. I've been having the same internal conversation about selling my sailplane. Problem is, I've put a lot into it. There are only about 10 of them in the U.S. So--it's a one-way door. There will never be a less expensive way to fly. But, I'm not flying as much as I used to and it's routine now. Feeling like I may be ready to move on to something different. Maybe build a Caterham. Dunno. I empathize.

If my Porsche just sat in the garage and never went out to stretch it's (and mine) legs, then I'd sell it and move on. But , you did mention something about a turbo...

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Man ain't that the truth!

Wrong guy to ask... I have a 1975 TR6 I have not driven in 8 years Bruce, the decision comes down to free cash flow. If you have free cash flow as it is, would the $25K and $2K a year in saved insurance between now and when you buy the Turbo compensate for the seller's remorse over the intervening period.

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Yeah, it's not about money, and the opportunity cost of not deploying $25k in the market is a joke right now. That's a valid perspective...

Simplifying your life has merits too. How much is this decision occupying your thoughts? If worrying about it outweighs the pleasure you get from the car, the decision should be easy.

I would take it to the track and then decide wether to keep her or just keep modding till the roll bar is in..... Why is it that we hang around here anyways, time to spark up the love again.... The turbo will just turn into something else, just ask Dell. Either way, sounds like a good problem to have Bruce...

Bruce, I am in the same boat with a baby on the way. The Pcar gets fair weather duty with my daily commute which is around 20 highway miles. The BMW gets the call during bad weather. I put on about 10K miles on both cars at most combined in a year. We drive my wife's GL for errands and family trips. Perhaps you should call the insurance company and see if there is a collector's insurance policy where you are limited to an annual mileage. That is usually cheaper than a daily driver's policy. I would not sell because you cannot replace that smile when I fire up the pcar. Well, except in Vegas with hookers and blow of course.

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My policy (USAA) allows you to put your car "in storage" for a relatively minimal cost. You can actually put it in and pull it out of storage online. -Eric

I would rather sell it and let someone else enjoy it than see it rot. I would also want to be able to get some of my money back out of it before it would be a total loss. Will you have regrets? Sure, but they will fade just like everything else. Remember the good times not the bad.

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Chuckled at the truth of this. A fit of simplification is kind of how I got myself into this dilemma. I've been fierce this year about getting rid of waste and distraction. It gets addictive, even if it's not always smart or necessary. Thinking of putting the wife's cat on eBay, as a matter of fact...

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That's true. Especially these days.

I say if you are not truly done with your 996 don't sell it. This is why: In 1989 I sold my (stock) 1970S after 10 years of ownership, and TLC, because I wanted to build a track oriented 911 and the S was too nice to molest. I really did not miss it because I was done with it at the time. In 1990 I bought a stripped 1972T body and built the "RS" that I was dreaming of. Over the next 15+ yrs I tracked it almost every weekend and continued to develop it. Few years ago due to health problems I stopped driving it and it sat for a year. I went through similar soul searching as you are now and finally decided that I would never use it the same way again, so I sold it with all spares and the trailer. I used the $$ to payoff some medical bills. Health improved and I was able to get a 2003 996 cab. Wife and I enjoy traveling in the 996 immensely. The 1972 was too loud and stinky (wife's evaluation) to travel in. There isn't a day goes by that I don't miss the 1972 and regret selling it. With all of the DNA I put into it (every knuckle on both hands and some other pieces parts bled on at one time or another) it was uniquely mine. I am a little surprised that it didn't run away from its new home and show up in our garage. Maybe it was done with me??

Well, mine is not a daily driver either - commuting in Silicon Vallley Traffic is better in my Prius than my stick shift 911 - but I try to take it out most weekends. Last weekend I drove down to the Rennsport Reunion in Monterey - Sunday morning not too much traffic on 101 as it winds down the hills past San Juan Bautisa - put my foot down - blasted past a 1960's open e-type jag - who then tried to chase - well into the triple digits (thanks Valentine 1) - what a blast - and what a great day at Laguna Seca - so NO - I would not sell my Porsche !

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What? You don't think we're normal? Keep the car.