Goodbye Porsche - for now at least

Well, after spending the last 8 years in 911's, I decided it was time for a change. Having spent 4 years in a 997CS with MT and then switching to a 991CS with PDK, I decided that it was time to move on. Both cars were terrific and the 991 was. perhaps, the best car I have ever owned. I guess the obvious question becomes why sell then? I found that the car I was no longer using the car the way it was meant to be used. I was taking less and less fun drives and participating in less club events. My days at the track were already behind me - too expensive for a retiree. The car was being used mostly for commuting to lunches and running errands - not much fun in that. The expense of maintenance was looming with the 30K service due and/or the 4 year maintenance also due. Add in insurance and the horrible personal property tax here in Virginia and it becomes burdensome. Since it was my only car, I was having a hard time justifying the expense against the benefit. All that being said, I love the Porsche marque and have not ruled out returning some day, albeit at a lower price point. I wish all of you well and thank you for the lively exchange of thoughts and ideas. Enjoy your cars and have fun.

I'm sure you'll miss all those jealous looks from everyone else driving their sedan and SUV/CUV though. I love driving my Boxster S all around even when not hauling ***. Driving a convertible just makes it that much more fun. When I pull up to soccer practice to drop off my son, well everyone else is driving a Pilot/Prius/Sienna...haha. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Thank you for all your comments over the years. Enjoy retirement.

Unless someone has a great deal of wealth, it is difficult to rationalize owning a 911. In addition to the initial purchase price, maintenance costs are extraordinarily high. My wife has a 2015 Audi S8 and the price she paid for her four year maintenance plan is less than the price of the intermediate (two year) service for a Porsche. I also have been looking to replace my Porsche with something more practical, but I just can't find any car that is acceptable. I read the reviews, take a test drive, but then can't bring myself to make the switch. I know in my heart that I'll regret the change almost as soon as I make it. Anyway, I hope you have better luck.

Fair well and smile in retirement. You've experienced what few others ever will and will be missed

I have enjoy your post, have fun with retirement. What's next, MB, BMW, Audi? Staying with German cars? I don't track anymore like I used to, just too busy. I don't take it on windy roads, too many cops issuing tickets but I still enjoy driving it to and from work. I am sure you will find a replacement just as enjoyable without the cost.

Enjoy your retirement. I can understand the cost issues with maintenance and registration taxes. The latter are also very high in NH. German cars are very pricey to maintain. Actually your post reinforces my rationale as to why I am buying my new 911 now when I still have a few years left before hitting a voluntary retirement deadline.

How much is the typical annual maintenance on a 911, we talking a couple thousand? Anything under a thousand isn't even a monthly payment on a Carrera. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Hi Michael, it was a great pleasure for my wife and me to spend the afternoon with you before driving off in your 911. The 911 has been perfect so far, especially with PSE on. While my 987.2 Boxster S feels light and playful, the 991.1 C2S feels more substantial and authoritative, especially when accelerating hard out of a turn. They feel very complementary, like big and little brothers. If you ever stop by Austin, please drop me a note. Perhaps we can do something fun at the COTA. Enjoy your new RS and let's stay in touch.

I've always appreciated your posts. I hope life treats you well in retirement...and you enjoy whatever vehicle comes next.

Thank you all for your kind comments. David, I'm glad you're enjoying the car. I still believe it is the best car I have ever owned. I enjoyed meeting you and your wife and hope to stay in touch Enjoy the car. Subshooter, have a great trip and lots of fun with the new purchase. As to cost, there were no more monthly payments, the car was paid off. James, I'm actually happy that some of you here can consider a $1K car payment okay, I couldn't. I have never had a monthly car payment over $500. I purchased a new Audi RS3 with maintenance plan and will have no car expense for at least the next few years. It's not a Porsche but should be fine for my purposes and, hopefully, a bit of fun. Chows, thank you for all your input. I will check in the forum here, there are lots of great people and I enjoy reading the posts. To all, I will miss the car, no doubt. Happy motoring and good luck with all of your beautiful vehicles, both old, new and future.

You can buy a pre-paid Porsche maintenance plan for 5 years for about 3k. First year is paid for by Porsche for MY2018. In NH, in five years I will end up paying about 6700 in registration taxes for my 911 4S. They calculate based on MSRP of the unoptioned car at 112k. It is 18,15,12,9,6 per 1000 and drops to 3 per 1000 after that. No sales tax in NH. 50K miles means, at least another set of summer and winter tires at 3k. That is over 5 years. The car I am buying costs 123.5k. That is really the big ticket item. I may get a clear bra for the front end which is another 2300 bucks but haven't decided on that for sure. Just to put this in perspective (for me), my house property taxes are about 11k a year (thank you NH). I have no mortgage.