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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Am I losing my mind?

Posted by: vintage914racer Oct 10 2017, 03:17 PM

Recently I've toyed with the idea of selling my factory 914-6 and getting something newer I can squeeze my family in and enjoy together as a family. I've in the stage of life where I work more than I would like, spend less time with my family (son 5, daughter 3) than I would like and don't have a lot of free time to drive the 914-6. I'll probably put 500 miles on it this year.

The 914-6 has been part of my life as long as I can remember. It was my father's and when I was my son's age I remember going on drives in the car in between my parents in the front seat. That, of course, was when it wasn't culturally unacceptable to do something like that. Today my wife frowns upon even driving with one of the kids in the car, so there's a bit of irony I suppose that the car that's part of my familiy memories can't be shared with my own kids.

To that end, I was thinking of a 993 or something bit more modern I could squeeze the kids in and go on Midwest road trips. Coincidentally, the last Porsche my dad owned before passing away in 1999 was a 1995 993, and the choice of a 993 maintains a lot of sentimentality for me.

To this point I've done nothing other than ponder the idea. If I went through with it I'd still, and likely will always, keep the 914-6 conversion that I campaign in a handful of vintage events every year.

Here's a picture of the 914-6 for reference. It's a very solid driver. Rick918-S replaced and repaired the longs and pans several winters ago (http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=226585) so it's as structurally solid as they come. It has the engine out of a 68S. If I keep it I'd like to get the body fixed up and painted so it's cosmetics match it's mechanical soundness.

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Posted by: mepstein Oct 10 2017, 03:20 PM

If I owned that car, I would never sell it.

Posted by: halmil Oct 10 2017, 03:28 PM

Given the family history and sentimental value, I would never sell the car. Keep it to enjoy with your kids as they get older and tell them about their grandfather.

Get a 993 in addition for your current situation with the kids. I used to drive two of my kids to school every day in my 993. It was fun watching my little daughter crawl out of the back seat at school drop off!

Posted by: billh1963 Oct 10 2017, 03:30 PM

You are not out of your mind.

My first ever Porsche was a 1996 993C4S and is one of the few cars I wish I still had. That being said, I can understand that after years of ownership you may want to explore other options. Although the sentimental value is strong with this car, I have no doubt your dad would approve of you getting something you can build memories with your kids (his grandkids) in.


Posted by: JOEPROPER Oct 10 2017, 03:33 PM

Keep it. forever.

Posted by: Coondog Oct 10 2017, 03:41 PM

QUOTE(halmil @ Oct 10 2017, 02:28 PM) *

Given the family history and sentimental value, I would never sell the car. Keep it to enjoy with your kids as they get older and tell them about their grandfather.

Get a 993 in addition for your current situation with the kids. I used to drive two of my kids to school every day in my 993. It was fun watching my little daughter crawl out of the back seat at school drop off!



agree.gif agree.gif agree.gif agree.gif agree.gif

Posted by: KELTY360 Oct 10 2017, 03:42 PM

I remember that thread. An excellent, sympathetic restoration.

If you sell it, you'll wish you had it back. But, there are worse things than having fond memories. If you buy a 993 to enjoy with your family, you'll be creating your own family heirloom that your kids will remember fondly. It doesn't sound like the 914-6 is going to be a cherished memory for your kids so you're caught in a quandry.

At this point, the -6 is for you. Not to be critical, but the way you present the decision, keeping the -6 would be selfish, especially since you have another 914 to play with. Have you considered selling the conversion and using the real six on track?

I guess for me, the tipping point would be balancing your father's legacy with your own, still to be cemented, legacy. Good luck.

Posted by: 76-914 Oct 10 2017, 03:48 PM

Your car, your life, your call! Listen to the voice of reason and you'll be just fine. beerchug.gif

Posted by: wndsnd Oct 10 2017, 03:56 PM

Think about it for six months and then revisit.

See how you feel then.

You will never be able to replace it. 993's are a dime a dozen, or something like that...

biggrin.gif

Posted by: vintage914racer Oct 10 2017, 03:58 PM

QUOTE(billh1963 @ Oct 10 2017, 02:30 PM) *

You are not out of your mind.

My first ever Porsche was a 1996 993C4S and is one of the few cars I wish I still had. That being said, I can understand that after years of ownership you may want to explore other options. Although the sentimental value is strong with this car, I have no doubt your dad would approve of you getting something you can build memories with your kids (his grandkids) in.



Strangely enough, the 993 was probably the one car I wish my dad had held onto. I distincly remember backing the rear fender into the side of the garage when I was a teenager not knowing that the rear flares would extend beyond the side view mirrors.


QUOTE(KELTY360 @ Oct 10 2017, 02:42 PM) *

I remember that thread. An excellent, sympathetic restoration.

If you sell it, you'll wish you had it back. But, there are worse things than having fond memories. If you buy a 993 to enjoy with your family, you'll be creating your own family heirloom that your kids will remember fondly. It doesn't sound like the 914-6 is going to be a cherished memory for your kids so you're caught in a quandry.

At this point, the -6 is for you. Not to be critical, but the way you present the decision, keeping the -6 would be selfish, especially since you have another 914 to play with. Have you considered selling the conversion and using the real six on track?

I guess for me, the tipping point would be balancing your father's legacy with your own, still to be cemented, legacy. Good luck.


At times I do acknowledge the selfishness of this crazy car habit and that is part of the thought process for selling the blue car. The track car is fully developed and I have a lot of great family members with that car growing up as well.

The reality of the blue car is it sat a lot in the garage when I was a kid. I've probably put 10x the miles on it in the ~18 years I've had it versus the 14 years my parents had it, but the reality is it still rarely gets driven.

My wife is actually against the idea of selling it, which is pretty unusual (in a good way) if you ask me. I have a hard time finding time to fix all the little things on the long list of keeping the car up though.

Posted by: vintage914racer Oct 10 2017, 04:00 PM

QUOTE(wndsnd @ Oct 10 2017, 02:56 PM) *

Think about it for six months and then revisit.

See how you feel then.

You will never be able to replace it. 993's are a dime a dozen, or something like that...

biggrin.gif


Inevitably I'll ride out the cold MN winter and fix some of the things on my project list along the way. If it's anything like selling a house, I'll have all the issues fixed come spring and will likely decide to keep it.

Posted by: mb911 Oct 10 2017, 05:05 PM

Having been through something similar I say you will regret it. I only had a conversion I built on a 75 chassis with a 2.7. It was my first 6 powered Porsche and it was actually rust free as in NM rust free. I had a young family and no little kid passengers aloud. At the time my oldest kids were 3 and 1. I bought a 77 911 and built that as a second car that the kids could ride in. It fit the bill for the time as I was able to drive everywhere with the family.. I saw the 914-6 just sit there more and more so I sold it. Time went on and cars came and went including a turbo, sc, Carrera, and a 964. After I sold them all I thought about what was my favorite of the bunch. Even though the Turbo was insanely fast and the 964 was very refined the -6 was my favorite. Fast forward 15 years and my oldest 17 I am building another -6 that is not even close to rust free and I enjoy it more then all the other cars I had not including the 1st 6..

If nothing else moth ball it for 10 years and come back to it.

Posted by: Drums66 Oct 10 2017, 05:57 PM

....Never,never let the candy fool you! the priorities in your individual life always rules. (It's always what makes you, and in your case family HAPPY.)
peace bye1.gif

Posted by: Racer Oct 10 2017, 06:24 PM

Keep it. You will miss it once it is gone. Sounds a bit like family heirloom. I have one of those too.

The other side of it, as the kids get older (and bigger), you will be able to take them out, one at a time, in a really neat, really old, family 914. Store it. Use it as little as you are now is fine. No other new Porsche will feel the same. Stuffing the kids in the back of a 911/993/996 will only allow you to tote them around till they are 10 and outgrow the rear seats anyway.

I tried it with a 944.. kids never liked it.. But they do like it when I can only take one of them somewhere... it makes the times using the car seem more special.

And, unless you are going to drive them everywhere in your 914 replacement, it will suffer the same fate... sitting in the garage waiting for "the right time" to be used again.

Keep it. Enjoy it. Wait till they are a little older and enjoy it together!

Posted by: barefoot Oct 11 2017, 07:45 AM

Way back in 78, I had a 70 4cyl. that was too small for our family. it was inherited from my dad but from years of northern road salt I'm sure it was destined for the dreaded rust bugs. We drove from our upstate NY home with the 2 kids sandwiched between us to the Porsche-Audi dealer in Rochester NY and traded in on a used Audi Fox, (a 4 passenger 4 door) back before Audi's climbed up the big $$$ game.
My kids kinda cried realizing the 914 was gone, but it was the right thing for us then.
Now if i had a 6, whole different story.

Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Oct 11 2017, 07:57 AM

QUOTE(vintage914racer @ Oct 10 2017, 01:17 PM) *

Recently I've toyed with the idea of selling my factory 914-6 and getting something newer I can squeeze my family in and enjoy together as a family. I've in the stage of life where I work more than I would like, spend less time with my family (son 5, daughter 3) than I would like and don't have a lot of free time to drive the 914-6. I'll probably put 500 miles on it this year.

The 914-6 has been part of my life as long as I can remember. It was my father's and when I was my son's age I remember going on drives in the car in between my parents in the front seat. That, of course, was when it wasn't culturally unacceptable to do something like that. Today my wife frowns upon even driving with one of the kids in the car, so there's a bit of irony I suppose that the car that's part of my familiy memories can't be shared with my own kids.

To that end, I was thinking of a 993 or something bit more modern I could squeeze the kids in and go on Midwest road trips. Coincidentally, the last Porsche my dad owned before passing away in 1999 was a 1995 993, and the choice of a 993 maintains a lot of sentimentality for me.



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I'm in the same boat, no back seat in the 914 or the 356 Roadster. I added three cars to the stable last year, all have back seats. The cars were a 65 Mustang, a 07 Benz and a 95 993. Enjoying a car is great, enjoying a car with your family, priceless!



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Posted by: Mike Fitton Oct 11 2017, 08:07 AM

Just add a 993 and everyone will be happy. I did last year because my wife wouldn't ride in my older cars (914-6 & '71Targa).



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Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Oct 11 2017, 08:15 AM

QUOTE(Mike Fitton @ Oct 11 2017, 06:07 AM) *

Just add a 993 and everyone will be happy. I did last year because my wife wouldn't ride in my older cars (914-6 & '71Targa).



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During her first ride in the 993 my wife exclaimed, "The AC and heat work! In a Porsche!"

Posted by: Larmo63 Oct 11 2017, 08:26 AM

When my kids were small, we had 356s and they fit in the back. They are all grown now, so I can have whatever I want. My wife passed away, and my Gf doesn't really like riding in my 914, so it all works out really well.

biggrin.gif I get to go and do what I want and not hear any complaining.

Posted by: Edward Blume Oct 11 2017, 08:33 AM

I had a 95 993 and it really doesn't fit the kids. Just saying'.

Posted by: gandalf_025 Oct 11 2017, 09:15 AM

Ultimately your decision...
As long as you remember you will probably not be able to buy another one..
IF you do ever regret it.

I sold my 77. 930 and couldn't afford to buy one now.. It was a huge mistake..
Both Emotionally and Financially..

I kept kept 6 though...

Posted by: 914 7T3 Oct 11 2017, 09:16 AM

QUOTE(wndsnd @ Oct 10 2017, 02:56 PM) *

Think about it for six months and then revisit.

See how you feel then.

You will never be able to replace it. 993's are a dime a dozen, or something like that...

biggrin.gif



agree.gif

I have had the opportunity to speak with two of the POs of my '73 and they both expressed regret in selling the car. These guys were a little freaked out when the car reached out to them so many years later. They were pleased to know it went to a good home and is currently undergoing a full resto.

Take some time and then you know the decision will be right and good luck with whatever you decide.

Posted by: Rav914 Oct 11 2017, 09:39 AM

Unofficial tally of this thread looks to be 50/50. Regret? Yes, you'll probably regret selling it. Just like many, myself included, have sold exceptional cars and regret doing so.

But you know what, life gets stagnant if you don't mix things up a bit. Whether that be a car, house, business, etc. If your heart says sell, then move on.

Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Oct 11 2017, 09:41 AM

QUOTE(Edward Blume @ Oct 11 2017, 06:33 AM) *

I had a 95 993 and it really doesn't fit the kids. Just saying'.

Mine love it, they are 7 and 9 and beg me to take them to the bus in it every morning.

Posted by: Rand Oct 11 2017, 10:55 AM

You'll never regret keeping it. But imagine if you have seller's remorse later, what it would cost you to buy another like it in a few years. More and more, and the sentimental can never be recovered. On the other hand, the fact you are asking shows it might be time to move on. Don't you love all these super helpful comments? laugh.gif Follow your gut. Or heart. Whichever speaks the loudest.

Posted by: NeunEinVier Oct 11 2017, 11:05 AM

QUOTE(halmil @ Oct 10 2017, 04:28 PM) *

Given the family history and sentimental value, I would never sell the car. Keep it to enjoy with your kids as they get older and tell them about their grandfather.


X2. Any way to adjust your budget to keep it and get something family-friendly?

Posted by: rick 918-S Oct 11 2017, 12:39 PM

We sold 7 of 9 due to storage issues. Even though we have 3 other 914's an Austin Healey and a 912 I still regret it. With the connection to your dad and what he went through I can see where this is a tough decision. I know you will make the right one for your family.

Posted by: raynekat Oct 11 2017, 01:36 PM

To me, a 993 is not a big enough car to go on road trips with the family?
Ya takin any luggage in the 993? Not much if you do.
Get a VW GTI for road trips if you still want a fun car with a little room for people and luggage.
Your 914-6 is special and irreplaceable.
Don't sell it and figure out a different solution.

Posted by: dax1969 Oct 11 2017, 01:44 PM

SELL IT... to me for a good price biggrin.gif
I will take good care and if you want it back in 10 years you can have it back
(For ten times the price smile.gif )


Posted by: iwanta914-6 Oct 11 2017, 01:50 PM

Keep the six and find yourself a nice 951. As a kid I went on plenty of cross country road trips in the back seat of my dad's 951. And when I was older, I found out how fun it was to drive. I regret not buying it from my dad when he got his 993 cabriolet. Then more recently I regret not trying to buy his 993 when he traded it in for his 991.

If you do sell the six, find a good home for it, perhaps keep it in the MN region and keep in contact. That way if the new owner decides to sell it at some point, they'll offer it to you first. Like many others on here have said, it's irreplaceable, so keep it if you can.

Posted by: jfort Oct 11 2017, 05:49 PM

I went through a similar dilemma two years ago when trying to decide whether not to sell a 77 930. I wanted a car that I could take on road trips. The 930 was not it. I sold the 930 at a good price and bought a 07 997 C2S. It is a great road trip car. Luckily, I have been able to keep my six. I sold a six in 1977 and regretted it. I will never sell my six. The 930 was a great car and I often miss it but I do not regret selling it.

Posted by: vintage914racer Oct 11 2017, 08:29 PM

Thanks all for the feedback. Obviously there are arguments for going both ways.

Admittedly I know I'll probably regret selling it and I probably don't have good reason to do so. It's not a financial burden. I have space to store it and a long winter ahead to fix things I want to fix. I'm sure I can lobby my wife to let me put a kid in the front seat. To that end, is there a more modern solution to strapping a kid in front?

I probably was out of my mind even thinking about selling...


Posted by: pete000 Oct 11 2017, 09:53 PM

I would never sell it. You can ad the 993 to the collection. Keep in mind if you did sell it you would have to pay dearly if you ever wanted another one as nice.

Posted by: rick 918-S Oct 11 2017, 11:06 PM

Damn it was cold that day! bruce.gif

Posted by: whitetwinturbo Oct 12 2017, 09:46 AM

Seems like selling is not a problem until you do so confused24.gif ....then remember how much fun it was.

Posted by: JmuRiz Oct 12 2017, 10:38 AM

Yes the 993 (especially that S) are too small...sell them to me cheap and feel better about yourself biggrin.gif

I will need to get the rear body of my 356 coupe reinforced to allow for seatbelts when/if I can afford to get it repainted. I had a GREAT family classic '74 280C (5 seat coupe with 3-point belts, A/C, power windows etc) that I had to sell because I had too much stuff that wasn't working.

Posted by: 914forme Oct 12 2017, 07:12 PM

When ever I see a kid climbing out of the back of a father's 993, I think man you must really hate your kid. av-943.gif I will say this, your wife most likely has better judgement on this than you do.

Rule 1: listen to her.

Rule 2: see rule 1

I would keep the -6, as I am doing the same thing right now, and have thought about selling the EG33 project several times. I will never sell my father's -6, okay never is a really strong word, lets say I am highly unlikely to sell it, unless I was offered stupid money for it. For me stupid money has at least 8 places before the decimal. Then hell yeah I would sell it, then turn around and buy another one, rust repair it, chem strip it, EDM coat it, do the full restoration with the best parts, take it over to Dad and say TaDa, get in, lets go for a driving.gif

But it is your car, and well your choice, I get thinning the heard.

BTW, why would you ask a bunch of 914 guys if they would sell a factory -6 unicorn confused24.gif If you want a different answer go ask in one the 993 forums av-943.gif

Posted by: Cracker Oct 12 2017, 07:16 PM

Sell it.

T

Posted by: Gatornapper Oct 12 2017, 07:34 PM

Opinions are cheap, and everyone here has one.

I am 72. I can tell you looking back exactly what many here have said - find a way to keep it. Your dad's 993 isn't around - it's history - but this one is. Whatever $$$ it is worth (that you'd get selling it), it's worth 10x that - or more.

As many have said - if you sell it - you will always regret it. It has a long history with you, it's in your blood. BUT.......

It isn't just all the BS&T that you put into it. IT WAS YOUR DAD'S! It is FAMILY HERITAGE. It's something to pass on to your kids. It is HISTORY.

ALL that stuff is......PRICELESS.

If finances are at a crisis level, of course, you have to sell it.

If not, I strongly suggest finding a way to keep it while you get the family car you need.

Questions asked people that were dying proved the greatest regrets were not the bad things they had done - the greatest regrets were not doing the good things they had opportunity to do - but did not do. Of course I cannot say this is the case here.

But I like what someone else suggested: sit on it for 6 months and think about it. Even pray about it - how meaningful would it be to your kids to have this car around when you are gone? Their GRANDFATHER'S car. True, you never know - it might mean nothing to them. Then they sell it and get the $$$ - if cared for, it will only appreciate in value.

Just the thoughts of an old man who still thinks he is 20something and ride's 70's Triumph bikes......with most of my adult kids riding theirs behind me - while most of my peers are on the golf course......

GN

QUOTE(vintage914racer @ Oct 10 2017, 03:17 PM) *

Recently I've toyed with the idea of selling my factory 914-6 and getting something newer I can squeeze my family in and enjoy together as a family.


Posted by: vintage914racer Oct 12 2017, 07:36 PM

QUOTE(rick 918-S @ Oct 11 2017, 10:06 PM) *

Damn it was cold that day! bruce.gif


I remember the temp gauge in my truck read -33 degrees during part of the drive up. No matter how hard it tried the heater couldn't keep up.

Posted by: vintage914racer Oct 12 2017, 07:39 PM

QUOTE(Gatornapper @ Oct 12 2017, 06:34 PM) *

Opinions are cheap, and everyone here has one.

I am 72. I can tell you looking back exactly what many here have said - find a way to keep it. Your dad's 993 isn't around - it's history - but this one is. Whatever $$$ it is worth (that you'd get selling it), it's worth 10x that - or more.

As many have said - if you sell it - you will always regret it. It has a long history with you, it's in your blood. BUT.......

It isn't just all the BS&T that you put into it. IT WAS YOUR DAD'S! It is FAMILY HERITAGE. It's something to pass on to your kids. It is HISTORY.

ALL that stuff is......PRICELESS.

If finances are at a crisis level, of course, you have to sell it.

If not, I strongly suggest finding a way to keep it while you get the family car you need.

Questions asked people that were dying proved the greatest regrets were not the bad things they had done - the greatest regrets were not doing the good things they had opportunity to do - but did not do. Of course I cannot say this is the case here.

But I like what someone else suggested: sit on it for 6 months and think about it. Even pray about it - how meaningful would it be to your kids to have this car around when you are gone? Their GRANDFATHER'S car. True, you never know - it might mean nothing to them. Then they sell it and get the $$$ - if cared for, it will only appreciate in value.


GN



There isn't any financial motivation to sell it. No financial crisis. The money would be nice, but I don't even know what I would do other than invest in something else I wouldn't be able to enjoy.

I'm going to hold on. Fix some odds and ends. Maybe save up for body and repaint in the next 2-3 years.

And, I'm going to figure out a safe way to fit a kids booster seat.

Posted by: siverson Oct 12 2017, 09:54 PM

> And, I'm going to figure out a safe way to fit a kids booster seat.

Do that. It's easy with the early (non-retractable) belts. My kids love riding in mine.

I really want to make my orange car a 3 seater now that I drop them both off at school (Kindergarten and 3rd grade).

-Steve

Posted by: Justinp71 Oct 12 2017, 10:44 PM

QUOTE(siverson @ Oct 12 2017, 08:54 PM) *

> And, I'm going to figure out a safe way to fit a kids booster seat.

Do that. It's easy with the early (non-retractable) belts. My kids love riding in mine.

I really want to make my orange car a 3 seater now that I drop them both off at school (Kindergarten and 3rd grade).

-Steve


If you have the retractable belts, car seats come with this mechanical belt holder metal piece. You use it to hold the retractable belts in place. My wife wants me to wait a little before I put my son in. dry.gif

Posted by: vintage914racer Oct 13 2017, 07:42 AM

QUOTE(Justinp71 @ Oct 12 2017, 09:44 PM) *

QUOTE(siverson @ Oct 12 2017, 08:54 PM) *

> And, I'm going to figure out a safe way to fit a kids booster seat.

Do that. It's easy with the early (non-retractable) belts. My kids love riding in mine.

I really want to make my orange car a 3 seater now that I drop them both off at school (Kindergarten and 3rd grade).

-Steve


If you have the retractable belts, car seats come with this mechanical belt holder metal piece. You use it to hold the retractable belts in place. My wife wants me to wait a little before I put my son in. dry.gif


I don't have retractable belts. They're the earlier, non-retracting ones.

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