Thoughts on ageing, When is it time ti call it quits? Options

[Pat Garvey]

I bring this thread up on this forum because it's the forum I came to originally.

We, who have owned these beasts for many years (37 in my case) must reach a point where we have to consider moving on. Not all, but I personally am having questions about this.

I bring this up here because I am a CW & will always be.

But, I have been thinking lately (six months or so) - is it time to put 2 nice cars into someone else's responsibility?

I keep buying new parts, but never get around to installing them. Hell, I don't even need them!

But, in the last year my interest is wanning. I don't have the physical capabilities to do what I used to, and I won't pay someone else to do what I KNOW how to do. I also have other interests, namely model railroading, which I've been involved in since before Porsches (do I sound like Jon Lowe?).

I also don't have the urgency to do anything on the Porsches. I just don't think I care anymore, at least not enough. Used to be, when the garage temp rose above 50, I was there. Not any more.

So, I'm asking for some opinions here. I will take all of them seriously.

Should I get out? I'm inclined to do so. Can something re-awake the fire? I wonder.

Your opinions are appreciated & welcomed. I'm on the brink.

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

OK, here it is, the TOUGH LOVE response.

Pat: "I want the truth!"

1970 Neun vierzehn: "You can't handle the truth". (Or can you?)

Pat, your problem is precipitated by several factors, which individually have not caused your malaise with regards to your 914 and 911, but collectively have undermined your automotive (Porsche) enthusiasm.

Let me ask, for the sake of our fellow Forum friends, some questions that even though I know full well the answers, your candid responses to will reveal reasons for your manifest disinterest and lethargic attitude toward your enthusiast cars.

1. Once upon a time, you and I would have lengthy discussions about the latest issues of R&T, Automobile, C&D, Autoweek, and PCA Panorama. What do you subscibe to now? Do you even read "Pano" anymore?

2. Since you moved to Philadelphia, what 12-13 years ago, how many miles have you put on your 914? Ten, twenty?

3. Since you moved to Philadelphia, how many PCA events, 914 World get-togethers, or special interest/collector/sports car events (Hershey, Carlisle, etc.) have you attended?

4.What (this is one of my favorite questions) are your daily drivers? Once upon a time your D/Ds were a Rabbit, a GTi, various Audis, a Scirocco, Passats. And now you drive what?

5. You claim that your body is getting too old for repair and maintenance on your Porsches. That "you need to do it yourself". Pat, think Tom Oerther, Bud West, Jerry Wolf, Howard Rapp, Dick Weiss, John Meyer, Tom Stegman. All these guys (and myself) are (or were) at least as old as you and their enthusiasm for their respective Porsches did not wane as they either got older or no longer "wrenched" on their own cars. I might also add that all the above mentioned Porsche enthusiasts drove their cars AND did not have BORING cars as daily drivers.

6.We all know (or at least a lot of us do) that you harbor a disregard for the real or imagined arrogance that PORSCHE AG has displayed in going so far upmarket with their cars. It also annoys me somewhat to see the marque that was once the provenance of hard core driving enthusiasts, road racing adherents, discreet professionals, and connoisseurs of excellent craftsmanship and (though sometimes quirky and offbeat) engineering, be hijacked by so many elite, crass and unappreciative individuals whose only interest in their PORSCHE is as a
bauble with which to flaunt their wealth and material success. You've said that you have no interest in new, and late model PORSCHES. Does it follow then that you must not, therefore, admire the marque (Cayman aside), squelch your enthusiasm, and by association, diminish your own regard for your own PORSCHES?

If you take yourself out of the loop of reinforcement with regards to a hobby, be it a car, a motorcycle, a model railroad, a bicycling passion, a guitar pursuit, a record collection, etc. and don't immerse yourself with passion and seek affirmation and support from those with whom you share your enthusiasm, your affinity and affection for that endeavor will no doubt wither. (I can't avoid the cliche here...............) Use it, or lose it!

Your dear and sincere friend,
Paul

[Pat Garvey]

OK, here it is, the TOUGH LOVE response.

Pat: "I want the truth!"

1970 Neun vierzehn: "You can't handle the truth". (Or can you?)

Pat, your problem is precipitated by several factors, which individually have not caused your malaise with regards to your 914 and 911, but collectively have undermined your automotive (Porsche) enthusiasm.

Let me ask, for the sake of our fellow Forum friends, some questions that even though I know full well the answers, your candid responses to will reveal reasons for your manifest disinterest and lethargic attitude toward your enthusiast cars.

1. Once upon a time, you and I would have lengthy discussions about the latest issues of R&T, Automobile, C&D, Autoweek, and PCA Panorama. What do you subscibe to now? Do you even read "Pano" anymore?

2. Since you moved to Philadelphia, what 12-13 years ago, how many miles have you put on your 914? Ten, twenty?

3. Since you moved to Philadelphia, how many PCA events, 914 World get-togethers, or special interest/collector/sports car events (Hershey, Carlisle, etc.) have you attended?

4.What (this is one of my favorite questions) are your daily drivers? Once upon a time your D/Ds were a Rabbit, a GTi, various Audis, a Scirocco, Passats. And now you drive what?

5. You claim that your body is getting too old for repair and maintenance on your Porsches. That "you need to do it yourself". Pat, think Tom Oerther, Bud West, Jerry Wolf, Howard Rapp, Dick Weiss, John Meyer, Tom Stegman. All these guys (and myself) are (or were) at least as old as you and their enthusiasm for their respective Porsches did not wane as they either got older or no longer "wrenched" on their own cars. I might also add that all the above mentioned Porsche enthusiasts drove their cars AND did not have BORING cars as daily drivers.

6.We all know (or at least a lot of us do) that you harbor a disregard for the real or imagined arrogance that PORSCHE AG has displayed in going so far upmarket with their cars. It also annoys me somewhat to see the marque that was once the provenance of hard core driving enthusiasts, road racing adherents, discreet professionals, and connoisseurs of excellent craftsmanship and (though sometimes quirky and offbeat) engineering, be hijacked by so many elite, crass and unappreciative individuals whose only interest in their PORSCHE is as a
bauble with which to flaunt their wealth and material success. You've said that you have no interest in new, and late model PORSCHES. Does it follow then that you must not, therefore, admire the marque (Cayman aside), squelch your enthusiasm, and by association, diminish your own regard for your own PORSCHES?

If you take yourself out of the loop of reinforcement with regards to a hobby, be it a car, a motorcycle, a model railroad, a bicycling passion, a guitar pursuit, a record collection, etc. and don't immerse yourself with passion and seek affirmation and support from those with whom you share your enthusiasm, your affinity and affection for that endeavor will no doubt wither. (I can't avoid the cliche here...............) Use it, or lose it!

Your dear and sincere friend,
Paul

OK, Mister "Tough Love", here we go (you asked, remember):
Responses. May be lengthy.

1. I DO read Pano religiously evry month, several time. Haven't come up with anything noteworthy in several years. Why? Because the majority focus is on DE, racing, and contemorary Porsches that no shadetree mechanic can work on. The ultimate "duh" came from a recent Parade concours redo, where the owner of a Boxster S didn't even know how to get at the engine to try to clean it - he won his class for crap sakes!! Gives me a whole new feeling of faith in Parade concours judges!

I also enjoy Hemmings Sports & Exotics every month. Read it even more times than Pano (Lamo). I quit reading Autoweek 20 years ago, because they sold out. Same goes for R&T and CD - loser pubs. Never got into Automobile.

2. Since I'v moved to Philly I've put 24 miles on my 914, and about 4k miles on the 911.

3. None. Hershey is always cold & wet and I don't need to buy or sell anything. Carlisle - same.

4. My personal D/D driver is a 2003 Mercury Sable. The other D/D is a 2008 Mercury Milan Premier. Both cars have been faultless. I mean that. My extended warranty on the Sable is about to expire, with never a claim. The Milan is almost fun to drive in a spirited manner. Both are competent, and suit our needs.

After being burned to the tune of 15k in repairs, we abandoned VW, and hey will never see our asses in one of thier showrooms again. Fun to drive, when they run. Way overpriced.

Look, I drive 3 miles to work. Other than a VW product, anything should work. Janice drives 5 miles to work - see last sentence end.

And, who are you to talk? You drive a Honda mini-truck, and a VW GTI that you've had for years, with 12k miles on it!

I fail to see the point here!

5. Bud West, my hero who died too early, was a wrench lawyer, as well as a down-to-earth guy. Dick Weiss is a hero to many, many people. Has the hands of an artist, and the skills of a master. Tom Oerther is close behind Dick, but farms out most of his heavy wotk these days. Both of the last 2 are well beyond retirement age. Dick is special & I don't even attempt to understand his motivation. Tom Stegman is a revered collector, though I doubt he's turned awrench in 30 years - nice to be rich, though I love the guy.

6. No! In no way at all. Look, I don't like the FACT that Porsche has sold out to the masses, like BMW did in the 80's to the gold chain crowd. What I dislike most about Porsche is that they make cares designed for housewives (Cayenne) and do-do's who don't even know how to access the engine, much less check the oil. I don't like $300 oil changes. I don't like pimple-faced bozos in the parts department who don't know a pushrod from a dildo! I particularly dislike "new" Porsche people. You know, those who have "discovered" Porsche, but can't pronounce it. These are the same people who've never owned a car in thier live (most, not all), and don't "own" a Porsche now - the leasing company does. Posers!

I love my Porsches! I have many scars, skinned knuckles and tetanus shots to prove it. I'm just a little burned out right now.

Now, after this little diatribe - what was your point, Paulie!

[TJB/914]

OK, here it is, the TOUGH LOVE response.

Pat: "I want the truth!"

1970 Neun vierzehn: "You can't handle the truth". (Or can you?)

Pat, your problem is precipitated by several factors, which individually have not caused your malaise with regards to your 914 and 911, but collectively have undermined your automotive (Porsche) enthusiasm.

Let me ask, for the sake of our fellow Forum friends, some questions that even though I know full well the answers, your candid responses to will reveal reasons for your manifest disinterest and lethargic attitude toward your enthusiast cars.

1. Once upon a time, you and I would have lengthy discussions about the latest issues of R&T, Automobile, C&D, Autoweek, and PCA Panorama. What do you subscibe to now? Do you even read "Pano" anymore?

2. Since you moved to Philadelphia, what 12-13 years ago, how many miles have you put on your 914? Ten, twenty?

3. Since you moved to Philadelphia, how many PCA events, 914 World get-togethers, or special interest/collector/sports car events (Hershey, Carlisle, etc.) have you attended?

4.What (this is one of my favorite questions) are your daily drivers? Once upon a time your D/Ds were a Rabbit, a GTi, various Audis, a Scirocco, Passats. And now you drive what?

5. You claim that your body is getting too old for repair and maintenance on your Porsches. That "you need to do it yourself". Pat, think Tom Oerther, Bud West, Jerry Wolf, Howard Rapp, Dick Weiss, John Meyer, Tom Stegman. All these guys (and myself) are (or were) at least as old as you and their enthusiasm for their respective Porsches did not wane as they either got older or no longer "wrenched" on their own cars. I might also add that all the above mentioned Porsche enthusiasts drove their cars AND did not have BORING cars as daily drivers.

6.We all know (or at least a lot of us do) that you harbor a disregard for the real or imagined arrogance that PORSCHE AG has displayed in going so far upmarket with their cars. It also annoys me somewhat to see the marque that was once the provenance of hard core driving enthusiasts, road racing adherents, discreet professionals, and connoisseurs of excellent craftsmanship and (though sometimes quirky and offbeat) engineering, be hijacked by so many elite, crass and unappreciative individuals whose only interest in their PORSCHE is as a
bauble with which to flaunt their wealth and material success. You've said that you have no interest in new, and late model PORSCHES. Does it follow then that you must not, therefore, admire the marque (Cayman aside), squelch your enthusiasm, and by association, diminish your own regard for your own PORSCHES?

If you take yourself out of the loop of reinforcement with regards to a hobby, be it a car, a motorcycle, a model railroad, a bicycling passion, a guitar pursuit, a record collection, etc. and don't immerse yourself with passion and seek affirmation and support from those with whom you share your enthusiasm, your affinity and affection for that endeavor will no doubt wither. (I can't avoid the cliche here...............) Use it, or lose it!

Your dear and sincere friend,
Paul

OK, Mister "Tough Love", here we go (you asked, remember):
Responses. May be lengthy.

1. I DO read Pano religiously evry month, several time. Haven't come up with anything noteworthy in several years. Why? Because the majority focus is on DE, racing, and contemorary Porsches that no shadetree mechanic can work on. The ultimate "duh" came from a recent Parade concours redo, where the owner of a Boxster S didn't even know how to get at the engine to try to clean it - he won his class for crap sakes!! Gives me a whole new feeling of faith in Parade concours judges!

I also enjoy Hemmings Sports & Exotics every month. Read it even more times than Pano (Lamo). I quit reading Autoweek 20 years ago, because they sold out. Same goes for R&T and CD - loser pubs. Never got into Automobile.

2. Since I'v moved to Philly I've put 24 miles on my 914, and about 4k miles on the 911.

3. None. Hershey is always cold & wet and I don't need to buy or sell anything. Carlisle - same.

4. My personal D/D driver is a 2003 Mercury Sable. The other D/D is a 2008 Mercury Milan Premier. Both cars have been faultless. I mean that. My extended warranty on the Sable is about to expire, with never a claim. The Milan is almost fun to drive in a spirited manner. Both are competent, and suit our needs.

After being burned to the tune of 15k in repairs, we abandoned VW, and hey will never see our asses in one of thier showrooms again. Fun to drive, when they run. Way overpriced.

Look, I drive 3 miles to work. Other than a VW product, anything should work. Janice drives 5 miles to work - see last sentence end.

And, who are you to talk? You drive a Honda mini-truck, and a VW GTI that you've had for years, with 12k miles on it!

I fail to see the point here!

5. Bud West, my hero who died too early, was a wrench lawyer, as well as a down-to-earth guy. Dick Weiss is a hero to many, many people. Has the hands of an artist, and the skills of a master. Tom Oerther is close behind Dick, but farms out most of his heavy wotk these days. Both of the last 2 are well beyond retirement age. Dick is special & I don't even attempt to understand his motivation. Tom Stegman is a revered collector, though I doubt he's turned awrench in 30 years - nice to be rich, though I love the guy.

6. No! In no way at all. Look, I don't like the FACT that Porsche has sold out to the masses, like BMW did in the 80's to the gold chain crowd. What I dislike most about Porsche is that they make cares designed for housewives (Cayenne) and do-do's who don't even know how to access the engine, much less check the oil. I don't like $300 oil changes. I don't like pimple-faced bozos in the parts department who don't know a pushrod from a dildo! I particularly dislike "new" Porsche people. You know, those who have "discovered" Porsche, but can't pronounce it. These are the same people who've never owned a car in thier live (most, not all), and don't "own" a Porsche now - the leasing company does. Posers!

I love my Porsches! I have many scars, skinned knuckles and tetanus shots to prove it. I'm just a little burned out right now.

Now, after this little diatribe - what was your point, Paulie!

Good going Paul, I believe there is still life in ole Pat. I was worried he sounded like he was going to die & all this attention sparked him back to life. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Pat, Take if easy on yourself we want you on this forum..
Reminds me of something. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)
Take a tape measure and count every inch as one year of your life. Assume you will live to 90?? Now put it up the side of the wall & say your 65 years old. You now have 15" to live. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) Enjoy every inch (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

Tom (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)