Long time lurker - first post!

neil76 · Post by **neil76** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:17 am

Hi all, I have been lurking for around a year or so now off and on. Great site, love the resto threads and also the tech advice.

Let's get the newbie bits out of the way then and I will get on with posting!

My name is Neil, 27 years old, currently live in Aberystwyth, West Wales, originally from Swansea, South Wales so haven't strayed too far!

I current drive two beetles:

Summer:

1303 1600cc, lowered and stiffened on coilovers

and this in the winter:

1.9 TDi

I have promised myself a 911 before I reach 30 so 2 and a bit years to go! It won't be a daily driver so whilst I was originally looking at a 993 I am more recenlty swayed by something post '72 and likely to be a cali import. If I sell the cab then it will be a targa - i would really miss open air motoring - if I keep it then a coupe will be preferable - choices, choices

I have always a hankered after a 911 and whilst I have been thinking of taking the cabrio down the german look route for the money it will still be a bug cab and not a porsche so it might have to go this year unless I manage to make some money and keep the bug and buy a 911 as well

We'll see how the summer goes I guess - I am off to California for 2 weeks next month and who knows with the exchange rate as good as it is at the moment it might be the perfect time to fit a nice early 911 or even 912 into my suitcase for the trip home

Post by **Bootsy** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:26 am

Welcome Neil - nice cars.

That's Paul Knight's old Cabby isn't it? Lovely car.

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:42 am

oooh i love that signal orange beetle. don't getrid of that, instead sell the black beetle and get yorself a 911 coupe as an everyday runner

suggest a impact bumper o a 964 (my favourate) for value for money...the 993 is top price at the moment so only one way prices are going to go (IMHO) and you can pick up a good 996 for less of your ££

neil76 · Post by **neil76** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:19 pm

Bootsy - thanks, yes Paul built it, I bought it off him in 2001 or 2002, can't remember. It’s a great motor, I'll try and keep it and get a Porsche but you can only drive one at a time!

Helen - I hear what you are saying on 993 values, I tend to agree but they are starting to soften so should be able to get something for £17-20k, decent 996's seem to be £25k the circa £20k cars don't seem to be that 'great'. I am a fan of the 964 lookswise and also value £12k-15k gets you a very nice car so it would seem. The problem with all of these though is the 25-30000 miles I rack up a year. The new beetle is a TDi so I get 55-60mpg, £100 a year road tax and it is newish so I can run it for 3-4 years with little or no repairs needed - unfortunately unless I reduce my mileage (highly unlikley) then I can afford to run a Porsche for that sort of use. Plus - I like the new beetle, I have just fitted some OEM 17" wheels to it and with some suspension tweaks and a remap it should be a pretty fun and useable motor.

So for around the same money as a 964 I could get a tax exempt classic for sunny days that I could pamper and work on - which I enjoy. Self maintenance on a daily runner is not much fun!

We also have this in the 'fleet':

The shortlist for replacement for that in a year or so's time is a Boxster, TT Roadster or maybe a 964

Ian Gunney · Post by **Ian Gunney** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:28 pm

Getting a picture of Aberystwyth in the sun must have taken a while

My own experience (albeit limited) with a 993 C4S was that it was pretty quick but ultimately a tad disappointing - maybe 2wd ones are better.

Stick with the old ones - far more character - what about a 914 anyway?

neil76 · Post by **neil76** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:35 pm

Ian Gunney wrote:Getting a picture of Aberystwyth in the sun must have taken a while

My own experience (albeit limited) with a 993 C4S was that it was pretty quick but ultimately a tad disappointing - maybe 2wd ones are better.

Stick with the old ones - far more character - what about a 914 anyway?

LOL - all 3 pics are taken in about a 3 mile radius so not so rare. It is very sunny today actually - I have the Mazda at work - roof down this morning!

I'll keep plugging away at choices - a 912 would be nice but not a 914. They are nice cars don't get me wrong and I like the shape and the handling - but this time it has to be a 911.

neil76 · Post by **neil76** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:40 pm

Ian -

Disclaimer - this is a webcam link so if it refreshes on the forum it will show, cloud rain, wind, darkness etc... but it is sunny now at 12.30pm on St David's Day

Jim Richards · Post by **Jim Richards** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:14 pm

Nice vdubs, Neil. The orange one is very cool.

GP911 · Post by **GP911** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:16 pm

Croeso Neil, orange cab looks A1.

Gwyn.