How flipping GORGEOUS is this car? I've always been a British roadster kind of girl (Healey's are the best!), but last week I was casually driving my mini-van home from running errands (la la la la la), when I nearly ran off the road (screeeeech!) trying to get a better look at what my eyes THOUGHT they saw. Really---my kids were grateful for car seats that day! Turns out I wasn't seeing things because....there, sure enough, for sale, was one of these babies: A Porsche 356 Speedster convertible. My British fetish was quickly forgotten and I was suddenly in love with an Austrian-German!
-------------------------
So....after being spared as I recklessly maneuvered my way across two lanes of traffic to get over to the car: I took pictures (on my phone--which is why they're not up here), wrote down the phone number from the -for sale- sign, and called the owner. Saturday, I took my 'car guy' friend Knute with me and had a look. Now--it is a kit car--but built by a mechanic who knows his stuff. It's perfectly put together. Knute crawled around under the car and asked the owner all kinds of automotive-y questions, while I just sat there mesmerized by all that pretty Porsche platinum paint. The thing has a 200hp engine with a stereo system that can be heard over the roar, is fully restored and updated, and can stop on a dime. It's just **amazing**.
---------------------------
It has been my dream for years to own something like this. And having worked the good ol' Dave Ramsey plan, I have no debt except my mortgage....so I COULD afford it. Except, really...can I?
-----------------
SO, help me out girly-girls!!! Do I just be happy with my pictures and memory of the test drive, and keep socking all my spare money away into emergency and college funds?.......or do I take this leap and buy myself something that will obviously be just for me (no room for car seats in this puppy!) ?
--------------------
Hmmmmmm.....
-------------------------
I will, of course, be making my decision solely based on what y'all have to say. Well, you guys---and that Magic 8 ball I'm also asking advice from. :)
---------------------------
p.s. "Knute the car guy" recognized the Porsche as being just like Dylan's from Beverly Hills 90210. How can I not laugh at the fact that a 43 year old male knew that and I didn't?! :)
25 comments:
I'll be the first to pipe in to give you guys something else to consider. I was kind of saving buying a car like this as a "reward" for whatever it is I finally manage to publish and make some money off of. That's always an option....saving it for a reward for some time down the line.
Wow - how cool would that be? It's so pretty! You WOULD look cool driving that around! Maybe it would be an incentive. "I've bought this beautiful, famous-person car, so I really HAVE to get published!"
Or, you could wait to buy it when you are famous. Which, I'm sure is going to happen very soon. I'll be first in line to buy your book!
XOXO
Jen
Oh, this is the car I have always wanted. Always. And I didn't know that about 90210. I've never been a TV person, even as a teenager.
I used to have a 1960 Karman Ghia. I loved that car. It was my wannabe bathtub porsche. :)
Alas, with kids... I probably won't be buying one. Ever. But Oh, how I would love to. But these cars need a full-time mechanic to keep them rollin'. And even between my hubby and I, we just don't have time.
I wish I could sing supportive praises for you to go buy it impulsively now, but from years of slow money experiences, I would hold off. As the spouse of a car show guy, I know... these cars are ALWAYS for sale. They may not have a sign in the windshield, but they are for sale. I guarantee it. Anybody want to buy an Ultima GTR?! ;) There's no sign in it, but it's for sale!
Tough call! If it was me, I would buy it! But then, I'm all about instant gratification, so I *may* not be the most reliable source of advice. :)
My husband drives a two seater convertible that no child under the age of 12 will ever be able to ride in. Now he wants a motorcycle? I want a third kid, so I think that buying a minivan would be the most practical thing for our family.
BUT, since you already have one of those, I don't think it would hurt for you to buy a car that only you can drive. Just know that it will probably sit there unused for the majority of travel. Just like my husband's car.
Yowzas! Now that my friend, is a CAR. Just think how awesome you'll look driving up to someone's house as an interior designer in that! People will immediatly know that you have FABULOUS taste. I think you should get it....as long as I get to ride with you sometime. ;)
Buy it. Be happy. You deserve it. And keep and cherish it for a loooooong, loooooong time.
I call shotgun.
Oh wow. 90210, which character would you be driving that car? I have a car that want but the safety ratings aren't high enough so I will continue on in my mini van. Good luck in your decision. I will say it is better to do it before you have teenagers :)
Oh go get it and have some fun!! Get it before I come so we can go for a ride with the wind whipping in our hair!!
buy.that.car! think how cute you'll look in it!
You'll know :)
Hmmm.... tough call. It is always hardest to splurge for yourself. I think you have sacrificed and worked VERY hard to get where you are now - and that is reason enough to reward yourself with this beauty (as long as you are financially able to do so). You would look absolutely stunning in this car!! Plus, who knows if you'll find such a perfect car later on down the road. This could be just your inspiration you need to get published. Drive up to the publishers in this beauty and they will certainly take note of all the fame and fortune you deserve!
Oh wow. That is a BEAUTIFUL car! I would say - get it. You deserve it. Seize the moment and let the wind whip your hair as you drive down the highway in that lovely car.
But, there's the sensible side of me that would say - wait. Just sit tight and hold onto your money.
I don't think I'm any help at all. I'd really love to see you in that car, but then again... :)
I think you should get it. Really. So that I can live vicariously. Because I really just want my mom van :-)
BUY IT!!! How can you pass this up? I say it's your reward for surviving a divorce with flying colors.
Make your boys fund their own college tuition and missions. ;) They'll get full-ride scholarships anyway, right?
ah you sweet thing! I am so glad you made it through your horrible year. My heart broke for you more than once and now I'm so excited for my friend JenniferP.
I finally sent you a thank you gift for guest blogging for me. :)
Pictures: happy Test drive: happy
Walk away quickly. Remember Dave Ramsey. Debt free and a little cushion. Walk Away.
Lisa Q
Next time your in town I can arrange for you to "Test Drive" one if you want.....
Is it bad that I totally pictured myself in the passenger seat whilst we went for treats? OH MAN!!!!!!!
My dream? A stand up jet ski...STAND UP...not wimpy sit down. A stand up, Angelena Jolee (spelling?) in Tomb Raider (no, I liked stand up jet skiis before that silly movie) kind of cool, awesome, jet ski.....brand new $6000.00.
Here's my advice: UH UM.... (you've opened a can of worms letting people tell you about money things, because it's all completely emotional!)....
First....go to an online computer that lets you calculate the monthly expenses with interest rate (which you probably already have).
THEN...calculate maintenance fees (go worst case scenario here) and budget that into your monthly costs (we can't forget the fix-it shop).
Next, (I know, you're alread tired and I'm raining on the happy dance) figure out how much it will cost to insure and register each year, and add that to your monthly budget.
NEXT!!! Almost done! Pay attention to your top five values that David Ramsey had you write down. Was fun in the top five? Then (IF after you've done your homework and can still afford it--you have your 8 month savings right?), and IF fun WAS in the top five, you'll never regret this purchase.
Okay, budget goo-roo has given her two cents. I feel a little foolish. Everybody probably does this, and you've probably already crunched the numbers.
Sorry.
I'm going to walk away now.
Oohhh...that car is sure yummy.
My mom has a little two seater sports car. We like to call it The Batmobile. I'm excited at the thought of inheriting that car...
Buy it!!! buy it..buy it...buy it... Look how cute it is and how cute you are!!! You should just get it. college is not very important so why save the money for that :) Love ya girl!
Really, how can you not buy that car? It would suit you so well!
With gazelle intensity you've worked to get where you are....are you going to hate the car because it is now all you have to show for your hard work if you buy it? I totally wouldn't buy the car unless I could pay for it in cash and still have my savings and be debt free. And then for me to buy a car I don't need would be a huge leap. I'm a bit too freakish about my money. ut next time I'm in Boise I'll have to look in any car that looks like that to see if I recognize you. If only from your pictures on your blog since I've never met you! I'd have to walk away from the car fast! I'm an emotional person. It would be the same if it were a Toyota Landcruiser from the mid 80's for me. LOVE!
what if you DON'T buy it and then when you see it cruising down the streets of your town with someone other than you behind the wheel ... won't you regret it?
I say live a little a buy it!!!!
I should have also mentioned that
I WANT YOU TO HAVE IT.
Just needed to get that out there.
Post a Comment