Store or Sell? 981 Boxster S
Discussion
There's a possibility of me taking an international posting for 2-3 years with work. Can't take the car with me.
In brief: 2014 Boxster S, spent a decent amount getting it very well sorted and has the perfect specification (PASM / Sport Chrono / Sports Exhaust etc.)
There's about 9k left on some very cheap finance, valuations for sale are coming in at ±28.3k.
I could sell it, clear the finance and use the 20k to invest / save short term and then in 2-3 years come back and re-buy something else.
I could also store it for 2-3 years and know that it will be here when I get back to the UK. I've looked into car storage in Scotland and it seems it would be 25-35 per week, on a battery conditioner, stored securely and started / warmed up once a month. This ends up being cheaper than what it costs to insure and tax it so it's not exactly breaking the bank.
What issues might there be if I have it stored for 2-3 years? Am I daft to consider storing something as relatively mundane as a 2014 Boxster?
A little torn, any experiences/knowledge appreciated.
In brief: 2014 Boxster S, spent a decent amount getting it very well sorted and has the perfect specification (PASM / Sport Chrono / Sports Exhaust etc.)
There's about 9k left on some very cheap finance, valuations for sale are coming in at ±28.3k.
I could sell it, clear the finance and use the 20k to invest / save short term and then in 2-3 years come back and re-buy something else.
I could also store it for 2-3 years and know that it will be here when I get back to the UK. I've looked into car storage in Scotland and it seems it would be 25-35 per week, on a battery conditioner, stored securely and started / warmed up once a month. This ends up being cheaper than what it costs to insure and tax it so it's not exactly breaking the bank.
What issues might there be if I have it stored for 2-3 years? Am I daft to consider storing something as relatively mundane as a 2014 Boxster?
A little torn, any experiences/knowledge appreciated.
Reckon your proposal would possibly work for up to 12 months but not for around two and a half years after which time the car could well show major deterioration especially if the storage conditions are less than perfect.
Just starting and moving the car around could create more problems the car needs a minimum 6 mile drive regularly to get fluids up to temp etc. Would you trust someone to drive it and leave it stored up frequently wet with salt (especially in Scotland) on components causing further premature deterioration.
Other obvious aspects include tyre and brake component deterioration before you even start on engine internals, exhaust, cooling hoses etc etc.
You would also have to organise servicing otherwise there will be a large gap in the cars history which would further impact its value.
Imo sell.
Just starting and moving the car around could create more problems the car needs a minimum 6 mile drive regularly to get fluids up to temp etc. Would you trust someone to drive it and leave it stored up frequently wet with salt (especially in Scotland) on components causing further premature deterioration.
Other obvious aspects include tyre and brake component deterioration before you even start on engine internals, exhaust, cooling hoses etc etc.
You would also have to organise servicing otherwise there will be a large gap in the cars history which would further impact its value.
Imo sell.
Edited by av185 on Monday 27th May 12:21
av185 said:
Reckon your proposal would possibly work for up to 12 months but not for around two and a half years
Yeah, that's what I was sort of thinking. I was going to sell my motorbike, but I'm really loathe to sell the Boxster after all the money I've put into maintaining it to a high standard. Feels like crystalising losses. Storage long term would be no problem, starting ever month and running up to temp would be a no no in my book, just leave well alone for 6/7 months and once summer comes a run every month for 20 odd mile and you’ll have no issues with 2/3 year storage….ohh and a charger 24/7 obviously.
Youforreal. said:
Storage long term would be no problem, starting ever month and running up to temp would be a no no in my book, just leave well alone for 6/7 months and once summer comes a run every month for 20 odd mile and you’ll have no issues with 2/3 year storage….ohh and a charger 24/7 obviously.
I would likely not be back in the UK for long enough to make taking it out of storage worthwhile just to run it. Especially if it's stored a good distance from home. I wouldn’t worry my 911 ended up hibernated in my garage for eight years and not started as this causes more damage. Only needed a light re commission to get back on the road. Once it’s gone very difficult to replace as life priorities move on. Just get it fully serviced before you do and then again when you get it out with a specialist
Why can't you take the car with you? Will you not need a car where you are going?
If I was working abroad temporarily I would definitely take my car with me, considering how cheap cars are in the UK it would be very difficult to avoid having to downgrade into a much less desirable car when buying/leasing abroad.
If I was working abroad temporarily I would definitely take my car with me, considering how cheap cars are in the UK it would be very difficult to avoid having to downgrade into a much less desirable car when buying/leasing abroad.
Edited by DarkVeil on Tuesday 28th May 13:05
guyvert1 said:
For an <£30k car I'd sell it, invest in something reasonably stable (not BTC 
) You'll then save all the hassle of storage/maintainance etc etc and buy something when you get back with you ill gotten gains ...
Yeah, I'm leaning that way. ) You'll then save all the hassle of storage/maintainance etc etc and buy something when you get back with you ill gotten gains ...(already looking at cars to buy when I get back, if indeed I do make the move)
athomp04 said:
I wouldn’t worry my 911 ended up hibernated in my garage for eight years and not started as this causes more damage. Only needed a light re commission to get back on the road. Once it’s gone very difficult to replace as life priorities move on. Just get it fully serviced before you do and then again when you get it out with a specialist
This.The notion implied in some other posts that taking it out now and then on damp, salty Scottish roads is somehow going to preserve the car is a fairly obvious nonsense. So, long as the storage unit is reasonably dry, and you'd really hope it would be that at minimum if you're paying for it, it'll be fine for a few years, even if you literally never start it.
As per this post, it might need a tiny bit of light recommissioning on your return. I'd say keep it if you're just going to buy another 981S on return, sell it if you fancy a different car. The hassle of selling and then buying at least matches the hassle of storing and getting it back out on the road.
The sell-buy spread if you sell privately and buy from a dealer could be substantial. Sure, you could very well compensate for that and more by investing the cash in the meantime. But short of high risk investments, it'll all net out similarly enough either way I'd have thought.
You'll probably want to give a little bit of thought about how you prep the car for storage re things like fuel, but to be honest even if you did nowt, you'd probably be OK for 2.5 years.
It's not a super rare car and it won't appreciate in value while you're gone so I'd lean towards selling it.
Also are you sure how long you will be gone for? If after two years you decide to stay out there longer term then you'll have wasted storage costs and opportunity costs in the funds tied up in the car.
Also are you sure how long you will be gone for? If after two years you decide to stay out there longer term then you'll have wasted storage costs and opportunity costs in the funds tied up in the car.
Paulm4 said:
Where about in Scotland are you? You can store it on my driveway if you like, I'm happy to take it for a spin every so often to stop it from deteriorating
Hah, not the first offer I've had for that 'service'. It's unlikely I would be re-buying another 981S after returning, as others have stated, even after crystalising the losses versus what I've paid to have done on the car, the opportunity is probably still better to sell, utilise the funds elsewhere, and then on return find something newer.
Shaoxter said:
Also are you sure how long you will be gone for? If after two years you decide to stay out there longer term ….
This is another factor to consider.I did an overseas stint early in my career for two years. Many of the expat friends I made who were on similar contracts decided to extend their stay, some for the long term.
jamsp00n said:
athomp04 said:
I wouldn’t worry my 911 ended up hibernated in my garage for eight years and not started as this causes more damage. Only needed a light re commission to get back on the road. Once it’s gone very difficult to replace as life priorities move on. Just get it fully serviced before you do and then again when you get it out with a specialist
This.The notion implied in some other posts that taking it out now and then on damp, salty Scottish roads is somehow going to preserve the car is a fairly obvious nonsense
pjv997 said:
Shaoxter said:
Also are you sure how long you will be gone for? If after two years you decide to stay out there longer term ….
This is another factor to consider.I did an overseas stint early in my career for two years. Many of the expat friends I made who were on similar contracts decided to extend their stay, some for the long term.
I went to Dubai in 1991 and was convinced this would be a 3 year posting and I would definitely return to the UK after that.
Finally returned in 2009 and retired 11 ahead of what would have been normal.
I think once you are there your mindset will change and you will have wasted the storage money.
Also if it had been a 981GTS it would possibly have been worth considering but not with an S.
You have to sell it my friend and pick up where you left off upon your return . A depreciating asset with no collectible value you are simply throwing money away . Of course cars can be emotional purchases rather than just financial ones so if you don't take my advice then I totally understand . Meanwhile keep yourself safe and hopefully we will hear what you decide .
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