Choice paralysis, what to pick and how much to pay?

[J89eu]

Hi all

So I'm struggling! Really struggling.

I want a 981 Boxster S. Easy right? Well, if only. I can't afford one in cash, I could, given some time but I have some circumstances that are trivial and could be solved by a cheap run about. So I'll give some back story

I am employed, I work from home, and I run a business on the side. This business means I need to drop things off at Royal Mail, not the Post Office. Their opening hours are abysmal and business collection is extremely expensive given that I don't send that much over the year to warrant the cost. I have a Golf GTD estate and 2 dogs. My Mrs mostly drives this car to work and then comes back, I jump in the car and rush to Royal Mail to drop my parcels off. Sometimes I have 20 mins to do this before they close due to her shift pattern, I can't go any other time as I don't have the car.

Now, I love cars. I love Porsche cars specifically and since Porsche Challenge on the PS1 have always had a soft spot for the Boxster. The Cayman has since taken over due to the, in my opinion, superior looks, but you can't put the roof down so I guess that takes some fun out of that lovely engine note.I also enjoy saving to aid a retirement before the state pension so I put a bit away to enable that so I don't have lots of cash just sitting in accounts, it's usually tucked away in a SIPP or S&S ISA.

But I'm starting to see having a second car could be nice, maybe finally I get something I actually want? I can't imagine 981S losing much value over the near term so if I needed to I could sell it.. I would need to finance about 20k of one, easy done with a personal loan etc which should be trivial to be approved for given my credit rating and such but should I? Should I go down that rabbit hole, get the car I really want or just look for something else that is cheaper and I can not worry about? I have no garage at my place and one prescribed parking spot, so whilst no one else gives a crap about constantly using a visitor spot, I kinda do, but one car would need to use one. I got to looking at other cars. I've always had a soft spot for an E39 M5 but those are pushing 981 money for a decent one. RX-7's too, but those are bloody expensive given the maintenance and such and I don't really want something that isn't reliable. I also love barges, any bigger engine E39 would be awesome too. But then no driving dynamics... No handling fun!

I'd love to be able to take the car on road trips, but this is where the dogs also come in, I don't want to leave them in kennels, I have taken them on trips before to Poland and such. They enjoy it too. I couldn't really do that in a Boxster and I fear I'd end up not driving it due to the impracticality and on weekends just taking the Golf. It really is a great car for general driving. I don't know I'd drive the second car enough to spend 30-40k on one. So why do that? But why not? Therein lies the issue.

I am stuck PHers. Please help me..

[pb8g09]

Only you can truly know, but in my opinion of your situation the Boxster doesn't seem to fit your requirements - you can't fit the dogs or much in the way of travel items so you're more likely to take the Golf abroad unless you're travelling light. You're going to be mainly using it for short drives to the Post Office, so much of your time in it won't be all that exciting. I suspect with that short mileage usage where you're not likely to warm the car up much, the older stuff is probably not going to enjoy it much either.

Parking space sounds like an unknown as you never know who you'll be pissing off when people actually have visitors - potentially also sets a precedence that all your neighbours will start using visitor spaces for second cars and then you'll be impacted too. I could be wrong, and you could also not give a stuff about your neighbours so that's your prerogative.

You only live once as you say - could you manipulate your schedule so that your partner can do the Post Office runs for you on her way back from work?

[Belle427]

Maybe buy a cheaper car first to see how the usage goes, if you can find a solid one it doesnt get much better than an MX5 NA but if its going to live outside an NC with folding hard top may be a more sensible option.
Something you wont feel so precious about sometimes is a better option.

[bigandclever]

J89eu said:

My Mrs mostly drives this car to work and then comes back, I jump in the car and rush to Royal Mail to drop my parcels off. Sometimes I have 20 mins to do this before they close due to her shift pattern, I can't go any other time as I don't have the car.

pop the parcels in the car before she sets off and let your missus to do it on the way back from her shift. Easy!

[J89eu]

Most of my work is custom order, if I was to send them with the Mrs on her way to work I'd essentially be a day behind as any orders from that day then have to wait for the next day so whilst an option, not the most ideal for a good customer experience. For example a Monday is awful. If someone was to buy something Saturday after 12, it can't go until Tuesday as the RM is only option 8-10 and my Mrs is already at work by then, though her taking the parcels doesn't change that, it's an issue I suffer with currently regardless, but had I my own car, I can take them before I start at 9am

Have considered getting a cheaper car to see how things go as it's really not just the parcel drop off but also having some independence, I can't go to the shop during the day etc or go to the doctors as I have no car to do so.

Not sure on what cheaper car would be fun to have.. I had a Golf R estate already which was great but now owning another Golf would be a bit boring I guess

I should also add that I am 6 foot 2 so an MX5 isn't the most comfortable place be :P

Edited by J89eu on Tuesday 5th March 11:28

Edited by J89eu on Tuesday 5th March 11:33

[LunarOne]

bigandclever said:

J89eu said:

My Mrs mostly drives this car to work and then comes back, I jump in the car and rush to Royal Mail to drop my parcels off. Sometimes I have 20 mins to do this before they close due to her shift pattern, I can't go any other time as I don't have the car.

pop the parcels in the car before she sets off and let your missus to do it on the way back from her shift. Easy!

Which means that everyone who orders anything has to wait until the next day, or if they order on a Friday they won't get it until Tuesday. Not very workable if you're selling things that people want/need quickly!

As a 981 Boxster S owner, it's a lovely car but I only use it in the summer for road trips as I have other cars. Surprisingly practical too, with space in the two boots for parcels, but probably not ideal for your needs since you have dogs and presumably would like to do your trips with your wife!

[ZX10R NIN]

How much do actually want to spend on a second car?

This will help with options because if you spend what you want rather than what you can then you'll look at the car as less of a financial noose.

[trevalvole]

Would something like a BMW M440i convertible meet your requirements including what you use the Golf for?

[Truckosaurus]

How big are these parcels? (and how many)

The front boot on a Boxster is surprisingly big.

Other solutions also exist

[Om]

When I was looking for a fun/weekend car that needed to have space for the dogs after a lot of consideration that included a Cayman, I went with a 370z. Not a huge storage space by estate car standards but can fit a couple of medium size dogs in for an hour or two without any problem. Great, fun handling, a good soundtrack with judicious choice of exhaust and quick enough for most eventualities. Also a lot cheaper than a 981.

Of the other cars I looked at only the TTS/RS was able to do the same but that just didn't tick enough boxes (RWD, V6) for me. The older Z4 Coupe is worth a shout but is now getting a bit old. The Cayman will definitely not allow a dog in the back unfortunately. Another thought would be a GT/GR86 - they have fold flat seats that would be fine for dogs?

Beyond those you are looking at a step up - 911s, Jag F Type, Vantage (maybe), Merc SL.

[SFTWend]

I had a look at 981 Ss the other day. At c.£30k for a 10 to 12 year old car, I suggest a price adjustment is overdue and so you could lose a lot if you decide to sell.