Hey guys

Name's Ashok--just joined a week ago, this is my first post/thread. Been lurking for a while and picked up quite a good deal of info on the 996's. I'm 19, soon 20(feb) and attend Cornell University. Wanted to say whats up to everyone here.

Oh yeah, I have a question too . I drive an X3 right now,2.5 6spd---overall a fun car to drive. I'm lucky enough to have a successful, hard working dad. But now im in the position where im in the middle of a deal that should close within 2 months and I will have earned a good chunk of money( obviously "dont count ur chickens before they hatch", but nonetheles). At first I was planning on just investing all of it so I will be setup to either invest back into my company or setup larger investments when I am out of college. But, as many on this forum have, I have fallen in love with the porsche turbo. I hope I havent fallen in love with the idea of owning a porsche turbo, but I think my "love" is mostly non-materialistic hahah.

ANYWAYS, back to the question part of the post-- personally, I feel theres an age for everything regarding the finer things in life. The BMW fits me well I think, at least my personality, lifestyle and age. Iive been thinking alot about how others will percieve me in a porsche turbo(996). The majority of people I fear will think "oh look at the rich kid", without first asking if I paid for it or not, since most 20 year olds cant afford a car like this. Now, obviously this will only happen with the people that dont matter and the people that do matter will know the kind of person I am and how I paid for it.

Haha, arite that was a long *** post but ultimately I guess my question is--Is it pretentious for a 20 year old to drive a porsche turbo? And if so, what is some other advice you guys have in regards to investments and cars for me?

Just looking for some advice

Thanks
Ashok

 

Congrats on beable to step into a turbo, but i personally would start of with a C4S or something not as ridiculous. Plus i wouldn't worry about what other people have to say. Just have fun and enjoy your life.

I guess the smarter thing to do, would be invest the money and build a solid future for yourself. That way your set for life and you can enjoy cars forever. I made some wrong decisions in my past and wish i could go back and change them. Just don't do that to yourself. Make sure you are making the right decision.
Good luck!

 

If you dont have alot of experience behind the wheel of other cars aside from the X3 I dont know if the turbo is a great idea. On the one hand you get AWD which is handy in some rougher weather in NY, but on the other hand it has a ton of power, and well, there is no point in getting one unless you are going to let it rip every now and then.

You have to consider that when getting the car, also what % of the chunk that you will be making will the car cost you? I think leasing and financing would be your best route instead of an outright purchase (dont know if thats what you intend to do, dont believe you mentioned in the original post) this way you can pay off your car slowly while still investing the majority of your funds elsewhere.

I think the jump from X3 to a 996TT is a big gap, I think something more along the lines of a C4S or even an E46 M3 is better. Especially if you plan to use the car often. The M3 gives you more room, less worry about someone being jealous, and less power so that you dont go overboard too soon, plus usable backseats so your friends will actually fit in the back

In the end do what makes you happy, but sometimes a little restraint in the present can have bigger dividends in the long run.

 

Ashok: It was going OK until this last bit. Not great maybe, but not horrible either. But the last part maybe isn't what you want in a first post.

Let's not go down the path of asking for investment advice in our first post. I say this as a new friend, and as someone who is hoping that, since it is past midnight, we can let sleeping dogs lie, and maybe certain members of the 6Speed welcome committee will be without power or internet access for the next few days, by which time your intro post will have receded into the far back pages of new posts.

In any event (backing slowly away), welcome to 6Speed (running for cover).

 

I say get a turbo and as habitat says" DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT"

 

Buy bubble gum, lots of it

 

Do what makes you happy. You can't live for anybody but yourself.

 

Do what makes you happy, you only live once, then again dont go crazy with something you might not be able to handle, drive the car and compare it with the other pcars in the range. I started with a C2, not much more I can do with the car except for a supercharger, but Im saving up for a Turbo for next summer. I was 23 when I got my first pcar and definitely wont be the last. I have had many cars since I got my license. People will say and think stuff about you, dont mind it, all what matters is that you are happy. I have been called lots of things cause I always had a new car every year. Shake it off and do not let it affect you, its your own life, they just have to deal with it. I never knew I had a reputation in high school and in college till I graduated and I would hear stuff about myself from people not really knowing who there were talking about which was me. Funny some of the things they say, but thats beside the point.

Drive the car and see what really suits you. The turbo will really tickle you, but keep in mind your driving experience and how you are with your friends. Take care and make a smart decision. These cars will always be here no rush to get the best at first, cause it wont make a difference if you yourself dont know how to drive or cant even handle the car, so it will be just like any other car.

 

i'll start with the CaymanS just to get use to Porsche first... and then when you sell it, it won't hurt as much... then try something like the 996TT...

Alan

 

Invest in your education (ironically I used to date a gal from Cornell when I was getting my PhD at SUNY Albany....she was getting her PhD studying algea...her speciallty was blue algea...I kid you not....I used to tease her by asking about green algea and saying..."wait, you don't know anything about that....")

Get your BA, an advanced degree and a house (preferrably more than one). Establish your career/ bussiness first. Trust me, in my circles, which is where you are heading, we would never respect a 19 year old who didn't have all the above taken care of BEFORE getting the dream car. Oh, and neither will the best women. You will look spoiled, pretentious and undisciplined.

I am 44, and just now getting a built GT2.

 

Maybe not what you want to hear, but I agree with Doc Jitsu.If I were you, I would consider putting away most of that money and looking at 4wd performance car...celica GT4 group A, subaru wrx or Evo...excellent bang(!) for the buck and 4wd is very safe.

Congratulations on the opportunity that you have.Use it wisely and enjoy whatever car you end up purchasing.

 

Good recommendation, Rafiki.

I know we all like to make fun of 19 year olds in WRX's...but deep down inside I am thinking "kid knows his cars....nothing can touch a WRX/ for under 35K....kid will probably be a CEO someday..."

I teach my students the Scarface theory of success" First joo get the money.....and then joo get the power....on DEN, joo get the women"....and cars.

 

I have two brothers near your age who where faced with similar decisions. Although life is short and you do have to enjoy it, I have taught them to live with the theory of "you earned 10 bucks??...spend 3, save 7. This way you don't blow it away. Why not save some to move out in say 3, 4 years. I say a less expensive car, but not living with mom...dad goes a long way with the laddies...good luck

 

19 and at Cornell, get an old bomb (or maybe a BMW 2002, the model, not the year) and get all the "right" hot girls. Dare to be different.

 

I second Dr. Jitsu's advice.

If you have lots of extra money, I still would not start with a turbo.

I am on my 7th 911 Porsche, I am 45 years old.

start with a naturally aspirated older 911 that doesnt make people

immediately assume you are an ***.

MK