Should I keep her?

[oscillon]

Hey All. I come seeking advice about my '66 911.

Let me first state that I don't want this to become another thread about values and investing. For me, cars are about driving pleasure, and the joys of ownership.

I have a black on black (currently red interior), numbers matching (all but the engine lid) 1966 911 that I love to drive and enjoy. It recently won the early 911 class at the Founders Region Deutsche Marque concours. IMHO, it's a nice car. It certainly could benefit from some basic paint correction in a few spots. Regardless, it's a good car... very solid, and really pretty.

The problem is, I never drive it.

So here is the question/issue I'm thinking about. I have a '66 912 that I recently invested a great deal of money into to make it a reliable daily driver; which it is. The 912 is setup so that my 4-year old can ride "safely" in a car seat that is mounted securely in the back, and I don't plan to mimic this setup in the 911. Consequently, I drive the 912 all the time (it's actually my commuter) and I keep the 911 squirreled away in the garage.

I'm torn because I really love driving 911s. The 912 is great, but it'll never have that something that the air cooled 911's have. I want something that has a modicum of safety, and the styling and experience of the early cars.

So... sages of the E911S internet forum... Here is my question.

Should sell the 1966 911 and find a nice 993 that has all modern safety refinements I need for my passenger(s)? Or, should I just suck it up, and keep driving the 912 and wait for my kiddo to move to the front seat?

Cheers,
Dan

here is the car in question:

[LiveFromNY]

It's a lovely car, Dan. Unfortunately, I have to recuse myself for bias (due to the fact I'd like you to decide to sell it so I can make an offer)...

[Bill Simmeth]

Or, should I just suck it up, and keep driving the 912 and wait for my kiddo to move to the front seat?

Though question to answer as everyone's situation is different, but if your son turns out like my youngest he'll probably kick your a$$ some day for selling such a great car...

Good luck with the decision!

PS... that's him 12 years ago in my avatar.

[72targa]

Should sell the 1966 911 and find a nice 993 that has all modern safety refinements I need for my passenger(s)? Or, should I just suck it up, and keep driving the 912 and wait for my kiddo to move to the front seat?

If you are truly worried about safety, I would buy the 993 to drive your kid around in, keep the 911 and sell the 912 (my .02)...

[JT912]

Sell the 911. Keep the 912. Your kid isn't going to know the difference from the passenger's seat. Eventually he will take over the driver's seat and I can attest that a 912 is an excellent first car.

[mfwm3]

As a father of three, ages 20 to 25, the amount of time spent in the back seat will flash by in a heartbeat. Keep the S and when the kids are big enough, move them to the front seat. You will have YEARS of pleasure of driving with them up front and be the Dad with the COOLEST car.

Trust me on this.

Mike

[KennethClay]

Keep it, AND get the 993. You will enjoy the cars, and won't get hurt financially. But, if you DO decide to sell, pm me and I'll give you my number!

[Haasman]

Each day you can't decide your 912 & 911 appreciate (so far :-) .... buy a 993 and enjoy it daily. And when you need fix, force yourself to decide .... hmmm the 912 today or the 911 ....

[steve shea]

What Haasman said!

[Pinball]

Dan - Here's a perspective: If you enjoy driving these cars, rather than simply worshipping them, dump the 911 and get yourself a nice 997.2 which will give you a great deal of driving pleasure and allow you to take your children, safely, from place to place. None of my three kids, now ages 21, 17, and 14, has ever been emotionally involved with my older "classic" cars. Instead, they have formed greater bonds with my more contemporary sporting cars. The cars that are new, or near new today, will be their "classics" and the cars that they will drive in years to come and the cars with which they will form their associations and attachments. As one of the lucky ones who owned and drove the longhood cars when they were brand new, they were fantastic, cutting edge cars at the time, but much less so now. Let your 911 be cherished by a "collector" but drive and enjoy a more contemporary car today. Just my two cents.