Another reason early cars will keep going up in value...simplicity !

[mrgreenjeans]

But they really are so very WMD, Weapons of Mass Destruction, its just splitting hairs

The thing is the 996 has some of the styling cues not really too 911 and a bit more Boxster looking. A guy doesn't see any of these from the cockpit , but you do when getting into the car.
The razor sharpness is one thing in the 996 GT3, but after driving both cars, I am sincerely awestruck with the 997, especially the RS version in a vibrant color. Both cars are so far beyond my driving capabilities, as I am NO Patrick Long, that I can do with either one and not find too much fault between the two. I do have to be happy with the look tho.........and the 997 just does it for me.

I think there may be more of an apparent difference in comparing both series in the Cup cars....just my take on it from speaking to owners at Club events and crew and drivers at the track during events like the Rolex 24.
Really they are all TREMENDOUS cars when considering their competition, as they really have none.

[72targa]

Peter,
I used to feel the same way about electrical appliances, having grown up in a farm home where Dad would attempt a fix on anything, and if he could not, he would take it into town and seek a specialist out . Repair--not replace was his motto. And alot of that stayed with me. A couple years ago, I had a gorgeous 30 year old Harmon Kardon stereo that quit functioning at our home. I took it to the dealer who sold them and requested a repair. He said it would be at least a month , the parts would be next to non-existant, and the labor and parts more than worth it to just replace it new.
I looked at him, then the beautiful wood cabinet, the wonderful blue/green backlit dials, then mulled it over for a second, and said.....FIX IT. I do NOT subscribe to that throw it all philosophy of thought. He did, it took about 6 weeks, it plays yet quite wonderfully, but I know in my heart it is a goner if it croaks again. Why ?
He closed his repair facility... undoubtedly because new sales were not there and his repair abilities were now an outmoded way of life. His body reached retirement level and the customer base had packed up and took the train for the west coast. With the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Day the music died.....

I could give another example on an electronic Pentax camera we bought before we left for our trip to Europe in 91. But you can guess the ending on that.........digital has rendered a 700.00 camera that was state of the art to the waste-bin of life.

I just cannot even justify the thought process it takes to register in my mind, the throw away mentality of purchasing a new Carrera S for 120 large , knowing it will not be serving me in the same way my 22 year old All Trac Camry still does today and is going to be a shreddable piece of recycle flotsem well before its time.
Tis rather sad ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PS - I still have my Dual turntable from college! Had it repaired twice so far...cool story about your stereo.

[NorthernThrux]

I work in the MRI research business at a University and we are always tucking stuff away to future proof old equipment. CDC drives, PDP computers, stuff like that. But of course by the time we ever need that stuff, it has all failed and there is no way to read the data or program the computer any more. This too will happen with cars of this current era. In 30 years you will not be able to find anyone who can program the complex systems in these cars and restoration will not be an option. Only replacement with a new black box if you are lucky. The nice thing about CIS or MFI is that a competent machinist could make new parts and you'd be on your way. Try that with a modern day fuel injection system. Or your Nav system. Or heck. even your iPod interface or heated seats. Simple cars will always be repairable by enterprising individuals. A 64 bit microprocessor controlled car will not.

Ravi

[RS SIEG]

I work in the MRI research business at a University and we are always tucking stuff away to future proof old equipment. CDC drives, PDP computers, stuff like that. But of course by the time we ever need that stuff, it has all failed and there is no way to read the data or program the computer any more. This too will happen with cars of this current era. In 30 years you will not be able to find anyone who can program the complex systems in these cars and restoration will not be an option. Only replacement with a new black box if you are lucky. The nice thing about CIS or MFI is that a competent machinist could make new parts and you'd be on your way. Try that with a modern day fuel injection system. Or your Nav system. Or heck. even your iPod interface or heated seats. Simple cars will always be repairable by enterprising individuals. A 64 bit microprocessor controlled car will not.

Ravi

Ravi;
I have a feeling you are absoultely correct on the repair/restoration of the "newer" cars. I doubt Porsche will be supporting these "newer" cars at all in 30 or 40 years. Probably
even less than that ! I think Porsche (VW) is only interested now in pumping out and selling/leasing as many high $$$ cars (and SUVs) as they can. But I suppose there will be a very few extremely, incredibly wealthy folks who wont mind throwing their money away on a restoration of a 997 in 40 years. Just cause they can.