Hello there,
On the advice of my friend and TIPEC member, Broady_6, I've signed up for the forum and will shortly join as a member... so I thought it seemed appropriate to get into the spirit and say hello
I've been itching for a Porsche for a while and as far back as 2009 I started to idly think about getting another, however a return to aircooled VWs distracted me wildly and kept me busy.
Since Broady got his 944 though I've been seriously hankering. I'd already decided that a 911 was out of my price range as I could just about buy one but would be left with nothing to run it with... a Boxster has the flat six but no back seats (I have two kids), a 928 is too thirsty, a 968 doesn't quite do it for me and a 924 would have to be a very early one, in beige (I'm at peace with my fondness for beige and brown Porsches - they look awesome)... plus, a 924 would have to be an S or a Turbo as I wanted a bit of poke really. So that ruled out my dream early (Mexico Beige) number. 912 and 914 are sadly 911 money these days.
I didn't mean to go, but a traffic jam led me to Lincoln rather than Brigg for my groceries, and I knew that there was an S2 Cabriolet on eBay and it was a classified... and I might as well just take a look, right?
To cut a long story short... after a poke around, a chat about its shortcomings and a bit (!) of haggling I was heading home in my "new" 944 within the hour (I don't know whether online banking and instant transfers are a wonderful or dreadful bit of progress). Broady gave me a lift back later on to collect my Golf and we were off!
The next morning I was up and at 'em... the EXTREMELY dirty cabriolet needed to be set about and some shopping lists made... a trip to Broady's was in order too... just to line 'em up and to let him have a go
Untitled by iancleary, on Flickr
A few things needed sorting pretty much immediately, and so the first few weeks of ownership has seen me address a number of issues (tyres, electrical things, alignment of various parts, lubricating neglected hinges, locks and catches, repairs to some trim) and leaves me with a few more issues to sort in the coming months (thorough service, new belts, front strut top mounts, some rust, couple of light lenses, some more trim and some paint, few seals, wheel refurb). The service and belts will be first, within the next week or so... and then hopefully the rust and paint issues (ouch) shortly after.
It's looking OK though, the kids have named him Howie, and I finally feel like I've conquered the filth (although I'm kidding myself as I've not even started on the underside or underbonnet yet)... my poor Beetle hasn't had a look in for the last month!
Untitled by iancleary, on Flickr
Untitled by iancleary, on Flickr
Oh, and I'm Ian... hullo!
I hope you're going to enjoy the cab with this weather. 
