Conversion Fit/Finish and Quality Advice

I have been recently exploring the purchase of a Speedster Conversion car. My only concern is being happy with the quality of a kit conversion. I have seen many conversions in my day and feel concerned about the purchase.

I presently own a 2000S Boxster and a 2000XKR Jaguar and have owned a 1992 C4 911 and a 2000 Boxster, not to mention a 2001 twin turbo Lotus. As you can see I have been spoiled with very nice, but very expensive toys.

I am trying to downsize (the Boxster S and Jag are both for sale) and I am trying to find a fun second car for less than $20K. I have always loved the 356 speedster look and knew I would have one some day. The conversion sounds like a great alternative to an orignal 356, a newer vehicle with a lot less cost than an original.

How is the fit and finish and dependability of a conversion?

Any advice on researching and making sure I get the best possible deal?

Any advice is appreciated.

PS: I am also interested in trading the Boxster or Jag for a speedster.

Joseph, for less than 20K you will probably not get a car that is comparable in quality or performance to the jag or the boxster. What you will get is a car that will attract more attention than Pam Anderson at a cigar smoke-in. It will also be alot of fun to drive; not that the others weren't but you will be more involved in getting down the road. If you're and old f*rt it will take you back to your formative years. It always takes me back to my rather ordinary racing career. Start it up, noisy, vibrations, smells (and that's just the garage door opener) spartan interior, minimal instrumentation, etc. If you're not over 50 you may think we're all nuts for giving up the stuff you've become used to.
Get with a speedster owner in your area who will chat with you inperson and let you sniff around his speedster so you have some idea of the level of finish, etc that you can expect. 20K is not going to get you a new one but you should be able to find a used one in decent shape for that price,
ed

Joseph,

I agree with Ed. I've owned 6 Porsches and my Speedster Replica is the funnest car I've owned. It's not as fast as my SC or as good in handling as my 911S I had tricked out. But it certainly has gotten me plenty of dates and smile/waves on the freeway by beautiful women. Being single and 44, this is a perfect car. I'm done with racing around, still like the attention it brings and I still like to wheel it around on sharp turns. The fact that it's not a "real" Porsche cuts the repair bill in half or a quarter. Also, this is a great forum you're apart of. Lots of "advice"!

David

Any way you cut it, going from a Boxster S to a speedster is a BIG step down. They are a lot of fun and garner a lot of attention, but it helps if you are handy with the tools. If you want a quiet, comfortable ride you're looking at the wrong car. Most are noisy, leak when it rains and have crappy heaters (or no heat at all). But still...they're a blast!
You sound like an Intermeccanica kind of speedster owner. New ones are very pricy, but a used one may suit your needs, and the quality level is above the rest.
Finding someone on the forum that lives in your area would be a good idea...then you could go for a drive.
Ron

Yeah I agree with Ron O Black... Based on your past garage's pedigree you're gonna need to really get out and see a few. There is quite a difference in price and what those ruples buy is the really subjective part... These 'conversions' as you call them are throwbacks to another era, even with the creature comforts afforded the bigger budget productions North of the border!

My car is a Vintage and at least one model year older than VSOP in the file section. I use that car as a comparison because the owner and I are friends and live nearby one another... He ordered his car new and I bought mine used. IMHO his car is superior to mine in an out-of-the-box, quality of fit and finish sort of way...

But then we go our different ways in styling and such and it sort of equals out.

I saw two cars built by John Steele, JPS Motors at a recent show and they were extreemely presentable with attention to detail that was excellent.

Another show participant was driving a pan-based Intermeccanica that was probably at least ten years old and it looked near new and near perfect... In fact a clubmember on this site has a convertible D that looks so original the purists would have a tough time discerning what's what, nice body seams, doors that close with just the right 'thunk' and on and on...

I guess I'm tryin' to say, you really have to determine what is important to you and see first hand what the replicar's have to offer.
I don't know you from Adam's housecat, but why would anyone be drivin' a Boxster if'n they already had a C4 let alone any British(Ford) stuff?!?!?
Welcome aboard,
MM

I agree with all that everyone is saying. I have posted to see if anyone is from the St. Louis, MO so I can kick the tires and ask some more questions.

I am 40 and have had the speed and the flash. I am looking forward to a classic that is more for fun and something I can tinker with. Not mechanically, because I am not a mechanic, but to experience it and to add upgrades utilizing a good local mechanic.

I will probably own another Porsche 911, but plan to keep the speedster for a long time. The British deal (Lotus) was one of those things where you had to go out and wonder out of the backyard. More horsepower and more flash seemed like something I had to have when I was single (not long ago). Now I am looking for a occassional driver and a hobby without a lot of expense. As we all know, when you have had a Porsche nothing else seems to ad-up.

I may also take a trip to California and visit some of the dealers and drive a few of their cars.

BTW: I have never been involved in a forum before. I am amazed at the response and the support everyone has provided.

Thanks and we will keep chatting.

Joseph,
A trip to LA and Vancouver would really be worth your time, and would give you a changce to interact with the builders face to face. I'm from central IL and have a 2002 JPS you're welcome to come and inspect if you'd like.

What part of Illinois. My parents live in Watseka, IL, just south of Kankakee. I visit often, maybe I can stop by some week end.

Thanks for the offer.

Joseph-

Tremont, IL (Peoria area)- if you go up I55, I'm probably about 1/2 hr out of the way there and back. You're welcome to stop by.