Anyone with any opinion? New to this site - Porsche fanatic for years - want a used Speedster replica. Convince me!!! Thanks.
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Anyone with any opinion? New to this site - Porsche fanatic for years - want a used Speedster replica. Convince me!!! Thanks.
Eric,
Like any other auto, a used one can be a good experience and then again it can be horrific. It all depends on obviously the car and how it was maintained by the former owner,(s). I have a JPS and it has been a good experience. The nice thing about it is that John Steele is always available for help in either parts or advice. JPS puts a super paint job on his cars and does a lot of little things to them that are appreciated the longer you own the car. If the car checks out by yourself or others, don't hesitate to buy it. There don't seem to be many JPS's show up for sale, so if you see a good one, buy it. Then you can join this great grouop of Speedster/Spyder owners on SOC.
If you are in the SoCal area or near to it, then come to Knotts Berry Farmnext weekend for our first SOC meet. There will be over 50 Speedsters and Spyders enjoying the ambiance there. On the home page hit the Replica Rendezvous logo for details. If on the East Coast, click on their logo. Can't go wrong.
Bruce
Like any other auto, a used one can be a good experience and then again it can be horrific. It all depends on obviously the car and how it was maintained by the former owner,(s). I have a JPS and it has been a good experience. The nice thing about it is that John Steele is always available for help in either parts or advice. JPS puts a super paint job on his cars and does a lot of little things to them that are appreciated the longer you own the car. If the car checks out by yourself or others, don't hesitate to buy it. There don't seem to be many JPS's show up for sale, so if you see a good one, buy it. Then you can join this great grouop of Speedster/Spyder owners on SOC.
If you are in the SoCal area or near to it, then come to Knotts Berry Farmnext weekend for our first SOC meet. There will be over 50 Speedsters and Spyders enjoying the ambiance there. On the home page hit the Replica Rendezvous logo for details. If on the East Coast, click on their logo. Can't go wrong.
Bruce
eric, if you need to be convinced, it may not be for you.
its like the right girl, you just "know".
its like the right girl, you just "know".
Eric,
New to the site huh? Well first of all these are not Porsche's
They are basically Expensive Volkswagons....
The first thing you need to do is get used to being asked if its real.
If that doesn't bother you in any way, than your on your way to a
great experience.....It then comes down to condition vs dollars...
New to the site huh? Well first of all these are not Porsche's
They are basically Expensive Volkswagons....
The first thing you need to do is get used to being asked if its real.
If that doesn't bother you in any way, than your on your way to a
great experience.....It then comes down to condition vs dollars...
Eric,
I've owned my JPS for about 10 years. John told me it was the first speedster he ever built and sold. I've had to change the engine a couple of times, should have upgraded to a bigger engine the first time (put in by another mechanic who didn't steer me right). John's been great to me over the years with upgrade suggestions and warranting his work. He's just an overall sincere and honest guy. I've shown my car to two other people who eventually bought a JPS since the car's body and paint have worn wonderfully over it's years. They both told me "handsdown", it's better than anyother maker's Spdster.
Buy a JPS, you won't be sorry.
David
I've owned my JPS for about 10 years. John told me it was the first speedster he ever built and sold. I've had to change the engine a couple of times, should have upgraded to a bigger engine the first time (put in by another mechanic who didn't steer me right). John's been great to me over the years with upgrade suggestions and warranting his work. He's just an overall sincere and honest guy. I've shown my car to two other people who eventually bought a JPS since the car's body and paint have worn wonderfully over it's years. They both told me "handsdown", it's better than anyother maker's Spdster.
Buy a JPS, you won't be sorry.
David
Eric,
I'm picking my JPS up tomorrow, but check my profile comments.
As of this writing, the process has been a blast; wouldn't have done it any other way -- waiting was painful to get through, but a blast!
MM
I'm picking my JPS up tomorrow, but check my profile comments.
As of this writing, the process has been a blast; wouldn't have done it any other way -- waiting was painful to get through, but a blast!
MM
Mike,
Congrats on the new car. Can't wait to meet you and the new wheels at Knotts. Are you going to move your bed out to the garage so you can be near it even when asleep?
Enjoy, Bruce
Congrats on the new car. Can't wait to meet you and the new wheels at Knotts. Are you going to move your bed out to the garage so you can be near it even when asleep?
Enjoy, Bruce
Eric... the challenge is not to buy yourself a new JPS, but to buy me one.
Jim
Jim
I agree with Bruce, come to Knotts or Carlisle then decide. Of course then you will be shopping for an Intermeccanica (now I've started it...)
Ron is right! If you need to be convinced, maybe this isn't for you. If you can't do without one... well, maybe you have what it takes. Not everybody who loves the look can put up with what goes along with it. Think of it as being married to a beautiful woman with some "issues"- everybody envies you, but its not an easy road to go.
I think used is great, but I think a used JPS is also very rare. Why have you zeroed in on JPS? I know all the usual reasons for buying a JPS over a vintage, but to look for a nice used JPS is going to be a long difficult search JMHO
Eric, if you want a car that is as reliable as a Honda, then look elsewhere, as in S2000 or Mazda Miata.
If you want a car that is comfortable, warm and quiet, then look elsewhere.
If you don't like working on your own cars (you WILL have to work on these), then look elsewhere.
If you want a vehicle that is safe, then look elsewhere (the only bag you'll find in these cars is if you take your mother-in-law for a ride).
If you want something very special and if you're not afraid of being the center of attention at every mall and gas bar, then this is the car for you.
People who buys this type of vehicle seem to fall into two camps; one type that buys the vehicle, drives it for one to two years, then sells it, and the other that buys the vehicle and keeps it for many years. Unfortunately, there is no quick quick you can take to figure out which camp you belong to. That's why buying a used speedster is a good way to go. If you buy a used one and find out that you don't like it, then you won't lose as much money when you sell it.
Good luck
Ron
If you want a car that is comfortable, warm and quiet, then look elsewhere.
If you don't like working on your own cars (you WILL have to work on these), then look elsewhere.
If you want a vehicle that is safe, then look elsewhere (the only bag you'll find in these cars is if you take your mother-in-law for a ride).
If you want something very special and if you're not afraid of being the center of attention at every mall and gas bar, then this is the car for you.
People who buys this type of vehicle seem to fall into two camps; one type that buys the vehicle, drives it for one to two years, then sells it, and the other that buys the vehicle and keeps it for many years. Unfortunately, there is no quick quick you can take to figure out which camp you belong to. That's why buying a used speedster is a good way to go. If you buy a used one and find out that you don't like it, then you won't lose as much money when you sell it.
Good luck
Ron
Stan, the comparison to a beautiful woman, with issues, is a good one.
Ron
Ron
Eric, as the voice of the computer on the original Star Trek TV program used to say, "insufficient data." The information you provided in your question was limited. Perhaps if you tell us a little more about yourself, as least as it pertains to cars, it might be helpful. If you are new to this site and to replica Speedsters you have a whole new world opening up to you. If you aren't certain about a Speedster purchase, a used example is a good approach. My first one was a used VS and it taught me a great deal about what I wanted in the next car. If you can attend the east or west coast Speedster gatherings, you will learn a lot a meet some great folks. Do your homework and you will probably make a good choice. Good hunting.
John H.
John H.
I don't need to be convinced to buy a Speedster. I need to be convinced to buy the RIGHT one.
As I've said in other posts, I've been a Porsche fanantic for years. I understand these are replicas and not the real thing (well, at least not completely) but they do represent one of the most classic designs ever created. It's a love connection for me.
I've tracked the Speedster for years and have always wanted one, but when you're 24 years old and have amassed as much student loan debt as I have, the real thing can be hard to negotiate financially. Right now, I've set a cap for 15K to buy used. I live in the D.C. metro area and plan to drive in fair weather only. I do not concern myself with creature comforts. Afterall, it's not like the originals had any, right? If folks in the 50s could handle it, I'm sure I could too.
Also, I do not plan to hotrod this vehicle in any way. My only reason for wanting one is for the love of the design and engineering. I could care less if I go from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. Let the younger folks worry about that. When I drive one, I want to have the mindset that I'm traveling back to a time when things were much more simple and it was OK to be able to cruise along at a steady crawl so long as the wind felt right as it passed through your hair.
As I've said in other posts, I've been a Porsche fanantic for years. I understand these are replicas and not the real thing (well, at least not completely) but they do represent one of the most classic designs ever created. It's a love connection for me.
I've tracked the Speedster for years and have always wanted one, but when you're 24 years old and have amassed as much student loan debt as I have, the real thing can be hard to negotiate financially. Right now, I've set a cap for 15K to buy used. I live in the D.C. metro area and plan to drive in fair weather only. I do not concern myself with creature comforts. Afterall, it's not like the originals had any, right? If folks in the 50s could handle it, I'm sure I could too.
Also, I do not plan to hotrod this vehicle in any way. My only reason for wanting one is for the love of the design and engineering. I could care less if I go from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. Let the younger folks worry about that. When I drive one, I want to have the mindset that I'm traveling back to a time when things were much more simple and it was OK to be able to cruise along at a steady crawl so long as the wind felt right as it passed through your hair.
Someone in a previous post asked what my motivations for wanting a Speedster were...as follows:
-Classic Porsche fanatic (yes, I know they're replicas)
-Am mechanically inclined to deal with maintenence
-Don't want to be 65 years old to have my dream car
-Would like the sun to burn my almost bald head with the top down
-Would drive in fair weather only
-Don't whine about creature comforts (if it has seats that's comforting enough)
-It's a (new) piece of history!
-Classic Porsche fanatic (yes, I know they're replicas)
-Am mechanically inclined to deal with maintenence
-Don't want to be 65 years old to have my dream car
-Would like the sun to burn my almost bald head with the top down
-Would drive in fair weather only
-Don't whine about creature comforts (if it has seats that's comforting enough)
-It's a (new) piece of history!
Eric
I live in the DC area (Bethesda). I have a 2003 VS with a 1776 engine and dual carbs. Let me know if you are interested in taking a look-see.
I live in the DC area (Bethesda). I have a 2003 VS with a 1776 engine and dual carbs. Let me know if you are interested in taking a look-see.
Fred,
That would be great! Please feel free to contact me at etuck53@yahoo.com so we can make arrangements. I'm free this weekend! Thanks!
Eric
That would be great! Please feel free to contact me at etuck53@yahoo.com so we can make arrangements. I'm free this weekend! Thanks!
Eric
Hey Eric! You hit the nail right in the head; I feel EXACTLY the same as you do; it was as if you were speaking for me. After close to 17 years without a VW, I finally sprang up for a new VS for the same reasons. No radio, A/C, etc. just a nice 1776 engine with dual carbs and a 3:88 tranny with front disc brakes and the totally classic look. It'll be finished this week and then delivered here. I can't wait!