THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION

Just a quick line to thank the crew at 911&PW for showing me the Porsche path. As the long-term owner of a 'classic' Carrera 3.2, I've enjoyed many years of 911 driving. Thing is, when I brought it 20-odd years ago, it wasn't really considered a classic and I didn't really use it like one. That remained true up until very recently when, like seemingly all air-cooled 911s, my car became rather valuable. It's not showing off to say that it was a good one. Mileage was a lowish 50,000, it was a late 3.2, with the G50 gearbox and in black, with black interior, it was the right colour combo.

But, as the value escalated, I started to get very precious about it, not wanting to drive it the rain, or put miles on it. Then the battery would be flat due to lack of use as months would go by. I concluded that this was getting silly so I sold it and put my money into a Cayman S and paid for half an extension on the house!

I couldn't be happier, and neither could my wife. I don't feel short-changed with the Cayman. It is a wonderful thing to drive and makes the Carrera feel like the classic it now is. In fact I feel liberated from classic Porsche ownership and the stress that it was starting to create. James Horner, via email

Steve Bennett replies: You're not alone, James. Most of the 911&PW crew have followed a similar path in recent years. Mrs Tipler is very pleased with the new bathroom from the proceeds of JT'S 964, and my own Carrera 3.2 became many more useful things. Or are we all just making a virtue from a necessity? Actually, let's not go there!