I recall reading somewhere that Clubpolo originally started out as a Porsche forum until someone bought a Polo! Recently I had Some money back from a PPI that I didn't know I had, so rather than put in the building socienty where it would earn virtually nothing, I thought i would buy an aircooled Beetle. I quickly discovered that anything decent was more money than I had to spend, so I bought (wait for it).... a Porsche 944L.

I saw it on ebay. It looked tidy with long tax and test. The seller said that there was a clunk in the transmission and the windscreen was cracked, but he put a new windscreen in for me before I went up to collect it. It wants a tiny bit of tidying up - there are one on two paint blisters on the rear panel etc, but the interior is clean and there are no cracks in the dasboard. I drove it back from East Yorkshire (175 miles) without drama and gave it a good service the following week really to explore the car. Discovered that the clunk is in the clutch. Apparently the rubber cush drive in original clutch plates fall apart given time, so I have got an new clutch and will fit this, together with new timing and balance shaft belts over the winter. I shall tidy the paintwork up too.

Reactions from the family have been mixed. From: "Are you having you mid-life crisis twenty years too late?" (the lady friend) to "Grumps, why didn't you buy a turbo one?" (grandson-in-law).

The Polo took immediate umbrage by breaking it's clutch in Monmouth the following week. The release bearing broke up and I had to coax it back to Bala. Fortunately the gearbox survived! So the Porsche was used as everyday transport whilst the Polo had its new clutch, the rebuilt cylinder head that I have been meaning to fit for months and a new exhaust. And a 270,000 mile service. I must admit that, fun though the Porsche is to drive, as I took the Polo for a test drive after all the work, I found myself thinking "I really like my Polo"

Anyway, for those interested, here are some photos of my new Tonka toy:

That looks great. Really like the 944 very underrated.

Thank you Elijah. It's well fast enough for me, and, driven sensibly does the thich end of 30 to the gallon. Very sensitive car to drive - almost like a motorcycle for its response. i find myself driving it with my tongue a bit out in concentration! Not a substitute for the Polo though.