How much does a porsche "really" cost??

Hi im new here so hello to everyone. Im about to buy myself a new car and can't make up my mind between a lotus exige and a porsche 996. I'd rather have the porsche but the only thing that is putting me off is the running costs. Having owned a lotus in the past I know where I stand with the exige with regards to fuel, servicing, breakdowns etc. I'd be looking to spend around £20k on the car and hopefully get one with around 35k-40k miles on it. Is this a reasonable price range? the ones i've seen so far all seem to be around the 1999 year. My main worries with the porsche is: How reliable are they? If something does go wrong whats it likely to be and whats it likely to cost? Servicing costs? Do they need regular engine rebuilds? Any help you could give me would be much appreciated. Thanks Stuart

this is our first porsche, our last car was a rb320, so the difference in money outgoing's will be a bit more i fear, the petrol will be about the same, but it seems to go down faster in the porsche so[ ] as long as you get a warrenty there should be no worries about the getting the porsche, we got a 3 year one that covers just about everything apart from the usual things, we also put £200 a month in an account just for servicing,tyres,tax etc, that way the money is in place when things need doing.

How much do was the Exige costing you per year? I don't have a 996 so cannot comment directly - most people seem to quote between 1-2k per year, but that might just be the number for the wife [ ] Pete

It was an elise that i had last time but they cost about the same as the exiges to run. Petrol wasn't a problem, it was only a 1.8 so just like driving a hot hatch I bought a years waranty with it for about £400 which was deffinitaly worth it because it was never out of the garage. After i bought it i found out that the guy before me had had the engine rebuilt becuase he somehow managed to break the cam shaft and bearings!!! the garage told me that it cost about £3k to fix that

Take a read through the Running Reports, as this will give you a good idea of what the running costs are. As Daren says, a good indy will save a packet on servicing. Most indies publish service menu pricing on their web sites.

I budget/put away 2k a year. Just had the clutch done at £726 small service last year was only about £250. so my first 18 months cost just over 1k. Like all cars and the 996 is no different, pick the right one. 20k should get you a good car. I know someone who paid Strasse in leeds 22k for a low milage 2002 996 f/l soft top, he want's a 4S and it might be going cheap. at least you know it's come from a good dealer. I would try and find one private but the history and resent service/history is the thing to look for. Keep asking questions on here, you will find alot of helpfull advice. Check out the classified that were i found mine. Good luck with the search.

I've had tuned Subaru's in the past (Actually looking for a TypeR 2dr V ltd at the moment to add to my collection) and i have to say that the running costs on a Porsche are no more expensive. Insurance is generally cheaper than a Scoob and i get more MPG than my Scoobs I found i ended up sepnding more on mods on the scoobs than i have on my Porsche, so in balance about the same. Servicing slightly more thats all But that's just my opinion

I dont have a 996 im afraid, but my 911 doesnt cost much from a running perspective. with car insurance I would she costs about £1200 a year to run. They are quite reliable and actual not bad on fuel (if your sensible on the loud pedal that is!!!!)

i just did a brisk run back from exeter to london on via A30, A303, M3, M25, A3 and some town driving (175ish miles) and averaged 30.4mpg according to the trip computer, so i'll second that, with the addendum that you don't have to be too careful with the loud pedal oh, and the rubber thing round the top of the windshield has come loose on mine when at at motorway speed, spoiling the flow over the top of the car and adding drag, so i'm extra pleased with the mpg!

If you use a decent Indy, it won't cost you any more to run than a dealer serviced BMW, probably less. For example, the Indy I use has a service menu for the routine stuff: At the age/mileage you're likely to be looking for, the only major issue to consider is the Rear Main Seal. The other engine issues will have made themselves apparent much earlier and will have been sorted. The RMS is not that big an issue either although it can best be described as PITA. It's a five pound part which needs the engine and gearbox to be separated to change it. Most people will wait until the car needs a clutch change (usually 50-60k miles on a C2) and change it then. As a former Lotus owner (Elise), get the 996. My Elise was quite a good one (didn't see the garage much) but always felt a bit flimsy and cost more than the Porsche to service at an Indy. You won't be disappointed, I assure you. I'm on my second 996 now (Turbo this time) and I've never looked back. Both have been totally bomb-proof. If you're still worried, splash out and buy a Turbo. They have a totally different engine design (Le Mans GT1 based, not M96) and are largely immune from any problems.

this was just the info i needed as well, just put a deposit on a 1998 996, it has done quite high milage but its got complete history from new, factory GT3 kit and wheels, hard back sports seats etc.. not everyones taste in colour, pastel yellow with boxster red interior, due to collect friday, does anyone know this car

Oh no!! Get rid of the GT3 badge!! [:'(] Love the pastel yellow though.

i think that was added at the last service which was new clutch, oil seal, tyres, brakes all round, GT3 sill plates and badging total costing 7k

Looks good. Ditch the badge though.

will i need to fill holes in or are they stick ons

They are stick-on. A nice Carrera badge in black or silver will only cost you about £15.

that looks great

where do you get them from and are there different styles for different years, need the correct one

You can get them from any OPC. There are two types and two colours - for facelift or pre-facelift (they are positioned in different places on the engine compartment lid) in black or silver. They retail at £14.08 +VAT. I hate to resurrect this, but these are the options: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=293576

first 911 i have driven, very pleased with it and love the colour combo

Take off the GT3 badge and don't put another one back on - that will confuse a few people. I had a 993C4S with a turbo spoiler but no badge at all and everyone assumed it was a de-badged turbo......