I am looking at buying a gently used (20k miles?) 911 as my main commuter vehicle (25 miles each way), but I feel I should keep my old "normal" sedan for practical reasons: having an old banger that I can use to haul gear, bicycles, home improvement materials, etc. Front wheel drive when it ices; four doors when I'm being social; you get the picture.
I currently own a 2006 Acura TL, of which I am the sole owner. It is paid off, and just costs me insurance. It has 105k miles, and I've already done the timing belt on it. It's a six-speed and will need a new clutch in the next 10k miles, but other than that, it feels pretty solid. I figure at some point, the suspension will need work, but it seems okay for now.
Am I setting myself up for a maintenance nightmare? If I start driving the 911 regularly, that should ease up on the aging of the TL considerably. Does this make good financial sense, or am I headed off a financial cliff?
Sounds reasonable to me. My other car is only a lowly Rav4 though.
Sounds reasonable to me as well. My other car is a BMW 128i, still under warranty. I think it is always good to have two cars if you can swing it.
Do you need the back seats in the 911, especially if you keep your other car? If not, then save some $$ and get a Cayman instead!
I travel about 130 miles a day to and from work. My DD is a Nissan Altima I bought new, and now has over 278K on it and running strong. I've put about $700 a year for the past 3 years in routine maintenance in it. It fits me like a pair of old comfortable shoes, is very reliable, and does everything I need for transportation. And, I don't have to worry about piling on the miles on the Cayman.:banana: In fact, my insurance premiums on the P-car are only $244 a half since it is not considered the primary driver for anyone in the family. I may pay for the maintenance on the Altima by what I save in premiums on the Cayman. Of course with that kind of mileage, the Altima isn't worth anything to anyone but me anyhow.... My wife loves the Cayman, but won't touch the Nissan.
I think the enjoyment and novelty lasts longer when the Porsche is not the daily driver. I would keep your Acura for DD.
I posted the counterpoint to this same thing on the Acurazine message board. Everyone on there is saying, "The maintenance costs on the 911 will eat your lunch! Every time someone does the least bit of work they have to pull the engine and it costs $3000!"
Can you folks give me a realistic vision of what "normal" maintenance cycle and costs would be for a 911? My Acura really only needed breaks every 40k miles or so, tires, etc. The 100k mile mark was the first time I needed any real work done.
If its an older air cooled 911, the 30,000 mile service is expensive. Check at the dealer for the high price and an independent shop for a better price. OTOH if 30k service equates to 5-6 years of driving, then just plan for it. I put 60k on a 911 (964 C4) but took 12 years to do it. Talk to an indy shop about normal maintenance and costs - let people know where you are and solicit recommendations. Do any of those doom-saying Acura folks have personal experience with maintaining an older Porsche?
