996 running costs

I'm researching a 996 purchase and am in the process of doing my homework. Lots of great threads here. I'd like to get an idea of the general running costs for the 996 so I can make sure my budget is adequate. I'd like to set aside IMSB and RMS costs for the time being as that will factor into my purchase budget. Really I'd like to know about typical wear items. Oil changes, brakes, clutches, etc. I'm currently spending a couple thousand dollars a year on modifying (and doing maintenance) on Volkswagens and Audis so I'd like to see how comparable that would be with keeping a stock 996 on the road. Thanks in advance for any input!

Quotes source post: 12609897

That's more than likely a good number to go by.

Your mileage may vary, but on average, $2,000 per year every year. Some years only $500 some years $3,500.

Normal running gear is not extraordinarily more expensive than other non-Japanese imports - brake linings, oil & filters, etc. Stuff like the AOS and other items specific to your car will be more expensive. You can typically buy Porsche-branded, OEM (same manufacture but not Porsche-branded, such as Bosch) - but for many items there is not an aftermarket, so parts aren't as cheap for the M96 as the might be for, say, an LSx platform. If there is a third-party aftermarket (one example: exhaust), the costs are typically less than OEM but still more than you'd expect to pay for a corresponding domestic or Japanese/Korean import. Those of us who have not endured any significant failure will agree that your number is accurate. Those who have had a major failure (and a couple of other people who really enjoy savaging the M96) will tell you that you're insane to even consider a 996. Ultimately, you have to gauge your willingness to tolerate some degree of risk against your urge to drive a fairly bitchin' car.

its amazing. All the great threads here, and your search didn't turn up 1 (or 3,000) on running costs? come on, junior.

Quotes source post: 12609942

Well and you have to figure in that every few years you're going to take the excess and buy a vintage watch or Rolex, so it all evens out in the end.

Quotes source post: 12609949

I'm trying to hit 12000 miles before the snow flies, and that took about 7 or 8 months. These cars are great daily drivers if you don't mind putting the miles on them.

Quotes source post: 12609989

Fair enough...it wouldn't be a proper forum if someone didn't slap down a newbie with a "dammit search!!!" type comment. Of course the 3000 threads might include many that are years and years out of date where cars were 5 years old instead of 15 years old...but you're right. To the others, thanks for the info. 5CHN3LL, that's really helpful. Coming from the VW/Audi world I know exactly where to look for parts and where to get the best quality/price but I'm still on a big learning curve in the water-cooled Porsche world.

Ignore the running cost threads that are more than 5 years old. The previous "deal breaker" maintenance item, the leaky rear main seal, used to be what 996 owners freaked out about. Now we have a much more expensive item to obsess on.

Running costs directly correlates to how paranoid you are, risk tolerance, and how much time you spend on here.

Quotes source post: 12610214

+1 Also depends somewhat on the amount & quality of the service records you have on the car. I've spent some money on preventative maintenance items (water pump, for example) simply because I had no idea if they had been addressed previously and suspected that they hadn't. Then again, I am somewhat of an Automotive Hypochondriac. Other people would probably wait until some of this stuff broke, then fix it.

Quotes source post: 12610214

I agree with this. I will add that it will cost you more if you try to keep your car as close to perfect as possible, and even more once the mods start. Obviously annual mileage plays into it also. You don't want to know how much my 996 C4S cost me every year!

This is fantastic feedback...thanks everyone. I understand the risks involved...that the M96 can grenade. I also understand that there are many variables at play that determine the likelihood of this happening (or not). This is not unfamiliar territory for me (although replacement engine cost is definitely in a new bracket from my previous experience!) Cars are a big part of my life, but I tend to be pragmatic about how I deal with them. General and preventative maintenance gets done first...mods happen when budget and time allow. High maintenance cars are familiar territory. I'm not looking for a show queen or an investment car, but I do take very good care of my cars and enjoy working on them. I'm lucky enough that my wife, son and I all commute together. Our second car is driven for fun, on weekends and on the rare occasions we need to be in different places during the day. 996 ticks the boxes for fun weekend car that my young son can ride in the back seat of. Everything I've learned thus far suggests this is good choice for me at the moment...if day to day costs fit my expectations I can make contingency plans for big ticket / catastrophic expenses.

Here is one basic number for you - $500 per axle for full brake job including rotors (OEM parts and not DIY). Good luck. These are cars are among the best in terms of driving experience!

Quotes source post: 12611276

Ouch, but that does sound about right. I just did the brakes myself for approximately $750 using sebro rotors, carbotech pads, and ATE fluid. I expect oil changes (again, DIY) to be between $60-100 depending on the oil and filter you want to use / deal you can find. When I got my car, the cruise control wasn't working and the clutch pedal was very heavy. Turns out the helper spring on the clutch pedal was completely broken, and I replaced it with a spring from home depot (4x springs for $4). I've been averaging low to mid 20mpgs per tank in the 911, so depending on what you drive now you might want to factor in some extra budget for fuel. Overall I would say that basic maintenance items are only a bit more than you might spend on a VW or Audi for something comparable. If you are willing to DIY then you can save a ton!

Quotes source post: 12611846

Yes...I like to do as much work as possible. I also have a great relationship with my mechanic who has never given me a hard time on the couple of occasions where I've reached the end of my skills and had to ask for help. It gives me the confidence to attempt work I've never done before

Oh this topic, it looks like the 98 Jeep XJ is going to cost us about $500 to replace the flexplate, plus a little more for new transmission fluid and due to those two things shocks are going to be next year. Year before it was $700 in brakes, and then we start getting into the AC failing and other stuff. So yeah, $1000 a year for a car like a 996, on a good year, isn't really all that bad when you think about it.

I like the $2000 number. I have no skills but change my own oil and this year replaced the pads and discs. Seems like when I bought my car six years ago w/ 60k miles and I had the records that it had been properly maintained I was ringing up more than $2500 for a year or two. Since then maybe $1200 a year at 110k miles plus about $1200 for a new top two years ago?. Of course, I'll need a clutch and will do the associated RMS/ISB for $2500/$3000 in about 18 months. I have an'04 Yukon with 260,000 miles that requires virtually nothing so compared to that the 911 is expensive. I have friends with 750 BMW's and they talk about $5000 repair bills at least annually. Maybe I've been lucky and about to hit the big one but so far I've been very happy.