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YOUR RESEARCH3 years maintenance and repairs cost
Leading reported evidence
Check by father porsche so biggest expense was major service
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We wanted it checked by Father Porsche so biggest expense was major service with coil packs and new key $3.2k.
Leading evidence: 'Check by father porsche so biggest expense was major service' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check by father porsche so biggest expense was major service' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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I got a deal on my C4s, but have replaced $12k in parts alone in 2 years.
Clean cabriolet high option leather and wood interior, orient red
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Suggestion
Clean cabriolet high option leather and wood interior, Orient Red with Sport Classic II wheels $17.8k before government tax.
Clean clay, ceramic gizmos and stuff, leaning as needed
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Suggestion
You could add ~$250 for special new-to-me cleaning, clay, ceramic gizmos and stuff, leaning as needed.
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Suggestion
Mike's car is a nice one, it was a low mileage, clean example.
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31 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Outcome without a verified action link
I spent nearly $7k on the top in 8.5 years and it�s still not perfect.
Pay to play! good on you for taking good care of your car!
So many on here want the cheapest 996 around. Cars that are well taken care of like this should demand a premium. But for 996's it seems you never recoup even close to any maintenance costs. I have my car setup and the maintenance is way over done and needs absolutely nothing. I probably won't sell it for a couple of years or else all the money spent I would be basically throwing away.
I second the kudos for looking after your 911. It doesn�t matter what ya buy it for, it�s still a $70-90k car to maintain. I got a deal on my C4s, but have replaced $12k in parts alone in 2 years. I went into eyes wide open though and figured even if the motor goes and a rebuild is necessary, I�ll have spent less than 50% of the original purchase price... and will have spent that over the life of ownership, not up front. Worth it in opinion!
Interestingly, my wife�s 2014 Q5 has only ever needed a $500 repair, but we are equal so far on TCO (between the Q5 and the 996) since her car has depreciated about $15k since we bought it (for $32k, almost double the 996) a few years ago.
I know you bought some track pads from me for something like $75!
Mike's car is a nice one, it was a low mileage, clean example. I don't think there is any way I would put that kind of money into my 07 S8. I fix it myself, but I'm one $1000 repair away from letting her go.
I started to do this recently after my first full year of ownership but I quickly realized it wasn't a healthy exorcise... so I stopped. I'd rather not know at this point in time.
Much of that stuff is "consumables" i.e. basic maintenance. The $4.5k for the vario-cam solenoid and the $800 for ECU repair are a little painful, but there are plenty of "upgrades" too. I'll pile on and give you kudos for maintaining it
$5k/yr for all you've done and all the enjoyment you've gotten out of it seems like a pretty good deal...or would you rather be driving your wife's Q5 ?
Yeah, and I think I left out an oil change related to two track events. It�s not fair to count 3 oil changes in 6 months when those changes were just fresh oil for tracking
.
Agree - those two solenoid failures in 6 months with a DME repair were pretty unlucky as far as that goes.
But I learned my lesson not taking the car to a real Porsche mechanic the first time. I could have saved $2000 because we had to go and do 7-9 hours of labor over again.
That�s what I get for not picking a real Porsche expert mechanic.
6 months in we're at $28k, and still lots to go to get where we want. It's a special car and fantastic daily driver, worth it especially considering we'd pay the same or more in depreciation of something less fun. And imagine if we got special car like Ferrari or Lamborghini for daily driver we would cry maintenance costs.
I have a buddy who dropped near $30k into his Cayman. Looks and feels like a totally different car, though. My car looks and feels exactly the same, lol.
Damn. This is crazy to me, sorry. Why are you in for $28k? You could buy two 996s for that, and they might run for many miles without any problems.
I bought mine for $16k 4 years ago and have put about $5k into it, mostly up front for IMS, clutch, RMS.
Clean cabriolet high option leather and wood interior, Orient Red with Sport Classic II wheels $17.8k before government tax. We wanted it checked by Father Porsche so biggest expense was major service with coil packs and new key $3.2k. Then new tires and brakes, Koni FSDs, motor mounts, turn signal, service top reservoir (we did all this), Durametric, crank position sensor (indy), and a few other items it adds up.
I haven't seen this discussed but average 996 engine that doesn't experience the major failure modes will probably run 200k miles. So if our engine and transmission is average then for say $35k total we will have a better than when produced 911 including new paint; contrast with two ratty but still cool $14k 996s.
Mike, you know better than to add up how much you've spent on a car. I know I have approximately 1.5x my purchase price in my 996.2 rebuilding the engine and turning it into a street-legal track car. Shhhh…...don't tell my wife.
That Excel sheet shows the last 15 vehicle purchases and compares my wife�s strategy (buy a 2-yr-old car and suffer depreciation, but not repairs) versus my strategy (buy a 10-15-yr-old car and suffer repairs but not depreciation) to see who �wins� over the long haul.
So far I�m winning
But the real victory is against brand new cars. We are both winning there.
Spent just less than $20K on engine rebuild/3.8L upgrade and sold my race car, trailer, and tow vehicle to pay for it. Driving on freeway today, easily passed “slow” cars with slight push on throttle in 5th, can’t believe the 65-85 time. Was it worth the cost? OMG, YES!
Thanks for the breakdown.
I bought my '99 for $16.5k and immediately dropped $4k into it (bearing, clutch, etc).
I haven't had do do anything like new tires and brakes yet, but have spent $1200 on a new top. So I guess I am in for $22k. Damn it adds up fast!
Mine was front-loaded because of clutch, IMSB, AOS, RMS, etc. being done right after initial purchase. Also, plenty of "optional" expenses included in there- suspension, wheels, tires, etc. Required maint costs have actually been minimal to date.
At least the trend is going downwards...
Yikes
I am not sure this is a good thread.
It can only lead to disaster if it is uncovered by a spouse.
Full disclosure, I too am guilty of spending a lot of money on a 996.
But, as I read these posts on this thread, most folks here seem to be measuring Smile per Mile.
In the end that's what it is all about. JMO
Bought ours for $16.5k 22 months ago and the only money I have put into it is two oil changes I did myself and the double din update, so around $800 all together. Oh wait I put the garage door opener in that was 12 bucks lol.
Update on TCO for the 996:
I've spent $26k in almost 9 years, so that's about $250/mo. But my auto insurance cost on the 996 was $308/yr versus $1,164/yr for a newer car, so subtract $71/mo. Down to $179/mo to drive a 911. Not to mention it's worth 40% more today than it was in 2016. TCO on these cars is worth every painful repair bill.
Oh I can beat that. Spent nearly the exact same amount in the five years I have owned mine. The most expensive part of that was convertible top repairs only the dealer could do. I'm approaching the money I would have spent to buy a Turbo but that I would still have refresh to do etc.
If I could do it all over again, I might ditch the cab and just go with a coupe. I spent nearly $7k on the top in 8.5 years and it�s still not perfect. Two different well known great mechanics didnt get the top in perfect condition.
I think we all have similar stories to tell. Mine was front loaded as well, and I have spent just as much as I paid for the car. But it was all work that had to be done to the car and it is still a joy to drive each time. My wife has reminded me that when I do sell it, she wants to see how much it actually cost me/us to own the car. I will never show a profit, I have come to accept that. But I am also not in any hurry to get rid of it, I still get a lot of smiles per mile when I drive it.
^^^^ The Same!
I bought a 100k 04' C4S, Tip. I really wanted a 4S and knee injuries/surgeries make a Tip easier. I LOVE it!, every time I drive it, there a smiles. No other car gets as many unsolicited compliments or comments.
In first year ownership, not many miles, a lot of time fixing/replacing front suspension pieces + new front axles/CVs, and just general "fixes" in that area. Cleaning rads, new tires & new-to-me refurb wheels (still have original turbo twists w/good tires), and some other parts/projects purchased but still on shelf waiting their turn. Two major projects coming up (parts already here)- UAOS w/Track Drain and Water Pump/+Reservoir.
So far, about $4200 in parts, tires, wheels, 1 alignment, NO Indy shop costs - DIY. Ancillary stuff I don't count is a QuickJack, larger air impact tool, some sockets and stuff. QJ is better on old knees, age, etc. QJ can do the truck, 4Runner, or ATV if needed. You could add ~$250 for special new-to-me cleaning, clay, ceramic gizmos and stuff, leaning as needed. I imagine adding an Indy (which there is 1 here, very questionable reccos from Audi folks & others) would easily add 1.5-2.0X cost.
Even with low miles and most time in the air waiting for parts, it is still worth it. Does it pencil out as OK cost? Dunno. A little more than I want to spend, but do what needs to be done, live with it. Did value go up or down? Again, dunno, don't care. I have never seen another one in my 15 years here, only a couple of AC Pcars, 2 Boxsters, and about a dozen Cayenne-Macan looking SUVs. One of the AC cars was an exact exterior match to my copper brown metallic 930 and lived right next door up the hill - old guy. I drove it around here (hills, curves, FUN roads) one time with him in it, scared the crap out of him. Nothing special, just pushed it a little bit. Me, former PCA autocross, HPDE driver/instructor, Pcar shop owner. He sold the car a few months later, never saw it again.
Any car can have round headlights, the 996 .1 or .2 is still special and has distinctive style, draws attention. Went to get plumbing parts, construction dudes comment on expensive Porsche outside!, who owns it?, tires look wide enough to flatten asphalt maybe?, probably worth enough to buy some $$$$ plumbing parts - laugh- and so on. Priceless.
YMMV
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