How much it costs to maintain is directly related to how mechanically inclined you are. Remember that you are buying a 12 year old, or older german sports car that was designed to be very light, and very fast (read as: lacking pickup truck like simplicity and durability) If you can turn a wrench, then get one. If you cannont.. I wouldn't.
There are some inate service issues exclusive to these cars, the whole "timing belt/balance shaft/waterpump thing" Posts on here show a price range from $650 to $1200 and thats performed every 30,000 miles. I have seen recipts for new clutchs with $1100 in labor alone. Im lucky to own a home with a 3 car garage, I have space with which to work, you will need it.
take the 951 for example.... OH MY GOD!! what a great car to drive, but something is always about to go bad, or could be replaced.
Becuase Im pretty good at wrenching I don't mind, and to be honest... I actually enjoy working on it. It has become somewhat of an obsession lately.
If you are looking for dependable low cost transportation, this isn't really what Porsche is all about, never has been, and never will be. There are other car companies that make cars for that. Not to discourage you, believe me, we all love our cars here, and when I wanted one, no one was going to talk me out of it... I still love it....Sometimes it just doesnt love me back as much.
If you can set aside a couple of hundred bucks a month for maintenence, you should be ok, and dont pay $1200 for your belts and pumps, call around, take a road trip and get it done cheaper.
Just my Advice.
Sergio
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