What is the average yearly cost of running an 18-20 year old 911?

[jschauer]

I have read/heard varying accounts of what it is going to cost me to own and drive an older Porsche (I am looking to buy an 87-89 Carrera 3.2). Some people I know who own 3.2's have said 1,500 - 2,000 per year is average. I recently read 2K is appropriate to budget. I just today test drove a beautifully kept black 87 911 (141K miles) and that owner spent approx. 3K/yr. on the car over five years. Granted a head rebuild and suspension was needed.

I am in the market for my fist Porsche now but am worried the cost of ownership might lead to bankruptcy, then divorce, in tht order. I believe I am now in the position to buy a sub-20K car. But I refuse to spend through the nose to keep the car in great running order. I will drive it as a second vehicle likely 5-6K a year. Please tell me what you owners of air-cooled sc's and/or 3.2's have spent in running costs over the years and what Imight expect. Someone tell me it ISN'T that bad plase...

Thanks much. Jason

[bell]

it isn't that bad..........LOL
it CAN be that bad if you buy the wrong 911 though which is why a thorough ppi is so important.
i've had my 85' for 5 years, the first 2 years i did about $2500 in maintanance/upgrades, last year i did my first costly job which was a tranny rebuild at $1500?iirc.....
this winter it's getting bodywork/paint/new exhaust......

it's all worth it though.....
part of being able to afford a 911 is learning to do everything yourself, working on a 911 it alot easier than working on a honda civic imo, i haven't been inside my engine yet though LOL

learn as much about 911's as you can before you buy one,
waynes 101 projects book is a good start and will be invaluable.....just like this bbs.

good luck
welcome to the board

[Larry_Ratcliff]

I would say that if you are planning a 5 - 6K per year second car then you are looking at an avg cost of ~500 per year if you have the every other year valve adjustments done by a shop. If you do them yourself then ~100 per year for oil changes.

It is the modification bug that will cost you mega bucks... If you can leave it stock then you can assume that it will not cost you much with that much driving....

[jschauer]

Thanks for the relies Bell and Larry. I liked Larry's response better! I figured that upgrades were were money is spent. I am looking at a car now that has all the upgrades and rebuilt engine so if the ppi checks out, I might be able to do this for reasonable yearly maintenance money. The seller has installed ssi's, Dansk exhaust, autothority chip, full rebuild, sport Bilteins and 22/29 stiffer torsion bars. All new tires, battery and ac system recently too. I doubt other than new floor mats, I will want to add anything.

Do good mechanics doing ppi's also look at paint and rubber seals, aesthetic issues too? I am looking at buying a car 3,000 miles away and pictures always look good but up close things might be different.

Thanks.

[BottleNose]

My G50 Carrera 3.2 has cost less than $1000 per year in maintenance and repairs over the three years I've owned it, but you never know when a $4000 top end rebuild could be needed. So you have to bank for the occasional expense. My quote is with doing minor maintenance myself.

The fact that a 15-20 year old Porsche has finished depreciating is great wife convincer! Even a used car depreciates at least $1-3000 per year, so that makes up for any surprise repairs. If you don't have any surprises (as in my case), that's money in the bank. And as long as you maintain the car in nice condition, it will be worth at least what you paid.

Good luck on the car...hope it works out.

[Daveinclarkston]

Mine is an 87 with 86K miles and I budget $3K per year with no maint done by myself and driven 1,500 per year. I've gone over budget the past two years and no repair was for any type of engine or trans rebuild. Car was PPI'ed and I was told it was one of the best examples the tech has seen for the year. However it is a 20 year old car and rubber brake lines, suspension, ....... all need updating. Most items are affordable but some items are costly like the new OE black lug nuts at $225 for all four wheel ends! Ouch! If you can wrench yourself (and purchse parts from Pelican!) and on a strict budget you will save big time! Buy Wayne's book on 911 projects and enjoy!

[Chocaholic]

Ouch! You really paid $225 for a set of lug nuts? Jason, you are the best barometer of your yearly costs. You may go into it convinced that you're only going to maintain your car...but the bug bites hard. Do one autorcross or DE, and the money sort of spends itself. Find yourself a good car and you're looking at 2 oil changes (DIY) and a valve adjustment every other year (also DIY with a little help the first time), tires, brake pads, etc., as needed. Not too bad.

I went into mine with the same expectation. It's now got a new suspension, 3.6 v-ram, 3 exhaust systems, 930 brakes, Seats and Harnesses, Quaife, and the list goes on. Mind you, I could have bought it and enjoyed it as it sat, but chose to step off the cliff. Beware!

P.S. I've often told my wife that if I had all the money in the world to buy any sports car I wanted, I'd buy the one I have today. That makes it worth every penny. Just a thought...

[KCPSG]

I have found that my car has cost nearly nothing in yearly maintainence, (Oil changes, brake fluid changes etc, etc) but its the upgrades that have cost quite a bit. H4 headlights, Wevo short shift, SSi's, Turbo, Koni adjustable shocks etc, etc

I would always budget for the un expected, and definitely get the PPI.

I bought my car 1000 miles away, do some searching on here and on Rennlist to find a good independent mechanic in the city where the car is and have the owner drop it off for you for the PPI. Then I would either ask someone in that area if they could go take a look for you or I would fly there and look for myself before final purchase.

[emac]

David

225.00 for lug nuts!! Had you posted and could have used chrome I would have given you a set that I had.

[livi]

I got lucky. During the two years I have had my 85, I have only spent money on oil. Done the services myself.

Well, not entirely true. Not out of necessity but rather passion for working on the car, I have spent some money on upgrades.

The common story hence. With finding a good car to begin with, the maintenance cost is usually acceptable, if not down right low. Certainly if one does the work oneself. It is the growing wish to update and upgrade that cost money.

[Daveinclarkston]

EMAC - thanks for the offer and I did actually pay that for the lug nuts. They were OE parts and I did not like the loss of paint on the originals. I have the originals if anyone wants them. They are actually in pretty good shape except for the flaking paint! The car is all original expect for the paint on one fender. I guess I am too much of a purist! This a a very good example of doing it yourself (shopping for the parts) can save $$$! I had new rear tires going on and just told them change the lug nuts and didn't even ask the price. I was a bit shocked when I picked up the car to say the least!

[jschauer]

Thanks for all these good responses. The car I am looking at buying is going to be viewed/driven by another Pelican poster (Jack). It is in Austin and has already been rebuilt and upgrades include SSI's, Dansk, chip, 22/29 torsion bars with sport Bilstein shocks etc etc. If all that checks out and looks good, I doubt I will want to upgrade much -- I know, I know, yeah right you say! At least lots of the things I might be tempted to do would already have been done so I might be able to save money by simply using and enjoying this fine machine on weekends without pumping lots of cash into it -- and also saving my marriage in the process... The car dos need a clutch soon and my local mechanic tells me that's 1300 to 1500 bucks. Jason

[KCPSG]

if you are a DIY'er it can be done to closer to $500 (for the clutch)

I hope the PPI and everything else works out. It does sound like most everything you would want has already been done.

[wolf]

I drive around 10000 miles a year and schedule around 1500 usd a year for maintenance by a good independent specialist. You gotta fix 20 year old stuff and keep on top of it.

[cnavarro]

Even with a PPI and a pristine car, figure $2-3k for routine maintaince (not DIY) and upgrades. Even a 'modern' 964 is getting 15+ years old, even if it's low mileage. After the first year, expenses should be lower I would figure.

[ibdavid]

I say 1500-2000 if not DIY'ing. I figured 2k a year for my SC when I owned it, but I didn't hesitate to spend the extra money to make it right. However that was 10 years ago, so this figure may be closer to 3k.

[berettafan]

about the same as a just out of warranty chrysler product.

[Rot 911]

It really depends on what has already been done on the car. Now that I have spent $$$$$ on engine/suspension/wheels & tires to get things the way I want them I probably don't have $250.00 in yearly maintenance costs.

[vash]

having a fellow pelican drive and look at the car doesnt replace a good PPI.

are you a DIY guy? and more importantly, are you anal? you can nickle and dime yourself to death with these cars. on average, i say $300 per year, with a few "really bad years" thrown in.

[jschauer]

Once the fellow Pelican drives and views it, the PPI will be the next step for sure. I would not consider buying a Porsche or other high end vehicle without one.