911SC vs 944 Maintenance Costs

[LenA]

I posted this on the 944 board as well

I am thinking about getting either a SC or a 944 as a weekend fun driver. Is one easier/cheaper to maintain, I have had Alfa's in the past which are pretty easier to work on and not all that expensive to maintain, and would like to do a lot of the maintenance on a Porsche myself, brakes, oil, suspension overhauls etc. I expect the parts/maintenance costs to be higher on the Porsche's, but is there any significant difference between these two?

I have access to two close Porsche specialists, Tony Callas and Dutch Treat are a couple of miles away, so I would use them for PPI or any involved maintenance

Thanks

Len

[super9064]

I've had both, get a 911. Even if it were exactly the same cost, the 944 could easily cost you 25-50% of the value of the car for a moderate/ routine repair bill. A expensive repair could cost more than the car is even worth.

[plumb4u2]

i have only had my 84 carrera and maintenance and repairs have been low and very diy friendly...my cousin has had several 944s and according to him they were expensive to fix and not very diy friendly..however he is not as mechanically inclined as i am

[Scott R]

My 911 is a lot easier to work on than my 951 and or my 944 was. No water pump, no timing belt, no balance shafts, no radiator, no power steering. I also believe that parts are easier to get, and are generally a bit cheaper just due to the fact that we have such an active used parts market on these.

My .02 having owned both.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by super9064

A expensive repair could cost more than the car is even worth.

Even routine repair can cost more than the value of a 944.

For example, if you hand the car into a shop to replace the clutch. That alone will cost more than many 944s are worth.

944s were fine cars back in their time, I had one and liked it. Their time, however, has pretty much passed. They were not built to last for decades like a 911.

There are still a few people that are hard core 944 fans, and for them, 944s are still great and not a huge problem to own. But IMO you have to really have a "thing" for a 944 for make it worth your while, particularly if you are comparing it to a 911SC.

As far as maintenance, IMO parts are pretty much equal in cost (brakes, tires, clutches, plugs, fluids, filters, etc.), but the 911 is more durable, a simpler car and is easier to work on.

[DaveHak]

Glad you're no considering a 928...If you can afford it, get a 911..

[Dantilla]

I'm currently using a 944S as my daily driver, and have another 944 race car.

I obviously don't think 944s are a problem, but after having both 944 and 911, I'd probably rather maintain a 911.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by super9064

I've had both, get a 911. Even if it were exactly the same cost, the 944 could easily cost you 25-50% of the value of the car for a moderate/ routine repair bill. A expensive repair could cost more than the car is even worth.

But they are not the same cost... a 'good' 944 costs about a third (or less) the cost of a 'good' 911 of similar vintage.

Even a good 951 is a lot less expensive than a 911.

The 944 will be less expensive if the big problem items have been taken care of.

Of couse the 911 is a lot more fun to drive...