Cost of Ownership

[gr8330]

I've been hanging around here for a while and have to say that I've never come across a site with as many resources as this one. The forums are great, the tech sections outstanding, and I could go on but I realize the reason your all here is because you already know this.
I currently own a BMW 330ci, SP 5 speed, don't do me yet, let me finish. It's a fun car BUT every time I see a Porsche I have to take a second look. Lately I'm getting the bug to sell the BMW and try a Porsche. I'm not wealthy so I will finally get to my question: I'm thinking about a 92-94 or 95-96 911. Is there any way I could estimate the yearly maintenance, repairs of the 92-94 and the same for the 95-96. I like to do all maintenance myself when possible. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

[Bigbartguy]

I found a site a couple of months ago that had data for car's annual repair costs and was able to get info for my 1985. I looked but couldnt find the site again, sorry. I think mine was around $1200.

I found it off Yahoo, but cant seem to find it again. Maybe you'll have better luck ? The info was informative.

Might have been Cars.com, although looks like they require you to register with some info now. Sorry to be such little help.

Tim
1985 Targa

[rickeolis]

An owners manual from that car should help. It will give you the maintenance schedule for the systems on it. Then you'd have to figure out what the cost for these would be.
Maybe someone here with that year could display theirs on this post.

[gr8330]

Thanks Tim and Rickeolis, I'm going to research a little more.

[nostatic]

There is a saying that every Porsche is a $20K Porsche...ie, if you buy one for $10K, you will soon dump another $10K into it. I don't know that I believe that literally, but the take-home lesson is to buy the best example you can find. It is difficult to guess annual costs, because it varies with the condition of the car. If you pay someone to do all your work and nothing major breaks, you can figure on $500-$1000 per year (oil changes and valve adjust). If you do your own work, it drops quite a bit.

I think a safe figure is $1K-$2K per year. That should cover regular maintenance as well as the odd things that will break. Of course if you need something like a clutch ($1500) or top end rebuild ($5K or so) all bets are off.

[Drew_K]

Cost of ownership really depends on how much you drive it. For a 964 ('89.5-'94), a routine service every 15K miles is about $800. This includes valve adjustment, oil change, etc. Between services, you'll need to change the oil at least once. 5K miles is a nice round number for that, so figure $60 for each oil change if you do it yourself. New rear tires every 15K miles at $400; new fronts every 30K miles at $350. I'm using rough estimates for costs.

So for 30K miles, this adds up to about $2500. If my numbers are accurate, then, for example, you're looking at about $800 per year if you drive the car 10K miles each year. Drive only 5K miles per year and the cost maintenance drops to about $400 annually.

Keep in mind that's a best case scenario, as the car will need other items in the interim. Perhaps a new battery, brake pads, brake bleeding, freon recharge (R12 is $$$), etc.

I own a 92 C2 coupe, and my average monthly maintenance expense is about $125 driving 12K miles annually. Typical routine is no expenses for several months, and then a large bill for a 15K mile service or for tires.

Maintenance costs for a 993 (1995-1998) are about the same as for a 964, despite the fact that it doesn't require valve adjustments.

[Doug E]

Use this board as a resource and learn to do the maintenance yourself. One year into 911 ownership I have done things to my car that going in I just assumed I would have to have done by a shop.

Saving on the labor allows you to splurge on other things.

Go ahead and get the 911 ... you will never look back and will always wonder how you lived with-out one.

[gr8330]

Thanks for your help. Each of the responses were very helpful. Now I will move on to making the decision of what body style I want.

[89911]

The cost of ownership are greatly outweighed by the cost of not owning one in my book. It is time. You are ready!