Newbie question: annual maintanence costs for people with no greasemonkey skill?

[rtperch]

I have oogled these cars ever since I first saw one.

I'm on the cusp of acquiring my first 914. It's a '71 1.7L, very little rust, new fuel injectors (the guy before the previous owner had installed a carb), new timing, replaced shift bushings, replaced brake pads, new stainless steel brake hoses, new tires, and a new dash. It appears to run great, but I'm going to have a mechanic look it over before buying it.

Plus I've got the Pelican Parts guide to buying a 914, which has become my new bible. (GREAT document!!! THANK YOU for writing it!!!)

Here's the thing: I know nothing about getting in and doing work on engines and whatnot.

(Though I'm getting more and more intrigued by the potential of fiddling around with minor stuff. That's a warning sign, right?)

About how much per year can I expect this car to cost me if I take it to a mechanic for all the things that need doing? I understand they need regular maintanence to stay in good condition, and I plan to keep this car in good condition.

Fortunately, I do know a pretty good mechanic. And there's at least three mechanics in town who work on 914s. So I'm not terribly worried about getting taken for a ride while the car is getting work done.

I'll probably put less than 3,000 miles on the car per year. And it will be garage kept and covered--and never put away wet. Might even get a dehumidifier for the garage.

[Alfred1]

These are not new Toyotas. They break down often and the price of new OEM parts are very high. If you can afford it, go for it. You will really enjoy the car when it runs. Just my two cents.

[tat2dphreak]

even a non-mechanic CAN learn... and you will find the learning is a very fun part.. the 914 community is great! but these cars are not cheap... an engine rebuild will cost 2k in parts when it's needed, and if a mechanic does the job, that is an assload of money! things break on these cars and if you take it to a mechanic(assuming you even find one that REALLY knows these cars) every time will get VERY expensive VERY FAST! but if you are independantly wealthy, go for it... they are the most fun cars I've ever had the pleasure to drive!

[rtperch]

Oh, I know that they're not as reliable as a new Toyota. Who wants a new Toyota, though? And I've already got a reliable commuter car.

I'm not adverse to learning how to do work on the vehicle, I just lack any experience. Given a good manual and the right tools, I could probably fix the more mundane things that go bad. I just don't have the knowledge/skill to hear a new noise in the engine and go "Ah, the widgetmaster 5000 is intersecting with the Flux Capacitor and needs to be replaced." So I'll probably need to take it to a mechanic initially, point out the noise or other activity that's going on, and then either watch them fix it or find out what it is and go fix it myself if it's no big deal and doesn't require a ton of time and special tools to accomplish.

I'm just curious as to about how much per year, on average, I can expect to shell out to keep a 914 that's in good running shape in good running shape, while only putting on about 3K miles/year. Obviously that'll vary significantly from car to car, but it'd be nice to come in to this with some vague expectation for budgeting purposes.

[Rouser]

Here's the thing: I know nothing about getting in and doing work on engines and whatnot.

You're talking about a 34-year-old Porsche; best you get your wits about you (i.e. READ ... A LOT).

About how much per year can I expect this car to cost me if I take it to a mechanic for all the things that need doing? I understand they need regular maintanence to stay in good condition, and I plan to keep this car in good condition.

Again, it's a 34-year-old P-O-R-S-C-H-E. A conservative best-guess? Bet on about $1.00 per mile, and celebrate at years-end when there's change left over.

Fortunately, I do know a pretty good mechanic. And there's at least three mechanics in town who work on 914s. So I'm not terribly worried about getting taken for a ride while the car is getting work done.

It's not the ride that hurts, it's the bill at the end. Unless these mechanics have no children they're putting through college, they're still going to charge you labor + parts, and if one don't get get you, the other one will.

I'll probably put less than 3,000 miles on the car per year. And it will be garage kept and covered--and never put away wet. Might even get a dehumidifier for the garage.

Pity ... it's usually the little-used garage queens that require the same or MORE attention than the frequently (or daily) driven ones.

I would hold out for a '73-'74 2.0L with original FI over an underpowered 1.7L with a carburated hack-job. Considering how little you're already planning on driving the 914, I'd settle for something with a bit more cohones.

[schosh]

A couple of pointers

If you have to justify the maintainance cost to anyone else (i.e. wife) forget it . Owning oneof these things is an act of passion not logic.

The cost is not excessive if the following conditions exsist.

The motor, transmision,brakes and electricals are healthy.

You make the commitment to learn the basiscs of preventative maintainance.(PM) It adds to the comfort level of driving a 34 year old car when you understand the specifics of how the systems work and interact.(Pelican has good techinical resources.)

Create a written PM plan and stick to it. Check that sucker out religously.. You'll discover small problems before they become big .

Install a head tempature gauge and understand it's value.

I track my costs closely and found that the must-spend dollars average 17 -26 cents per mile for the past year, roughly 10k miles. Of course it cost me 5k over the previous year to get the car healthy.

Is it worth it! Thats like asking whats a "rock" worth to a crackhead!

It's all about grins-per-dollar. And in my estimation a good running 914 is a bargin of the highest order.
Bill

[Bleyseng]

Depends on where you are I think. If its in good shape then you will be having the valves adjusted once a year, plus the oil changed every 6 months. Its the other work that costs money. What the DPO (dumbpreviousowner) has done will cost you the big money. Correcting those old mistakes and repairs are pretty unknown and they will slowly come up. Figure $1000 per year in costs on average. Some years next to nothing and other years make up for it is my experience.

Geoff

[Howard Agency]

Geoff, you must be really smart, 'cause that's the same attitude and budget I use. And you know how smart I am.

Originally posted by Bleyseng
Depends on where you are I think. If its in good shape then you will be having the valves adjusted once a year, plus the oil changed every 6 months. Its the other work that costs money. What the DPO (dumbpreviousowner) has done will cost you the big money. Correcting those old mistakes and repairs are pretty unknown and they will slowly come up. Figure $1000 per year in costs on average. Some years next to nothing and other years make up for it is my experience.

Geoff

[Tidybuoy]

A good source of information is "914 Tech Tips". This little book addresses almost every thing that can go wrong with a 914. This book can be found at Auto-Atlanta.

I would recommend that you try & become famaliar with various topics - even if you are going to have a mechanic. The 914 is a unique car and even the best German car mechanics can get things wrong if they don't specifically have 914 experience. An example: I once had my valves adjusted at "German Auto". When I got the car back it ran like crap and I ended up having it towed back to the shop. The mechanic started checking everything and eventually charged me more $ because he "said" a few sensors were bad. The car still did not run right. I took is somewhere else and found out that when adjusting the valves, the orig mechanic had turned the engine "counter-clockwise" instead of the proper clockwise - that's because 914's engines are in backwards compared to a regular rear-engined Porsche.

So, my suggestion is to keep learning and in time, you will probably be just like all 914 owners - part owner/part mechanic.

I have spent about $6k on my car since I bought it (5 years ago), but that includes suspension work and upgrading various things. Routine maintenance could be $500 or so per year, maybe less.

Vern

[smooth_eddy]

I would hold out for a '73-'74 2.0L with original FI over an underpowered 1.7L with a carburated hack-job. Considering how little you're already planning on driving the 914, I'd settle for something with a bit more cohones

I agree....

Hold out for a nice rust free car that has been maintained. These cars will drive you nuts with how often they brake down. Plus the cost of maintenance is high and super high if you have to pay someone to do it for you. Paying more up front will save you a lot of $'s in the long run and less frustration. When you do buy, be sure to pick up your AAA Plus membership. You will need it. Eddy