Cost of Ownership - Year 1

[livewirevoodoo]

Been meaning to post this for a few weeks now, but I've been too lazy (scared?) to total up all my reciepts. Anything that doesnt have a dollar amount associated with it only cost me some sanity and bloody knuckles, or the stereo, which is completely unnecessary.

07/22/04 - Bought Car - $4,200 - 76,576 miles
08/06/04 - New Radiator, Hose Replacement $350
08/21/04 - Oil Change $40
08/15/04 - Air Filter Install $15
08/14/04 - Fuses & Horn Replacement $30
08/20/04 - Fog Light & License Plate Bulb Replacement $10
08/21/04 - Trans fluid & filter change $100
08/27/04 - Fuel Filter $20
09/06/04 - Oil Pressure Sender Rewire
09/10/04 - Valvecover gasket, Engine Steam Clean, Timing & Balace Belts, Rollers, Waterpump $700
09/24/04 - Camshaft Cover replacement (cracked) $300
10/22/04 - Differential fluid replacement $15
10/26/04 - Ground wires cleaned
10/30/04 - Rear Hatch Lock fixed
11/03/04 - Fuel Rail Recall repair
11/24/04 - Turn Signal Relay $15
11/27/04 - Oil Change $30
12/21/04 - Auto Trans gear indicator spring $10
12/30/04 - Center Console hinge $20
01/04/05 - Emblem replacement $30
01/08/05 - new wipers $20
02/16/05 - oil change $30
02/19/05 - air filter $20
02/26/05 - Distributor & Rotor replacement $90
03/05/05 - Sub & Amp install
03/19/05 - Door handle gasket replace $5
04/02/05 - Exhaust manifold weld $300
04/03/05 - Rear hatch shock replacement & rear lock gasket $40
05/12/05 - Oil Change $30
06/17/05 - Rear speaker install
06/21/05 - Factory Radar removed
06/27/05 - New Tires (Toyo Proxes TPTs 215/60/15) F&R Alignment $360
07/14/05 - Drain Tubing replacement
07/20/05 - Speedo Replacement $60
07/20/05 - R.L. Bumper & Rearview mirror replacement $30
07/22/05 - Timing Belt Retension & 1 Pulley $125
07/22/05 - 1 Yr. Ownership Anniversary
-------------------------------------------

Grand Total (not incl. purchase): ~$2,500 / 82,871 miles
* Only about $1,700 were must haves, the rest just made me tingly inside knowing I was fixing more than I was breaking (and break some i did).
-------------------------------------------
Year 2:
07/23/05 - Water Catch Replacement $40
07/31/05 - Interior Door Panel Respray
08/01/05 - Batter Box Rust Converter $15
08/05/05 - A/C R-12 Recharge $100
08/05/05 - Door Handle Strip & Paint

Next Up: Motor Mounts, Ebrakes, Wilk Chip

[mattdavis11]

You have me beat.

My 1 year was $1, xxx.xx.

Can't recall.

[bryanthompson]

My first year was a rough one... Just over $3,500, iirc, but I had a T-belt break.

[mattdavis11]

DOH! Socks and Kittens, Bryan.

[pokey]

My first year was cheap. Bought the car for $500, with a broken t belt. Then I let it sit for a little over a year, before I had time to work on it. The second year has been painful. 8 months in and I've spent $2000. $1500 was a used engine and installation.

[schmedes1]

First time P-car owner here. Have invested $14,500 this year on the purchase of a nice 1989 951 (Metallic Linen/Black interior), plus all the parts and fixes to make the car truly MINT, including an r12 to r134a a/c upgrade. Current fixes did not have to include ignition, clutch or timing belts (early replacement cycle) BUT include future maintenance parts for ignition, vacuum tubes, etc, AND a 9# Halon fire extinguisher!! All in all, probably have saved $4k - $5k for the end product versus many advertised items. Not the lowest number overall, but its all relative.

[Blackfoot]

I suspect this thread should be made a sticky. Mandatory reading for those mulling over the purchase of an "affordable" Porsche.

_____________________
Cars

[AFJuvat]

If it makes you feel any better, I just did the 75K service on my 911, and put rear tires on it.

$975 at my (wholesale) cost.

Would have been around $1700 retail.

AFJ

[schmedes1]

Good point Blackfoot.... meant to say that I have invested $14.5k TOTAL (with all the extras to make MINT ++), not plus $$... a fair measurement bar to those inclined to go for bottom dollar and Excellent price points....

[livewirevoodoo]

Schmedes - thats what I'm after. Minty condition. In all fairness to myself, before purchase I knew enough about cars to fill the gas tank and look on the windshield to see when my next oil change was.... and get around to it when i get around to it. The past year has been a steep learning curve, but it has been enlightening and gratifying.

Blackfoot - absolutely. sticker price is a poor indicator of cost with these cars. but saying that is preaching to the choir anyhoo, still cheaper than a car payment.

AF - It does make me feel better, lol... At least it tells me that if i'm crazy, i'm in pretty good company.

[Slam]

Guys, let's also factor in what's saved by us doing work ourselves. This summer I've done a front of engine service, repacked the CVs, replaced the rad, changed out some coolant hoses, resealed the oil cooler and done a tune up and I've got front brakes coming up. My cost was probably in the neighborhood of $1,000CDN absolute tops. Now if I'd taken the car to a shop I may have been charged about $1,000 to $1,200CDN for the water pump replacement alone. God knows how much the rest would have been at shop prices and book times!

Affordable Porsche? Not for someone on a budget who doesn't want to do his own work. For me it's just a great big model kit with an endless list of things that can be done...

[Z-man]

Last year, in my third year of ownership, I laid out $5500.00 to replace my cracked head. (On the car, not me). That was my biggest expense.

Other things I've had to repair/replacem since owning my 944S2:
Replaced cam chain guide/tensioner (preventative maintenance)
Replaced H2O pump (Went south on the track - Watkins Glen)
Replaced all belts, gaskets, rollers (preventative)
Replaced rod-bearings (preventative)
Replaced slippling clutch (with spring centered unit)
Had shop fix fan system electrical gremlin
New CV joints (three new ones so far!)
New rotors (several brake pads - I drive on the track frequently)
A couple sets of R-compound tires (plus 10 'extra' wheels for track and AX)
New CD player/radio
Added a Redline Rollbar
Replaced stock seats with race buckets
New swaybars

The total cost? ARE YOU CRAZY? I don't even want to start to add it all up! (I estimate it's well over $25k - perhaps more than $30k)

Do I win!?
-Z.

[brandon2944]

I agree with Slam and use my 84 strictly as something to do car, and it does call for repairs often. But I only paid 1400.00 for it and the motor is a recent rebuild, so 100-200 dollars here and there is worth the joy of driving and maintaining this car. Also have a 87 NA which I've had for three years with 125K on the clock paid 2800.00, and never had a days problem with it, in fact the only problem with the car is a very small oil drip from the oil cooler, nothing that requires addt'l oil between changes. I love these cars. Still one of the most reliable cars I can think of owning even the ones that have been neglected, but a well taken care of car shouldn't give you any trouble. I should know I own one of each, neglected and wrecked(repaired) 84, and a three owner 87 that was cherished.

[hughett]

I'll just say that I'll never get my invested money back out of any Porsche I've bought. But I'm willing to pay extra for the enjoyment. Crazy? Yes. So what. You only live once. As long as the family doesn't starve...

Harvey

[tgcattle]

You can save a lot by working on them yourself. Porsche dealer quoted me $1500 to change timing belt and rollers. And $400 more to retension. You DIY for way less

[ae1969]

Lets just say I could of bought a late model porsche ............

[yellowline]

Oh my. I can post the big stuff in 14 months, but I'll omit little things like grease, etc.

83 944= paid $3k
Radiator hoses, thermostat = $220
Motor mount = $130
Oil cooler seals = $40
Brake hoses = I forget offhand
T-belt=$30
Oil Filters = $20
Oil = roughly 80...only Mobil 1 has gone into it
Coolant = probably 80...it keeps losing it
Nose panel = probably $200 (gift)
Tranny oil = $30
O2 sensor = $30
DME Relay = $20

That's about all I can think of that needed to be replaced to run safely, off the top of my head. I think gas and insurance has been worse. So far, I've really lucked out, IMO.

[procon]

1982 924 with 103,000 actual miles & records, purchased May of 2004 = $2800

Replaced since purchase:
Front Sunroof Latches, Water Pump, Belts, Hoses, Thermostat, Fan Temp Switch, Rear Hatch Seal, Front Brakes, Rear Brakes, O2 Sensor, Seat Belt/Brake Light Cover, Tires, Torque Tube, Pilot Bearing, Clutch, Pressure Plate, Throwout Bearing, Rear Main Seal, Rear Hatch Struts, Parking Brake Switch, Hood Badge, Brake Reservoir Cap, Battery & Alternator.

Upgrades Include:
Kenwood Cd Player, 944 Rear Hatch, 4 Lug Spiderweb Wheels, Hood Shocks, Carbon Fiber Dash Kit, Fog Lights, 924 Mid Rear Reflector, New Seat Upholstery & a Sporty German Plate.

Replacement & Upgrades = $4000 +/-

Edit: Good thing my ex got the boat, otherwise I'd only have half that much in to it.

[hughett]

Then, you'd REALLY have some heavy support costs!!!

Harvey

Originally posted by ae1969
Lets just say I could of bought a late model porsche ............

[Eldorado]

3 months ownership...
all prices in CDN...

'83 944, $3500
new master cylinder $75
new slave cylinder $65
dash cap $75
new pads all around about $120
new rotors cross drilled fronts $120
new rotors rear bought second hand (still new) $75
replaced all light bulbs in the rear and fogs in the front... about $30
front strut mount $60
front tie rod end i think it was about $40
new air filter $30
new sun visors and dome lamp $50

so about $740 and that's only after 3 months...
*sigh*

but i agree... gas is more of a kick in the ass with this car... prices up here i saw top $1.10 / LITRE..... *ouch!!*