Added up all my reciepts, wow

[stray15]

Well, I was going through all my reciepts from everything on my car and I came up with a total of: $4,188.94. That is about 26 months of ownership. Some of the things I had to guess on, such as oil and things like that. Some of it is a little bit of body work. That total is more than I paid for my car two years ago. I don't know if this is typical of all you guys but I think that is a lot of money to keep this car running. Don't forget that I bought a big time BEATER, so if anyone that is interested in buying a 944 for the first time, be sure to do your homework first. You don't want to be spending 2 grand a year extra on stuff that isn't neccassary.
What you guys think?

[AFJuvat]

A little high, but then again you said it was a beater.

I'm into mine for about $2700 - new clutch/ps pump/alternator were the biggest hits, the rest was restoration. I'm just about done except for the paint job.

You can't really count stuff like oil though - that is a consumable, like gasoline.

AFJuvat

[jeh1995]

I bought my 86 NA 944 as a "challenge" car. I am a pretty handy mechanic with several tractor, car, and boat engine rebuilds and vehicle restorations in the past. I find the Porsche really interested, challenging, and a little expensive (not a lot expensive).So far I have replaced the oil cooler seals, all the water hoses, thermostat, temp switch, heater control valve, connecting rod bearings, engine mounts, oil pan gasket, clutch slave cylinder, and a bazillion little things like the rear window lock gasket, door switches, visor clips, etc. I am into the repair bill for a bit more than $1000. In total I have about $5K in the car.

I tackled the 944 with a plan to fix the obvious things and work at a measured pace on the expensive/ugly things. I made a 3-year plan and I am doing pretty well. The next challenge will be fixing the A/C. I suspect the condensor is shot... corrosion in the compressor... UGLY...

The final fixup project will be a little bit of body work and a paint job. Then my baby will be ready for weekend adventures and the like.

I have to admit it... I like my car! I love working on it. It's not rational, it is special!

[97XRAY]

Well Stray, I have a little less $ in mine, but after only one year of owning it! What makes it worse: I paid about $6000.00 to get it.
The big BUT is, it's really close to perfect right now, beauty inside and out, especially under the hood, so I think it's been absolutely worth it. The tiny modifcations I've made really have made a difference (even if it is a small difference) and the car is a blast!
However, I know it's just a matter of time before the tranny or clutch surprisingly gives up!

[Z-man]

I am over $5000.00 into the car, after purchase price! I've had the car for a little over a year. And the car was maintained by the previous owner! I did budget for about $3000.00: thank God I have an understanding wife!

I did the Cam chain guide/tensioner, as well as replacement of most of the seals & gaskets, plus coolant flush, plus brake flush, plus new rollers, wheel bearing, and lots of other stuff. Plus the track goodies (new tires, brake pads & fluid, synth tranny oil, harness & fire extinguisher...etc).

I plan on doing 5-6 DE events this year, so it was important for me to stay on top of maintenance.

But in my defense (note: people who usually blow their budget have a defense for their expenses): I won't have to worry about a lot of the stuff I did for a few years, so hopefully I won't be spending $5k every year on the car!

-Zoltan.

[ae1969]

I have actually lost track on how much money I have spent on her................

If you are going to use her as a daily driver, it will get pricey, all oil changes and all other maintenance. These cars are cheap to purchase now adays but expensive to own. If you own her for more than ten years like I have you will have spent quite a few bucks.........

no matter what condition you buy your 944 these days you will dump $2000 minimun to make it the way you want it/or even to keep it running..........

If she is going to be a weekender you might get off cheaper...........

If you are tracking her, you will spend twice her value by the time you are done......

And unfortunately a PPI will not save you!!!!!!

You can buy a $500 944 with a broken timing belt ......get everything done (hopefully you are mechanically inclined) you will spend another $5k in parts and miscellaneous.....

Buy a $5 K 944 with a nice PPI........you will do all the preventative maintenance and it will still cost you another $2k..........

Either way you will spend money. They are not an investment ..........they are a luxury/hobby/dream/ and a money pit..........

But like I have always said, 944's are like women......... take her for a ride and you forget everything she did wrong.

Amen, Alex, amen.

[97XRAY]

Yeah, ae1969, that deserves a big thumbs up!

[951carter]

Actually you have gotten by pretty good when you consider how much "somebody" paid for it when new. I am also quite certain that they lost that much or more in the first year of ownership to depreciation.

You have a helluvalot of car there for under $10k

[Blackfoot]

got about $2700 into the car in almost two years of ownership, but that doesn't count rebuilding the turbo, which would put me right about $4500-$5000. i still say cost of owning a 951 isn't a whole lot more than an n/a, at least in my case it hasn't been.

knock on wood.

[turtle944]

I have had the car for over three years. Bought it from a guy who was going to junk it. Got it for $500, it was leaking oil from the rear main oil seal. Wanted a project car and got one! (My friend has a '74 914 that he converted to a 914-6 with my help and I got hooked on porsche ever since!).
Anyway I have a spreadsheet for all maintenance and expenses on the car, and with the purchase price, and doing everything including painting myself, its $4200 so far. Still need the rebuilt tranny, and to redo the seats, but then it'll be like new!

Brian

[Bob's944]

I thought I'd pull my file and total it up.... came to $2577 over the last 4 years since I bought my NA..... $1257 of that was a clutch job, $626 was water pump and belts.... all and all I'm very happy with the car and think the amount I've needed to spend on it has been reasonable, especially since a majority of the service was expected (ie clutch and waterpump.. although the water pump did fail about 7,000 miles ahead of schedual)

[lm6y]

Hey Stray, don't feel bad. We are "fixing up" my 82 El Camino, and have about $3000 in it, have done all of the work ourselves, and it's not even painted yet! Some parts are actually more expensive than for the 944. Of course we didn't have to use a "healthy" 454 with two 625 Carter carbs on it, or put in a 1000w stereo, or completely redo the interior. But, this is what we wanted. It's only money, and you can't take it with you, so you might as well enjoy it while you can.

[stray15]

Originally posted by lm6y
...It's only money, and you can't take it with you...

Perfect!