Please help this newbie with some 993 questions.
 

Hi everyone, I am new to the boards and I have what I think is a rather complicated question for the group. I am evaluating and getting the numbers together for myself on buying a 993. Outside of the normal factors (great car, fun to drive, always wanted one, etc.) this will be my first Porsche and I want to make sure I am making the correct decision. In the process, I am trying to understand the average cost of ownership from a maintenance/repairs standpoint. Now, I understand everyone is different, but from what I read, the engines are "bulletproof" yet they are costly to maintain. I am seeing this as kinda strange as if they are so reliable, how are they so costly to keep up and running. Yes, I understand parts are not as cheap as a Toyota, but if a car does not need a lot of work, it should not cost a lot to maintain, correct?

I know my question is super vague, but any help you can provide on help me with some average cost numbers would be great. Yes, I know about the oil change, tires, etc. but what am I missing?

Thanks everyone!

New to the boards for 11 years!?

In short....if you are on a very small "budget" and can´t afford unforseen cocsts you should probably not own any Porsche.

The 993s are now elderly cars and while the build quality of the car, engine etc is superb it does not mean that things don´t wear down from use and age.

Yearly mantenance costs cold be everything from 500 to 5000 bucks....even more - depending on your own ability to get under the car.

Well, like a I said, I have always wanted one :) I am finally in a position to maybe get one now.

Yeah, I understand what you are saying about if there is question, not to get one, but the numbers you posted are helpful.

In the long run, there is no way to tell how much it will cost to maintain, but are the 993 more prone to repairs or is that more of the exception to the rule? For example, if I said Toyota at 80k, you would not think a ton of repairs, but if I mentioned a Range Rover at 80k, red flags might go up. Are the 993's more of the Toyota's or the Range Rovers as far as being reliable? From what I have read, I would think they would be pretty reliable but I want to make the ask anyways.

Thanks again!!!

Consider the 95 series cars with OBDI system. Look for service history from previous owners to reveal past repairs and lack thereof, this may suggest items needing immediate attention or repair/replacement items required in the near future.

Depending on current condition and needs as identified by a PPI I would budget ~$200 per month +-.

Lots of good cars being offered here on the Pelican site, and many members willing to provide honest feedback and advice.

Hope this helps,
Mike

I would consider this a high-end estimate that would include savings for replacement of items that are long-term things like suspension bits.

For any Porsche, the maintenance costs are higher because the service intervals are shorter AND the cost of the materials is higher. Think about oil changes, just for example. There is a LOT of oil, and the oil is expensive. Brakes? Compare the cost of rotors/pads for a 993 and a Camry. Stuff is going to break, and you'll have to fix it. Since these cars are approaching 20 years old, stuff that you wouldn't think about on a newer Camry are starting to head south on a 993 (like suspension rubber bits, etc.) And all that stuff is more expensive than from Toyota. Tires? Camry-sized tires are cheap and available everywhere. 993 tires are not cheap.

These cars are generally very reliable. But if you think you can defer maintenance or repair, you're going to find yourself in a giant hole, wishing you could find a second job to pay for the stuff that goes wrong because you didn't do timely maintenance and repair.

I wouldn't have any hesitation about climbing into my 3.2 and crossing the U.S. But I know that if I put off changing the trans oil or the engine oil, I could turn this car into a big, stationary garage sculpture in a second.

Its not the parts or the maintenance that is so expensive its all the mods that will put you in the poor house.

Shhhhh.

How much do you plan on driving it?

If it is a 3rd car, you can keep the miles off it and if it breaks, push out big repairs to save up.

I had little cost over the last 6 years on mine, until the differential started making a noise. Full trans rebuild, Guards LSD, steel synchros and shift fork ... My average cost to run the car now is probably about $3k/year. That's a 3rd car with few miles driven. I would not buy one if you can't dump $3k per year, not including tires.

G