[Porsche-O-Phile]

True, they've got good and reasonably reliable histories but you also have to consider that they're getting up around the 10-ish year old range which is historically when a lot of "little things" like failing sensors, emissions components, etc. can start showing up. On OBDII cars, this can turn into a MONUMENTAL cost quickly and a lot of states simply will not allow you to defer it - you can't re-register in a lot of states with an associated "check engine" light. There are an awful lot of sensors and valves and thingys that can fail and any one of them can throw a code and give you a CEL and a gigantic headache (and cost) to diagnose and repair.

Most modern cars don't suffer from catastrophic engine failures or any of the "big stuff" breaking (cranks, valves, cams, etc.) it's all the little electronic doohickeys and sensors and associated wiring that can quickly and suddenly stick an owner with a very expensive repair bill.

This is no different than any other new-ish/OBDII car (any one of them is prone to this) but on a Porsche with lots of hard-to-get-to places, sensors, etc. the problem of it being very difficult if not impossible to diagnose/repair onesself becomes magnified a bit.

I had a lot of misgivings about this when I bought my '01 Mercedes and fortunately (knock wood) so far I've been lucky - but I did have to replace two O2 sensors. Dealer estimate? Over $900. Fortunately I was able to DIY that one, but it can be very difficult to diagnose those things. Parts cost is only one small piece of the equation. The analysis/computer testing is a significant part of the price. The only other issue I've had with the car was a crank position sensor which was covered under warranty. The out-of-pocket cost for that would have been north of $500 (for a $70 part).

That's the only thing I'd be leery of.

Air-cooled 911s and old 944s don't really scare simply because the electronics is so much simpler and easier to comprehend, diagnose and work on (or doesn't exist at all). There are only so many things that can go wrong and the consequence of such-and-such a sensor failing are pretty linear and easy to chase down. Not so on a new car where a failing sensor can cause the computer to do all kinds of bizarre and non-linear things to compensate.

The over-computerization of the new 911s scares the hell out of me, especially if it's going to see DD duty.