I've been reading through these forums for months, and I have been planning on buying a 944 n/a for some time now. However, I'm really questioning it recently for financial reasons, so I'm looking for some insight for my specific situation- people on here actually know what they're talking about (trust me, yahoo answers people have good intentions but and rarely know anything about 944s and give generic advice).
- I'm in college and am giving myself $3000 to buy the 944. Being a post-85.5 NA model, this should be plenty for a well-maintained example. Recent clutch change and new-ish brake work (hopefully shocks) would be key, because I'll be in an apartment and I won't have 8 hours at a time for working under the car. I can use friends' driveways during the day for timing belt and oil changes and minor stuff like that. I'll be doing all the work I possibly can do with my own wrench, buying the parts either here or sourcing them locally for good prices.
- I've been quoted $95 a month for insurance- not bad for a 19 year old male in a Porsche! This is a bit more expensive than, say, a 1995 Jeep Cherokee (if I don't get the 944) but it's totally worth it I think.
- This leaves me roughly $500 to run the car for the next year (purely for maintenance costs). I have everything in a spreadsheet, and have determined that $500 +/- $100 is what I am willing to pay, as I only can work during the summers due to my intense workload
I am asking YOU experienced forum-browsers what I should be expecting. Given my stiff budget, am I even sane for thinking about a 944? I could obviously buy in easily enough, but even if I buy a mechanically strong and well-maintained example, am I going to be spending a lot of time and money on it? I might be better off with a Jeep or something "practical." Let me know what you guys think. Of course, once I start making money the next summer, I'll be able to use $500 or so for the next year and so on until I'm out working full time
I'll also add that I would driving the car maybe twice a week tops, light city driving... nothing abusive. It would be my baby
TL;DR can a college guy economically run a 944n/a on $500 a year if it's well maintained from conception.