Porsche Survival

[5String43]

I saw a line in "Classic and Sports Car," a Brit magazine and just about the only one I subscribe to these days, that said two-thirds of the Porsches ever built still survive. If true, it's an amazing testament to the integrity of these cars, and to the commitment of their owners. Thoughts?

[id10t]

How many weren't/aren't driven daily? in 46 years of existence, my 356 has only 148k on it - and it hasn't moved under its own power in 5 years. Mom's '84 911, 72k on it, dad bought it in '88 w/ 35ish on it, hasn't moved in 2 years.

[tcar]

9 out of 10 Harleys made are still on the road.


10 percent actually made it back home.

[Noah930]

I think a better testament to Stuttgart's engineering is the fact that the car doesn't squeak, clunk or rattle a bit (well, except for that aftermarket fire extinguisher mount) after 24 years of service.

[Rick Lee]

My 993 is the most reliable of anything I've ever owned. It's never had a mechanical problem (that wasn't caused by someone other than Porsche). AC has never been serviced and still blows ice cold.

[Steve Viegas]

Originally Posted by id10t

How many weren't/aren't driven daily? in 46 years of existence, my 356 has only 148k on it - and it hasn't moved under its own power in 5 years. Mom's '84 911, 72k on it, dad bought it in '88 w/ 35ish on it, hasn't moved in 2 years.

How many cars from 1965 are even still around? Moving up your timeline, even 27 years, or 23 years. While they may not be driven much, they are still around.

I would guess that if you looked at other expensive marques you would not see a similar percentage...and I would also speculate that there are more garage queens in other brands than in Porsche.

Also, 148K on a car built 46 years ago? Certainly it happens, but I think most cars back then were not expected to live longer than 50K.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Steve Viegas

Also, 148K on a car built 46 years ago? Certainly it happens, but I think most cars back then were not expected to live longer than 50K.

The original service coupon booklet that I have for my car goes to 120k miles, w/ a note to write off and ask for another if needed.

Of those 148k, 130 or so were put on before 1985.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I view the time and money spent in keeping my P-cars running well as making the world a better place (it makes my day more enjoyable getting to drive them, it provides something interesting on the road for other people to look at in a sea of soulless Toyotas and SUVs, etc.) It's just a different mindset. Putting effort into keeping a 20-30 year old car alive would ordinarily be a stupid waste of time on some scheissebox. Not so with these cars. It's different. They're definitely not clunkers. And to be honest, they don't take THAT much work anyway - they're well-made to begin with. Most of my efforts are either modifications or undoing stupid things that POs did to the cars or neglected.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Our 993 and the 2000 Ford F250 Diesel have been the two most reliable cars we have ever owned (MANY Toyotas and Chryslers and THE SC) and the 1990 Ford Escort was next in line.

Worst was a 1983 Citroen GSA. It was dead at three years old!!! As in, plug holes stripped out so the plugs were welded in, door welds had given way and were held with parachute cord, hood welds gave way and were held in with parachute cord, CVs broke (final straw), engine leaks were horrible but filled with JB Weld and red goop, radiator gave out at two years old......

Next worst was a 198? Chevy 1/2 tonne, baby puke blue. Didn't go a month without something breaking down. At least it was Wife's vehicle before re-met her.

[szyzygy]

I'm interested in this thread. There are too many decrements to keep track of, though. Thought it would be cool to track expected repairs and costs, but there are too many variables.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by tcar

9 out of 10 harleys made are still on the road.


10 percent actually made it back home.

[look 171]

I gave my workman my old 85 Toyota 4wd pick up with 160,000 miles on it years ago. He does work for me on and off. This llittle truck's been through a lot of hard work in the past 27 years. It still runs fine according to him. I suspect it will keep going for a little bit longer. My 930 on the other hand, It only has 51,000 on it and it doesn't get driven more then 500 miles in a year in the past few years but its been serviced each and every year. Oil change and stuff. I don't know why?

Our 911s are well taken care of and that's why they run for a long time. If many of the other cars are treated as toys, I am sure they will be around for a long time also. My Land Cruiser could go for a long time if I take care of it but I don't. It is a well build vehicle.

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by tcar

9 out of 10 Harleys made are still on the road.


10 percent actually made it back home.

Thank you I needed that laugh this morning!!

[URY914]

924's and 914's bring that curve down I'm sure.

[Rot 911]

I think they are still on the road because they are cars we enjoy and we want to keep them on the road. For example my '86 Carrera has 148,000 miles, but since I have had it I have done a complete engine rebuild, suspension rebuild, exhaust system and who knows what else. I will never get my money back out of that car. On the other hand my 2006 BMW 330i with 57,000 miles started getting some electrical glitches so I sold it. When my new Mustang is out of warranty, it goes. Those are just not cars I feel like investing in.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by 5String43

I saw a line in "Classic and Sports Car," a Brit magazine and just about the only one I subscribe to these days, that said two-thirds of the Porsches ever built still survive. If true, it's an amazing testament to the integrity of these cars, and to the commitment of their owners. Thoughts?

Yes I also buy that mag when I go to the Uk. Great mag. Yes that is a good point - most Porsche owners dont rack up the miles. However I drive mine year round in snow and ice too. But still only have 40k miles and the Boxster is 11 years old. Which brings me to the point of rust. Any Boxsters/Porsche start rusting prematurely?

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

I think they are still on the road because they are cars we enjoy and we want to keep them on the road. For example my '86 Carrera has 148,000 miles, but since I have had it I have done a complete engine rebuild, suspension rebuild, exhaust system and who knows what else. I will never get my money back out of that car.

Bingo! These cars are play toys and are treated differently than day to day drivers. I think that most cars (not all...Yugo comes to mind) can be driven hundreds of thousands of miles with good care.

There are many examples out there of average cars going over 500,000 or even a million miles when they are owned by people who can afford (and care) to maintain them.

I hate to sound anti-Porsche; but, I thinks it's more a testament to the the care and reverance these cars receive than the engineering.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by billh1963

Bingo! These cars are play toys and are treated differently than day to day drivers. I think that most cars (not all...Yugo comes to mind) can be driven hundreds of thousands of miles with good care.

There are many examples out there of average cars going over 500,000 or even a million miles when they are owned by people who can afford (and care) to maintain them.

I hate to sound anti-Porsche; but, I thinks it's more a testament to the the care and reverance these cars receive than the engineering.

Exactly . These cars are so fun to drive. I am willing to spend the $$$ on this car of mine. My former cars have never had much money spent on them I have a steady relationship with my indy repair shop much to my wife's annoyance

[KNS]

Two thirds is a very high figure but that number will start to creep downward and will eventually plummet. Porsche is building more cars now than anytime in their history and they want to push that number up to 200,000 units a year. The majority of the cars being made in big numbers (Cayenne, etc) are not the ones that will be tucked away, caressed, and driven on rallies. When their value bottoms out and that black box/ ECU/ controller, blah blah replacement is more than the car is worth - off it goes.

[daepp]

While I am very proud of my 72 survivor, I wonder about that statistic. Would that include cars made in the last ten years, as that would tend to skew the number, I wonder what percentage of say - 356's survive? Or early 911's?