[Anchorman]

I'm not sure everything I've done is "maintenance" - in fact, I take that back, a lot is not maintenance in the normal sense, but also improving (by my definition). In that manner, I've certainly spent more than I paid for the car - which was in quite fine condition when I purchased it. At this point, there's very little left of the parts that Porsche installed in 1995 - other than the chassis/body, the engine block, and the transmission. As a result, I've got a nearly new car that drives like a new car and that cost me less than anything equivalent in the market today (if there is such an "equivalent" car). I stopped adding when the total (including the car) passed something like $45k - but it's still more enjoyable, and less expensive, than playing golf. IMHO!!!

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[flash]

agreed - i made the mistake of totaling things up a couple of years ago, and let me just say that it resulted in jewelry

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[xrad]

.........new dining room table. And I have only had this car since Jan1,08.

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[flash]

roflmao - i guess that's fair

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[flwbyu]

I see no point in adding my totals especially since all of my maintenance is done by someone other than me. I also had the pleasure of dealing with the pinion bearing issue which went incredibly smooth considering the complexity of it all (thanks Chris Cervelli and Exotic Motowerks)!



I like many have also done more than maintenance alone. I have spent a great deal of time improving about everything and anything I could afford. Thus, I have already spent to much time and money to start worrying about it now. If I had to go and get another car today it would still be the same, a 968.

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[IaAaron]

WOW people saying that 11K is normal maintenance on these cars???!!!! I have owned my car since April of 07. My list consists of:



Battery

Starter

Wiper Blades

Sunroof Gears

Tires

Water Pump, rollers, and tensioner

Valve Cover gasket

Koni Sports

Caster Blocks

4x6 speakers - JL

Oil Changes



(I get my parts at cost but still)

I think my total is about 2,700



Granted if I were trying to do a mechanical restore on this car it would be more but 11k seems a little much to me for JUST maintenance--no mods. When we start talking about mods that is an entirely different story. Seeing as wheel's and tire's can take up the better part of 6k depending on what you are looking at (if not more!). I do my own work or have a shop do it that doesn't charge me labor (long time friend). If it should be 11k maybe I'm missing something!!



Best,



Aaron R.

95 968 GP White.

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[SILVY968]

the transaxle rebuild will assist you toward $11k nicely, as will a new flywheel/clutch replacement.

Brian

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[IaAaron]

True, but that is not at all what I would consider NORMAL maintenance. "Normal" maintenance would be (correct me if I'm wrong): oil, coolant, brakes, plugs, wires, tires, belts, water pump, and some other small things that I'm forgetting. You can stay even on these cars for about 2-3k a year if you do your own work. When I say stay even I mean your car will not get any nicer or better and will not get any worse. Am I way out of whack on my thinking?



Best,

Aaron R.

95 968 GP White.

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[Mark]

If you are doing your own work and not modifying the car- "Normal" maintenance should be nowhere near 2-3k year. I'm pretty sure that number is too high if you are paying someone.

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[RPM]

With a 968, or any Porsche out of warranty for that matter, it is easy to notice a slight oil leak, or a rise in engine temp, or a little gearbox whine, and find yourself writing a check for $4-6k a few days later. Easy. And sure, you can do oil changes, etc. yourself - but not too many owners can do top end engine rebuilds, pinion bearing replacements and other big-ticket repairs.



This is the cost of Porsche ownership. No whining! If you can't afford it, or the thought of it keeps you up at night, sell the car and get a Honda. As we always said in the Army, "It's an all-volunteer force."



[Once again I urge Flash to delete this post - lest my wife sees it!]

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[IaAaron]

Touché

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[ds968]

I for one, a graduate ( with honors <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ) of the " If it ain't broke..." school, spend nearly nothing on what most of others would consider maintenance and/or preventive maintenance in particular. Yes, that might subject me to higher costs when and if something fails by reason of my neglecting the aforementioned maintenance, but so far so good. Only preventable failure and associated cost : the clutch hose. Otherwise other than having replaced the belts at 60kmiles, a new starter, a DME relay, and my once a year oil change, that has pretty much been it in terms of these costs.

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[94SilverCab]

By normal maintenance I would include items like Header, M030 Sways, Koni's, Strut Braces(s), anything S/S...right Honey??? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



"Normal" maintenance about $2-3k per year sounds about right (fluids, brakes, belts, etc.)



Regards,



Jay

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[rob76turbo]

You know a lot of the cost in maintenance is the R&R aspect. When I get to something I cannot handle, I take the part out (transmission, Cyl head, whatever) and take it to my mechanic. They are happy to fix the problem; I get the item fixed and I put it back in. This has saved me thousands over the years.



I handle all the other stuff (like recent cam chain, pad replacement, of course timing / BS belts and tensioners, oil pick up and return tubes. rod bearings, water pump, motor mounts, new manual steering rack, ETC). Fact is I love doing this kind of work, it has a bit of a therapeutic value for me.



Now if only I had the budget to start on the suspension mods I want to do............ <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

i think ron is in contention for first prize on this - he has spent a ton too - for starters, something like 9 grand in oil leaks and 2 pinion bearing jobs - well maintained car, very clean in and out, but to get that way, and stay that way, it takes money



unfortunately/fortunately these cars are performance cars - they are also a very old design, rooted in a much lighter car, and have had larger stresses and a lot of weight added to it - that means that things wear out and break



think of it in terms of taking a 924 and then doubling the power and handling - would you expect that car to hold up?



i am frankly surprised at how well the cars run for how little - they are really old after all - what other 15 year old car would fare as well?



here's an ugly scenario to make you feel better about your $15k porsche:



1994 ferrari 348 - similar performance - can you imagine the maintenance?

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[midblu]

I have been resistant to jump in on this thread but after flash "outed" my cost experience with my car I couldn't resist.



I could bore everyone on the site with tales of woe and mishap through many years of frustration but awhile back I finally got it through my dense skull to focus on the important things in life........family, friends and good wine to name just a few. Is the 968 an inexpensive proposition? Hell-to-the-no! If you are driving and staying on top of all the maintenance than it is only a matter of time till you get hit with a big, expensive repair. Of course "expensive" is a relative term. The people that have the time and where with all to do their own work are not going to feel the pain as badly but the price of parts for the 968 is not something for the faint of heart.



That being said the grin the 968 provides everytime I drive/look at it more than compensates for the pain now that the litttle things are no longer as troublesome. Drive and enjoy your 968s!



Ron

94 coupe/6 speed

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[Anchorman]

OK, now you got me into this thread.



Some time ago (maybe two years or so), I added up everything I'd spent, from the purchase of the car to the long, long list of mods (and maintenance and repairs and...). From what I recall the total having been then, and moving forward to today, (having done a new top and paint last year, wheels and who-knows-what-else the year before), there's no doubt that my total investment in my 968 is probably in the $50k (nah, probably more) range. But, you know what? I look around at what I could buy for $50k, and I don't see anything that would come close to giving me the pleasure that I get from driving my 968. So, I grin (make that SMILE) and bear it.



It really does come down to THE SMILE FACTOR!!!



I almost forgot - should I add in the cost of the used PT Cruiser I purchased (at my wife's insistence) so that I wouldn't have to drive the newly-painted 968 all winter?

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[rob76turbo]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='57524' date='Aug 7 2008, 01:43 PM']I almost forgot - should I add in the cost of the used PT Cruiser I purchased (at my wife's insistence) so that I wouldn't have to drive the newly-painted 968 all winter?[/quote]



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> that is awesome!!

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[ds968]

Further to Ron's comment re cost of 968 parts... they are indeed no bargain, but if you think that same part is any cheaper for an Infinity, or Lexus, or Cadillac, or Corvette, or Jaguar, or MBZ, or BMW, or an endless list of relatively high caliber cars ( or at least so perceived <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/unsure.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ) , you might be in for a surprise... so unless you want to drive around in 80's Toyotas or Fords , I seriously doubt you'll find the cost of mechanical parts to be less expensive with many oher cars.



The cost of trim pieces, little plastic or rubber thingamajiggies and other oem "accessory" , non mechanical parts is what kills me about 968s, but then again when I go to buy these for the Mercedes I am equally shocked, maybe even more so because it's a 2003 and you'd expect parts are easier to find and cheaper.. But NOOOOO ! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/mad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



And labor to replace the same part(s) on most of those other cars is also not cheaper than the 968, so the savings are truly the award for those who can do the work themselves! Wish I was one of them / you, but I was born with two left hands and I'm right handed. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Ditto on Anchor's comment as well - may be subject to some debate from some here, but I also can't think of a single car providing ALL of the characteristics that make the 968 so enjoyable anyway near the $ 50k figure

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[Mark]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='57524' date='Aug 7 2008, 02:43 PM']my 968 is probably in the $50k (nah, probably more) range.[/quote]

So about $1 per post in your looking for a 968 thread on old 968.net <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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