Poll: How much time and money...
10-18-2002, 02:39 PM
#1
Chronic Tool Dropper
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Poll: How much time and money...
How much time do you spend working on the car each year? This is not washing/waxing/cleaning time, but everything north including fluid changes.
I was driving over to 928 International yesterday, mentally going through my $200 shopping list and strategizing a bit for the day. A lot of time planned! Then I was thinking about the number of miles I've added to the car this year, divide hours at billing rates, carry the six..., and figured out that I have spent maybe three days doing fixit and maintenance stuff on the car this last year, for three thousand miles of driving. About $600 in parts including this coming winter's motor mounts, and $150 for 'necessary' tools. So it works out to a little better that $1/mile for parts and labor. Fuel adds $0.15/mi, insurance $0.27/mi, oil and filter added a paltry $0.01/mi. It all works out to about $1.50/mile, ignoring tires/brakes/battery stuff that didn't show up this year. Also ignores any appreciation/depreciation of the car itself, storage costs, other incidental costs like registration and taxes.
Has anybody else figured out that these are expensive toys?
On a somewhat related note, a business associate came by in his new space-age BMW 740 with auto-controlled everything. He's 'allowed' to drive 12,000/yr under his lease, pays about $1k/mo for the miles, plus he has to provide insurance and storage. Otherwise everything is taken car of, including all maintenance and oil changes. The dealer will wash it for him any time he drives it by. So for $1.40/mi, no aggravation, delays, stranded, etc, all in a car that drives itself for the most part.
So not wanting to sound too cynical about all this, but the only way any of this makes sense is that the labor is discounted by the avoided cost of professional therapy.
So how much time and how many dollars and how many miles for your car(s) each year? Is this true love or what?
<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
I was driving over to 928 International yesterday, mentally going through my $200 shopping list and strategizing a bit for the day. A lot of time planned! Then I was thinking about the number of miles I've added to the car this year, divide hours at billing rates, carry the six..., and figured out that I have spent maybe three days doing fixit and maintenance stuff on the car this last year, for three thousand miles of driving. About $600 in parts including this coming winter's motor mounts, and $150 for 'necessary' tools. So it works out to a little better that $1/mile for parts and labor. Fuel adds $0.15/mi, insurance $0.27/mi, oil and filter added a paltry $0.01/mi. It all works out to about $1.50/mile, ignoring tires/brakes/battery stuff that didn't show up this year. Also ignores any appreciation/depreciation of the car itself, storage costs, other incidental costs like registration and taxes.
Has anybody else figured out that these are expensive toys?
On a somewhat related note, a business associate came by in his new space-age BMW 740 with auto-controlled everything. He's 'allowed' to drive 12,000/yr under his lease, pays about $1k/mo for the miles, plus he has to provide insurance and storage. Otherwise everything is taken car of, including all maintenance and oil changes. The dealer will wash it for him any time he drives it by. So for $1.40/mi, no aggravation, delays, stranded, etc, all in a car that drives itself for the most part.
So not wanting to sound too cynical about all this, but the only way any of this makes sense is that the labor is discounted by the avoided cost of professional therapy.
So how much time and how many dollars and how many miles for your car(s) each year? Is this true love or what?
<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
10-18-2002, 03:09 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
Dr. Bob,
I got a slight headache from the math.
Are you factoring the cost of this year's parts and labor being useful only for one year's worth of driving?
Most of the parts and labor I have put into my car since purchase I expect to benefit from over the next few (maybe many) years. I'm not foolish enough to believe that next year will be parts and maintenence free, but I have made a down payment on the future with my new TB/water pump, steering rack A/C rebuild, brakes, etc.
It's interesting to note that my last maintenence/repair issue was 4 months ago. Since then, I put 5k on the car have been free of repairs. I did change the oil this month.
I like the car. It's a hobby type fun car in good enough condition to be a road-trip car and daily driver. In my situation, I'm paying for the enjoyment of having an unique car which I truly enjoy.
I agree most of us on Rennlist spend a fair amount of $ on our 928's, but most hobbies make little financial sense. It's an emotional thing. When the enjoyment is gone, the hobby should be gone too. It's a safe bet my 928 will part of our family for a very long time to come.
Greg
I got a slight headache from the math.
Are you factoring the cost of this year's parts and labor being useful only for one year's worth of driving?
Most of the parts and labor I have put into my car since purchase I expect to benefit from over the next few (maybe many) years. I'm not foolish enough to believe that next year will be parts and maintenence free, but I have made a down payment on the future with my new TB/water pump, steering rack A/C rebuild, brakes, etc.
It's interesting to note that my last maintenence/repair issue was 4 months ago. Since then, I put 5k on the car have been free of repairs. I did change the oil this month.
I like the car. It's a hobby type fun car in good enough condition to be a road-trip car and daily driver. In my situation, I'm paying for the enjoyment of having an unique car which I truly enjoy.
I agree most of us on Rennlist spend a fair amount of $ on our 928's, but most hobbies make little financial sense. It's an emotional thing. When the enjoyment is gone, the hobby should be gone too. It's a safe bet my 928 will part of our family for a very long time to come.
Greg
10-18-2002, 03:29 PM
#4
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A boy has to have a hobby!
I've always had some odd ball, quirky vehicle to tinker with. I pride myself on having something unusual, and I try to keep my "investment" as low as possible.
The 928 had always been one of my favorite cars, and once I made the plunge, I've been very satisfied with the cash I've put into it.
As I've said before, I have a world-class GT for less than the price of a used Escort
Besides, there is the incalculable value of this fraternity. This is the best group of owners I have come accross.
Cheers <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
I've always had some odd ball, quirky vehicle to tinker with. I pride myself on having something unusual, and I try to keep my "investment" as low as possible.
The 928 had always been one of my favorite cars, and once I made the plunge, I've been very satisfied with the cash I've put into it.
As I've said before, I have a world-class GT for less than the price of a used Escort
Besides, there is the incalculable value of this fraternity. This is the best group of owners I have come accross.
Cheers <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
10-18-2002, 03:33 PM
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That just means you're not driving your 928 enough Bob <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> .
Put some miles on her and that $/mile cost will drop dramatically!
Put some miles on her and that $/mile cost will drop dramatically!
10-18-2002, 04:26 PM
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So far, my total cost per mile is somwhere around $4.00! That's the purchase price, gas and insurance divided by 1500 miles. I expect it to go up significantly this winter.....
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10-18-2002, 04:56 PM
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Yes, I thought the shark was bad until I was looking over the books on the Comanche. It's only 250hp but gobbles up 15 gal of Av-gas per hour, so the specific fuel economt sucks. But, I guess that's the price you pay for 150 knots and no radar-traps. I drive the thing about 150 hrs a year, which I understand is a bit more than twice the average, so thge fixed costs are thinned out a bit, but the accountant was still raling over the final $125/hr cost..... Well, at least the revenuers see it as a business expense, but as for a form of entertainment, I'd have a tough time deciding between the Indian and the Fish...... <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
10-18-2002, 05:05 PM
#9
Three Wheelin'
from 4midlif [quote]Besides, there is the incalculable value of this fraternity. This is the best group of owners I have come accross <hr></blockquote>
Agreed.
Greg
Agreed.
Greg
10-18-2002, 06:37 PM
#10
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I actually track mine on my web site.
The first year was high due to the tranny, steering rack rebuild, etc, but I got mine for a very reasonable price so ...
Year 2001 was very cheap at $283 but this year is making up for it as I just added a LH controller to this years numbers. Also, should I add all that stuff I dont need but bought anyway
The first year was high due to the tranny, steering rack rebuild, etc, but I got mine for a very reasonable price so ...
Year 2001 was very cheap at $283 but this year is making up for it as I just added a LH controller to this years numbers. Also, should I add all that stuff I dont need but bought anyway
10-18-2002, 09:44 PM
#11
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In the 30 months of ownership of my '91 928 S4, I have driven 11k miles and spent about $10k on mechanical repairs, maintenance, parts, and tires. Not included are gas, depreciation, or the GTS mirror and radio upgrades ($1,200). The car is pretty much "refurbished" by now...
I would have spent at least $2k more, had it not been for the help of fellow 928 owners who gave me advice though email or this board, and Bill Ball, who came to my house numerous times work on the car with me.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their time and efforts to help. You guys are truly wonderful!!!
I would have spent at least $2k more, had it not been for the help of fellow 928 owners who gave me advice though email or this board, and Bill Ball, who came to my house numerous times work on the car with me.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their time and efforts to help. You guys are truly wonderful!!!
10-19-2002, 12:08 AM
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Im way upside down on the cost per mile, probably will be for a LONG LONG time, but ya know, i dont really care. I enjoy working on the car, its my hobby.
Like today i walked out from Home Depot and looked my car sitting there, away from everyone elses...the look the car gave me back justifies everything. Timeless shape and style
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Like today i walked out from Home Depot and looked my car sitting there, away from everyone elses...the look the car gave me back justifies everything. Timeless shape and style
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
10-19-2002, 01:59 AM
#13
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I put 140,000 on my 86.5 in about 6 years....It now reads 157,000 mi...
First 50,000 mi : GT for the cost of a vw rabbit
Second 50,000 mi: Budget your xmas starting in Feb
Third 50,000 mi : you're buying your car from your mechanic
Fourth 50,000 mi: too cheap to sell, too precious to part with
Fifth 50,000 mi : anyone?
...but it will always be priceless to us
Tarek
First 50,000 mi : GT for the cost of a vw rabbit
Second 50,000 mi: Budget your xmas starting in Feb
Third 50,000 mi : you're buying your car from your mechanic
Fourth 50,000 mi: too cheap to sell, too precious to part with
Fifth 50,000 mi : anyone?
...but it will always be priceless to us
Tarek
10-19-2002, 04:02 AM
#14
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Prior to purchasing I read many threads saying to expect atleast $2K in upgrades/maint your first year. At first, I was like, ahh, no problem. But then reality met fantasy. I told my wife if wasn't for the car being so much fun to drive (for the 45 minutes, I've been able to over the last 5 months) I don't think I would have kept her. I agree with other posts, you have to love it for the hobby not for the financial investment, otherwise, most of us would have sold ours by now.
Like Nicole said, I have said atleast $1500 from meeting and talking with members from this site. It's been great and part of the fun. The other benefit has been learning more about cars (really whether I wanted to or not)
Like Nicole said, I have said atleast $1500 from meeting and talking with members from this site. It's been great and part of the fun. The other benefit has been learning more about cars (really whether I wanted to or not)
10-19-2002, 05:02 AM
#15
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Dr, bob,
It’s not looking pretty concerning maintenance figures but my new accountant is from ENRON so maybe HE can doctor up the figures and make the bottom line look positive.
Tim Delarm
<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />
It’s not looking pretty concerning maintenance figures but my new accountant is from ENRON so maybe HE can doctor up the figures and make the bottom line look positive.
Tim Delarm
<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />