Just browsing for my first 911. I have cash to purchase and am leaning for a late 80's 911 (I really like the 87 year).

Does an older 911 require a trust fund to keep it going?

I recently restored an older Jeep Wagoneer. What I quickly found was the purchase price was just the price of admission. My $$$ quickly flew out the door but a lot of it had to do with poor designs of the vehicle.

What has been your experience?

Greg

 

Preventive maintenance is key in my humble opinion...if you find the right car, it will not brake your bank account...pay for a good PPI w/leakdown test from a reputable shop and everything will be alright!

 

The short answer is No. Caveat Emptor and a PPI are paramount conditions. That said, my 84, when new to me in 1995, lost the clutch, sitting in my driveway the day after I signed the paperwork. Insist on maintainence records. No records, no purchase, IMHO. That's the thing that cost me. Also, remember that a 1987 is still almost 20 years old. There are plenty of posts and books on how to purchase a used 911.
regards,
Steve

 

that said.....dont expect it to be as cheap to maintain as a jeep.....apples and bannanas....individual parts are more expensive....they are designed better...tend to last longer...and are for sure much more fun to drive....unless you really like off road stuff....but there are even porsches that to that very well...you still have the price of admission....make sure you have extra money for snacks...cant go to the movies and not expect to get some candy and popcorn while you are there.....

your choice of years is very good by the way....but then i am a little prefudiced

 

I agree with RBC. While there are certainly those who will tell you that they have purchased and owned 911s for a reasonable amount of money spent during their ownership, it's pretty much a hindsight view. Even in the best planned and researched curcumstances, these are old cars. Parts and labor costs are also commensurate with what you would expect for cars that cost the equivalent of $60,000-$85,000 in today's (2006) dolllars. Some get lucky, and some do not.

My take is that it is bettter to be prepared than to be lucky. I also think that, for most people who lust after these cars, they represent the realization of a dream when you finally buy one. What a shame it would be if you buy one, and are then off-put by maintenance and repair costs and frequency. It is best to be in a position where you are comfortably padded against maintenance and repair cost woes. This way you enjoy the car. I'm not sure I could enjoy my 911 as much as I do if I were worried about the costs involved.

I always say the budget on one of these cars for maintenance/repairs within the first year should be as high as $5000. In following years, you can probably get buy with a budget of $2,500. Once you get the bug to tinker and upgrade, however, the bills really climb!

 

Greg:

You've received some really sound advice here,.... Just do your due diligence on any example of Carrera that you are looking for and have a VERY thorough PPI performed by competant & honest specialists. As Steve (rbcsaver) so wisely said, these are still 20 yr old cars and you should have some $$$ in reserve for contingencies.

(I have an older Wagoneer, too)

 

Greg,

My own experience with an 88 has so far been very good. Other than an alternator and battery the car has been having5 yrs of regular services mechanically and bodywise a small rust removal job (before it got to big) Overall Maint costs would be about US$ 1200 per year all in.

 

Initially, I spent another $1500 on my 84 to cover the costs of repairs/service uncovered by the PPI. This included new front brakes (rotors, hoses, pads, sensors), oil change, and a new alternator.
Since then (nearly 2 years!) I have only had another oil change and the cost of 'want-to's' to cover.
The 'want-to's' can add up quickly on these cars, but you shouldn't be scared by the costs of 'need-to's' if you do your homework and find a good example.

The best way to keep the costs under control is to do things once. This means don't take the shortcut approach to servicing or repairing the car. Don't prolong required service, as this tends to wear out things that cost $$, and do yourself (and your wallet!) a favor by taking it to a Porsche specialist for required service. The guy that "works on everything" down the street, is probably not a good choice as a Porsche mechanic, so don't pay him to learn on your car.
+++

 

My 911 that I have owned for about 11 years has been one of the most reliable least expensive cars to mantain I have ever owned, the thing is a tank, the same can not be said for my Audi's , 951's..etc.

 

im 19 make ok money and maintain my 87 911. though it gets hard for me at times, on a low income i still do it and have free cash to live my teen life and blow on modding the car. my advice get an older 911 but always have a second car to use everyday. i drive my car everyday rain snow sleet rain ect. and im starting to find it will be much more cost efficent to just buy a beater so i stop dumping money into things i brake on my car.

 

My 78 SC was cheap to maintain until I had to get the transmission and engine rebuilt six months apart. This of course happened after a year of heavy track use but is an example of the expensive items that can jump up and bite you.

You can own a 911 without owning a bank. It helps to be able to do your own regular maintenance. A very thorough PPI will help but cannot be any form of guarantee. These cars are afterall old and parts will fail.

 

Since Aug 2004 - 62K car

Front chin spoiler 281.75
Hardware Mounting Kit for above 74.75
Bentley Manual 103.21
Hubcap 28.18
StormShield - Grey (1987 PORSCHE 911 ), Storage Bag 223.10
Safety Check - labor only 53.43
Toyo Proxes T1-S 205/55-15 & 225/50-15 786.28
Front Brake Rotor 155.25
Rear Brake Rotor 180.55
OEM Rear Brake Pad Set 55.49
OEM Front Brake Pad Set 69.06
Ball Sockets for Heater Servo Control Rod 3.92
Bulb - Backup 4.59
Bulb - Running Light 4.59
Bulb - Interior 4.59
Window washer L Check valve 6.48
Window washer T Check valve 10.20
Wheel bearings, sway bar brackets, smogging & Final Safety Check 1114.89
Oil Filter 18.18
Air Filter 24.40
Oil 20W50 11 litres (mileage 62,000 mi) 29.07
Leatherique 55.97
Pulley Wrench, 911(my wife bought this one - check the price!) 72.25
Original Spark Plug Wrench 17.00
Neatrix Rear Spring Plate Bushing Kit 62.50
Front Hood Shock 13.90
OEM Boge Shocks 202.86
Cab Door Seal, left/right 24.75
Fuel Filter 54.30
Redline 75W90 NS Gear Oil* (mileage 64,000 mi) 50.60
3M Spray Adhesive 17.01
Engine Compartment Sound Mat 50.95
Towing 118.37
Fuel Pump 210.45
Crush rings for above 1.65
Mahle Oil Filter 7.99
Crush washers 0.81
Valve Cover Gasket Kit 23.23
Oil - Castrol GTX 3 x 5 L (mileage 65,545 mi) 26.89
Oil Line (thermostat to engine line) 100.63
Front Brake Lines 30.25
Front Brake Caliper Seals 28.98
Valve Adjustment Tool 11.16
Blades for above 9.14
12 MM Allen Wrench 2.39
Part for Cab Top 911-565-279-61-70B 5.52
Part for Cab Top 911-565-279-61-71B 5.52
Distributor Cap, 911 Carrera (1984-89) 44.25
Ignition Rotor, 911 Carrera (1984-89) 22.00
Bosch H4 Headlamp with Black Trim Ring 338.00
Headlamp to Fender Seal, 911 (1965-94) 5.00
H4 80/100 Watt Replacement Bulb 25.50
Valve Cover Gasket Kit, 911 (1968-89) 22.50
Bump Streer Kit 15.47
Used Airbox (so it will sound cool) 85.00
Lighted key head without key blank 29.75
Speed Bleeder Valves, pair Rear 12.45
Speed Bleeder Valves, pair Front 11.80

You will note that I haven't totaled it.* I'm too scared to.

Ian

 

GREAT point Ian. A friend just asked me about the cost associated with replacing the headliner and converting the rear windows to the older opening style. I told him that with me doing 99% of the work, it cost somewhere between $1,200 & $2,000.
He was very surprised that I din't know the total. I told him that I didn't care, or want to know.
+++

 

Thank you, Dan. You're right. I just don't need to know. It's my hobby. I've saved hundreds (if not thousands already) by doing the work myself.

And I love it.

Ian

 

In my six years of Audi ownership (Bought it three years old), I have spent about $7K on repairs and maintenance items (Unacceptable for a daily driver, I'm buying an Acura next). I've spent a bit less for the 911 over the same six years, but most of that was track upgrades (I do most of my own work). Someone once said that these are all $20K cars. Pay now or pay later.