gerry100

I've got an '86 I drive for fun almost everyday when the roads are dry and salt free.

However I don't think the car would be much fun in stop and go traffic and the extra wear and tear on the clutch/tranny may shorten the life of some components.

CN

I believe you are being optomistic in your expectations of $1000/yr. I bought my 911 with about 40,000 miles on it and everything worked at the time. I use my 1989 Carrera for recreational use (8000 miles/yr). I have purchased the following over 3 yrs:

1 set of rear tires
2 sets of front tires
4 sets of brake pads & rotors
1 fix A/C leak & recharge refrigerant
1 new Voltage regulator
1 Heater blower
1 Air filter
6 Oil change & filter
1 Valve adjustment
4 Hood & trunk shocks
1 new battery (failed from voltage regulator failure)
1 air filter
6 spark plugs
1 Momo shift ****
1 replace windshield & seal

All this stuff including labor was lots more than $1000/yr.

Some variables apply ie: Can you do the work yourself. Do you like to let things go and not fix them. Do you assume no speeding tickets. ETC...

cheers,

Stuttgart951

[quote]Originally posted by CN:
<strong>

Some variables apply ie: Can you do the work yourself. Do you like to let things go and not fix them. Do you assume no speeding tickets. ETC...

cheers,</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes I can do most of the work myself - Im leaning towards the SC's because they are somewhat easier to work on than the 3.2's. Does that still make my $1,000/yr figure low? Just trying to get a feel.

CN

If you have a good source for cheap parts and do the work yourself (to me, time is money), than $1500/per/yr.(average over 5 years)is possible. Just don't try it on a really tight leash. All it takes is a tranny or valve job and you are done for your budget. Have you ever owned a boat? just keep a $2000 safety buffer.

Matt Chamblin

Ditto to what CN said about $$$$ safety bumper.

Biotron

Okay, maybe it's a sin. I have to admit that 20K miles in the last 15 months may be more enjoyement that I should be having but.... I have to tell ya, I have had four Bimmers, a Corvette, and a long list of other cars that are not the driving experience of my 88 Targa. It now has 77K on it with no smoke, no oil usage or leaks and everything works great. I keep up with the routine oil change (Mobile 1) and so forth and except for wearing off a little rubber, have had very little expense. It is fun watching the Mustangs and such slide on the on ramp through the rear view mirror... <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

nostatic

I've had my '79 for about 2.5 months, and drive it every single day (commute to work and weekend beach runs). I found a very low miles (40K) unmolested car, paid an upper end price (per BA valuations), and have put over 3K miles on it already. Right off the bat I spent about $2K on little things and a major service (tune, valve adjust, brake lines, and some switches fried). I could have put them off, but I wanted everything just so, and full service up to date. Judging from my research, if you get a good car and do some maintenance yourself, you can get by with the $1K/yr figure. That will balloon up if you need to do something major (top end, clutch, tranny, etc). IMHO you will probably end up putting $1K into the car right off the bat depending on how **** you are. I'd rather fix it before it breaks if I can.

Stuttgart951

I guess Im not really including valve adjustments and other major service in the $1K/yr estimate. I see that as maint I can see coming - I think the $1k buffer zone is more for unexpected stuff and simple maint like fluids, etc.

What I would like to have happen is find a nice, clean (not a show car, as it will be driven) 911 SC or early 3.2 (non-G50) with high milage for under 16-17K max that has already had a clutch put in, and maybe even a tranny and engine rebuild.

Right off the bat Id figure on a valve adjustment - but if I can get rebuilds and a clucth from the PO within the last 20-30K miles, I should be set barring some unseen problem.

With prices as low as they are right now - I should have more trouble finding the right car than paying the right price.